We believe in a better approach.
To minimize risk of failure, almost all working dog canine training and development programs in the United States bring in dogs over 9 months of age, typically older. At Kaiser K9, Inc we know setting a strong foundation is the key to success, which is why we exclusively bring puppies under 9-12 months of age into our program.
Why puppies?
The main reason a dog may not pass working dog qualifications is environmental sensitivity. Being able to shape a dog’s response to its environment begins during critical socialization periods in puppyhood.
How this helps
In order to maximize availability of working dogs, we must maximize the number of dogs we bring through our national programs. By developing dogs starting as puppies, we prevent missing out on potentially incredible dogs. We maximize our candidate pool, and, thus, maximize our working dog population.
Mission: play
By starting puppies young, we help to develop a love of the game — namely a drive to search and a love of playing. The earlier we start this, the best chance they have of succeeding.
Maximizing drives
Just like people, dogs show up to work for a paycheck. For a working dog, that paycheck can be something as simple as a game of tug or fetch. While seemingly small, these dogs must work very hard for their pay — sometimes hours upon hours of work in expansive areas and tough conditions. A quality working dog develops an intrinsic value for the work — this is developed from puppyhood through play!
For the love of the job
Raising dogs from puppyhood allows us to build their drive for their paycheck very early on. Not only can we maximize these drives for future work, we can also determine early on if a puppy will not have the drive to become a working dog. Future resources are saved by removing these puppies from the candidate pool early and they go on to live happy lives in early retirement or in less demanding careers.
Saving lives to save lives
By partnering with supporting canine shelter and rescue organizations, Kaiser K9, Inc is committed to giving puppies a second chance at an incredible life by serving their communities.
Why we rescue
All dogs deserve a second chance. Many puppies exhibit qualities that make being a typical pet hard. These puppies are typically highly energetic, enjoy tugging and playing more than average, and think using couches for parkour (barkour?) is better than napping. These are exactly the types of puppies that make great working candidates!
How rescues benefit
Excellent working candidates can exhibit behaviors that may make these puppies hard to keep in typical homes. These puppies may enter and re-enter rescue systems due to these behaviors. Kaiser K9, Inc not only gives these puppies a second chance, but also prevents re-entry into the rescue system, opening up room for more puppies at need.