Sure thing! But let’s get one thing straight, we don’t do clickers around here… unless, of course, you want your dog to think you’re training them for a space mission! 🚀

Positive reinforcement is our jam, and trust us, it’s like offering a pup the keys to the treat vault. We’ve also got this fancy-schmancy thing called Operant Conditioning up our sleeves for your not-so-puppy pups. It’s the secret sauce to turn your canine Einstein into a behavior virtuoso!

We’ll uncover your dog’s deepest desires (treats, belly rubs, world domination, you name it) and use that to make them the next top dog in skill city. 🐾🌟

Well, let me break it down for you.  I’m like the dog whisperer, but with a bit less mystique and a lot more treats.

My training style is all about making you and your furry friend a dream team. Think of me as the relationship guru for you and your pup. I’m like the Dr. Phil of the dog world, only without the mustache.

I treat every family and their dog as a unique duo, because let’s face it, each family has its quirks, and every dog has their own special brand of goofiness.

With over 30 years of training experience, I’ve picked up more tricks than a magician’s hat. I blend all that knowledge to create a training plan that’s as direct as a GPS guiding you to your favorite ice cream parlor.

I’m an open book, peeps… If you’ve got questions, fire away. Dog training is a team effort, with you, your pup, and me as the dynamic trio.

My main mission is to make sure you and your dog are on the same page. It’s like we’re translating a foreign language for your furry friend. They get it, and you get it. It’s a win-win situation!

Now, let’s talk about rewards, boundaries, and all that serious stuff. It’s like teaching your dog the ABCs of life. We introduce these concepts gently, like teaching a kid to ride a bike with training wheels instead of tossing them on a unicycle down a steep hill.

We’ll build a communication superhighway between you and your dog. You’ll high-five (metaphorically, of course) when they do something right, give them a “try again” nudge when needed, and tell them when to cut it out. In return, they’ll give you signals like a traffic light – green for happy, yellow for unsure, and red for “I need help!”

So there you have it, gang. Dog training with a side of  humor, structure and a whole lot of heart. Let’s make your dog the Einstein of the canine world, and you the best doggy translator in town.

One of the unique aspects of my training style is the ability to explain the functions, benefits, potential drawbacks, and contraindications to any piece of training equipment I use. 

I have experience with a huge range of training equipment: flat collars, clickers, food, martingale and chain collars, head halters, slip leads, harnesses, endless types of toys, crates and pens, prong collars, and electronic collars. 

We will explore training tool options and find a combination that works for your dog and your goals. E-Collar training is available as a tool for very unique cases which are only about 5% of clients, 95% of clients will not need any E-collar training for their dog.

The common denominator between suffering inflicted through all training tools are human hands and minds and watching to many YouTube education videos.

In-Home Training Lessons
Are a wonderful option for the owners who want to be more involved with their dogs training while we are there to guide, show and model obedience and manners protocols for you step by step! 

This hands on program is designed to allow you to take the time to work on the current lesson, lay good a foundation and repetitions for you and your pup with time in-between meet ups to ensure we are always striving for success.

These lessons consist of 3 to 6 (sometimes more)  in-home training sessions that are personalized to meet your training and scheduling needs. Along with consistent communication between client and trainer.

*All programs come with Lifetime Support!

That is entirely dependent on many factors: you, your dog, behavioral history, training goals, and our ability to work together to teach you how to communicate with your dog. 

If you are willing to devote the time to changing your behavior and helping your dog learn skills to change his behavior (5 to 15 minutes a day), I am more than happy to assist and support you through this process.

Training equipment is not included in your dog’s training programs, and there is an additional fee for a second dog to cover any additional training time and as each dog may have different goals and temperaments’. 

Our training time will be distributed between both dogs, then training both dogs together if applicable and goals of obedience are met. 

If one or both dogs have behavioral challenges that need more dedicated individual time, we will ensure both dogs receive ample training time. Each session is 55 minutes… 

Some cases we can do both dogs in about 90 minutes of time. There is a small upcharge for the second dog, depending case and program that is needed. 

