Owner training program

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Partners with Paws is proud to offer an intensive owner training program. Our instructors will work closely with individuals with disabilities providing guidance such as mentoring, coaching, and support as they raise and train their own service dog. 

• An evaluation of your dog.
• A personalized training plan to help you meet your training goals with your dog.
• 2 monthly one-on-one lessons with our instructor for the duration of up to 2 years. 
• Several group class opportunities. 
• Our public access testing and certification
• Upon passing our public access test you  will receive a certification of completing our program and a patch to put on your vest    

Comprehensive temperament evaluation for your dog (required)- $150.00

• Application Fee (Required)- $50.00 

• Tuition per semester (Required)- $1000 

• Canine Good Citizen certificate (Optional)- $20.00

The first and most important step to getting your service dog is finding the right breed and breeder. 

Your lifestyle and needs will play a huge role with what type of breed that will best fit you. If you need help with breed selection, please reach out to us and we can help you narrow down your choices. 

Now when it comes to breeders, there are many factors that cause dogs to be better service dog prospects. Genetics play a big role in dog’s temperament. When you are looking for a breeder, it is important that their lines have the right sound temperament it takes to do service work and that they are striving for better temperaments with their pairings. Along with temperament, you want to make sure the breeder has all the correct health testing. Each breed has their own guidelines for health testing that can be found on their breeds club website. These are typically along the lines of OFA hip, elbows, eyes, and then more depending on the breed. Reputable breeders will also take their time temperament testing their puppies when they get older to help better match puppies with new owners. We also love to see breeders who have different titles on their dogs since that shows that they have proven their dogs. 

Overall, look for a breeder who:

• Purpose breeds their dogs including breeding for temperament. 
• Follows their breed standard and health tests accordingly 
• Temperament Tests their puppies 
• Has titles on their dogs to show that they have proven lines 

Tier 1:

Handlers who get their dogs from the breeders below will get our owner trainer program for $6,000 and not have to have their puppy temperament tested before joining. 

These are breeders we work closely with and have proven their lines to be great service dog prospects.

Neverest Labs 

Somerset Goldens 

Forever Goldens 

Partners with Paws Breeding Prog

All other applicants must pay $6,200 to join our owner trainer program. 

Note: please contact us with your breeder if you feel like your breeder should be an approved PWP breeder. 

What is asked of me?

• To qualify for our owner-trainer program, you must have a medically diagnosed disability. 
• Owner-trainers must have the desire to work and train their own service dog and have a realistic plan of use for their dog. 
• Training log - you will be required to bring a 3-ring binder to class. In this binder, you will keep your training materials and monthly training logs to help monitor your progress. 
• Participation - you are required to attend monthly lessons and provide your own transportation.
• Respect for others - you will be training in a small group setting during some classes. Respect for others, including instructors or other representatives of Partners with Paws, is expected. Failure to maintain appropriate conduct may result in removal from the program.
• Provide proof that the canine is up to date on all vaccines including DHLPP, Rabies, and Bordetella.
• Provide proof that the canine is up to date on heartworm and tick prevention. 

Prior to Certification

• Owners must complete a minimum of two years of training through Partners with Paws Owner Trainer Program. 
• Canines must be spayed/neutered
• Owners may be required to provide proof of health clearances ensuring the physical soundness depending on the tasks and/or services the dog will provide to the handler. (For example, guide dogs or mobility service dogs must pass a hip and elbow clearance.)  

After Certification

We will continue to follow up with you every month for the first six months, and then every other month for the next year to make sure that the standards of the certification are maintained. As a new handler, it is your responsibility to have the canine re-certified annually.  

If you and your canine partners need additional follow-up training throughout the time you are together, we will be sure to address these with you! 

This may include follow-up training in the home to work on specific tasks or dog behavior, set up by phone, email, or video chat. 

Once you are our client, you are our client for life! This means whatever questions, concerns, or comments you may have, feel free to give us a call and we will be happy to help and the best way we can!