Some participants elect to receive a fully trained dog, while others enter the program with their own pet and receive individualized instruction in their dog's training. Our goal is to encourage participation in the training process while remaining flexible and aware of each participant's individual needs. Our training process involves careful assessment of each dog, basic skills, public access training, and the training of individual assistive skills needed by each handler. All training methods are positive and motivational. Behaviors are shaped using operant and classical conditioning.
Training usually lasts from one to two years.
Discovery Dogs works with clients who live within 2 hours of the San Francisco Bay Area in California. Scholarships are occasionally available. Participants may choose to secure sponsorships from service groups, family, friends and other organizations to help defray training costs.