PUPPY CUDDLERS...
 

Cuddle (p)up & socialize!

Puppy cuddlers are people who enjoy puppies.  They like the smell of puppy breath... they get a kick out of watching the silly things puppies do... they find pleasure in cooing to canine babies... they have a fondness for feeling soft baby fur beneath their fingers.   But, most importantly, they understand the importance of socialization and want to be instrumental in this process.

Although socialization is an ongoing process which continues for his entire life, this period is a critical one because it's the time in which initiating social relationships is the most effective.  So, this is where our puppy cuddlers come in... helping our puppies form social relationships!  This program allows the puppies to meet and interact with many different types of people in their own familiar environment. 

What do puppy cuddlers do?
Cuddle puppies!  Our puppy cuddlers interact with the puppy... touch him, pet him, coo to her, play with her.  They let the puppy smell their breath, lick their face, fall asleep in their arms.  Puppies don't generalize that all people are the same... a man with a beard is different than a woman in a ponytail.  So, we want the puppy to meet all kinds of people, from different backgrounds and lifestyles.  We also invite our puppy cuddlers to puppy parties!

What types of people can be a puppy cuddler?
Any type... every type!  The more different types of people the puppies meet, the better.  Do you have a mustache?  Work at a construction site?  Bake cookies?  Wear a uniform?  Play a musical instrument?  Walk with a cane?  Use crutches?  Carry an umbrella?  Wear a big hat?  Have a loud laugh?  These are the types of people we want to expose the puppy to during this socialization period (and throughout his life).

What do puppy cuddlers do to prepare for their session?
If people are coming from work... we encourage them to wear their uniform.  Especially if they're a mail carrier, UPS or Fed Ex driver!  We want our puppies to be comfortable around anyone in a uniform including a nurse, firefighter, construction worker, policeman, Hazmat worker, etc.  The pups also imprint the smells associated with these various "careers" which assists in their socialization.

We also ask people to pull out their halloween costumes and get creative!  Bring a purple wig, groucho marx glasses, a clown nose.  We teach all our puppy cuddlers how to systematically introduce these additional stimuli, and always monitor the interaction.  But, the creative ideas our cuddlers come up with makes for good socialization!

What are the benefits of being a puppy cuddler?
Research has shown that there are emotional and physical benefits to touching and interacting with animals.  It can help lower blood pressure and provide stress relief.  People who interact with animals have a longer life span and suffer from less depression.  It can enhance the human-animal bond, and can also provide a distraction from pain and illness.

How can I become a puppy cuddler?
You can complete our volunteer application.   We will contact you to set up an orientation session that will teach you specific techniques for interacting with the puppies.

What are the hours for puppy cuddling?

Monday, Wednesday & Friday - 2:00pm - 4:00pm (by appointment)

Tuesday & Thursday - 6:00pm - 8:00pm (by appointment)

Saturday & Sunday - 2:00pm - 4:00pm (by appointment)

(hours subject to change)

To schedule your appointment, please send an email to puppyprodigies@aol.com

Can I fit puppy cuddling into my schedule?
Of course!  We want it to be fun for you and the puppies.  You can cuddle puppies if you're able to make only one session... or fifty!  Whatever your schedule allows... and of course that fits into the hours above.

What are the puppy cuddler guidelines?

• We have to be extremely careful that our puppies don't contract parvo or other diseases, so hands must be washed with dis-infectant soap prior to handling puppies.

• Upon entering property, please spray soles of shoes with dis-infectant spray (available at entrance).

• Shoes must be removed, or shoe covers must be worn (available at the door).

• Upon entering house, hands must be washed with anti-bacterial soap.

• You should wear freshly laundered clothes during your visit... or bring them with to change into once here.

• You should not visit a dog park or other places frequented by dogs the day of your cuddling.

• You should not visit a kennel the day of your cuddling.

• You should not visit with other young puppies the day of your cuddling.

• Puppies need to remain on your lap while cuddling.

• Puppies must be held with two hands at all times.

• Children must be accompanied by an adult, and supervised at all times.

• Children must sit on the floor when cuddling.

• No other dogs are allowed on site so as not to stress the mama dog.

• Puppies are to remain in the puppy pen, or play yard at all times. 

• Games that encourage puppies to bite or mouth you are not allowed.

• Absolutely, never, EVER pick puppies up from the pen or puppy yard if they are jumping up.  They must have "four on the floor" before picking them up.  This helps them learn NOT to jump on people.  You will help solidify their default sit if you make sure they're sitting before picking them up.

• Never pet a puppy that is jumping up, same as above... they must have "four on the floor".  A jumping puppy should be ignored as any interaction will be reinforcing to the puppy and result in continued jumping.

What do you recommend I wear for my visit?
It would be best if you wear shoes that do not have shoe laces, as puppies tend to want to play with them, and you'll have puppies attached to your feet, and chewing in-appropriately.  So, we recommend closed shoes with no laces.

It would also be beneficial not to wear jewelry, especially dangling earrings as puppy nails can get caught and cause harm to both you and the puppy.