Service Dog Training

Is a Service Dog Right for You?

This can be a hard question, not only do you have to have a disability that would be mitigated by a Service Dog, but you also have to have the correct life style.

First Ask yourself, why do you want and need a Service Dog?

If the answer is you want a buddy, a Service Dog might not be the right fit for you.

Second Ask yourself, would a Service Dog fit in with my family?

If you have other dogs that are not trained, and don’t have the ability to exercise the dog then a Service Dog might not be the right fit for you.

Third Ask yourself, do I really have the money for a Service Dog?

A Service Dog is still a dog, they require food, shelter, vet visits, toys and more. While training/receiving a Service Dog from Summer’s Dogs is relatively inexpensive, you have to afford this dog for its life time.

Commitment

When in the training program with your own dog you will need to meet a minimum of once every 2 weeks for 2 hours of training for the length of the program. Training frequency and timing depends on each dog and handler average time of training is a year with a minimum of 6 months.

When receiving a fully trained Service Dog from our breeding program you will need to meet for a 3 hour interview and training session with your prospect at 1 year old. The meet again for bonding and training sessions at least once a month until take home.

For all handlers and families you will be responsible for all food, health care, personal care, etc. while the dog lives with you. Upon approval you will be under a contract that not only protects Summer’s Dogs, but also you.

The Basics

Timing

Hourly - 1 to 2 hours at once or twice a week

Great for Puppies and beginning of training

Daily - 4 to 6 hours a day once or twice a week

Great for Public Access training and Task Training

Boarding - Over night stay

Great for Task Training and Polishing

Cost

Free

For People and Families whose income is less than $35,000

25% of Cost

For Families whose income is less than $50,000

50% of Cost

For Families whose income is less than $100,000

75% of Cost

For Families whose income is less than $150,00

Types

Here at Summer’s Dogs I specialize in Autism and PTSD Service Dogs.

There are several Tasks here at Summer’s Dogs we train that can help mitigate these disabilities some include:

Deep Pressure Therapy

Grounding

Cortisol Level Alert

Action Interruption

Overall Cost

The average Service Dog

has 2 years of Training before be placed.

$25,000 in training

$3000 in food and treats

$2,300 in basic dog supplies

$500 in basic vet needs

$500 in service dog gear

$31,300 Total

Training Cost

The average Service Dog has a minimum 320 hours of personalized task training, but normally have over 800 hours. That is a lot of time with a professional trainer. Here at Summer’s Dogs each dog has an average of 12 hours of training a week in their first 2 years of life. The first year is based on obedience training and the 2nd year is task training for their future handler.

A Service Dog is not only task trained, but also has to have near perfect obedience. Each Dog is there own and the trainers have to work to build that dog up to be a great a Service Dog. This is not a cookie cutter job. Training a Service Dog is also not only about training the dog, but finding that dog the perfect person to help. While Training is hours and hour of documented work, there is lots of love, attention, and caring that can’t be calculated.

Break Down

So what do you Owe?

If you are suppling the future Service Dog Summer’s Dogs offer a variety paths for Service Dog Training guided by the need of the future Team (Handler, Disabled Person, and the Dog). While each path is based on needs, each path’s price is based on time with trainer, then income. Summer’s Dogs is here to help you in everyway we can. If you have any questions please reach out.

If you are receiving the Service Dog from Summer’s Dogs it is based pearly on income and the base price of a Service Dog.