Are you a Texan looking to train your dog for special services? If so, I’ve put together the most pertinent information about 7 service dog trainers in Texas.
1. Give Us Paws (Houston)
Based in Houston, Texas, Give Us Paws offers training for would-be service dogs as well as regular pet dog obedience training. This registered non-profit organization operates throughout the greater Houston area and their service dog training services are free for veterans. Give Us Paws specializes in training dogs for veterans suffering from PTSD, as well as those with limited mobility or traumatic brain injuries.
The trainers at Give Us Paws use positive reinforcement techniques and scientific methods to see the best results from your dog. They also ensure that each handler is heavily involved in the training process and learns how to communicate with their dog. The service dog training program at Give Us Paws typically takes 8-12 months. Contact Give Us Paws for more details.
2. Dog Training Elite (San Antonio)
Dog Training Elite has several locations, including in San Antonio, Texas. As well as puppy training, obedience training for dogs, and behavioral training, their experienced team also offers service dog training that’s customized to suit the unique needs of each owner.
In terms of service dog training, Dog Training Elite offers training for psychiatric/PTSD support, mobility assistance, autism support, or seizure/diabetic alerts. Their trainers provide complimentary in-home visits to assess whether your current dog can be trained as a service dog and can also help you select a new puppy or dog that will be suitable for training as a service dog. Training packages vary from $3595 to $6595 – contact Dog Training Elite to learn more.
3. Canine Solutions Dallas (Dallas)
Canine Solutions Dallas offers personalized dog training in the greater Dallas area. As well as behavior modification and obedience programs, they also provide service dog training. Trainer Valerie Fry is a certified professional dog trainer who studied at the Karen Pryor Academy of Animal Training and Behavior.
The team at Canine Solutions Dallas has over a decade of experience working with service dogs, and specifically train dogs to assist with mobility support, object retrieval, opening doors, seizure/medical response, and more. They can also train dogs for owners with psychiatric disabilities such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Contact Canine Solutions Dallas with any questions you may have.
4. United K9 Academy (Caddo Mills)
United K9 Academy offers both regular obedience training as well as specific training for service dogs. Founder and owner Craig Hanna first started United K9 Academy in 2015 after spending time working with dogs in the military. United K9 Academy is based in Caddo Mills, TX, and operates throughout Dallas, El Paso, Houston, Waco, San Antonio, and beyond.
Their expert, specialist trainers provide service dog training to help with mobility issues, diabetes, epilepsy, and autism. They also train dogs for assistance with psychological needs like PTSD, depression, and more. Contact United K9 Academy for a complimentary evaluation.
5. Scout’s Legacy Service Dogs
Located in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex in North Central Texas, Scout’s Legacy Service Dogs has a mission to “help individuals gain independence through the help of service dogs”. In other words, Scout’s in in the business of training service dogs.
Founder Amanda Pratt eventually trained a Border Collie Labrador mix she was fostering to become a Psychiatric Service Dog after she developed PTSD.
They have a wide range of programs including board and train and day training for dogs to become service dogs. They are proud to feature their current service dogs on their website. (Warning: Get ready to have your heart warmed.)
Scout’s also breeds Golden Retrievers for their services dogs in training but they only place these dogs with those in their Legacy service dog training program. They’re training takes about two years.
6. Dog Alliance (Cedar Park Austin Area)
Dog Alliance is a non-profit service dog training facility begun in 2006 that provides:
- Service dogs for Texas veterans with PRSD and or mobility challenges
- Service dogs for first responders
- Serive dogs for those with physical or mental disabilities
- Facility dogs for nursing homes, fire stations and other environments where the presence of a loving dog is helpful
- Bow Wow therapy dogs at family courts, hospitals, schools and libraries
Check out the Dog Alliance’s service dog training programs which include “Train Your Own Service Dog” as well as more common training programs like Dog Sports and Dog Manners.
You may enjoy Boomer – The Power of a Therapy Dog below.
7. South Texas Service Dogs (Helotes)
Owner Carlos Villarreal is clearly committed to service dog training with over 4 years and 500 hours of apprenticeship working with service dogs. Carlos is a veteran and has his own service dog, which he feels had a strong impact on this life.
South Texas Service Dogs specializes in:
- Training service dogs for military and First Responders that are wounded or struggling with PTSD
- Serice dog training for those with mobility and hearing challenges
- Serice dogs for those with autism, epilepsy, diabetes, and more
They are members of several service dog organizations including the International Association of Canine Professionals and Paws for 22 Foundation.
Check out their obedience and service dog training programs.
8. IDEA Service Dogs (Argyle in North Central Texas)
IDEA service dog graduates must certify competence in three areas, such as object retrieval, opening and closing doors, or alerting to a medical event. Dogs in their program are raised in the owner’s home and the owner does the training.
IDEA is a non-profit and Texas public charity. They are able to keep fees low because they are run by volunteers.
Their focus is on service dog training for those with mobility challenges as well as seizures.
Take a look at their service dog training programs which run about two years. Graduates are expected to pass the Canine Good Citizen and Public Access tests.
9. K9Basix (El Paso)
Owner Monique Aguilar, daughter of a service dog trainer, grew up around service dogs. Monique is a an Army Master Sergent herself. When she was 9 she began helping her mother train service dogs.
Monique has been a full time dog trainer since 2019. Check out their general and service dog training programs. Monique also provides boarding for dogs in her training programs.
Summary for Service Dog Trainers in Texas
Admittedly, I had to dig deep to find these Texas service dog trainers. As you can see, the Dallas Fort Worth area has more service dog training businesses than the other areas. Due to the unique nature of service dog skills required, there aren’t a lot of businesses that focus exclusively on service dog training. Plus, many service dog trainers are 501(c) non-profits.
Therefore, it seems Texas is fortunate to have these committed service dog trainers with various specialities scattered across our large state.
