owner training options
Kasey is a strong advocate for the right of disabled owners to train their own service dogs with professional guidance. For many, this is the only accessible and affordable way to have a service dog. Every potential owner trainer’s training plan will look different, depending on the individual dog, person, type of disability and past training experience. Kasey offers different types of training lessons to support owner-training, and most clients use some mix of the following. Kasey will always strive to work within individual budgets, using group classes, seminars and webinars to minimize training costs where possible, and offering outside resources for self-motivated people to learn from.
consultation
$150
A consultation is required before starting any kind of training in the Joyful Paws Service Dogs program. This time gives us an opportunity to go over all of the details needed to begin a working relationship, and will help create a training plan for moving forward. If you have a dog already, an evaluation of the dog’s temperament and suitability as a service dog prospect is included. If you haven’t gotten a dog yet, we will discuss your options and get started on our search for the right puppy or dog for your individual needs.
Click here to schedule a consultation
private lessons
$140 each or $700 for a package of 6
Private lessons offer individualized support, instruction and training plans to help you and your dog achieve your personal goals. Training sessions can take place in the home, in a training center or in a public location, depending on which best suits the goal of the lesson. Because our goal is always to teach you how to become an effective trainer, these lessons will be frequent in the beginning of training, but as you advance and become more comfortable with training and handling on your own, we might supplement with other forms of training and only schedule private lessons for specific issues or challenges that you come across.
Day training
NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE
A great option for people who struggle with the day-to-day training of their service dog, but aren’t ready for board and train. I offer day training for both in-home training (in my house, basic training or task work) or out in public (for public access training or advanced task work in public settings). Hours are flexible, but this is typically a 9-5 work day. Your dog will receive a combination of training, playing and crating throughout the day.
Board and train
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE ONLY FOR PROGRAM PLACEMENTS
Board and train allows for more advanced professional training for your dog. This might be setting foundations for a young puppy, diagnosing and treating behavior problems that arise during adolescence, or training full tasks where they might be too technical for the average owner-trainer. This is ONLY meant to be done in c0onjunction with and as a complement to existing training. Board and train can lay down the correct emotional and cognitive foundations, so that work can be continued by the owner themself.
group Outings
$35 per outing
Our monthly group outings offer the opportunity to learn and practice obedience and advanced skills around other dogs and distractions; but even more than that, it provides a community for owner-trainers who can learn, laugh and cry together through the emotional roller coaster that is raising and training your own service dog. We currently offer group classes only for more advanced students who already have the basics of handling and obedience under their belt. Group outings are different every month — in the past, we have done bus and airport training, visited amusement parks, gone to the zoo and much more!
seminars
$120 per full-day seminar
These are, by far, the best way to get the most information on a limited budget. Once a year, Kasey offers a full day seminars that cover the wide spectrum of subjects necessary to training your own service dog. She focuses on discussion-based learning, and for those who thrive in a classroom environment it is the best way to learn how to train your own service dog. If you participate in our monthly group outings, this is a great way to learn alongside the peers and friends you have made along the way.