Owner-Trained Service Dog Coaching 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.
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 public access skills that hold up in real world environments.
Training sessions are available both in-person across select areas of Maryland and Washington D.C., or online for owners outside the service area.
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 the process of training a reliable service dog takes at least 1-2 years.
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 an Owner Trained Service Dog aligns with your goals, capacity, and daily routines
Assistance choosing the right age, breed, and where to get your dog
How to prepare your home and daily routine for living with and training your dog
Development of a realistic training plan based on your needs and the needs of your dog
A note about fees:
My fees for service dog private training options are much lower than the norm, and lower than my fee for working with dogs with behavioral problems. Even though it costs thousands less to train your own dog, it is still an investment of time and money. We will be working together for at least 1-2 years. I balance my need to make a living with many students’ limited finances. If paying for owner trained service dog coaching is still out of reach, I can help you find other resources such as grants and crowdfunding. I believe in the Atlas statement that: “We envision a world where anyone who could benefit from a service dog can have one and where individuals with disabilities and their dogs thrive.”
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 to positive training
Comfort with handling and unfamiliar environments
An evaluation of behavior and/or health issues that may prevent your dog from doing service work
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 success.
Service Dog Training Options and Pricing
Please Note: There is a $10 travel fee for all sessions over 25 minutes from my location.
Pre-adoption Consultation
A one-hour remote or in-person 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 1-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
There is a $10 travel fee for all private training over 25 minutes from my location.
$75 per one hour session
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 and 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
Optional 60-minute review/handoff lesson after 4 sessions $75
Group Classes
Service dog clients participate in regular and specialized classes, building 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
Building focus and impulse control
Relationship building
Mindfulness exercises to support emotional regulation
Public access and real world environments
Group Task Training
Six, 1-hour sessions
First class $185 (includes a treat pouch)
Subsequent classes are $175
Public Access Outings
One-hour sessions in real world environments focused on applying training outside the classroom. During these outings, you and your dog practice navigating public spaces, managing distractions, and responding reliably to cues in environments such as stores, transit, parks, and urban streets.
Each session is tailored to passing the Public Access testing required of all service dogs. Public Access testing ensures your dog can perform all tasks confidently and safely in everyday settings.
$75 per one hour session
Things To Consider
After the required assessment, coaching may include a combination of services, depending on your and your dog’s needs.
Important notes:
Service dog training is individualized and ongoing.
There are no guarantees your dog will function well in all environments. Some dog are unable to successfully complete all service dog training. In those situations, they may still thrive as pets or home-based service dogs.
Training plans are adapted as your dog develops and your needs evolve.