Service Dog Training
FAQs:
Can I use my own dog to be my service dog?
It depends - if you want to use your own dog, we will start with an evaluation to see if your dog has the temperament needed to become a service dog and will be a good match for your needs. Keep in mind that not every dog wants to be a service dog - it’s sort of like getting into an Ivy League college or becoming a Navy SEAL.
What are the requirements for getting a service dog?
You need to have a disability that the dog can help mitigate with trained tasks. Emotional Support animals can be a wonderful help but are not considered service dogs under federal law so do not get access in public places like service dogs do; your dog must do a trained task beyond making you feel better to qualify under the law as a service dog.
What certifications are required before my dog is a service dog?
There is no legal certification or registration required to make your dog a service dog; only a standard of behavior they have to meet. If any website or organization asks you to pay them to “certify” or “register” your dog as a service dog in the United States, it is a scam! The only legitimate way to turn your dog into a service dog is through training.
What is the total cost of service dog training and how long does it take for my dog to become a service dog?
It’s impossible to put an exact time frame or total cost on training a service dog; the time frame can be influenced by your dog’s motivation to train, how much and how well you are practicing with your dog, and many other factors. But on average, around a year and $3000-$10,000 total. I know this is a lot of money for most people, which is why I allow my students to “pay as they go” with smaller packages of lessons as listed below.
Can I use my own dog to be my service dog?
It depends - if you want to use your own dog, we will start with an evaluation to see if your dog has the temperament needed to become a service dog and will be a good match for your needs. Keep in mind that not every dog wants to be a service dog - it’s sort of like getting into an Ivy League college or becoming a Navy SEAL.
What are the requirements for getting a service dog?
You need to have a disability that the dog can help mitigate with trained tasks. Emotional Support animals can be a wonderful help but are not considered service dogs under federal law so do not get access in public places like service dogs do; your dog must do a trained task beyond making you feel better to qualify under the law as a service dog.
What certifications are required before my dog is a service dog?
There is no legal certification or registration required to make your dog a service dog; only a standard of behavior they have to meet. If any website or organization asks you to pay them to “certify” or “register” your dog as a service dog in the United States, it is a scam! The only legitimate way to turn your dog into a service dog is through training.
What is the total cost of service dog training and how long does it take for my dog to become a service dog?
It’s impossible to put an exact time frame or total cost on training a service dog; the time frame can be influenced by your dog’s motivation to train, how much and how well you are practicing with your dog, and many other factors. But on average, around a year and $3000-$10,000 total. I know this is a lot of money for most people, which is why I allow my students to “pay as they go” with smaller packages of lessons as listed below.
Initial Session (Virtual): $175, 60-90 minutes
Initial Sessions are held virtually and include service dog information, goal-setting and a discussion of service dog tasks. If you already have a dog you want to use, we will do an initial conversation to determine if your dog might be a good fit for the job. If you don’t have a dog yet, we will discuss what you want and need in a dog and can discuss options for moving forward with finding one.
Follow-Up Sessions can be done either virtually or in-person (masks currently required). Day training, where the trainer picks up your dog and works with them, is also an option. Your trainer will discuss the best option for your situation during the initial session.
Virtual session times are flexible and can be done in sessions that are any length of time up to the total time; In-person sessions will last between 45 minutes and one hour. In-person sessions may have travel fees depending on location.
Follow-Up Sessions can be done either virtually or in-person (masks currently required). Day training, where the trainer picks up your dog and works with them, is also an option. Your trainer will discuss the best option for your situation during the initial session.
Virtual session times are flexible and can be done in sessions that are any length of time up to the total time; In-person sessions will last between 45 minutes and one hour. In-person sessions may have travel fees depending on location.
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Private Coaching Sessions
Work with the trainer one-on-one in private sessions (Virtually or In-Person) with homework to work on between sessions. Service dog training is a big commitment and in most cases takes a minimum of several months and often a year or longer. Depending on your budget, you can buy a large package up front or pay as you go with smaller packages. Package Options: One Session $150 Multiple Session Packages Three Hours - $375 Five Hours - $625 Seven Hours - $875 Nine Hours - $1125 After the initial session and first nine follow-up sessions, additional sessions can be added on for $200 per two hours. Eleven Hours - $1325 Twenty Hours - $2225 Twenty-Five Hours - $2725 Fifty Hours - $5225 |
Day Training Sessions
The trainer works with your dog one-on-one without you present, with monthly check-in sessions in person to transfer skills. Package Options: Once a Week One Month - Four Day Training sessions with the trainer and One Transfer session with you present $625 Two Months - Eight Day Training sessions with the trainer and Two Transfer sessions with you present $1225 Twice a Week One Month - Eight Day Training sessions with the trainer and One Transfer session with you present $1125 Two Months - Sixteen Day Training sessions with the trainer and Two Transfer sessions with you present $2025 Three Times a Week One Month - Twelve Day Training sessions with the trainer and One Transfer session with you present $1525 Two Months - Twenty-Four Day Training sessions with the trainer and Two Transfer sessions with you present $2825 All Day Training clients receive access to a Google Drive folder that is updated after each lesson with videos and/or notes from the sessions to keep track of their dog’s progress throughout training. |
Matchmaking
If you need help finding your service dog, I do offer a “matchmaking” program. This package includes an unlimited number of internet searches for rescues, shelters and breeders that fit your needs. It also includes up to five in-person evaluations (up to one hour each - if evaluating for longer than an hour, more of the package cost may be applied to that evaluation). If more than five evaluations are needed to find the right dog, extra evaluations can be added for $100 each (up to an hour).
Matchmaking Package
$500