In-Person | Hybrid | Virtual
Learn About Our Programs
Throughout your program you will learn more about
How to build your dogs engagement!
How to time rewards while training!
How to build neutrality around people,
dogs, kids and other distractions!
How to help your dog understand
what is being asked!
All hybrid programs require that half of the lessons are conducted in-person and half are conducted virtually.
All in-person lessons take place in public locations within 25 miles of Abingdon, Maryland.
Whale-Versed Program (24 Lessons)
Whale-Versed Program
(24 Lessons)
All “Whale-Versed” programs consist of 24 private lessons, to be completed over six months. We offer mobility, psychiatric, and medical alert/response task training. (Note: you don’t have to pick just one! We encourage multi-purpose service dog teams to apply.)
The program is made up of 3 primary phases:
Phase 1: Foundations
This is when we focus on setting you and the puppy up for success. The goal is to be ready for more advanced behaviors. We always start with bonding and building a strong relationship between the two of you! Then, we’ll work on socialization and lots of exposure, teach you how to handle your pup in different environments, and show you how to set yourself up for success during your outings.- Phase 1 covers: Potty training, Name Games, Transportation, Crate Training, Exposure, Socialization, Engagement, Settling, Leash Training, Hand Feeding, Marker Words, Building Drive, Stroller Training, Learning to Play Together, Luring into Positions, Introduce Cooperative Care, Recall, Boundary Training, Tethering, and Building Neutrality.
Phase 2: Public Access
The main focus of this phase is to develop proper etiquette and manners in public. We’ll begin to work in new public places, including some that aren’t pet-friendly. You’ll also begin to introduce your puppy to day to day places you frequent. This will help get them used to your routine and lifestyle.- Phase 2 covers: Advanced Exposure, Loose-Leash Walking, Rear-End Awareness, Durational Settling, Position Changes, Advanced Heel, Advanced Luring, Advanced Recall, Advanced Rear-End Awareness, Advanced Neutrality, Intro to Tasks, and Adding Cues.
Phase 3: Task Training
In the final phase, we begin to focus on our 2-3 priority tasks. We’ll make sure they can be reliably performed in a variety of environments. Depending on how quickly your dog picks up the skills, we can always look to add more. However, the primary goal is to have the 2-3 main tasks you need be reliable!- Phase 3 covers: Specific Public Access Exposure, Leave It, Working Around Other Teams, Proper Greetings, Under/Tuck, Duration on Cues, Duration of Heel, Advanced Task Work, Settling Around Food, Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Prep, CGC Testing, and Public Access Testing (PAT).
*There’s no set timeframe for each phase – we will work with you and your dog at your pace.
We provide the education and focused foundational training to help any team succeed.
We provide the education and focused foundational training to help any team succeed.
Graduation
Graduation from this program consists of passing our PAT (Public Access Test) and obtaining the American Kennel Club’s CGC (Canine Good Citizen) award. Other AKC titles are also available if you’re interested, like Trick Dog or the more advanced CGC certificates.
Flipper Fundamentals Package (12 Lessons)
Flipper Fundamentals
Package (12 Lessons)
Our 3-month “Flipper Fundamentals” program has a focus on covering 2 of the 3 main phases of training a service dog (Foundations, Public Access, and Task Training). This option is designed for dogs and handlers that already have an understanding of training. This package is not looking to encompass all training things; it’s focused on your specific goals and getting you there. The Flipper Fundamentals
Our 3-month “Flipper Fundamentals” program has a focus on covering 2 of the 3 main phases of training a service dog (Foundations, Public Access, and Task Training). This option is designed for dogs and handlers that already have an understanding of training. This package is not looking to encompass all training things; it’s focused on your specific goals and getting you there. The Flipper Fundamentals package is also great when you’re just starting with a puppy and you want to go through the critical socialization and exposure age with professional guidance. This package was specifically built to help you wherever you need help the most.
package is also great when you’re just starting with a puppy and you want to go through the critical socialization and exposure age with professional guidance. This package was specifically built to help you wherever you need help the most.
This one is also our choice if your service dog has recently been approved for mobility work by a veterinarian, and you’d like to work on mobility foundations with an experienced trainer.
P.S. This is also a great option to learn and really solidify new behaviors!
In-Person | Hybrid | Virtual
Guppy Package (5 Lessons)
Guppy Package
(5 Lessons)
We recommend this package for any new dog owners, whether you have a puppy or an older dog! Our “Guppy Package” takes place over a 5-week period, where dogs (and their owners) will learn the foundations for training and good manners inside and outside of your home. This can include loose-leash walking, settling practice, exposure to new environments, and help with creating a new routine to set you and your pup up for success! And, if your dog has already learned some manners, we’ll help you take them to the next level!
We recommend this package for any new dog owners, whether you have a puppy or an older dog! Our “Guppy Package” takes place over a 5-week period, where dogs (and their owners) will learn the foundations for training and good manners inside and outside of your home. This can include loose-leash walking, settling practice, exposure to new environments, and help with creating a new routine to set you
and your pup up for success! And, if your dog has already learned some manners, we’ll help you take them to the next level!
In-Person | Hybrid | Virtual
Scent Training Course for Medical Alert (5 Lessons)
Scent Training Course for
Medical Alert (5 Lessons)
We are proud to offer scent-training for medical alert service dogs! Dogs have the incredible ability to smell hormones relating to heart rate and blood pressure changes, blood glucose levels rising or dropping, and sometimes even seizures! It can be possible for your dog to let you know when they sense those things coming to give you warning about imminent medical episodes. Scent training lessons are included in the “Whale-Versed” and “Flipper Fundamentals” programs, if needed.
We are proud to offer scent-training for medical alert service dogs! Dogs have the incredible ability to smell hormones relating to heart rate and blood pressure changes, blood glucose levels rising or dropping, and sometimes even seizures! It can be possible for your dog to let you know when they sense those things coming to give you warning about imminent medical episodes.
Scent training lessons are included in the “Whale-Versed” and “Flipper Fundamentals” programs, if needed.
In-Person | Hybrid | Virtual
Get Hooked Lesson (1 Lesson)
Get Hooked Lesson
(1 Lesson)
Get Hooked with a private 1-on-1 lesson! You and your dog will start learning together through fun exercises with one of our amazing trainers. We’ll discuss and get started on any goals you have for your dog, and we’ll meet you where you’re at with regard to key behaviors and communication techniques, ensuring a rewarding experience for both of you. You’ll leave with some skills and games to practice, and a better understanding of how to communicate with your dog.
In-Person | Hybrid | Virtual
