Service dog training session with a Doberman at Independent K-9

Service Dog Training

Nearly 100 service dogs placed — reliable, confident teams built around your needs.

Who we help

Trained for your life, not a brochure

Trainers Erin and Jess bring over a decade of experience training and placing service dogs. Every journey starts with understanding you: an in-depth consultation about your lifestyle, needs and goals, followed by a customized training plan and contract with a clear timeline.

We have experience training service dogs for a wide range of disabilities, including anxiety and depressive disorders; PTSD, trauma and stress-related disorders; epilepsy and seizure disorders; POTS and dysautonomia; autism; cerebral palsy; hearing assistance; mobility assistance; diabetes alert; and more.

We can help you select the right dog or puppy from trusted breeders — or evaluate a dog you already own for suitability.

The path to certification

Three phases, one working partner

Young dog building foundational skills with a trainer

1. Puppy Jump Start (4–6 weeks)

Begins as early as 8–16 weeks old. Foundational skills, confidence and early development — the groundwork everything else is built on.

Labrador practicing calm public behavior at heel

2. Public Access Training (4–6 weeks)

Typically starts around 6–9 months. Reliable obedience and behavior in public environments, plus introduction to early task work like retrieval and harness work.

Dog walking at heel during advanced task training

3. Task Training & Finishing (3–4 weeks)

Advanced, disability-specific task training, final polishing and reliability work, and preparation for certification.

Program investment

Programs typically range from $8,000 to $15,000 (plus tax), paid over your 1.5 to 2.5 year training program. 10% down to begin, flexible monthly payments, and a contract that spells out the minimum training required for certification.

Certification

You and your dog complete the Independent K-9 Public Access Test. Upon passing, you receive a certification letter confirming your dog as a working service dog. Final phase and certification require the contract to be fully or nearly fully paid.

Support for life

Lifetime training support, continued guidance as your needs evolve, optional refresher training and recertification every 1–2 years as needed. Once you’re certified, you’re family — not a closed file.

Already part of the pack?

Book classes, daycare and boarding online

Current clients can schedule daycare, boarding and class spots any time — day or night — through our Gingr client portal.

Start the conversation

Service dog training is a big decision. Book a free consultation and get straight answers about the process, the timeline and whether it is right for you.