Service Dog Courses
Service Dog Level 1
Summit Steps:
Level 1 – Foundational Training for Future Service Dog Teams
Every great service journey begins with a single, steady step—and Summit Steps is where the climb begins.
This Level 1 private training program is designed for individuals looking to begin their path toward a fully trained service dog. Whether your dog is a young pup or a newly selected candidate, Summit Steps builds the core obedience, focus, and public-readiness skills necessary for reliable, long-term service work.
Through personalized, real-world training, you’ll build the trust, communication, and structure needed for a future of shared purpose.
Core Skills Covered:
Sit-Stay
Down-Stay
Place – settle calmly in a designated spot
Heel – loose-leash walking and handler focus
Reliable Recall
Impulse Control – resisting distractions and remaining composed
Positive Socialization – people, dogs, and environmental exposure
Gear Desensitization – calmly accepting service gear and working while suited up
CGC Preparation – work toward the Canine Good Citizen test, a key milestone in service dog training
What’s Included:
10 One-Hour Private Lessons – fully customized, held at home or in public spaces
2 Private 30-Minute Follow-Up Lessons – to reinforce skills or prepare for next steps
Training Essentials – leash, treat pouch, portable place mat, and any additional tools your dog may need
Service Dog In-Training Vest – loaned to your team during training, with the upgrade to a full vest upon program graduation
Lifetime Access to Support Scouts – our ongoing drop-in class for maintenance, troubleshooting, and continued growth
Summit Steps is more than a training program—it’s the beginning of a powerful partnership, where trust is built, challenges are overcome, and every step brings you closer to the summit.
Service Dog Level 2
The Pathfinder:
Level 2 – Advancing Skills, Strengthening Purpose
As your journey continues, it’s time to move from learning the basics to navigating the real world with confidence and purpose. The Pathfinder is our Level 2 service dog training program, designed for teams who have built a solid foundation and are now ready to tackle public access, task training, and more advanced obedience.
Whether you’re training for mobility support, psychiatric service work, or another task-specific role, this program will guide you and your dog through the next phase of becoming a dependable working team.
What You’ll Work On:
Public Access Training – in both pet-friendly and (when appropriate) non-pet-friendly environments
Task Training – based on the handler’s disability-related needs (e.g. deep pressure therapy, retrieval, alerting, etc.)
Advanced Obedience – fine-tuning commands and responsiveness in complex, real-world settings
Controlled Socialization – building confidence and calmness around strangers, dogs, noise, and distractions
CGC Testing – Canine Good Citizen Test (administered during the program)
Preparation for CGCA & CGCU – Advanced and Urban levels of the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen program
What’s Included:
10 One-Hour Private Lessons – in-home or in public settings tailored to your goals
2 Private 30-Minute Follow-Up Lessons – for reinforcement and refinement
Training Gear Package – includes leash, treat pouch, portable place mat, and any tools your dog may need
Service Dog In-Training Vest – loaned during the program, with an upgrade available upon graduation
Lifetime Access to Support Scouts – our drop-in support class to maintain skills and build community
The Pathfinder helps you move forward with clarity and purpose, equipping your dog to not just accompany you—but to truly support you—on life’s everyday paths and extraordinary trails.
Service Dog Level 3
The Peak Partner:
Level 3 – Polishing Skills for Public Access, Travel, and Full-Time Service
You’ve climbed far together—and now it’s time to prepare for life at the summit.
The Peak Partner is our final-level service dog program, crafted for teams on the cusp of graduation. This phase is all about mastering advanced public access skills, task reliability in real-world scenarios, and building handler confidence in complex environments like airports, crowded spaces, and non-pet-friendly locations.
With personalized training, hands-on field trips, this program ensures your dog is not only well-trained—but fully equipped to support you in every setting, every day.
What You’ll Learn & Practice:
ADA Law & Service Dog Education – for both handler and public awareness
Tasking in Public – building fluency in both pet-friendly and non-pet-friendly spaces
Advanced Public Access – high-distraction environments, elevators, tight spaces, food courts, etc.
Air Travel Preparedness – includes airport desensitization, security protocol, boarding, and proper travel behavior
CGCU & CGCA Testing – preparation and testing for AKC Urban and Advanced Canine Good Citizen titles (Dog is required to pass both tests in order to graduate from Service Paws)
Handler-Specific Training – customized sessions based on your unique needs and lifestyle
What’s Included:
8 One-Hour Private Lessons – held at home or in public environments tailored to your real-life goals
2 Private 30-Minute Follow-Up Lessons – for refinement or troubleshooting as you near graduation
Airport Field Trip – includes navigating TSA security, boarding procedures, and managing airport distractions
Training Essentials – leash, treat pouch, portable place mat, loaned “Service Dog In-Training” vest, and any additional tools your dog may need
Lifetime Access to Support Scouts – our drop-in support class for continued guidance and community
The Peak Partner is more than a training program—it’s the final climb toward total trust, partnership, and independence. When you reach the top, you’ll do so with a dog who’s not only ready to serve—but proud to walk beside you every step of the way.