Service Dog Program
Life-Saving Independence Through Training
When we created our service dog program, we had two clear goals in mind:
- To make service dogs more accessible for disabled handlers—empowering them to train a dog that meets their unique needs.
- To simplify and demystify the service dog process, providing clear guidance on the laws and rights surrounding trained service animals—so every handler can work with confidence and peace of mind.
To that end, we developed our Owner-Training Program—a balanced approach for those who want more guidance than solo training but more hands-on involvement than receiving a fully trained “program dog.”
Building on our Partnership Training philosophy, this program focuses on teaching both the dog and handler. It includes the development of specific tasks that mitigate the handler’s disability, as well as the essential public access training needed for a service dog to safely and confidently accompany their handler in everyday life.
We work side-by-side with clients to train their own dogs for service work through a combination of Board & Train and Private Lesson options. Each prospective service dog is carefully evaluated before training begins, and re-assessed throughout every stage to ensure continued suitability.
Our program emphasizes reliability, control, and confidence in public settings. Just as importantly, we ensure handlers are thoroughly educated on service dog laws, etiquette, and their responsibilities—as well as the rights of businesses and the public. We believe the handler and the dog are equal partners, working together as a cohesive, capable team.
What type of dogs do you train?
Because we custom-tailor each program for our individual teams, we can assist with many different disabilities and they don’t always fit into a pre-defined category. However, all of our service dogs must be trained to perform specific tasks to assist their handlers, in accordance with service dog law.
Exception: We do not train seeing-eye/guide dogs for visually-impaired handlers
*We do NOT train Emotional Support Animals for public access. Psychiatric service dogs must still be trained to perform specific tasks.
Below are some of the most common types of service dog tasks we train (but not an exhaustive list):
- Retrieve Objects for handler
- Open and Close Doors
- Push Handicap Button
- Turn on and off lights
- Assist to remove clothing (pulling off socks, pants, jackets. etc.)
- Momentum pull and counterbalance
- Assist with position transfer (sit to stand, etc.)
- Pull a wheelchair
- Create space for handler in crowds (Blocking / orbiting)
- Watch behind handler for strangers approaching
- Alert handler to impending medical crisis (panic attack, flashback, meltdown, etc.)
- Deep Pressure Therapy to calm handler after medical crisis or to reduce length/severity of medical episode
- Alert to/interrupt maladaptive behavior (i.e. skin or nail picking)
- Interrupt meltdowns/crying
- Turn on lights in dark room/perform room searches
- Provide tactile grounding (physical contact on cue, head in lap for petting, persistent/soothing licking
- Find Help in case of medical emergency (parent, family member, even a stranger)
- Help prevent bolting
- Train dogs to identify and alert to the presence of specific odors and alert their handlers, such as:
- Dangerous food allergens
- High/low blood sugar levels
- Seizures
- Other medical episodes such as migraines, autoimmune reactions, etc.
- Teach a specific, recognizable alert for the handler
- *Note – Scent-based medical alerts (exception: diabetic alert dog) do not have enough current research behind them to guarantee results. The methods for collecting scent samples during medical events and training dogs to orient on these samples is a sound practice, but we cannot guarantee that all dogs will be able to reliably perform these alerts. For any team wishing to train scent-based medical alerts, we recommend this not be the only task the dog is trained to perform.
Note – We cannot guarantee a dog we train will be able to detect seizures before they occur. Some dogs possess this ability innately, and we can shape and reinforce this ability into a reliable alert. We can also attempt scent-based seizure alert training, but research in this area is lacking and results are not guaranteed.
If the dog does not possess a natural alert and is unsuccessful with scent-based training, we can still train response/assistance behaviors for seizures, such as:
- Rolling a handler over onto his/her side to prevent aspiration
- Lying next to/on top of the handler or under the handler’s head to prevent injury
- Assisting the handler to recover or to navigate to a safe location (a seat, the handler’s vehicle, etc.)
- Teach a dog to “Find Help” by locating a friend/family member or even a stranger.
- Teach a dog to retrieve food, water, or medications to an individual recovering from a seizure
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
Before we can begin a service-dog training program, you need to have a dog to train. Being an OWNER TRAINING PROGRAM means that handlers bring their own dogs to us for training – but not all dogs make good service dogs. You will find yourself in one of the two situations below:
I NEED HELP FINDING A DOG
If you do not yet have a dog, or if your current dog is not suitable service dog candidate, our trainers can assist you in a variety of ways, both virtual or in-person:
- Phone or email consultation to help determine the ideal breed/age/type of dog for training based on your individual needs
- Phone, email, or virtual consultation with your chosen breeder or rescue organization to discuss ideal traits or to screen a potential candidate dog
- Researching breeders to find potential candidates
- Conducting in-person assessments on puppy litters or candidate dogs for local breeders, rescues, or individuals (within the greater Missoula/Bitterroot valley area.)
