About Loyal Companions LLC

Loyal Companions LLC works out of Rock Island and is the only business in this catchment that breeds-in and places service dogs as well as training pet dogs.

Who runs it

The site is written in the first person by Mike Ratliff, listed as "Certified Master Trainer". He states "I am a graduate of International Acclaimed Highland Canine School for Dog Trainers in Harmony, NC." and says he completed both the master trainer program and an excellence program focused on non-canine species. His listed memberships are the International Association of Canine Professionals, the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, and the National Assn. of Canine Scent Work, plus "Certified as a Pet Dog First Responder with K9 Medic and a CGC – Canine Good Citizen Evaluator with the AKC."

Private lessons and where they happen

The format is stated without ambiguity, including what is refused: "Private lessons focusing on both on-leash and off-leash Obedience Training. I do not offer in-kennel training." Lessons run either in the client's home or in his classroom in Rock Island, cover basic and advanced obedience over six weeks each, and are priced by travel distance from "$95.00 per one hour lesson for locations within a 25-mile radius" upward. The in-home catchment is listed county by county and reaches well beyond this metro.

Classes

Group courses are published as an AKC S.T.A.R. puppy class, a scent work class "for those interested in learning for competition or for fun", AKC CGC and CGCA obedience classes, an AKC novice trick class, and general group classes. Behavior modification is offered in the home and scoped to "correct dominance, phobias, fear, housebreaking, destructive and neurotic behaviors."

Service dogs

He raises and trains them rather than converting an existing pet, and says so twice: "We raise and train service dogs according to the individuals needs." and, plainly, "we will not train your existing pup to be a service dog." He also warns "we will not ever have service dogs that are “ready to go now”.", and works by application.