Are you looking to train your own service dog but want to avoid long wait times and added expenses? Our online group classes provide a cost-effective solution for dog owners who wish to transform their beloved companion into a fully trained service dog. Whether your dog already assists you naturally or you want to take their training to the next level, our curriculum is designed to equip you with the necessary skills to succeed.
Comprehensive Curriculum:
Our program spans a little over a year and covers a wide range of dog behavior and training techniques. With up to 30 different commands and a minimum of 3 behaviors specifically tailored to alleviate your disability, our curriculum ensures your dog is fully equipped to assist you. Upon completing all the classes, you’ll have the opportunity to take the Public Access Test (PAT) and Canine Good Citizen tests (CGC) at our facility in Indianapolis, IN. Certification will be awarded upon successfully passing the PAT.
How does it work?
Your roadmap to success
Our full package includes 35 hours of teaching, detailed training plans, and training logs, as well as coaching videos.
Why Train with Medical Mutts?
We specialize exclusively in service dog training, setting us apart from regular obedience classes. Training a service dog requires a unique understanding and expertise that many dog trainers lack. Our experienced trainers are well-versed in the intricacies of service dog training, ensuring each level builds upon the previous one. By starting your training journey with us, you can avoid the need for extensive behavior corrections down the line.
How do we train?
Positive and Effective Methods:
At Medical Mutts, we believe in positive reinforcement-based training methods. We do not use choke chains, prong collars, or shock collars. Instead, we focus on building your dog’s confidence and desire to learn. By employing positive reinforcement techniques, you’ll not only develop the necessary skills for training your service dog but also strengthen your bond and communication with your canine companion.
Does your dog qualify?
Dog Assessment
We welcome dogs into our classes as early as 6 months old, while dogs over 5 years old require veterinary clearance. Prior to registration, all dogs must undergo a temperament and trainability evaluation. This assessment provides an estimation of your dog’s potential as a service dog. It’s important to note that passing the evaluation does not guarantee successful completion of the program, as younger dogs may exhibit problematic behaviors along the way. The evaluation fee is $120, and our specialist will guide you through the process.
If your puppy is too young to be assessed and join the class, we offer weekly online sessions with one of our training experts to help you until your puppy is ready.
Learn from anywhere!
Our online group classes offer the convenience of learning from the comfort of your own home, regardless of your location. Through interactive live instruction conducted via Zoom, you’ll actively engage with our trainers and fellow participants. Additionally, we provide supplemental documents, tutorial videos, and necessary supplies, all easily accessible with just a click.
Medical Mutts Academy
Our program is divided into four modules, each building upon the previous one. To ensure a seamless learning experience, it is essential to take the modules in the order of 1 through 4. Even dogs with prior training experience will begin with our foundation class, unless they have previously worked with us privately and are ready to join our advanced group classes.
Join our online group classes at Medical Mutts Academy and receive the guidance and support you need to train your own service dog. Start your journey towards an independent and fulfilling partnership with your furry companion today.
The Next Classes Start October 24th at 7:00 pm EST, 2023!
1-Foundation – $490
From ADA laws to training basics, this class will provide the foundation for all subsequent classes. You’ll learn how to properly socialize your service dog in training, how to deal with fear issues, how to keep a training log, and 10 of the foundational behaviors for service dogs.
You will learn how to teach your dog to:
- Pay attention in all sorts of places
- Settle on his bed
- Sit
- Down
- Walk without pulling on the leash
- Heel into position
- Recognize a smell (medical detection)
- Come when called
- and much more…
We meet once a week for an hour. Duration 10 weeks.
2-Intermediate Obedience – $590
This module will focus on more advanced behaviors, including preparatory training for retrieving objects. We will increase the criteria of our foundation behaviors and add 10 new behaviors to the service dog’s repertoire.
You will learn how to teach your dog to:
- Stay with distractions and distance
- Lie under a table or under your legs
- Pivot into position on your right side
- Scent discrimination
- Alerting behavior
- Leave it
- Roll on the side for care and grooming
- and more…
Duration 10 weeks.
3-Public Access – $330
Learn how service dogs should behave in public, how to deal with strangers and store managers, how to get the dog to stay under the table at the restaurant, and much more. Practice with our trainers in public places.
Duration 3 weeks.
4-Advanced Training – $590
Let’s specialize your dog to meet your specific needs.
- Diabetes alert, seizure alert and/or response, allergies, or other scent-related problems.
- Autism, PTSD, anxieties, narcolepsy, or other related disabilities
- Mobility problems
- etc.
You will learn how to teach your dog to:
- Alert to a drop in your BG, a seizure, a panic attack or other medical problem
- Press a button
- Get help
- Retrieve objects
- Turn lights on
- Apply deep pressure
- Help with balance
- Prepare for the AKC Urban Canine Good Citizen Test
- and much more…