Puppy Training Programs
Set Your Puppy Up for Success
Congratulations on finding the perfect breeder! Now, give your puppy the best start possible by enrolling in one of our training programs.
With our certified, professional trainers, your puppy will receive additional training that lays the foundation for a lifetime of learning and success. Our Service Dog Schools focus on essential tasks and skills—around 20 foundation skills that form the building blocks for all service dog tasks. Think of these skills as the alphabet; once your puppy masters them, they can learn more complex commands and tasks.
Why Early Training Matters
The first 16 weeks of your puppy's life are crucial for rapid learning and development. During this time, their brains are like sponges, absorbing information and experiences. What you teach now will have a lasting impact, so don’t miss out on this vital opportunity!
Limited Availability
Our Puppy Training Programs have limited spots, so be sure to claim yours early. You'll have to decide which program suits you and your puppy best!
When would you like to bring your puppy home?
Note: These programs are exclusively available for Hope Service Dogs, Inc. puppies.
We look forward to helping you set your puppy up for a lifetime of success!
8 week old Puppy $4,900
Your Puppy’s Early Training
When you bring your puppy home at 8 weeks, they will already have a strong foundation started in essential skills, including:
Potty Training: Your puppy will have begun learning where and when to go.
Crate Training: They’ll be familiar with the crate as a safe and comfortable space.
Socialization: Exposure to various environments, people, and experiences to help them become well-rounded.
Proprioception: Early exercises to enhance their awareness of body position and movement.
Grooming: They’ll be accustomed to nail trims, baths, and brushing, making grooming a positive experience.
Clicker Charged: Your puppy will be introduced to clicker training, setting the stage for effective communication.
By starting their training early, your puppy will be well-prepared to thrive in their new home!
When you pick up your puppy at our Central Florida location, they will come home with everything you need to get started on the right paw:
Health Certificate: Ensuring your puppy is healthy and ready to join your family.
First Distemper/Parvo Vaccine: Protecting them against common puppyhood diseases.
Microchip: For added security and peace of mind, should your puppy ever get lost.
AKC Registration (Limited): Recognizing your puppy's pedigree while maintaining the integrity of our program.
Service Dog Success Online Course: A valuable resource for starting your training journey, designed by our expert trainers.
With these essential tools, your puppy will be well on their way to becoming a happy, healthy, and well-trained companion!
12 week old Foundation $8,500 (includes the price of the puppy)
Continuing Your Puppy’s Journey with Foundation Training
At Hope Service Dogs, we focus on developing a thinking dog who can problem solve, learn quickly, and adapt to new environments. After your puppy heads home, we continue laying the foundation for success with the following behaviors:
Lure & Reward Training: We introduce a positive reinforcement method to guide behavior and encourage learning. This helps your puppy understand what’s expected of them.
Name Game: This simple game helps your sequencing, teaching your puppy what to expect, and building the foundation for communication with you.
Puppy’s Name: Reinforcing recognition and response to their name is crucial for focus and attention.
Auto-Focus on Handler: We teach your puppy to naturally focus on you, improving their attention and responsiveness in various situations.
Touch: Teaching your puppy to touch your hand is a versatile skill used in many service dog tasks and training exercises.
Sit: One of the most important basic commands. We introduce this early for impulse control and structure.
Down: A calming position that helps teach your puppy control and relaxation.
Come: Building recall is vital for safety and good manners. This command is especially important in public and open areas.
Play: Flirt Pole: This is an excellent way to encourage your puppy’s prey drive, agility, and focus. It’s also a great bonding activity!
Play: Retrieve: Teaching a retrieve game helps to stimulate problem-solving, coordination, and gives your puppy an outlet for energy.
Play: Physical: A range of physical games that help develop coordination, strength, and confidence.
By using play and structured exercises, we create a mentally and physically engaged puppy who’s eager to learn. This prepares them for more advanced training as they grow!
When you pick up your puppy at our Central Florida location, they will come home with everything you need to get started on the right paw:
Health Certificate: Ensuring your puppy is healthy and ready to join your family.
Second Distemper/Parvo Vaccine: Protecting them against common puppyhood diseases.
Microchip: For added security and peace of mind, should your puppy ever get lost.
