Always keep in mind:

Success

Training timelines can vary; Success depends on consistent practice and dog's suitability.

Team

We can collaborate with your heathcare team (with your consent) to align goals and needs.

Commitment

Any team that misses 2 months or more of training will be removed from the program.

Our Service Dog Development Benchmarks

This process takes anywhere from a year to two years before graduating.

Each team will have a slightly different path of progression and time but we have provided a basic outline of the process from Puppy to Public Access Service Dog Skill set. 

If your dog is older than the ages outlined, they will still follow the same path — only without the age benchmarks being a factor

 

Puppies - Age 8 weeks to 6 months
During this age bracket you will embark on Our Puppy Manners group program. Along side virtual weekly or bi-weekly check in privates. This will last until the pup is 6 months. Before 5 months you will take part in 2-5 Puppy Socials.
Candidate Screening - 6 Months
We conduct the first suitability assessment at 6 months of age, never earlier. This evaluation helps us understand your dog’s personality and determine whether they are well-suited for the type of work along with environments they may be asked to endure in future.
Basic Obedience Level 1 - 6 Months to 10 Months
Family Manners level 1 group class alongside weekly privates or fast forward sessions. You will only move on from this level once you've completed the level one test with a score of over 90/100 and your dog is 10 months or older.
Basic Obedience Level 2 - 10 Months to 14 Months
Family Manners level 2 group class alongside weekly or bi-weekly privates or fast forward sessions. You will only move on from this level once you've completed the level 2 test with a score of over 90/100 and your dog is 14 months or older.
Candidate Screening - Basic Obedience Completed
A second suitability assessment is conducted once your dog is over 14 months of age and has successfully completed their beginner obedience. At this stage, we evaluate their progress, maturity, and readiness to move forward with more advanced training and service work.
Tricks or Appropriate Sport Class
Throughout the journey, we encourage you to explore additional skills that keep training fun and engaging, while still moving toward your goals. These can be introduced at any stage, but are especially valuable during adolescence. Discussion with your coach will help decide what might be best.

Basic Obedience Completed
Candidate is eligible for further training

What's Next?

By this point we will have a greater understanding of your needs as well as your dogs skill set.
Not every case is the same.  

Here are your options moving forward. 

Advance Training for Public Access Skills

Level 3 Family Manners Group Class to be completed with a score of over 95/100

Off Leash Class

Level 4 Family Manners Group Class is run off leash and will be completed with a testing score of 95/100 or higher. 

OR

 

Private Packages

Not all service dogs require public access. Home-based and facility service dogs play an equally important role. We can work with you to create a customized plan that supports your goals privately, without the need for the classes listed above.

Private package details coming soon. 

 

Task Training

Task training is the stage where a service dog learns specific, reliable skills designed to directly assist their handler with a disability. Unlike basic obedience (sit, stay, leash walking) or good manners (not jumping, settling in public), tasks are purposeful actions that help mitigate day-to-day challenges.

Examples of Service Dog Tasks

Depending on the handler’s needs, a service dog may learn to:

  • Mobility support – brace for balance, retrieve dropped items, open doors.

  • Psychiatric support – interrupt harmful behaviors, provide deep pressure therapy, guide out of crowded spaces.

  • Hearing alerts – signal important sounds like alarms or someone calling.

The Goal

Every task is trained with precision, consistency, and positive reinforcement. The goal is a dog who doesn’t just behave well in public, but performs meaningful work that increases independence and safety for their handler.

 

 

COSTS

COSTS

We understand that cost is a major concern for families, and we strive to make our programs as accessible as possible.

  • Program placement and pricing depend largely on the time and daily practice you can commit with your service dog (SD).
  • We recommend combining our group programs with private lessons or fast‑forward sessions so your team gets the focused support needed to reach the required passing score at each level. Some teams will need more support, others less.
  • Current students receive discounted private lessons and reduced rates to retake Family Manners 1 and 2 so foundational skills can be fully mastered before moving on to advanced work.
  • Dogs must be age‑appropriate for each program, and teams that miss classes for more than two months will be removed from the program.
  • Some expenses may be tax‑deductible; please see the link for details.

If you’d like help estimating costs or exploring payment options, please contact us and we’ll be happy to assist.

Disclaimers

  • Training timelines vary; success depends on consistent practice and the dog’s suitability.
  • Any handler who fails to participate in any training sessions over a two-month period is at risk to be removed from the program
  • We do not train bite-work, protection, or weight-bearing tasks.
  • We may recommend alternative roles if a dog is not suited to public-facing work.
  • We can collaborate with your healthcare team (with your written consent) to align task goals with daily living needs
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Legal & access in Ontario

Note: We focus on training tasks that mitigate a disability. We do not certify, register, or license service animals; certification is not required in Ontario. See Legal & access in Ontario here”.