Virtual Consultations – $70/hour
In-Person Assessments – $95/hour plus mileage
I HAVE A DOG I WANT TO TRAIN
For clients who have a dog they wish to train as as service dog, our first step will be to assess your dog to determine if he or she makes a suitable service dog candidate. We will perform an in-person, hands-on assessment and go over the results with you. From there, we can determine whether or not to continue training or if we need to look for a more suitable service dog candidate.
- Temperament tests on puppies 49 days-6 months old do not always predict adult temperaments. All puppies may begin our puppy-training program and will be re-assessed as they progress and age.
- Dogs who initially pass an assessment may still be determined unsuitable if they demonstrate any “red flag” behaviors during the training process, such as aggression towards humans or other dogs, or extreme fear or environmental sensitivities. Dogs who display these behaviors may be dismissed from our program.
On-Site Temperament Assessment, Training Consultation, Construction of Training Plan – $100
Build A Training Program
Once you’ve identified the dog you’ll be training, you’ll work with one of our trainers to build a program that addresses the specific tasks you need your dog to perform to mitigate your disability(ies). We can utilize our Board & Train option, our Private Lesson option, or a combination of the two. We also take into account a dog’s age and the handler’s learning style and pace so teams have the best chance of success.
Our program addresses four critical components of a well-trained service dog team:
- Foundation Obedience Training
- Service Dog Task Training
- Public Access Training
- Handler Education on service dog rights and laws
Pricing Guidelines
Below is a general guideline of costs for our service dog program, via Board & Train and private lessons. This guideline assumes a dog is begining with no previous training and is a suitable candidate. Actual costs will vary based on the number and type of tasks needing to be trained, and a formal quote will be drafted after completion of your hands-on assessment and consultation.
Training Evaluation – $100
Training Gear (Including leashes, collars, vests, harnesses, etc.) – $250-$500
BOARD & TRAIN
Service Dog Puppy Jump Start – 2 Weeks – $1,400
Foundation Partnership Training – 2 Weeks – $1,800
Advanced Training (PA Prep) – 2 Weeks – $2,000
(Recommended) – Off Leash – 2 Weeks – $2,000
Task Training – VARIES – $1,800-$5,400
Public Access Training – 4 Weeks – $4,000
Total Board & Train Estimate 12-20 Weeks $9,600-$18,000
Total Board & Train Estimate 12-20 Weeks $9,600-$18,000
PRIVATE LESSONS
Service Dog Puppy Jump Start – 4 Lessons – $360-$380
Foundation Partnership Training – 4 Lessons – $380-$420
Advanced Training (PA Prep) – 4 Lessons – $380-$420
(Recommendedd) – Off Leash – 4 Lessons – $380-$420
Task Training – VARIES – $380-$1,260
Public Access Training – 8 lessons – $840
Total Private Lesson Estimate 24-32 lessons – $2,360-$3,360
Schedule a Consultation Today!
Call (406)414-6627
Our Trainers
Ally Marshall
FOUNDER
Ally has been training dogs professionally since 2009, and began working for TCDT in 2014. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a research emphasis in Animal Behavior, and a Professional Dog Trainer Certification from Animal Behavior College. She is a member in good standing of the Five Valley Retriever Club.
Ally is also a licensed master falconer and has been training and hunting with birds of prey since 2006.
Ally currently shares her home with two personal dogs: Karma, an American Brittany, and Cheddar, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. She is an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
Elena Wickman
PROFESSIONAL DOG TRAINER
Elena has been in the professional dog training world since 2017, with experience both working for professional facilities as well as operating in-home board & train and private lesson services. She has extensive experience in pet dog training, sport dog training, service dogs, and behavior modification. Elena is a graduate of the Jonathan Katz Dogma Academy!
Elena shares her home with her doberman mix, Wally, a belgian malinois, Jarvis, and her new sport dog prospect, Salvo.
Stay tuned for more!
Caleaha Fugelseth
PROFESSIONAL DOG TRAINER
Caleaha is the newest addition to the TCDT team and brings with her a wealth of knowledge and multiple training certifications, including Tarheel K9 and NePoPo© Gold. She shares her home with personal dogs Reuben, a doberman and Howdy, a mini-heeler.
Caleaha is actively building her client list and has openings for board & train and private lesson clients!