Dogs in training
At around 14 – 18 months old, our dogs embark on the next stage on their journey to become life-changing support dogs.
Our trainers and instructors teach our dogs all the clever things they’ll need to know to transform lives and build a strong connection with the people they will go on to support.
Each dog has their own individual character, so by getting to know them well our trainers and instructors bring out the best in our dogs.
What our dogs learn in each stage of training
Early training
In early training each of our dogs will work with one of our trainers to:
- Develop obedience – ensure our dogs are responding to cues accurately and consistently
- Develop the skills and requirements they may need to support people, such as walking next to a wheelchair or retrieving dropped items
- Work confidently in a range of environments
Advanced training
Advanced training focuses on the specific support our dog may provide, such as:
- Introduce specific mobility aids that were not introduced during early training
- Further developing particular skills they will use in their new role, such as helping to undress, retrieving named items, alerting should a person require assistance, and much more
- Developing confidence or the ability to emotionally support a child in environments or situations that they may find difficult
We work to Assistance Dogs International (ADI) standards. Our dogs are assessed at key points to ensure they’re progressing to meet these standards.
How we care for our dogs in training
At our training centre our dogs are cared for by our Health and Welfare Team, who take care of our dogs when they aren’t working with their trainers or instructors and make sure our dogs are always happy and healthy. Watch the video for a tour of the Dogs for Good site!
Our amazing volunteer Boarders
During their training, our dogs live in the homes of volunteer Temporary Boarders. Boarders provide a loving home in the evenings and at weekends, giving our dogs the chance to have a well-earned rest from training. Watch the video to see what being a Temporary Boarder is like for our volunteer David.