Owner Trained, Professionally Guided- The Best of Both Worlds
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A service dog is a highly trained animal that assists their owner by mitigating a disability through specifically trained tasks. Unlike emotional support animals, service dogs are not just companions; they perform essential functions in a variety of environments, which requires a high level of training. Many owners can successfully train their own dogs to a high level of competency and Onward Bound can be a useful partner in that journey.
Training a service dog demands a significant investment of both time and energy, as well as a financial commitment. It takes a minimum of 10,000 hours of training to fully prepare a service dog to perform their duties. Enrolling in this program should not be taken lightly, you will be expected to be just as invested in the training as your trainers and your dog. There will be challenges, you must be dedicated! Each and every program includes attendance to our monthly outings for the life of your service dog. We are in it for the long term! |
Gold LevelOur Gold Level program is designed for those who prefer a highly structured training regimen with maximum professional involvement. Our trainers do the bulk of training through board and train or day school.
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Silver LevelThe Silver Level program offers a mix of professional training and owner involvement, making it ideal for those who want to play a significant role in their dog’s development while still benefiting from expert guidance.
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Bronze LevelThe Bronze Level program is designed for owners who are ready to take on the primary responsibility for their dog’s training with support from professionals. This program provides a solid foundation and ongoing guidance to ensure success.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can my dog become a service dog?
Maybe. It depends on several factors. First, your dog must pass a temperament test administered by one of Onward Bound’s trainers, which includes assessing their reaction to different stimuli. Not all dogs can become service dogs; it requires a solid temperament and what we call being "naturally bomb-proof."
While high-level training requires certain drives, it also demands a high level of control. If your dog doesn’t meet these criteria, Onward Bound is happy to help you find a service dog training prospect that can better stack the deck in your favor.
What type of work and tasks can I expect my dog to learn?
Onward Bound focuses on teaching public access skills, ensuring that your dog can accompany you confidently in various public settings. Additionally, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the U.S. Department of Justice requires that service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks that help mitigate their owner's disability. The mere presence of a dog does not qualify as work or tasks.
Examples of tasks your dog may learn include:
What is the duration of the program?
The duration of the program is flexible and depends on your dog’s progress. We work with you and your dog until they successfully complete the highest level of the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program, which is the Canine Good Citizen Urban test. After that, your dog must pass Onward Bound’s Public Access Test.
Since there is no set timeline, your program could last anywhere from one to three years. Additionally, our program includes lifetime visits with the monthly meetings, ensuring continued support as needed.
Where are the monthly meetings held?
The monthly meetings take place at various locations around Southeast Wisconsin. Depending on the skill level of the group meeting that month, these locations could be at pet-friendly venues or public venues. While you do need to sign up for these meetings, they are included with your tuition.
How much does it cost to train a service dog?
Onward Bound’s programs range in cost from $10,000 to $30,000, depending on the level of professional training involvement. At the lowest level, you, the owner, will be doing the majority of the work, while at the highest level, our trainers handle most of the training. Contact us for a detailed lay-out of our program tiers.
To accommodate various financial situations, all of our programs are offered on a sliding payment scale, making it as affordable as possible to train your dog.
What happens if my dog doesn’t make it as a service dog?
Even professionally bred, raised, and trained service dogs have 50% washout rate, meaning they may not meet the necessary standards to become a service dog. However, Owner-Trained Service Dog programs, like ours, tend to have a lower washout rate due to the personalized and hands-on approach.
Despite this, there are instances where a dog may not be able to fulfill the role of a service dog. In such cases, any unused training tuition can be transferred to another service dog prospect, allowing you to continue the journey with a new candidate. If you do not plan on bringing home another service dog in the near future, Onward Bound will issue a proportional refund, determined by our team.
Maybe. It depends on several factors. First, your dog must pass a temperament test administered by one of Onward Bound’s trainers, which includes assessing their reaction to different stimuli. Not all dogs can become service dogs; it requires a solid temperament and what we call being "naturally bomb-proof."
While high-level training requires certain drives, it also demands a high level of control. If your dog doesn’t meet these criteria, Onward Bound is happy to help you find a service dog training prospect that can better stack the deck in your favor.
What type of work and tasks can I expect my dog to learn?
Onward Bound focuses on teaching public access skills, ensuring that your dog can accompany you confidently in various public settings. Additionally, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the U.S. Department of Justice requires that service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks that help mitigate their owner's disability. The mere presence of a dog does not qualify as work or tasks.
Examples of tasks your dog may learn include:
- Retrieving items such as a bottle of water from the fridge.
- Turning on and off light switches or opening doors.
- Blocking the public from getting too close to you.
- Alerting to an oncoming seizure.
- Recognizing and alerting to changes in your biochemical signals, such as those associated with high or low blood pressure or a diabetic episode.
What is the duration of the program?
The duration of the program is flexible and depends on your dog’s progress. We work with you and your dog until they successfully complete the highest level of the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program, which is the Canine Good Citizen Urban test. After that, your dog must pass Onward Bound’s Public Access Test.
Since there is no set timeline, your program could last anywhere from one to three years. Additionally, our program includes lifetime visits with the monthly meetings, ensuring continued support as needed.
Where are the monthly meetings held?
The monthly meetings take place at various locations around Southeast Wisconsin. Depending on the skill level of the group meeting that month, these locations could be at pet-friendly venues or public venues. While you do need to sign up for these meetings, they are included with your tuition.
How much does it cost to train a service dog?
Onward Bound’s programs range in cost from $10,000 to $30,000, depending on the level of professional training involvement. At the lowest level, you, the owner, will be doing the majority of the work, while at the highest level, our trainers handle most of the training. Contact us for a detailed lay-out of our program tiers.
To accommodate various financial situations, all of our programs are offered on a sliding payment scale, making it as affordable as possible to train your dog.
What happens if my dog doesn’t make it as a service dog?
Even professionally bred, raised, and trained service dogs have 50% washout rate, meaning they may not meet the necessary standards to become a service dog. However, Owner-Trained Service Dog programs, like ours, tend to have a lower washout rate due to the personalized and hands-on approach.
Despite this, there are instances where a dog may not be able to fulfill the role of a service dog. In such cases, any unused training tuition can be transferred to another service dog prospect, allowing you to continue the journey with a new candidate. If you do not plan on bringing home another service dog in the near future, Onward Bound will issue a proportional refund, determined by our team.