The CPL Training Program
 Dogs entering the service dog program move into the CPL kennel on their first
birthday (having finished their first year in a volunteer puppy home) and will remain there until they are two. During
this year they will perfect and expand the obedience skills that the puppy
homes have begun, increase the intensity of environments in which they are
expected to work, and learn the particular skills needed
to assist a person who has a disability.
Their training is a combination of primarily positive
reinforcement using verbal and physical praise and playtime
as rewards, and negative consequences for inappropriate
behavior - usually a verbal reprimand. The purpose of this
year of training is to build confidence and problem solving
within the dog, and to ensure behaviors that will make
this dog become a reliable, happy, and productive partner.
 Approximately 3/4 of the way through the second year the
trainers make the placement decision for each applicant.
Matches are made based on needs, abilities, personality,
and lifestyle types. Once a placement decision is made
the dog is then custom trained to meet the specific needs
of their upcoming partner.
Skills which service dogs can
be trained to perform include:
Retrieval - dogs retrieve down to a dime on a concrete
floor, can get the telephone, retrieve items from the fridge
or washer/dryer, and take items from shelves.
Dragging - dogs can drag items such as a manual wheelchair
to a person or the laundry basket to the laundry room.
Clothing - dogs can assist with putting on and taking
off clothing such as jackets, socks, shoes, etc.
Paying Cashiers - dogs assist by taking purchases and
wallets up to the level of the person behind counters.
 Opening doors - dogs can open household doors and store
doors using adaptive equipment.
Light switches - dogs can turn light switches on/off.
Help - dogs can be trained to locate another person for
help within the same house.
Turning over in bed - the dogs can help with nighttime flips
to prevent sores.
Assistance walking - dogs act as a cane or walker, assisting with walking by providing balance and momentum.
Stairs - dogs assist with negotiating stairs by providing
stability and security.
Chairs/Floor - dogs can assist and individual who is getting
up off the floor or out of a chair.
Locking the footrests of a wheelchair - dogs can tug a footrest to lock it into position.
Helping someone in a manual wheelchair "pop" a curb.
And many more! We're always up for a challenge!
 Once the dog and applicant have been matched, and the dog's
training is complete, the applicant then enters team training
with nine to twelve other teams. This three-week program is
designed to teach the student and dog to work as a team. CPL also teaches the student the essentials of dog care and service
dog etiquette in addition to the legalities involved with
service dog ownership.
The students are required to spend
the three weeks either in a local hotel at their expense
or in volunteer housing if available. The typical training
day includes lectures, obedience classes and field trips
into local shopping areas, museums, towns, etc and usually
runs from 10:00am-4:00pm. Training is held on weekends.
Team training culminates with a certification evaluation
and a graduation ceremony.  An extensive follow-up program
will continue to monitor and evaluate a team's abilities
and needs throughout the entire working relationship.
If
you have a disability and believe a Canine Partner
For Life could assist you, please print out the Service
Dog Application, and return the application to CPL at Post Office Box 170, Cochranville,
PA 19330-0170.
For additional information on Home
Companion Dogs, please
contact our Volunteer and Home Companion Coordinator at x212.
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