AKC Registration (Limited): Recognizing your puppy's pedigree while maintaining the integrity of our program.
Service Dog Success Online Course: A valuable resource for starting your training journey, designed by our expert trainers.
With these essential tools, your puppy will be well on their way to becoming a happy, healthy, and well-trained companion!
See what your pup will learn during this time with us!
What’s Included in Your Puppy’s Foundation Training Program:
As your puppy continues their development, we ensure their health and safety with an ongoing worming and vaccination schedule.
It’s important to check with your airline, as your puppy may exceed the size limit for an in-cabin carrier. Contact your airline for recommendations regarding travel accommodations.
Your Program Includes:
Select Training Equipment: We provide you with essential tools to continue training at home, ensuring consistency with the techniques taught during the program.
6 Months Access to Our Online Training School: This gives you full access to our educational resources and courses to keep building your puppy’s skills.
4 Additional Weeks of Puppy Training Program Sessions: Your puppy will continue to learn and refine important skills with the guidance of our experienced trainers.
Go-Home Day: We highly recommend bringing a friend or family member to assist you on the day you bring your puppy home. Expect to stay for the day to participate in hands-on training, learning how to apply the techniques and skills we’ve taught. It’s a great opportunity to bond with your new pup and ensure a smooth transition into your home.
Our goal is to ensure your puppy’s success, and this comprehensive package is designed to give you all the tools you need to create a strong foundation for the future.
16 week old Building Blocks $11,500 (includes the price of the puppy)
Building on the foundation laid during the earlier stages, your puppy will continue to develop essential skills, with a focus on both mental and physical stimulation. We introduce the following behaviors to further enhance their learning and create a well-rounded, obedient, and confident service dog:
Capturing Behavior: Encouraging your puppy to offer natural behaviors (like sitting or lying down) that we can then reward, helping to build focus and reinforce positive actions.
2 Finger Touch: Teaching your puppy to touch your fingers or a target with their nose or paw. This skill is useful for service dog tasks like "touch" or "target" behaviors.
Target Stick: Using a stick or object that your puppy learns to touch with their nose or paw, which will eventually help them with complex behaviors, like retrieving or guiding.
Find It: Teaching your puppy to locate an object or treat by using their nose. This task is great for developing scent work and search behaviors.
Look: Training your puppy to look at you on command, which will be helpful for focus in distracting environments, ensuring you have their attention when needed.
Find Heel: Helping your puppy learn to walk beside you in a focused position, a key behavior for service dog work.
Paws Up & Off: Teaching your puppy to put their paws up on a surface (like a chair or bed) and then get off when asked, which will assist with tasks like retrieving items or assisting with stability.
Pivot: Getting your puppy to pivot around, a useful skill for guiding and mobility tasks. It also helps with building their proprioception (awareness of their body in space).
Scent Games: Increasing your puppy's scenting ability with fun scenting exercises. This skill is critical for service dogs that need to identify medical issues.
Play: Reinforcing the importance of play as a tool for learning. Play provides both mental and physical exercise, building a positive relationship with the handler and developing the puppy's problem-solving skills.
These behaviors not only help with socialization but also lay the groundwork for more complex service dog tasks. Each of these activities is designed to foster a thinking, adaptable dog capable of learning new commands and responding to cues in real-world situations.
When you pick up your puppy at our Central Florida location, they will come home with everything you need to get started on the right paw:
Health Certificate: Ensuring your puppy is healthy and ready to join your family.
Third Distemper/Parvo Vaccine: Protecting them against common puppyhood diseases.
Rabies Vaccine: Protecting them against this disease.
Microchip: For added security and peace of mind, should your puppy ever get lost.
AKC Registration (Limited): Recognizing your puppy's pedigree while maintaining the integrity of our program.
Service Dog Success Online Course: A valuable resource for starting your training journey, designed by our expert trainers.
With these essential tools, your puppy will be well on their way to becoming a happy, healthy, and well-trained companion!
Building on what they have started.
What’s Included in Your Puppy’s Building Blocks Training Program:
As your puppy continues their development, we ensure their health and safety with an ongoing worming and vaccination schedule.