Two dogs that are distracted by each other is a recipe for failure and need to be trained separately.

Then we will bring them together when confidence and structure is on autopilot. 

My objective is to help you achieve lasting behavior change with your dog. That behavior change is contingent on how much you apply the skills, training and structure between sessions and after they are concluded. It is absolutely crucial that dog owners are invested in the training process. It is unfair to the dog to expect behavior change on only one side of the leash.

Training programs are scheduled when you enroll. No refunds will be issued for missed sessions. Forty-eight hours notice must be provided to reschedule the session or the session will be forfeited.

There is also no buyers remorse. I do not give refunds. Exception is a death in the family within the first 24 hours of your first session per our agreement that we signed.

Contact me to schedule a consultation to discuss your dog’s behavior challenges and training goals to determine the best training program for your dog.  

I have an online questionnaire that you can fill out now…  all new potential clients fill this out, or our  very short contact form below. 

I come from a background of highly specialized dog training, and I do provide completely finished service dogs ready for public access.  See all the LEGITIMATE requirements below, and if you are interested in moving forward please contact me.

If you have a condition that impairs your daily life, a service animal could be a life-changing companion for you. Not only does having a furry friend at your side decrease anxiety, these smart and well-trained dogs can be an invaluable asset that make your daily life so much easier.

While service animals can be incredible, dealing with the logistics of having a service dog can be complicated. It is not as easy as just walking into a pet store and choosing the cutest dog!

Has your doctor recommended a furry four-legged companion? Here is everything that you need to know about having service animals and getting set up with the right documentation.

Who Needs Service Animals?

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals are defined as “dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.” This can mean different things for different people. For those who are deaf or blind, this can mean being alert to essential aspects of your environment. Service animals might also pull a wheelchair, provide medication reminds, alert you to an oncoming seizure, or provide essential calming support to those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

There are a wide range of conditions that may be benefitted by having a service dog. The only one who can ultimately make that determination is your doctor. The one key thing to keep in mind, however, is that service animals are not pets. While they may be comforting companions, they are working dogs who have been specifically trained to provide assistance that relates directly to their owner’s disability. Animals who are solely for comfort or support are not considered to be service animals according to the ADA. It is also crucial to be aware that, since 2011, it is exclusively dogs who fall under the ADA’s service animals’ category.

Conditions That Qualify for an Emotional Support or Service Animal

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, a physical disability is “[a]ny physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological, musculoskeletal, special sense organs, respiratory (including speech organs), cardiovascular, reproductive, digestive, genitourinary, hemic and lymphatic, skin, and endocrine.”

While not all disabilities would be well served by service animals, there are a few common conditions that are. If you have any of the following, you may want to check with your doctor on the value of having a service dog: arthritis, blindness, deafness, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, paralysis, scoliosis, and seizures.

When considering the value of service animals, it is essential to distinguish service animals from emotional support animals. Those with conditions like anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, eating disorders, mood disorders, neurocognitive disorders, or psychotic conditions may find great comfort from an emotional support animal but these animals would be separately categorized with different regulations. Again, the best way to find out what works for you and your needs is to chat with a doctor or mental health professional.

Traveling with Service Animals

In the United States, it is essential that all offices, businesses, and other facilities allow service animals. Generally speaking, any place that allows members of the public to enter must also accept service animals. There are exceptions to this rule, however, and those include sterile environments. Places like an operating room or other areas of a hospital can deny entry to service animals because it would have a major impact on their ability to provide essential services.

Regardless of where you go with your service dog, it is crucial to your animal properly restrained. According to ADA regulation, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered. Exceptions can be made with dogs who must be unrestrained to perform their role but these service animals must be effectively controlled through trained signals.

Access to Housing with Service Animals

To understand service animals’ right to access housing, it is key to know that the Federal Fair Housing Act does not have an official definition of a service animal. Basically, if your doctor believes that a service dog is necessary for your condition, this is typically sufficient to access housing.

