Gutsy Mutts Service Dogs, LLC

Background

Gutsy Mutts Service Dogs is run by Eileen Casey, who trained marine mammals (killer whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions and others) at SeaWorld of Texas before moving into pet-dog and then service-dog training. That marine-mammal background is a distinctive credential rooted in operant-conditioning work, and Casey says she took the step into service-dog training with help from a mentor.

Services and approach

Gutsy Mutts offers general obedience training (basic behaviors and unwanted house manners) and service-dog guidance, where Casey coaches owners through self-training their own dog, either in person in Ohio or via video conferencing. She also evaluates dogs as service-dog candidates. Pricing is transparent on the site: a flat $50 for a 45-minute session, sold a la carte rather than in packages, with each session covering what to train, demonstrations, and homework before the next step. The business also references placing trained dogs at a lower cost than larger programs. This is a good fit for owners who want affordable, owner-involved coaching toward a service dog or solid everyday obedience.