I love to train dogs,and I have trained many before. I am just a teenager,but I am dedicated and experienced. I am going to be a vet and obedience trainer. I am wanting to make a second career out of this,with the dogs that I rescue. I rescue dogs from kill shelters, rehabilitate them,and adopt them out. They go through a full vetting,and are spayed/ neutered, given all shots, micro-chipped,etc. I train them with basic obedience training and manners, but nothing too extensive. I have trained my own Labrador,who isn’t going to be adopted, for what I believe is almost a service dog. He preforms with almost 100 % accuracy even in the toughest situations,in public and busy places. I have brought him in stores and malls that allow animals in my area.
He knows:
sit/stay
down/stay
stand/stay
come & sit automatically in front
go to your spot (relax on his carpet)
shake/high five/wave
hot coals (he lifts his feet in the air like stepping on hot coals)
circle left
circle right
beg
bow
bring
drop it
carry anything for long periods of time
drag anything by its handle/tied on rope
open & close doors
hold doors open
bring crutches one at a time
bring me my shoes
find my keys
go get your leash
dinner time- he goes and gets his bowl
opens and closes cabinets
open & close refridgerator
lay by wheelchairs side quietly for long periods of time
bring anything I point to
bring and put back anything from counter

Does it sound like he could be a mobility service dog,for someone in a wheelchair? He is only 2 yrs old,and I have trained him reliably for all of that. Considering that,do you think I could train other dogs in the future as a career? Also,one big question I have is- is it wrong to make a profit off of service dogs? Some people think they should be donated,but I would (I guess selfishly) want something after putting 2+ yrs of effort into this training.

I was thinking charging:
Basic: $150
sit
down
stays
come & sit
stand/stay
heel on leash/leash manners
leave it
door dashing manners
food manners (no picking up strange food on ground or counters)
crate trained (will sleep in comfortably,stay in when commanded even with door open,get in on command,etc)
shake/high five
permit all grooming,stand still,get in bathtub,etc.

Advanced: $350
watch me
sit/stay long time
down stay long time
stand stay long time
long stays out of sight
come long distances
heel on & off leash
leave it/take it/drop it/bring it/carry it
speak (optional)
catch (optional)
bow
circle left & right
weave in & out of legs
jump in arms (optional)
jump over arm/leg/through arms (optional)
finish heel
pray with hands on bed
put head down
cover nose
crawl
go to spot
load up in truck (optional)
load up in car

Mobility Service Dog: $600
turn on off lights
open close doors
open close cabenits and doors
get mail
get any objects pointed to
open close refridgerator
find keys
find remote
target
get food bowl
hold open glass doors
turn on off water
lay beside quietly
drag things
stay standing while leaned on

agility: Add $100 to level above
jump
weave
pause box
sea saw
a frame
dog walk

Are these prices fair? I have seen some dogs sold by agencies for $30,000…please give your opinions,thanks!

Bryn, In the US, anyone can legally train a service dog.

Asker, the service dog has to be trained to do something that the handler can not do due to their disability. This means you can’t train a dog and then find a handler. You have to know who the dog is going to first and then train the dog to that person’s needs.

Filed under: Labrador Crate Training

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