Therapy & Service Dogs

Training for Therapy, ESA, and Service Dogs and their handlers

About our classes and trainers:

The trainers at Dawgs in Motion are balanced method trainers that use primarily positive reinforcement training (+R). Our trainers are all professionally certified and have all attended training college to earn their certification in training and have mentored under established trainers prior to training on their own. The trainers will work with you and your dog based on their training knowledge and experience and will select the best method for your team based on the needs of you and your dog and on the learning process that works best for both of you. We do not have a one size fits all because every dog/handler team is different. While some dogs need a softer form of direction, others that are more stubborn may need more assistance. Training is variant based on these needs and our trainers will adjust their styles to fit your team. As our trainers are balanced we will always strive to use +R training first but are not opposed to using other corrective tools. The decision to incorporate a tool in your training will always be discussed with the owner/handler beforehand to ensure proper sizing, use, and efficiency. 

Therapy Dog Training

Dawgs in Motion offers training and certification for Therapy Dogs

Dawgs in Motion Therapy Assistance Dogs are not service dogs and therefore do not have the same protected rights of a Service Dog. Under Wis. Stat. 106.52(1)(fm), and the 2005 Wisconsin Act 354, service animals are defined as an animal that is individually trained, or is being trained to work or perform tasks to benefit a person with a disability.

 Our program requires the dogs to complete Beginner and Intermediate Obedience and earn their titles for Canine Good Citizen and Urban Canine Good Citizen. If an adult dog comes to us for certification but the owner feels that they have reached the intermediate level of training or has trained elsewhere the dog may be evaluated and test out of these classes. If a dog has already received their CGC and CGCU and tests out but wants to be certified they can be evaluated by the lead trainer and test out of the program. Our Therapy Assistance Dog program requires dogs selected for acceptance into the program to adhere to strict training guidelines to ensure appropriate training and handling. At the end of the program our dogs are tested on our public access test, dogs that pass the test will receive their Canine Good Citizen, Urban Canine Good Citizen, and Public Access Certifications. 

All dogs being tested for Dawgs in Motion CTAD program may not be tested with electronic, pinch, choke, head collars, or Weiss walkie style leashes. Flat buckle and martingale collars, back and front clipping harnesses are permitted for testing. Treats and rewards may not be given during the test however continuation and terminal markers may be used. Inappropriate elimination, vocalizing, or aggressive behavior will be grounds for termination. Any dog displaying aggressive behavior will not be permitted to take the test.

 

Our recommended course of training would be the following:

1. Beginner Obedience – Graduated

2. Intermediate Obedience – Graduated

3. Achieve Canine Good Citizen Title (at DIM 2 & 3 can be done together)

4. Achieve Urban Canine Good Citizen Title

5. Evaluation and Testing with the Lead Trainer for Certification

 

Service Dog Training

Dawgs in Motion offers training and certification for Service Dogs

Our program requires the dogs to complete Beginner , Intermediate, and Advanced Obedience and earn their titles for Canine Good Citizen, Urban Canine Good Citizen, and Advanced Canine Good Citizen. If an adult dog comes to us for certification but the owner feels that they have reached the advanced level of training or has trained elsewhere the dog may be evaluated and test out of these classes. If a dog ahs already received their CGC, CGCU, and CGCA and tests out but wants to be certified they can be evaluated by the lead trainer and test out of the program.

Dawgs in Motion does not offer insurance for these dogs, we only offer training and certification based on the evaluation and testing of the dog.

Service training can be done privately as well through our private lessons at Dawgs in Motion’s Facility. We offer training for psychiatric service dogs, PTSD, balance assistance, mobility (not including guide dogs), anxiety and depression, and other task oriented training. We do NOT offer service training for medical alert such as diabetic alert, allergen alert, etc. However we would be happy to get you recourses on these options.

Please note that Service Dogs are specially trained dogs to assist their handler with a disability and are not pets. These task oriented working dogs assist in daily function for their handlers and are NOT therapy dogs. It is illegal to claim your pet is a service animal if you do not have a disability and it is illegal to claim your pet is a service animal so that you can bypass housing, airline, or other pet restrictions. Dawgs in Motion will not sign off on a dog that is not a legitimate service animal. We do not sell vest, ID tags, or other visual verification for these working dogs but would be happy to write a letter verifying the training and or evaluation of a service animal at the request of the legal owner/handler of the animal.

Our recommended course of training would be the following:

1. Beginner Obedience – Graduated

2. Intermediate Obedience – Graduated

3. Achieve Canine Good Citizen Title (at DIM 2 & 3 can be done together)

4. Achieve Urban Canine Good Citizen Title

5. Advanced Obedience – Graduated

6. Specialized Task Training through Private Lessons

7. Evaluation and Testing with the Lead Trainer