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We train 4 types of assistance dogs: Service Dogs, Facility Dogs, Skilled Companions; Hearing Dogs.

However, Canine Companions does not train or place dogs for the following; to do guide work for the blind, to do seizure or diabetic alert/response, to anticipate or detect medical symptoms, for the primary benefit of emotional comfort or social support, to recognize and/or manage undesirable human behavior, to provide supervision, navigation, or safety from environmental hazards, to respond aggressively, to provide personal protection, to assist with the management of mental illness as a primary condition.

The application process lasts between 3 - 6 months, on average, before an applicant can be accepted into the Canine Companions' program. If accepted, the candidate moves to the waiting list, which can last anywhere from 6 months to 2 ½ years.

Once accepted as a candidate, Canine Companions trains the students how to effectively work an assistance dog during a short and intense two-week period called Team Training. These are held at each of Canine Companions training centers. Canine Companions instructors will only graduate a student with an assistance dog if they feel that person can safely and effectively handle and care for the dog on their own or with the assistance of a facilitator or training assistant.