Our Training Program

We currently use dogs that we have bred ourselves from health and temperament tested parents in our service dog training program.  These dogs undergo lots of training and socialization starting from the time they were born!  Our service dogs in training work with volunteer trainers and puppy raisers to learn basic obedience, house manners, & public access skills, to prepare them for advanced task training and life as a working dog.  They live in our homes, become a member of our family, and will forever have a piece of our hearts, but we know they will go on to make an amazing impact in someone's life!  Generally our dogs are with puppy raisers until they reach 9-14 months of age depending on maturity and the types of jobs they will be performing.

Once one of our training dogs has completed the basic training portion of our program, we begin to match them with an applicant.  This matching process is based on the person's disability and lifestyle needs, physical ability, and finding compatible personalities.  Please understand that we do not let our applicants pick their dog for this reason.  

Once a dog is matched, we begin the specialized custom task training of that dog to the individual's needs.  The task training portion of our program can take 3-6 months.  

A donation of $12,000 - $16,000 is required by the applicant to be matched with one of our dogs.  The range in price varies based on where the applicant is located and the specific tasks that are needed for that individual.  Occasionally we have scholarships available for low-income applicants from grants we receive, but these are not always available.

Placements are 1-2 weeks long and can be done with our trainers in Southern California, in your home town where our trainers bring the dog to you, or a combination of both.  The placement location and length of time is up to the judgement of our trainers as to what they think would be most successful for each applicant and dog.

Service dog placement is vital to ensuring both the dog and recipient successfully grow as a service dog team.  During placement, recipients work with our trainers 3-6 hours each day to master handling skills and bond with their new service dog.  

Our team of trainers is here to support you with your Cornerstone Companions Service Dog for the lifetime of the dog.