About Service Dog Certification of America

What they offer

Service Dog Certification of America is based in Albuquerque and runs a service dog training program built on more than 20 years of experience producing polite, well-mannered service dogs. Each program is designed around the handler's disability.

The program

Every dog starts with a four-week obedience program that establishes the language used to communicate with the dog. Public access training follows, usually over about two weeks, with the dog going out with a trainer to places such as stores, restaurants, theaters and events to learn how to behave in public. The final stage individualizes the training with the tasks the handler needs.

Good to know

The organization also sells registration packages, which are separate from training, and says it trains a few service dogs a year for a free program for people with disabilities. Ask what each stage includes and how long your dog's task training is expected to take.