Service Dog Training
Go Beyond Basic Commands
Does your dog pull on the leash, jump on guests, or just not listen? You’re not alone. My approach to obedience goes beyond just teaching “sit” and “stay.” I teach your dog to think and make good choices, so you’re not constantly repeating commands. We’ll build reliable manners and impulse control that work in your home and in the real world, creating a dog you can truly enjoy anywhere.
My obedience programs are designed to give you a calm, respectful dog who understands boundaries. We will work together in your home to address your specific goals, which often include:
- Foundation Commands: Mastering Sit, Down, Stay, and the Place command for a calm, structured home.
- Polite Leash Walking: Ending the pulling, lunging, and reactivity so you can enjoy stress-free walks.
- Essential Manners: Stopping jumping, nipping, counter surfing, and stealing food.
- Impulse Control: Teaching your dog to think before they act—no more bolting through doors or chasing everything that moves.
- Calm Greetings: How to have your dog greet guests and strangers politely without overwhelming them.
- Crate Training: Building a positive association with the crate so your dog sees it as a calm, safe space.
Honoring Our Heroes with Free Training
A Partnership with VET Service Dogs, NFP
I am proud to partner with VET Service Dogs, nfp, a 501(c)(3) organization, to provide a comprehensive “Train Your Own Service Dog” program completely FREE of charge to eligible Texas veterans. This program is designed to help veterans regain their independence and improve their quality of life through the support of a dedicated canine partner.
Who is Eligible?
- Veterans with service-related PTSD, MST, or TBI (Proof of disability required).
- Location: You must live within a 45-minute drive of Liberty Hill. (Strict attendance is required, and we have found that commute times longer than this affect a student’s ability to commit to weekly classes).
- The Dog: We can assess your current dog (must be under 2 years old) to see if they are a suitable candidate, or we can assist you in locating a potential candidate dog.
Program Requirements:
- Application: You must fill out an application at VETservicedogsnfp.org to be accepted.
- Commitment: Weekly attendance is mandatory. This is a rigorous course, not a casual class. Consistency is the key to success.
Note: This specific grant-funded program supports veterans with psychiatric and mobility needs (PTSD, MST, TBI). At this time, it does not cover training for blindness, seizures, or severe allergies.
Owner-Trained Service Dogs for Civilians
Professional Guidance to Meet National Standards
- Prerequisites: You must first complete my Private Sessions to master General Obedience and Advanced Obedience (or complete a Board & Train program).
- Group Access: Only after demonstrating advanced control and obedience will you be admitted into the weekly Service Dog Group Sessions.
- Public Access Test (PAT): To graduate, teams must pass our 23-point Public Access Test.
About the Public Access Test (PAT): While not legally required by the ADA, the PAT is the industry standard for safety and legitimacy. It evaluates the dog’s ability to remain calm, unobtrusive, and under total control in complex public environments (like crowded stores). It ensures your dog is a steward of the service dog community. Eligibility:
- Proof of disability is required to enroll in the Service Dog track.
Important Disclaimers:
- Handler Training Only: Successfully completing service dog courses through Trained By Tiffany or VET Service Dogs, NFP does not qualify you as a certified dog trainer. Our program is strictly designed to teach you how to train your specific dog to mitigate your specific disability.
- Scope of Practice: If your needs fall outside our eligibility criteria (e.g., Guide Dogs for the blind, Alert Dogs for seizures/allergies), we encourage you to explore organizations that specialize in those fields. We respect the unique needs of all individuals and want to ensure you get the specialized support you require.
More Than a Companion. A Lifeline.
Service dogs provide independence, stability, and security. Whether you are a veteran or a civilian, I guide you through the rigorous process of training your own dog to meet the highest standards of behavior and support.
For individuals with disabilities, a well-trained service dog provides independence, security, and unwavering support. I specialize in task-based training, guiding owner-trainers to build a reliable, life-changing partnership. My primary mission is to give back to those who have served, offering a dedicated, free program for our nation’s veterans.
I am incredibly proud to partner with VET Service Dogs, nfp, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, to provide FREE service dog training for qualifying veterans.
This is not a pet program—it is a true, task-oriented service dog program that requires dedication and hard work. I do not train the dog for you; I teach you how to train and work with your own dog to meet the highest standards.
- The Process: This program is offered through VET Service Dogs, nfp, and requires an application to ensure we are supporting veterans with a genuine need.
- Finding Your Partner: I can assist you in selecting a dog that has the best chance of succeeding, or I can assess your current dog's potential for service work.
- The Training: Once accepted, you will join my weekly group class, held Saturdays at 10 AM. I keep classes small—only six teams—to ensure every veteran and dog gets the personalized support they deserve.
- The Requirement: Commitment: Consistency is critical for success. Attendance is essential. Missing more than 3 classes without a valid medical or family emergency will result in removal from the program.
Honoring Our Heroes with Free Training
A partnership with VET Service Dogs, NFP
I am proud to partner with VET Service Dogs, nfp, a 501(c)(3) organization, to provide a comprehensive “Train Your Own Service Dog” program completely FREE of charge to eligible Texas veterans. This program is designed to help veterans regain their independence and improve their quality of life through the support of a dedicated canine partner.
Who is Eligible?
- Veterans with service-related PTSD, MST, or TBI (Proof of disability required).
- Location: You must live within a 45-minute drive of Liberty Hill. (Strict attendance is required, and we have found that commute times longer than this affect a student’s ability to commit to weekly classes).
- The Dog: We can assess your current dog (must be under 2 years old) to see if they are a suitable candidate, or we can assist you in locating a potential candidate dog.
Program Requirements:
- Application: You must fill out an application at VETservicedogsnfp.org to be accepted.
- Commitment: Weekly attendance is mandatory. This is a rigorous course, not a casual class. Consistency is the key to success.
Note: This specific grant-funded program supports veterans with psychiatric and mobility needs (PTSD, MST, TBI). At this time, it does not cover training for blindness, seizures, or severe allergies.
Owner-Trained Service Dogs for Civilians
Professional Guidance to Meet National Standards
For civilians in Liberty Hill, Cedar Park, Austin, Leander, and surrounding areas, I offer a fee-based comprehensive training track. This program is designed for individuals committed to training a dog they have already bonded with, or I can assist in sourcing a proper candidate.
My goal is to equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to meet the high standards set by Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and adhere to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) laws.
The Training Path: Service dog work requires a rock-solid foundation. You cannot rush the process.
- Prerequisites: You must first complete my Private Sessions to master General Obedience and Advanced Obedience (or complete a Board & Train program).
- Group Access: Only after demonstrating advanced control and obedience will you be admitted into the weekly Service Dog Group Sessions.
- Public Access Test (PAT): To graduate, teams must pass our 23-point Public Access Test.
About the Public Access Test (PAT): While not legally required by the ADA, the PAT is the industry standard for safety and legitimacy. It evaluates the dog’s ability to remain calm, unobtrusive, and under total control in complex public environments (like crowded stores). It ensures your dog is a steward of the service dog community.
Eligibility:
- Proof of disability is required to enroll in the Service Dog track.
Important Disclaimers:
- Handler Training Only: Successfully completing service dog courses through Trained By Tiffany or VET Service Dogs, NFP does not qualify you as a certified dog trainer. Our program is strictly designed to teach you how to train your specific dog to mitigate your specific disability.
- Scope of Practice: If your needs fall outside our eligibility criteria (e.g., Guide Dogs for the blind, Alert Dogs for seizures/allergies), we encourage you to explore organizations that specialize in those fields. We respect the unique needs of all individuals and want to ensure you get the specialized support you require.