Puppy Raising With Kathy Zastrow

We’ve interviewed puppy breeders, trainers, and handlers now it’s time to get the perspective from a puppy raiser. Kathy Zastrow with Canine Companions For Independence joins us to share her unique perspective on raising a puppy before handing it off to the training process. She shares so many surprises and family lessons learned as well as some of her memorable moments.  Episode Highlights 

1:10 - Meet Kathy Zastrow puppy raiser for & Northwest Region Board Member with Canine Companions for Independence 

2:45 - Volunteering for a new puppy with a catch! 

4:15 - Kathy’s children learn a valuable lesson 

7:00 - Family lessons learned raising puppies 

10:30 - The kids continuing the legacy

11:30 - Introducing the program to Aiden the first puppy Kathy raised

15:00 - A trip to the grocery store wins over the principal 

17:00 - Jared takes the dog on the school bus 

19:30 - 5 types of Canine Companions for Independence service dogs

21:30 - Supporting Veterans with PSTD

24:00 - What the process for becoming a puppy raiser looks like

27:30 - The behaviors and training these puppies have 

30:30 - The importance of socialization

32:00 - The funnest place Kathy has socialized a puppy

34:00 - Raising male puppies

37:00 - Placing a dog in the right job based on their personality 

39:30 - What the transition from training to working looks like for the dogs

42:45 - Observing the unexpected path the dogs take

45:00 - Watching Monty work as a facility dog

48:15 - A dog goes down an unexpected path 

53:00 - Prairie unexpectedly becomes the star of the class

56:30 - Colleen shares on Blake’s headstrong moments

59:30 - Kathy reflects on past placements & future plans Links To References

Canine Companions For Independence