Thank you for providing a home for the dogs being raised in Prison Programs. Here is some basic information on the Prison Puppy Program and the role you would play in training these amazing dogs. As important as it is for the inmates to train the puppies, it is also crucial that the puppies at a young age learn good house manners and get exposed to environments outside the prisons.
Host request emails are sent by a Can Do Canines staff member. When you receive the email, please respond with the dates you wish to host. We will share pickup and drop-off instructions with you before your hosting commitment.
Hosts are provided with food and basic information about the pup they are hosting. When you’re done hosting a dog, we ask that you submit the Volunteer Feedback Form, which can be found on the Puppy Program Portal. We kindly ask you to complete this each time you foster.
You will receive the necessary supplies at time of pickup for the dog you are hosting. These supplies will include a basic care sheet, feeding information, dog food, and a head halter. For people taking the dog for 2-weeks as a Home Stay Host, a cape will also be included for outings. When returning supplies, do not send anything extra back to the prison, but please be sure all supplies received are returned so they have them available for the next host. Do not keep the cape at home as it belongs to the dog-in-training; they need it for daily use in their training.
If you choose to volunteer as a Two-Week Home Stay Host, please click here to complete the form to sign up for Public Access Training (cape rights) before you take a dog out in public. There is an online component to training and an in-person component. The in-person component will take about an hour, and we will meet at a public location. You can still host a dog before doing the Public Access Training, but you will need to finalize the in-person training during the second week the dog is with you.
Contact Puppy Program for any behavior, training, or medical questions.
Phone: 763-299-7642
Email: [email protected]
In case of an emergency with the Can Do Canine dog in your care, contact a Can Do Canine Puppy Program Staff member as soon as possible. Should the emergency become life-threatening, proceed immediately to the nearest emergency clinic.
Call the office at 763-331-3000 and choose option 3. Please only use this number for emergencies.