Training a service dog begins at about three weeks of age with Warriors, staff, and volunteers dedicated to socializing and preparing these young pups to become loving and loyal service companions.

Some of these young service dogs in training are selected to participate in the PPH program where their temperament and physical characteristics make them ideal service dog candidates for Warriors.  It costs PPH $35,000 to fully train a service dog that will be placed with a wounded Warrior.

Using dogs that are selected, bred and fostered to be socially responsive and engaging is key to the success of the program. As Service Members affected by PTSD often isolate and resist interaction with others, the purpose-bred traits of these dogs make it very difficult for our patients to isolate or resist the safe relationships offered by loving and non-judgmental companions. As the dogs mature and acquire service dog skills, they return to Bergin College of Canine Studies for final training and evaluation. Some will be placed at no cost with a Warrior with combat-related disabilities while others will be identified for “career changes” that go on to graduate as social/therapy dogs, facility dogs,

At 4 weeks, puppies are:

• Introduced to training methods verbal with lure, target, pro-offer, just verbal
• Exposed to distractions
• Accompanying Warriors and staff on field trips carried in special puppy slings

At 12 weeks, pups start to train for:

• Scent detection
• Rally obedience
• Agility
• Treibball
• Pups know approximately X Commands

At 6 months, pup training continues for the most gentle dogs.

• Continues with training methods: verbal with lure, target, pro-offer, just verbal
• Pups now walk during field trips
• They know approximately X commands

At 12 months, pups are now adolescents and training continues

• Continues with training methods
• Wheelchair training is added
• Pups know approximately X Commands

At around 24 months, pups are now service dogs!

• Finalize training to learn advanced com­mands
• Pups accompany Warriors through­out day and night
• Service dogs now know more than 120 commands