Owner-Trained Service Dog Training Programs
After registering, text or call 919-864-0229 to schedule your phone call and assessment.
Professional support for people training their own service dogs.
These programs are designed for people with a documented disability who want to train their own service dogs, including psychiatric service dogs for PTSD and medical alert dogs such as diabetes alert.
My work is grounded in formal education and hands on experience. I am a graduate of the Atlas Assistant Dogs course for professional dog trainers, an extensive program covering the training of service dog tasks excluding guide dogs.
Learn more at atlasdog.org.
From the earliest planning stages through advanced training, clients receive structured guidance, realistic expectations, and individualized support. The focus is not only on task training, but also on selecting an appropriate dog, building a strong working relationship, and developing skills that hold up in real world environments.
Training sessions are available both in-person across select areas of Maryland and NE D.C., or online for owners outside the service area.
Support from day one
Early planning and readiness
Early planning helps align your goals, needs, and expectations with the realities of service dog training. Guidance at this stage supports thoughtful decision making before and after bringing a dog into your life.
This stage includes:
Disability related needs and appropriate service dog tasks
Whether service dog training aligns with your goals, capacity, and daily routines
Considerations around breeds, breeders, rescues, and individual dogs when relevant
Home and routine preparation for training
Development of a realistic training plan based on your environment and long term needs
Initial Assessment
The initial assessment is a required step in the service dog training process. Its purpose is to determine whether a dog is appropriate for service work and to guide the structure of training. Some dogs, due to temperament, stress tolerance, or other factors, may not be suited for the lifestyle required of a service dog.
The assessment evaluates:
Temperament and stress recovery
Learning style and responsiveness
Comfort with handling and unfamiliar environments
Baseline skills and behavior patterns
Overall suitability for service dog work
Because service dog training depends on many factors over time, outcomes cannot be predicted or guaranteed. This assessment provides the foundation for training recommendations, pacing, and next steps, ensuring that both the dog and handler are set up for the best chance of succe
Training Options
After the required assessment, training services may include a combination of the following, depending on your needs.
Important notes:
Service dog training is individualized and ongoing
No class or program guarantees certification, registration, or public access approval
Training plans are adapted as your dog develops and your needs evolve
Services and Prices
Pre-adoption Consultation
A one hour session for clients who do not yet have a dog.
This session covers:
Your disability related needs and potential service dog tasks
The overall service dog training process
Breed considerations
How to choose a puppy or young dog
Preparing your home
$75 per one hour session
In person or via Zoom
Private Sessions
Private instruction is used to:
Reinforce class learning
Address specific challenges
Develop individualized task training
Prepare for evaluations and public access work
$75 per one hour session within a 25 minute drive
$10 travel fee beyond 25 minutes.
Initial Assessment
The Initial Assessment includes:
A detailed observation of your dog’s temperament, responsiveness, and baseline behaviors
Guidance on which service dog tasks are appropriate for your dog
Recommendations for training priorities and pacing
Clear next steps for your service dog program, including class or private session suggestions
A written summary outlining observations, recommendations, and practical guidance
This session provides a structured starting point and actionable plan to maximize your dog’s potential in service dog training.
$75 per hour
Typically 1 to 1.5 hours
Social Learning Sessions
Social Learning sessions are 30 minute private lessons where I work directly with your dog while you observe and learn.
These sessions are designed to:
Jump start training
Help you move through plateaus
Build clarity and timing
Accelerate progress between classes
Packages include handouts and structured homework, with review or handoff sessions after four lessons.
$45 per 30 minute session
$75 per 60 minute review or handoff
Packages of four or more sessions are $45 per 30 minute lesson.
Group Classes
Service dog clients participate in my regular class series, which builds strong foundations for public access and task training. These classes are based on the AKC Canine Good Citizen framework but go beyond the test itself.
Classes emphasize:
Foundation skills from beginner through advanced
Focus and impulse control
Relationship building
Mindfulness exercises to support emotional regulation
Preparing for public access and real world environments
Six 1 hour sessions
First class $185 and includes a treat pouch
Subsequent classes are $175
Public Access Outings
One-hour sessions in real world environments focused on applying service dog skills outside the classroom. During these outings, you and your dog practice navigating typical public spaces, managing distractions, and responding reliably to cues in environments such as stores, transit, parks, and urban streets.
Each session is tailored to your specific goals and the dog’s current skill level, providing practical experience that bridges class learning with real life situations. These outings help ensure your dog can perform tasks confidently and safely in everyday settings.
$75 per one hour session
Is this program right for you?
These programs are designed for people who:
Have a documented disability
Want to train their own service dog rather than obtaining a fully trained dog
Are willing to participate actively in classes, private sessions, and ongoing practice
Understand that service dog training is a long term process with no guarantees