The Fair Housing Act’s protection of service animals is meant to be an asset to anyone with “physical or mental impairments.” Again, this is an undefined term that would be determined by a medical health professional rather than a housing agent.

The key thing to be aware of is that “reasonable accommodation” must be made for service animals. This means allowing service animals even in spaces where animals are not allowed. As these service animals are not actually pets, a “no pets” policy would not apply to them.

Staying in an Airbnb with Service Animal

Staying in Airbnb accommodation is also intended to be easy for those with service dogs. According to Airbnb, a service animal is a “dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or mental disability.” Again, the services provided can vary greatly and include anything from helping blind people navigate to pulling a wheelchair to alerting people to allergens.

Airbnb hosts are required to accept service animals. Unless there is a particular health or safety concern that can reasonably explain rejecting service animals, Airbnb hosts must accept these animals are part of the company’s Nondiscrimination Policy. If a host finds the service animal’s behavior to be out of control or the dog is not housebroken, the host may request that the animal is removed. It is also important to note that hosts should not expect any service animals to be left alone on the property.

If you are an Airbnb guest, you are not required to notify a host that you have a service animal. The company does, however, recommend telling your host just for the sake of open and smooth communication.

As a guest, you should also be aware that hosts are not allowed to charge an extra fee or increasing the cleaning cost if you bring a service animal to the Airbnb property.

It is also against company policy for hosts or Airbnb to require documentation for service animals. An Airbnb host can simply ask if the animal is needed to a disability and the animal is trained to provide essential service.

Learn More About Staying At An Airbnb With A Service Animal

Flying with Service Animals

While the ADA has created guidelines that protect the rights of people and service animals, those rules only apply when you are on the ground. When you are in the air, laws are governed by the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). The laws of the ACAA are quite simple and protect the interests of those with service animals.

According to the ACAA, service animals must be allowed onboard any aircraft free of charge and space must be made for any essential gear such as food, water, dog crates, or other crucial medical equipment. You should be aware, however, that service animals are not allowed to block the aisle, sit in the seat, or be in the emergency exit row as it could affect the safety of other passengers.

Airlines are allowed to make you fill out a form before taking a service animal onto a flight. These forms have been created by the Department of Transportation and ask about your dog’s training. They also require you to sign that you understand that the airline can refuse transportation to you and your pet if the dog is aggressive or unruly.

It is vital to be aware that these regulations only apply to the United States. If you are traveling outside of the country, check local law.

Airline Service Dog/ESA Policies

• American Airlines (Most All Carriers Below Follow These Guidelines)
• Alaska Airlines Pet Policy
• Allegiant Airlines Pet Policy
• Delta Airlines Pet Policy
• Frontier Airlines Pet Policy
• Hawaiian Airlines Pet Policy
• JetBlue Pet Policy
• Lufthansa Pet Policy
• Southwest Airlines Pet Policy
• Spirit Airlines Pet Policy
• United Airlines Pet Policy
• Virgin Atlantic Pet Policy (Read This One)

Official Service Animals Registering with a company like US Service Animals for example gives you a certificate that you can use for access to properties, airlines, and other essential spaces. When you sign up, they give you a photo ID, certificate, and an entry into the largest Service Animal and Emotional Support Animal database in the United States.

We also have Dr. Cynthia Kent that you can call if you are having trouble gaining access to somewhere with your service animal. Keep in mind, however, that staff are only legally able to ask if the animal is needed for a disability and if the dog has been trained by a professional.

While there is no legal need to offer further identification, you will certainly run into people who are simply unaware of these regulations. If you are considering getting documentation from other companies offering certification for service animals, there are a few things to keep in mind. First up, you should know that certification should never be instant, nor should it be lifelong.

A legitimate company should only be willing to vouch for service animals after seeing a letter from a board-certified doctor. They should also expect to receive annual updates from your doctor to continue to offer certification.

Essential ID for Service Animals

According to the law, it is not necessary to have a vest, leash, tag, or collar for your service animal. However, getting official certification for a service animal can make your life easier. While it is not legally required, this identifying information can save you a lot of time.

