Service Dog Training

As a Therapy Dog Trainer and Pet Dog Trainer I see everyday the joy dogs can bring to people. I also regularly was approached by people who wanted to train their own dogs as Service Dogs. They either couldn’t afford a program trained dog, didn’t want to wait years on a list for a service dog or just already had a beloved dog that they thought could help them. So was born our Service Dog Training program for privately owned dogs. We work with each client and family to develop a personalized, comprehensive service dog training program to meet the unique needs of the client/dog team. We can also guide you in deciding if a service dog is right for you and help you choose a dog or puppy if you do not already own the dog.

Service Dogs

Under Title III of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and virtually all state laws, a service dog is an dog that has been trained to perform work or tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability. These specifically trained service dogs are allowed to accompany their handler wherever the handler goes with few exceptions. This public access is protected by federal law under the ADA. We can evaluate your dog or guide you in choosing and dog or puppy to become a Service Dog Team.

Emotional Support Dogs

Emotional support animals have not been trained to perform work or tasks. Instead, they provide a benefit to a person with a disability just by being present. Handlers with emotional support dogs cannot bring them to places that do not allow dog/pets. Emotional Support Dogs can live in housing that does not normally allow pets under the federal Fair Housing Act ESA are considered pets for travel by plane. They can only be in the in the cabin as a pet and are subject to pet fees and restrictions.

Our Training Philosophy

Positive Canine Training uses ethical and scientifically-based training methods. We believe that using the most reward based, least invasive method promotes long-lasting results with your dog’s skills and encourages confidence in every situation. Our goal is to always listen to the client and the dog, strive to educate ourselves, ask questions of our peers and mentors, and ensure we are using the most positive and productive methods possible. We owe this to ourselves, the dog, the client, and the dog industry as a whole.

We will create a customized training plan to teach your privately owned dog all the necessary skills to mitigate your/your loved one's disability.

​The best way to communicate and build a relationship is different with every dog. With a range of dog training backgrounds, degrees, certifications, and specialties, We know how to design a training plan that teaches the most effective way to communicate with and motivate you and your dog. We can help you learn and teach your dog desirable behaviors while also building a lasting relationship of mutual happiness. Our company requires continued trainer education to promote gentle, effective, fast, and fun ways to train dogs using the most up-to-date information and sound, scientifically-based methods.

Service dogs increase freedom and independence by providing assistance in everyday life. Service dogs can improve the lives of people with a wide range of disabilities, whether physical, neurological, or psychiatric. We train service dogs to mitigate symptoms of many disabilities such as: autism, anxiety disorders, depression, diabetes, hearing loss, mobility, multiple sclerosis (MS), narcolepsy, post-traumatic stress (PTS or PTSD), severe allergies, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). We also often customize tasks for a specific client’s needs.

Cost/Pricing

The cost of training your dog to become a Service Dog will be effected by many factors. Are you starting with a puppy? or an adult dog who already has basic skills? What are the tasks you would like your dog to perform? How much of your own time will you be able to devote to training the dog? Training your dog/puppy to be a service dog is a process that usually takes over 1 year to complete. We can evaluate your dog and let you know if he is suitable for service work, public access and likely to be able to meet your specific needs. If you do not have a dog we can assist you in choosing a dog or puppy suitable for your needs.