ADNZ uses a registered dog trainer for the training and care of all dogs being trained to meet client's needs. While the dogs are in training they are housed in kennels and walk-in runs, or are inside with the trainer. They are desexed, vaccinated, registered and microchipped, flea treated and wormed, and receive appropriate veterinary care as required. At the training facilities there are 30 acres of land with an adjoining forest. The training and kennel team are able to ensure that all dogs are adequately exercised and given appropriate 'time out' from training.

A thorough assessment of the client's needs, circumstances and environment is completed before an application for an Assistance Dog is accepted. This means that ADNZ is able to assess the appropriateness of the client's need for an Assistance Dog. It also ensures that the applicant understands what is involved in the ongoing care, health and welfare of the dog, and has the ability to provide it.

A signed agreement is required before an Assistance Dog is handed over to a client. The client is given sufficient training (between ten to fourteen days) to ensure that they know how to work with their dog. They receive monthly phone calls for the first six months followed by an annual personal follow-up visit throughout the dog's working life.

Dogs that are trained to become Assistance Dogs but prove to be unsuitable are re-homed appropriately, with the same care that is given to the applicants of Assistance Dogs.

ADNZ have a very comprehensive training program. Only dogs that successfully achieve training standards and meet the temperamental analysis criteria are provided as service Assistance Dogs.

At present ADNZ has one qualified trainer, Julie Hancox, who using many of the same techniques and methods that she used during her ten years working for the RNZFB, Guide Dog Services. Training an Assistance Dog takes approximately six months, during which time the dogs receive assessment, basic obedience, social behaviour, home behaviour and specific task training. Each training session is recorded. Training increases in intensity and difficulty according to the dog's individual temperament and learning pace. 

ADNZ dogs are trained specifically to assist with every day tasks that may be difficult when there is an impairment or disadvantage present.  Although not exclusively much of our work to date has been training dogs to assist people with Autism, particularly children. Typically children with Autism look 'normal' but display a wide range of behaviours which makes living difficult for them and for those caring for them. These include a lack of empathy and socialisation, one-sided conversations, pedantic repetitive speech, poor verbal or no verbal skills, 'melt-downs' and 'bolting' behaviours. Each child's individual needs are assessed and a suitable Assistance Dog is trained specifically to meet those requirements.

ADNZ Dogs can trained in the following areas:

• Retrieval tasks
• Carrying tasks (non retrieval)
• Deposit tasks
• Tug tasks
• Nose nudge tasks
• Pawing tasks (some dogs prefer pawing to nose nudge)
• Bracing tasks (no harness)
• Harness tasks for mobility assistance
• Assistance in crisis*
• Medical assistance tasks*

*Only appropriate for large, sturdy adult dogs with sound joints that are properly trained

The dogs currently in training were sourced through the general population and hopes to shortly receive puppies from approved breeders. ADNZ has also an agreement that enables them to apply for suitable dogs withdrawn from Guide Dog Services, should they become available. The Trust currently has no plans to formulate a breeding program and will look to continue sourcing appropriate dogs and puppies (Labradors, Golden Retrievers or crosses of these) from the existing general population.