204.794.5456
|
 |
OWNER TRAINER SERVICE DOG TRAINING PROGRAMS
Training Loyal Companions Academy is thrilled to announce OWNER TRAINER SERVICE DOG programs specializing in anxiety and PTSD service task training.
Our newly designed OWNER TRAINER SERVICE DOG programs requires full training commitment and investment of time, promise of training and all-embracing energy. These programs are incredibly rewarding and immensely therapeutic providing a well trained canine companion to help create a more fulfilling life.
What is a Service Dog?
A Service Dog is defined as any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Service dogs perform specific tasks or behaviors to help people with visible and non-visible disabilities such as epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder or anxiety, diabetes or mobility limitations.
Service dog tasks are trained behaviors by the handler to help assist in their everyday life. These tasks can help by alerting to a door bell or fire alarm, retrieving medication or water, opening or closing a kitchen door or drawer or anxiety alert.
Statistic Canada Reference – ‘Persons with disabilities represent a diverse and significant portion of the Canadian population. In 2017, one in five people in Canada aged 15 years and over―or about 6.2 million people or 22% - had at least one disability. There are different types of disabilities, and they can range from mild to very severe’.
Service Dog tasks are client led to their each and individual needs, creating a training program and task training program to suit each disability flexible to adjust at any time if required while taking change into consideration.
Service Dogs require the same training, socialization and exposure that every other young puppy requires. They require the same training in basic cues such as knowing their name, sit down stand body positions, sit and stay with duration and distance and recall come when called training. Service dogs typically retire between the ages of 8 and 10 years.
What is mobility task service dog training?
A mobility assistance dog empowers their handler to be more independent whether they use or find helpful in their every day life a wheelchair, walker, cane, crutches or any other mobility aide. These dogs allow their handler to be more independent in day-to-day life. TLCA will help guide and train mobility assistance dogs for bother adults and children.
Mobility assistance dog can be trained to retrieve to hand specific items, turn on and off lights, open and close drawers, carry items in their mouth, push to open buttons for doors or elevator doors.
What is anxiety and PTSD service dog training?
Training a dog to alert their handler to these signs by pawing or poking their leg to interrupt the despairing behavior of the handler or turning on a light to interrupt a nightmare. Deep Pressure Therapy to help alleviate anxiety in handlers or owners by placing the pressure of the dog’s weight on their handlers lap to physically transferring to mentally induce a sense of calm.
Here are some options and training techniques for Service Dog task training:
-
Service Dog Retrieve – This is an excellent service task for those with mobility concerns, to retrieve items such as a water bottle, keys, a remove control or any item of use to the person with a disability.
-
Chin Rest – A chin rest is when we teach our dogs to rest their chin in our hand. This is an excellent training technique to help dogs remain still and relaxed for grooming, nail trims or injections during a Veterinary visit.
-
Anxiety Alert – We will teach your dog to alert the owner or handler with a nose tap or paw to leg when the owner expresses and indicates body language revealing anxiety.
-
Deep Pressure Therapy – Teaching the dog to lie across the persons legs for a period of time.
-
Nightmare Interruption – Interruption with an identifable body language cue from the owner during sleep.
OWNER TRAINER SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAMS
These comprehensive training programs are in-depth programs designed to shape and train your dog to become a Service Dog or tweak your current Service Dog skills and connection. With life skills training such as recall and leash manners training, to connection work and stay, public access training including parking lot and traffic training, walking through a store and passing merchandise including food-related items, training involving elevators and escalators, public transportation, and restaurant etiquette.
Step One- INITIAL APPLICATION AND PROSPECT ASSESSMENT
Request the INITIAL APPLICATION for review by your certified dog trainer and service dog coach via email. This application covers a wide variety of generalized questions about you and your dog such as eating, drinking, sleeping, behavior concerns, Veterinary information, age and friendliness toward strangers, children and other dogs along with previous training invested and types of training techniques.
If you are looking for a service dog potential, this can be discussed at this assessment.
