The GBCA Service Dog in Training Program lasts about 8-10 months long and is a boarded program. The trainer works daily with the SDiT on a variety of foundations including crate training, potty training, basic obedience, public access, and task work. The dogs are hand picked around 7 weeks old when they are neurologically complete. Each day that passes after this mark may corrupt the puppies response due to prior learning. GBCA uses temperament testing to choose puppies that have the most potential for success to become a fully trained service dog.

GBCA partners with Just Wright Candids (JWC), a local breeder specializing in working dog breeding, who donates the ideal candidates to our SDiT program. This means there is no direct cost for the dog to our clients. Through this partnership, GBCA implements JWC’S ENS (early neurological stimulation), socialization, and enrichment programs for all produced litters. We are hands on with these SD candidates from the day they are born ensuring we are making the best possible decisions on who to start in our program.

GBCA matches clients to service dogs based on the client’s personality, energy levels, lifestyle, and tasks needing to be trained. This leads to a high success rate for both the dog and the handler as they start their journey together.