At this age, your puppy will be too large to fly in an airline carrier under the seat in front of you. If you're planning to travel by air, it’s a good idea to contact your airline directly for their guidelines on traveling with a larger puppy or adult dog. Many airlines have specific requirements for pet travel. We recommend you make arrangements well in advance to ensure a smooth travel experience.
Your Program Includes:
Select Training Equipment: We provide you with essential tools to continue training at home, ensuring consistency with the techniques taught during the program.
6 Months Access to Our Online Training School: This gives you full access to our educational resources and courses to keep building your puppy’s skills.
6 Additional Weeks of Puppy Training Program Sessions: Your puppy will continue to learn and refine important skills with the guidance of our experienced trainers.
Go-Home Day: We highly recommend bringing a friend or family member to assist you with go home. Expect to stay for a couple days to participate in hands-on training, learning how to apply the techniques and skills we’ve taught. It’s a great opportunity to bond with your new pup and ensure a smooth transition into your home.
Our goal is to ensure your puppy’s success, and this comprehensive package is designed to give you all the tools you need to create a strong foundation for the future.
6 month old Started Service Dog $19,000* (includes the price of the puppy)
At 6 months old, your puppy will be well on their way to becoming a highly skilled service dog. This program is designed to continue your puppy’s foundation training while introducing them to the key skills necessary for public access and task training. This will set the stage for a seamless transition into their role as a service dog for you.
What Your Puppy Will Learn and Practice at 6 Months:
Leash Training: Ensures that your puppy walks calmly on a leash, without pulling, making them easier to control in public spaces.
Public Access Training: Your puppy will begin to experience public settings like stores, restaurants, and other places where service dogs are allowed. They will learn how to remain calm and focused in these environments, ignoring distractions like noise, people, or other animals.
Public Access Outings: Regular outings will be part of your puppy’s training, giving them real-world exposure to various public situations (elevators, stairs, crowds, busy areas, etc.), so they become comfortable and confident in different environments.
Make a Friend: Socialization is key to a well-rounded service dog. During this stage, your puppy will be encouraged to interact with other dogs and people in a calm and appropriate manner.
Advocate for Your Dog: Teaching you how to advocate for your dog in public spaces, ensuring that both you and your dog are safe, respected, and confident in public.
Ignore Strangers and Distractions: Teaching your puppy to remain calm and focused, even when people approach, call out, or make other distractions that might pull their attention away from you.
Load Into Vehicle: Whether it's getting in and out of a car, van, or another vehicle, your puppy will be trained to do so calmly and efficiently.
Service Dog Skills: This includes specific skills your dog needs to perform to help you with your disability.
Service Dog Tasks: At this stage, your puppy will be introduced to specific tasks based on your needs. These tasks may include alerting to medical conditions, retrieving objects, performing deep pressure therapy, etc.
The foundation skills for these tasks (e.g., focus, retrieving, target behavior) will already be in place, and we will begin shaping them into specific service dog functions.
Gear On: Your puppy will learn to wear their service dog gear (harness, vest, etc.) comfortably. They will learn to associate the gear with focused, task-oriented work.
Stay: The “stay” command is crucial for teaching your puppy to remain in place when needed. It’s a vital skill for public access training, as well as for tasks where your dog may need to stay still.
Place: The “place” command teaches your dog to go to and stay on a designated spot (e.g., a bed, mat, or other location). This is useful when you need your dog to be calm and stay out of the way in certain situations.
Heel: Your dog will learn to walk by your side at a consistent pace. This is important for maintaining control in public spaces and for tasks that require your dog to walk closely with you.
Why This Program Works:
Early Exposure: Starting public access training early allows your puppy to gain valuable experience and confidence in real-world situations.
Building Bond: This stage of training provides ample time for you and your puppy to bond, while also developing a strong working relationship based on trust and understanding.
Task-Specific Skills: While foundational training will be covered, your puppy will also begin to learn the specific tasks you need them to perform. This custom-tailored approach ensures your puppy will grow into the service dog you need.
Outings and Distraction Training: Public outings help solidify calmness and focus, teaching your puppy to stay grounded and relaxed, even in distracting environments.
The Next Step: When your puppy reaches 6 months old, you’ll be ready to continue training and begin formalizing specific service dog tasks, ensuring that your puppy is not just a companion but a highly skilled, working service dog.
