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Purchasing a fully trained Service Dog costs between $8,000 and $25,000 dollars.
Receiving a Service Dog from a non-profit may take years of waiting.
Training your own Diabetic Alert Dog takes time, patience and the support of an experienced DAD trainer.

TRAINING THE DOG

The training process lasts from 12 months to 2 years. In order to be a fully functional service animal, the dog must demonstrate basic obedience, public access manners, and the ability to perform a minimum of three tasks that improve the quality of life for their handler.

TRAINING THE HANDLER

The handler and key family members should demonstrate an understanding of dog psychology and the responsibilities of being a Service Dog handler. They must be physically and mentally able to train with their dog on a DAILY basis.

Producing a reliable, public access-ready DAD, training is a three fold process.

OBEDIENCE

SD's should be able to pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen test at a minimum. Passing the AKC Community test is recommended.

Recommendations:

  • Completion of Level 1 & 2 obedience classes
  • Completion of Off Leash obedience class
  • Completion of Public Appearances class

ALERT & TASK TRAINING

SD's should be able to demonstrate the ability to perform the alert and other service tasks at various times of day, in multiple environments and with distractions present.

Recommendations:

  • Completion of a minimum of 20 task training sessions with a trainer.

PUBLIC ACCESS TRAINING

SD's should be focused on their handler at all times when in public. Reactions to environmental stimuli should be minimal and redirectable at all times.

Recommendations:

  • Public Access Coaching sessions involving a trainer
  • Exposure to and practice in all environments including schools, church, retail stores, movies, public transportation, public recreation areas etc..


By choosing to self-train your service dog, you are choosing to be responsible for the outcome. Training a service dog is a time consuming, often times stressful, process. It is not for every person or every dog. There are no guarantees that the dog you choose will be appropriate for service work. Sometimes this becomes apparent early in the process. Other times it becomes heartbreakingly evident after many hours have been invested in training. Anyone who says that service dog training is easy has never trained a service dog.

OBEDIENCE TRAINING

Click!Pawsitive Dog Training offers group classes that cover all levels of obedience, including rudimentary public access. Classes are held at Doggy Daycare and Spa of Okemos at 1284 W. Grand River from 7:30-8:30 PM week nights. Classes are six weeks in length with a cost of $135 per course. Course offerings vary by session and are generally scheduled to meet the needs of identified clients.

ALERTS & TASK TRAINING

On Target Diabetic Alert Dogs offers individual training to individuals who would like their dog to alert to low glycemic incidents. Sessions are generally 60-90 minutes in length, with access to the trainer by phone or email in between sessions.

  • First Month (8 sessions) $1000
  • Fee includes materials for creating saliva samples
  • Reading materials and a training log
  • Clicker, Wrist Coil and Treat Bag
  • Unlimited access to the trainer between sessions
  • Subsequent Training Sessions are $100 per session
  • $320 if purchased in groups of four

PUBLIC ACCESS COACHING

  • $125 per 90-120 minute session
  • $50 per 90-120 minute session for dog/handler pairs who have already passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test
  • $25 per 30 minute training session conducted by the Trainer
  • AKC Community Evaluation is free of charge to clients who have purchased coaching sessions.