If you are training your own Service Dog, this school will help guide you through the process. It starts with the basics, creating a firm foundation to build upon for any type of Service Dog that you may be training.
When you finish the Basic Foundation Skills Course (which is where you will begin) your dog will have several foundation behaviors that he'll need to do his Work as a Service Dog, as well as one Task that can be customized to the individual for a number of types of disabilities.
Your dog will learn to have good manners in public, and also to conduct himself in a way that will allow him to keep his attention on his Service Dog Work.
We will show you how to teach your dog to help you deal with your life challenges, and with this method of training, he will “learn how to learn," which will make your job of continuing his training even easier!
The Basic Foundation Skills course will take you step-by-step through the process of training your Service Dog, with one-on-one help from your own individual trainer which is assigned to you.
You will usually touch base online with your trainer daily as you work through the textbook and the online material. A workbook is provided for you to chart your progress and keep a written record of your training history.
Your trainer will ask for videos of you doing the lessons with your Service Dog in Training, then give you specific feedback in order to help you perfect your technique. You will also have direct access to your trainer for questions you might have. Once you have completed the course with a passing grade, you will receive a certificate of completion.
When does the course begin? Because we will be working with you individually, the course begins when you are ready!
Before you make your decision we want to be sure you are aware of a couple of requirements before you continue.
We are committed to producing excellent Service Dogs which are capable of performing to their Full Potentials, and this requires diligence and commitment from the trainer (you).
1. Students are expected to do their best work. Our teacher-trainers will be working closely with you daily to answer questions and critique your lessons. Not only do you come out of this course with a well-trained dog, but you learn the fundamentals of dog training so that you have the skills to continue your dog’s training.
2. You will need to have purchased or are going to purchase the textbook for the Basic Foundation Skills Course, currently titled "Your Service Dog School Textbook" by Lelah Sullivan (If you receive a qualifying scholarship, the Textbook will be provided).
3. You will be required to submit a short training video (approximately 1 minute) for each “Hands-on Training” section of our course, therefore you will need a phone or digital camera that will allow you to take video.
4. You are required to work with your trainer until you achieve a passing grade because when you finish this course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion that documents all of your hard work.
If you are ready to proceed on this awesome journey with your canine Partner, click on the “Basic Foundation Skills” box below and this will take you to a sign in page where you would select "New Account" above the username box. The cost for the complete training course is $3000 and can be paid via Paypal/credit card.
SLIDING-SCALE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES WHO QUALIFY. ASK FOR AN APPLICATION. CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION
We are excited that you have decided to train your Service Dog with us, and we look forward to getting to know you and watching as you and your dog become an amazing team!