You’ll receive ongoing support and training as you progress together through the Service Dog journey. By the time your puppy is an adult, they’ll be ready to fully perform the tasks you’ve been working on.
This program is designed to set both you and your puppy up for success, allowing you to start your journey with a well-trained, confident, and task-ready service dog.
At 6 months old, your puppy will be able to pass several important milestones and certifications, setting them up for success as they continue their training journey. These include:
AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC): This title demonstrates that your puppy has good manners and is well-behaved in public, making them a solid foundation for becoming a service dog, therapy dog, or a great companion.
AKC Novice Trick Dog (TKN): This title shows your puppy's ability to perform basic tricks and follow instructions, which helps with building focus, coordination, and responsiveness. These are the foundation skills needed for many service dog tasks.
AKC Virtual Home Manners Puppy (VHMA): This certification ensures your puppy can follow basic home manners and is ready to transition into more advanced training, establishing them as a good house pet or service dog prospect.
Additionally, your puppy will be started on at least 1 task, depending on their development, personality, and the specific needs you have. This could include tasks such as retrieving, alerting, or assisting with mobility, which are foundational tasks for future service dog work.
This early success sets the stage for further training, whether you're continuing with us or taking them home to continue on their path. The skills learned at this stage will stay with them for life!
When you pick up your puppy at our Central Florida location, they will come home with everything you need to get started on the right paw:
Health Certificate: Ensuring your puppy is healthy and ready to join your family.
Third Distemper/Parvo Vaccine: Protecting them against common puppyhood diseases.
Rabies Vaccine: Protecting them against this disease.
Microchip: For added security and peace of mind, should your puppy ever get lost.
AKC Registration (Limited): Recognizing your puppy's pedigree while maintaining the integrity of our program.
Service Dog Success Online Course: A valuable resource for starting your training journey, designed by our expert trainers.
With these essential tools, your puppy will be well on their way to becoming a happy, healthy, and well-trained companion!
Set up for success.
What’s Included in Your Puppy’s Started Service Dog Training Program:
As your puppy continues their development, we ensure their health and safety with an ongoing worming and vaccination schedule.
Many dogs are able to fly home at this age, but it’s important to check with the airline to confirm their specific requirements. Airlines
Your Program Includes:
Select Training Equipment: We provide you with essential tools to continue training at home, ensuring consistency with the techniques taught during the program.
12 Months Access to Our Online Training School: This gives you full access to our educational resources and courses to keep building your puppy’s skills.
6 Additional Months of Puppy Training Program Sessions: Your puppy will continue to learn and refine important skills with the guidance of our experienced trainers.
Go-Home Day: We highly recommend bringing a friend or family member to assist you with go home. Expect to stay for 3-5 days to participate in hands-on training, learning how to apply the techniques and skills we’ve taught. It’s a great opportunity to bond with your new pup and ensure a smooth transition into your home.
Our goal is to ensure your puppy’s success, and this comprehensive package is designed to give you all the tools you need to create a strong foundation for the future.
*This program is available with a payment plan: $500 nonrefundable holding fee to join the list, $1000 due at birth, $5000 due by 7.5 weeks old, $5000 due by 11 weeks old, $5000 due by 15 weeks old, $3000 due at 19 weeks old.
1 year old Service Dog In Training $38,000* (includes the price of the puppy)
At 1 year old, your puppy will have grown significantly in their training and will be well on their way to becoming the fully trained service dog you need. This program builds upon the foundation established in the Started Service Dog Program and takes it a step further by introducing more public access training, advanced skills, and specific task training.
By the time your puppy is a year old, they will have achieved key milestones in both behavioral training and service dog tasks. They will be equipped with the skills needed to serve as a reliable, confident, and focused service dog.
What Your Puppy Will Learn and Achieve by 1 Year Old:
AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC): Your puppy will have mastered the AKC Canine Good Citizen test, a widely recognized standard of dog behavior and manners.
This will include behaviors like walking politely on a leash, greeting strangers calmly, and handling grooming and veterinary exams without stress.
AKC Canine Good Citizen Advanced (CGCA): Your puppy will be able to pass the AKC Advanced CGC, which tests even more sophisticated behaviors, like staying in place with distractions, walking through a crowd, and more advanced commands.
