Program Overview
The MasterPeace Owner Trainer Service Dog Program is designed to guide and support individuals in training their own service dogs. Our comprehensive approach ensures that both dog and owner develop the skills and confidence needed for a successful partnership. We offer a step-by-step training process, expert guidance, and a supportive community to help you achieve your goals.
The program is open to individuals who meet the ADA definition of disabled who wish to train their own dog as a service animal. Applicants must provide documentation of their disability and demonstrate that their dog has the potential to be trained as a service dog. Applicants who do not yet have a dog will be guided in their search for a proper candidate.
Our Approach
At MasterPeace, we provide comprehensive training support from puppy kindergarten to specialized task training. Our program is structured to guide you step-by-step, ensuring both you and your dog build a strong foundation and progress effectively through a combination of private lessons and group classes. We offer:
Personalized Training Plans: Tailored to meet your specific needs and goals.
Expert Guidance: Led by certified trainers with extensive experience in service dog training.
Community Support: Connect with a network of like-minded individuals and share your experiences.
Ongoing Education: Access to seminars, workshops, and courses to stay updated with the latest training techniques.
Syllabus
The following is an example of one path through our program.
Phase 1: Foundation Skills
Puppy Kindergarten: Start your journey with essential training for young puppies, focusing on socialization, basic cues, and foundational skills.
Graduate Puppy: To build on the skills learned in Puppy Kindergarten with more advanced training exercises. Focuses on reinforcing obedience, introducing more complex tasks, and continuing socialization.
Phase 2: Advanced Skills
Continuing Education: To further enhance obedience skills and prepare the dog for more advanced service dog training. This class should focus on solidifying the dog's response to commands in various environments and introducing challenges like distractions.
(Optional) Competition Obedience: Although aimed at competition, this class can significantly benefit service dog training by focusing on precision, control, and handler communication. This stage emphasizes the dog's ability to perform tasks reliably and under pressure.
Phase 3: Public Access Readiness
Canine Good Citizen Prep: To prepare and test for the AKC's CGC certification, focusing on good manners, obedience, and handling in public spaces. This is a crucial step for ensuring the dog behaves appropriately in various social settings. All dogs in the program must pass the CGC first before advancing to Public Access Testing.
Public Access Training: To prepare and test for the MasterPeace Public Access Test.
Phase 4: Specialized Task Training
Service Dog Task Training: To customize the training to the specific needs of the handler, focusing on task training relevant to the handler's disability. This includes teaching the dog how to perform tasks that mitigate the handler's disability, such as retrieving items, providing physical support, or alerting to medical conditions.
(Optional) Trick Dog Classes: To utilize the tricks class as a fun and engaging way to teach service dogs specific tasks or behaviors that can aid their handler. This can also improve the dog’s problem-solving skills and enhance their ability to learn complex commands.