WATCH D.O.G.S.® Dads of Great Students
Our goal?Improve outcomes for every student!
Our proven program for elementary and secondary school campuses successfully engages the parents and guardians in a community by focusing primarily on fathers and father figures. Since 1998, more than 2 million+ dads have served at over 8,800+ schools.
Find your school's program
Start typing your school's name. Or, if you already know your program passcode (like AR1001), enter it directly.
No program at your school yet?
Why WATCH D.O.G.S.®
One of the nation's largest school-based family engagement programs.
The Dads of Great Students WATCH D.O.G.S.® program is one of the nation's largest and most respected school-based, family, and community engagement organizations, designed and developed by educators, experts, and parent and guardian volunteers over more than two decades.
A positive male presence in the hallways and classrooms
Our programs for elementary and secondary school campuses help provide positive male role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important.
Extra eyes and ears on every campus
We provide extra sets of eyes and ears to enhance school security, reduce bullying, and provide a greater sense of campus safety, allowing students and teachers to focus on learning and instruction.
Training, uniforms, and a startup kit
We provide training content, support materials, uniform apparel, and other promotional items for your campus community. The 7 Steps to Success on-demand video training walks your school through everything before launch.
Built to support principals and teachers
Our mission is to support principals and teachers by providing willing volunteers while contributing to improved outcomes for students. Two decades of educators, experts, and parent volunteers have shaped how the program runs today.
Free training, front and center
Take the FREE 7 Steps to Success Trainingto Start a New WATCH D.O.G.S.® Program or to Step in to Lead an Existing Program.
Training is on demand. Tell us where you are and HQ emails your training portal link within one business day. The video and the Important Program Guidelines support document live behind that link in your program dashboard.
Parent volunteers
About to spend a day on campus.
First time as a WatchDOG? The short Day on Duty variant covers the uniform, the dog tag, what your school expects, and what makes the day feel right.
Get my training linkProgram leads
Already running a program.
For Top Dog Coordinators and the Top Dog Team. Inherit a calendar, reset for the new year, build the council, and keep the program healthy through spring.
Get my training linkStarting a new program
Bringing it to your school.
The full launch walkthrough for schools standing up a program for the first time. Covers admin buy-in, the launch event playbook, and the first ninety days.
Get my training linkAs seen on
Watch the program in action
News stories from around the country.
Real schools, real dads, real impact. A short look at the program and the lives it helps change for the better.
More videos on our YouTube channel.
Thousands of programs nationwide
Already a dad at your school? Drop in.
Each program has a six-character passcode. It looks likeAR1001orTX1234. Enter yours to land on your school's program page and sign up for your day on campus.
Do not have a passcode yet? Ask your school's Top Dog or front office, or search by school name.
Or peek at a few sample chapter pages
Give back
Support WATCH D.O.G.S.® programs in need.
Your generosity helps fund program kits, uniforms, and launch events for schools that cannot cover those costs on their own. Get in touch and our team will share the most impactful ways to give today.
For Every Student Across America.
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Whether you are a parent looking to volunteer, a principal exploring how to launch a program, or a Top Dog Coordinator running one already, the National Office is here to help. Call us at 1-888-540-3647 or use the form to get started.