It is important to bear in mind that the staff of many businesses do not deal with service animals on a regular basis. This means that they are often unclear about the laws and how to identify a dog as a working animal. Simply carrying a certificate or having your dog wear identify gear makes it easier for everyone. But your dog must be able to proof their behaviors on site if asked.

Emotional Support Animals vs. Service Animals

People often confuse service animals and emotional support animals. While many people don’t realize that there are a range of different types of animals who offer support, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) offers clear definitions. To be considered a service animal, the owner must have a disability. According to the ADA, a disability is different from having an impairment.

A mental illness is classified as an impairment, with the exception of cases where it significantly affects your ability to function.

Typically, those with a mental illness will have emotional support animals or psychiatric service animals. It is ultimately a doctor who will make these distinctions. Once a doctor determines that a service animal is essential, that dog must be trained to specifically trained to recognize and help to manage symptoms.

UPDATED 2023  

Flying with a service dog? The rules have changed. Here’s what you need to know What are the new rules for flying with service dogs? 

Airlines can require a traveler with a service dog to complete a DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form and a Service Animal Relief Attestation Form at least 48 hours prior to departure.  (I have these below as you can see and download)

Airlines are no longer required to recognize non-task-trained animals such as emotional support animals, comfort animals and service animals in training as service animals Airlines can limit passengers to two task-trained service animals per person. Miniature horses, cats, rabbits and other animals are no longer considered service animals.

Airlines cannot require passengers with psychiatric service animals to provide a letter from a licensed mental health professional. Passengers traveling with service animals cannot be required to physically check in at the airport.

Service animals can be required to fit within the handler’s foot space on the plane.

What is a service animal? According to the DOT, “A service animal is a dog, regardless of breed or type, that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disability.”

Airlines “are prohibited from refusing to transport a service animal based solely on breed or generalized physical type, as distinct from an individualized assessment of the animal’s behavior and health,” the final rule states. Service dogs, according to the DOT, do not run around freely, bark or growl repeatedly, injure people or urinate or defecate outside of allowed areas.

A trained service animal will remain under the control of its handler,” the final rule reads. “An animal that engages in such disruptive behavior demonstrates that it has not been successfully trained to behave properly in a public setting and carriers are not required to treat it as a service animal without a carrier in the cabin, even if the animal performs an assistive function for a passenger with a disability.”

Can you fly with emotional support dogs?

The DOT’s final rule “excludes all non-task-trained animals, such as emotional support animals, comfort animals and service animals in training.”

However, airlines are allowed, at their discretion, to transport emotional support animals without extra charge. Many airlines, such as United Airlines and American Airlines, treat emotional support animals the same as other pets, which are usually required to be confined to their carriers and incur extra fees.

Introducing TSA Cares:The program for travelers who need extra help at airports

What do I need for my service dog to fly?

There are two forms that airlines can require of passengers with service animals. These are the DOT’s Service Animal Air Transportation Form and Service Animal Relief Attestation Form.  SEE BELOW AND DOWNLOAD

The full 122-page document can be found at https://www.transportation.gov.

If you travel with a service dog, here’s what you should know before booking a flight.  

“Schedule an Appointment for Your Emotional Support or Service Dog Assessment, including Service Verification, Training Evaluation, and Care Requirements. Get a Referral, follow up and letter from our Neuropsychologist Dr. Cynthia Kent.” Reach out to me for her number and calendar scheduling via the form on Contact Page

• AKC CGC Title For Your Dog: Discover its Prestigious Value

• Benefits of AKC CGC Training for Your Dogs

• Ideal for Service Dog Training (Prerequisite) CGC is usually required for dogs that will become Therapy Dogs and always required for Service Dogs but LOTS of people have found the program is a fun way to spend time with their companion dogs while learning valuable life skills!

• Ingo Loge to Provide AKC CGC Training Services at Your Location, Training Facility or Veterinary Practice (Coming Soon) Oct 2023

• Download the Test Items Below

• Contact Ingo About Getting and AKC CGC Title for Your Dog.
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CGC Test Items