Canine Companion for Independence trains four types of assistance dogs.

Service Dogs assist independent adults with physical disabilities by enhancing their ability to perform practical daily tasks such as retrieving dropped items, opening doors and flipping light switches on and off.

Skilled Companion Dogs help children and adults with physical and/or developmental disabilities by performing many of the functions of the Service Dog.  Skilled Companions are equally valued for the role they play in providing their partners with a social bridge to other people.

Hearing Dogs benefit adults who are deaf or hard of hearing by alerting them to important everyday sounds such as an alarm clock, doorbell or the cry of a baby.

Facility Dogs work at the side of able-bodied adult who are professional caregivers, educators or skilled volunteers in such fields as physical and occupational therapy, special education, hospice care and hospital visitation.  Facility dogs engage patients in activities to stimulate healing and recovery, provide comfort and unconditional love to the seriously ill or confined, and serve in teaching programs for students with special needs.

Canine Companions for Independence
POB 446
Santa Rosa, CA  95402

 
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1. Walks by your side on a loose leash, following your stride
2. Remains calm and confident in all public situations, including those with distractions.
3. Does not eat food off the floor.
4. Toilets on command, on or off leash, at home or away.
5. Does not beg for food.
6. Remains calm and quiet around other animals.
7. Remains calm and relaxed when introduced to strangers, either adults or children.
8. Does not "protect" toys, food, home, or handler.
9. Is not aggressive toward other animals or people.
10. Is trustworthy and comfortable when left alone for short periods of time.
11. Is well-groomed and healthy.
12. Is willing to work.
13. Is friendly to all, but mannerly in all social situations.
14. Seeks direction from his handler.

BACK  tells the dog to walk backwards or back up.

BED  tells the dog to lay on his/her bed.

CAR  tells the dog to get into the car.

DON'T / NO  tells the dog to stop what it is doing. It is a verbal correction.

DOWN  tells the dog to lie down.

DRESS  tells the dog to remain still while you place a collar, halti or cape on him/her.

DROP  tells the dog to drop whatever is in its mouth and not pick it up again.

HEEL  tells the dog to move to your left side and sit beside you facing forward.

HERE  tells the dog to come directly to you and focus it's attention on you until given another command.

HURRY  tells the dog it is an appropriate time and place to toilet.

JUMP  tells the dog to jump or climb on top of something until given the command OFF.

KENNEL  tells the dog to enter the crate/kennel.

LAP  tells the dog to place its front legs across your lap, resting on his/her elbows until given the command OFF.

LET'S GO  tells the dog to walk beside you (on your left or right side) on a loose leash.

OKAY  tells the dog it can eat from the food bowl.

OFF  tells the dog to get off of something or someone.

QUIET  tells the dog to stop barking or whining.

RELEASE  tells the dog that it is free to do as it wishes within the realm of appropriate behavior.

ROLL  tells the dog to roll over on its back exposing its tummy.

SHAKE  tells the dog to place his/her paw in the palm of your hand or someone else's hand.

SIDE  tells the dog to move to your right side and sit beside you facing forward.

SIT  tells the dog to put its rear on the ground.

SPEAK  tells the dog to bark.

STAND  tells the dog to stand on all four feet without walking around.

STAY  tells the dog to remain in it's exact position.

UNDER  tells the dog to go all the way under an object such as a chair or table and lie down,.

UP  tells the dog to place its front paws on an object such as a table, wall or counter.

VISIT  tells the dog to place its head on your lap.

WAIT  tells the dog not to cross a threshold or barrier.  It does not require the dog to remain in an exact position as with the STAY.