SERVICE DOG TRAINING IN NEW YORK
WHAT IS A SERVICE DOG?
Service dogs undergo specialized training to support individuals with disabilities, acting as dedicated companions who perform vital tasks and deliver important medical alerts. While many are familiar with guide dogs for the visually impaired, service dogs are trained to assist with a wide range of disabilities, each tailored to meet the unique needs and challenges of their handlers.
SERVICE DOG EVALUATION
Are you in need of a service companion and want to use your own dog?
Not all dogs can become service dogs, just like not all dogs are good for hunting. We always say that there are no absolutes when it comes to working with dogs, but after training well over 8000 dogs, we know dogs! Through experience and education, we know how to push your dog’s buttons to see if he or she has what it takes to be a service dog. Call and set up a service dog evaluation, and let us take a look!
Depending on the age of the dog we are evaluating, this may be an overnight evaluation.
$100 (no sales tax)
OUR SERVICE DOG TRAINING PROGRAM
All service dogs are not the same. At Certified Canine Services, we break it down into segments to help potential customers understand what it might take to train their individual service dog. We will develop a program catered to your disabilities.
6-Week Obedience Program
Every service dog starts by completing a 6-week obedience program. This is where the language that you will use to communicate with your dog is installed. This is the foundation for every service dog that we train.
Public Access Training
The next important part of every service dog’s training is public access. This is where your dog learns how they should act in public places. They are taught what is appropriate behavior in public and what is not. Any service dog by law can be asked to leave a public place like a store or restaurant if they are causing problems. We believe to some extent that service dogs should be invisible. This part of the training can normally be completed in 2 weeks. During that time, your dog will be going with one of our trainers to a variety of places that may include movie theaters, restaurants, stores, malls, sporting events, parades, family events etc.
TASK Training for Service Dogs
The next part of the training is where we begin to individualize and tailor the training to the owner’s disability. This is called TASK training. Tasks could be:
- pulling a wheelchair
- retrieving things off of the floor
- opening doors
- having a harness with a support handle for balance work
- turning lights on and off, etc.
The length of time for training tasks varies depending on how complicated the task is and the dog’s ability to learn new things. The more your dog likes to work, the better! We normally break task training down into 2-week increments.
Testing & Certification
Travel Packages
If you’re traveling from outside the Pulaski area where our headquarters is located, we offer convenient travel packages for dogs enrolled in our training programs. Our team can coordinate safe pickup and return transportation, allowing owners from farther away to easily participate in our services.
Each travel arrangement is tailored to the individual dog. A trusted Certified K9 staff member accompanies your dog or puppy throughout the journey, providing attentive care and ensuring safe, comfortable transportation to and from our facility.
We have experience coordinating travel for dogs from:
- New York City
- All of New York State
- Boston and throughout Massachusetts
- Delaware
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Connecticut
Coming from further away? No problem. Contact us to discuss travel options and custom pricing for your location.
OUR OTHER TRAINING PROGRAMS
Immersive training programs where dogs stay at their facility to learn essential manners and commands through structured, professional instruction. The camps focus on building reliable obedience, improving leash behavior, and strengthening communication between dogs and their owners for lasting results
Training prepares well-mannered dogs to provide comfort and emotional support in settings like hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. The program emphasizes calm temperament, socialization, and obedience to ensure dogs can interact safely and positively with diverse groups of people.
Designed for young dogs and focuses on tackling early behavioral issues like poor manners or signs of aggression. It emphasizes foundational obedience, socialization, and setting up your puppy for success in later training.
OUR SERVICE DOG TRAINERS
Neil, Brad, and Rachel have attended National K-9 Training Center, a school for dog trainers that was created by Scott Mueller, who was a pioneer in training the first service dogs for mobility work in the United States. We’ve been trained by the best, so now you can too!