AKC Canine Good Citizen Urban (CGCU): This test evaluates how your dog behaves in a more urban environment, where there are common distractions like traffic, crowds, and noise.
This is critical for service dogs, as they need to navigate busy, noisy, and distracting environments while maintaining focus and calmness.
AKC Novice Trick Dog (TKN): Your puppy will have learned a variety of tricks that demonstrate their ability to follow cues and perform specific behaviors on command. This enhances communication and builds a strong working relationship between you and your dog.
AKC Virtual Home Manners Adult (VHMA): This test ensures that your dog is well-mannered in the home setting, focusing on behaviors like being calm during meal times, and not resource guarding.
HSD Public Access Assessment: This assessment ensures that your dog is ready for public access and can navigate a variety of environments, such as stores, restaurants, public transportation, and other places where service dogs are permitted.
The assessment includes skills like:
- Walking calmly through a crowd.
- Staying focused in environments with distractions.
- Navigating elevators, stairs, and doors.
- Remaining calm and in control when passing other people and animals.
Started on at Least 3 Service Dog Tasks: At 1 year old, your puppy will have started on at least 3 specific service dog tasks, depending on your individual needs. Some tasks that may be started at this stage include:
Medical alerts: detecting changes in blood sugar, heart rate, etc.
Retrieve items: picking up dropped items or bringing you objects you need.
Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT): providing physical pressure to calm you during moments of anxiety or distress.
Blocking or creating space: standing or sitting between you and others to give you personal space in crowded environments.
What You Can Expect in This Program:
Customized Task Training: Your puppy’s task training will be customized to meet your specific needs. We focus on the tasks that will make the biggest difference in your life and train your puppy to perform them reliably and confidently.
Advanced Public Access Training:
Your puppy will gain more real-world experience in busy public spaces, such as shopping centers, restaurants, and public transportation. This is where we really start to hone your dog’s public access skills and test their ability to stay calm in high-stress environments.
Continued Socialization and Exposure: As your puppy matures, they will continue to be exposed to different situations, people, and environments to ensure they remain adaptable, confident, and calm. This includes training in various outdoor environments, navigating different types of terrain, and learning how to deal with unpredictable situations.
Public Behavior Reinforcement: Your puppy will learn to work well in public settings by reinforcing proper behavior—ignoring distractions, staying focused on you, and remaining calm and collected even when under stress.
Support for You and Your Puppy: As part of this program, you will continue to receive ongoing training support, ensuring that you and your puppy are progressing together toward achieving your goals.
At this stage, you’ll also begin to understand how to handle more complex service dog tasks in everyday life, giving your dog more opportunities to practice and build confidence.
Why This Program Is Essential:
Mastery of Core Skills: By the time your puppy reaches 1 year old, they will have mastered the foundational skills necessary for becoming a service dog. These skills will serve as the building blocks for more complex tasks in the future.
Reliable Public Access: The goal is to ensure your dog behaves appropriately and confidently in any public setting, which is essential for any service dog. With the HSD Public Access Assessment, you’ll know your dog is ready to accompany you into the world.
Task Mastery: The 3 started tasks are just the beginning, but they set a strong foundation for more specific service dog tasks. As your dog grows and learns, they will be able to perform more advanced service dog tasks as needed.
Ongoing Training: This program provides ample time for your dog to learn, grow, and mature into a confident, focused, and reliable service dog, with ongoing support and training.
Next Steps:
Once your puppy has completed the 1-Year-Old Service Dog In Training Program, they will be ready for more advanced training and specific tasks that support your unique needs. You will continue to work together as a team, gradually building a stronger bond and enhancing your dog’s skills and independence.
The skills learned during this program will serve you both for a lifetime. Your puppy will grow into the perfect service dog, able to support you in all areas of life.
Owlbert at 1 year old and Murphy at 6 months old at the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP) annual conference.
Cal at 1 year old at Universal Studios, Florida.
Set up for success.
What’s Included in Your Puppy’s Started Service Dog Training Program:
As your puppy continues their development, we ensure their health and safety with an ongoing worming and vaccination schedule.
Your Program Includes:
Select Training Equipment: We provide you with essential tools to continue training at home, ensuring consistency with the techniques taught during the program.