Cost is $25.00 plus GST = $26.25
Step Two - MEET AND GREET ASSESSMENT
Upon review of your application, your dog will be assessed by your certified dog trainer and service dog coach. This will determine suitability for service dog work. The meet-and-greet assessment requires either 1. ONE in-home private training session, one hour in length, or 2. ONE hour of public access observation at a dog-friendly location.
If required, additional temperament evaluation assessments may be required to assess compatibility for the OWNER TRAINER SERVICE DOG TRAINING program.
Cost is $140.00 plus GST = $147.00
STEP THREE - Acceptance into the program
OPTION ONE - YOUNG DOGS STARTING AT 6 MONTHS - 10 MONTH TRAINING PROGRAM
This course consists of one group and one private training session, meeting three times a month for the group and twice a month for private training. Completing 40 hours of both group and public training sessions, plus an additional 20 hours of in-home private training sessions and public-access training for service dog task training, for a total of 60 hours of training.
Cost: $4.000 plus GST = $4,200.00
Step Three - Acceptance into the program
OPTION TWO - WELL TRAINED DOGS OVER A YEAR IN AGE - 6 MONTH TRAINING PROGRAM
This course consists of one group and one private training session, meeting three times a month for the group and twice a month for private training. Completing 20 group and public training sessions, plus an additional 10 in-home private training sessions for service dog task training, totaling 30 hours of training.
Cost: $2,500.00 plus GST = $2,625.00
private training for at home service dogs
In-home private training for service dog training: the initial assessment is 1.5 hours, and the cost is $120.00 plus GST = $126.000.
A 6-month program meeting three times a month for 1 hour each, for a total of 18 training sessions, is $1,444.00 plus GST = $1,512.00.
This can be online or in-home. There are additional costs for travel.
additional service dog information
Dogs are required to pass the Canadian Kennel Club Canine Good Neighbor test during the course.
There is an additional fee for Public Access Testing and any additional paperwork for flights and air travel.
Public access testing is required once a year for three years, then every second year after. The test is in three separate sessions, each lasting one hour.
Follow-up and continued training with continued support is available after the course.
Flights and air travel
Service dog training is fluid in motion, requiring ongoing training over months to years. TLCA does not offer air travel documentation or Public Access Assessments solely to meet airline requirements.
TLCA is more than happy to accept dogs into the accelerated learning 6-month training program with 30 hours of training, including multiple assessments with both group and private training sessions.
Owner Trainer Service Dog Training Program, September 2025 is full!
Accepting applications for September 2026!
As of July 2026, there are two spots remaining. This is the last year I will be offering this course at this price.
Accepting applications for September 2026!
As of July 2026, there are two spots remaining. This is the last year I will be offering this course at this price.
Owner Trainer Service Dogs Programs FAQ's
This depends on the service task being trained. Evaluations can start around 8 months of age, and task training can begin when the dog is 6 months to 1 year old. This provides the dogs with an opportunity for developmental growth. There is quite a bit of training, exposure, and socialization that will occur with the puppy before service dog task training commences.
Absolutely! If your dog is not suited for Public Access due to behavior concerns, your dog can be an excellent candidate for an at home Service Dog.
Absolutely! We can help guide you in the right direction for a potential service dog based on budget, age and breed as well as many other factors that can play into the decision making.
A Service Dog is not an emotional support dog. Emotional support dogs are dogs who are well trained, provide comfort through their presence. To be eligible an emotional support dog in Canada, you require an emotional support letter issued by a licensed mental health professional. This letter will disclose all the information about you as the owner and why you need an emotional support dog. Emotional support dogs are not trained service task dogs and do not have public access.
There is no guarantee that any dog will successfully complete this training course. Service dogs can not show any fear or aggression and must show a desire to work. They also require to be healthy in body and mind.
We can set up a FREE 15 minutes assessment via phone, FaceTime or ZOOM to discuss our options together!
TLCA uses positive reinforcement training techniques including bond based training between owner/trainer and canine companions.
Call or text Christie at 204-794-5456 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.!
St Norbert Community Centre
Group Dog Training Classes will be held at the St Norbert Community Centre.
The Hall is a 2800 SQFT room with direct access to washrooms, with outdoor training space
© Training Loyal Companions | Webdesign by Bankert Marketing Inc.