12 Months Access to Our Online Training School: This gives you full access to our educational resources and courses to keep building your puppy’s skills.
12 Additional Months of Puppy Training Program Sessions: Your puppy will continue to learn and refine important skills with the guidance of our experienced trainers.
Go-Home Day: We highly recommend bringing a friend or family member to assist you with go home. Expect to stay for 5-14 days to participate in hands-on training, learning how to apply the techniques and skills we’ve taught. It’s a great opportunity to bond with your new pup and ensure a smooth transition into your home.
Visits: To ensure the success of your service dog partnership, we require you to visit at least 3 times during the year to work with your dog. These visits will help reinforce the training, ensure consistent progress, and allow for any necessary adjustments based on your evolving needs.
These sessions provide the opportunity for:
Hands-on training with guidance from our trainers.
Skill refinement in real-world environments.
Task-specific adjustments and customizations.
Bonding time between you and your dog, ensuring you both grow stronger as a team.
This commitment ensures that both you and your service dog remain on track to achieve the best possible outcome.
Our goal is to ensure your puppy’s success, and this comprehensive package is designed to give you all the tools you need to create a strong foundation for the future.
*This program is available with a payment plan. Contact us for more information.
When you pick up your puppy at our Central Florida location, they will come home with everything you need to get started on the right paw:
Health Certificate: Ensuring your puppy is healthy and ready to join your family.
Third Distemper/Parvo Vaccine: Protecting them against common puppyhood diseases.
Rabies Vaccine: Protecting them against this disease.
Microchip: For added security and peace of mind, should your puppy ever get lost.
AKC Registration (Limited): Recognizing your puppy's pedigree while maintaining the integrity of our program.
Service Dog Success Online Course: A valuable resource for starting your training journey, designed by our expert trainers.
With these essential tools, your puppy will be well on their way to becoming a happy, healthy, and well-trained companion!
2 year old Service Dog $75,000* (includes the price of the puppy)
When does your dog stop learning? Never.
Learning is a lifelong process, especially for service dogs, as they continuously adapt to their handler’s needs and new situations that life may present. However, by the time your dog reaches 2 years old, they will be well-prepared for whatever comes next, having completed a solid foundation of skills and tasks.
At this stage, your dog will be able to pass the following assessments and certifications:
AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
AKC Canine Good Citizen Advanced (CGCA)
AKC Canine Good Citizen Urban (CGCU)
AKC Novice Trick Dog (TKN)
AKC Virtual Home Manners Adult (VHMA)
HSD Public Access Assessment
Additionally, your dog will have 3 solid tasks that they can perform with consistency and reliability, ready to help you navigate daily life with greater independence.
By this point, your service dog will be not only a highly trained companion but also a true partner, equipped to face the challenges and rewards of life by your side.
Your dog continues their worming and vaccination schedule during Service Dog.
Your program includes:
Select equipment
24 months of access to our online training school
12 additional months of Puppy Training Program sessions
We require you to visit at least 4 times each year to work with your dog and that you bring a friend/family member with you for go home. Plan on staying for 14-30+ days, for hands-on training with HSD.
Your dog will continue to receive the best care, training, and support throughout the Service Dog Program. Here's what you can expect:
Program Includes:
Select Training Equipment: Specialized tools to support your dog's training and ensure success.
24 Months of Access to our Online Training School: Ongoing support and resources to keep you and your dog on track.
12 Additional Months of Puppy Training Program Sessions: Continued reinforcement of the skills your dog needs to excel.
Worming & Vaccination Schedule: Ensuring your dog stays healthy and up to date.
Requirements:
At Least 4 Visits Per Year: To ensure you and your dog are progressing and staying on track, you will need to visit HSD at least four times a year.
Bring a Family Member/Friend: For the go-home training, we recommend having a friend or family member with you to help with consistency and learning.
Hands-on Training: You should plan to stay for 14-30+ days at HSD for in-person training with your dog, allowing us to provide intensive support and help you develop a strong, trusting bond with your service dog.
This hands-on training is essential to your dog’s success as a service dog. Together, we will ensure that both you and your dog are fully equipped to tackle life’s challenges.
*This program is available with a payment plan, contact us for more details.
Set up for success.