Q: Are your service dogs free?

A: No, but PWAP has the most affordable pricing for fully trained program dogs, due to fundraisers, sponsors, and the ability to work with payment plans.

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Q: How much does a service dog cost?

A: Feel free to check out the PRICING page on this website to learn more about the different training options provided.

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Q: What training methods/tools do you use?

A: I am a mostly Positive Reinforcement Trainer, with my only exception being prong collars for severe pulling cases and dogs with collapsed trachea. The tools I use are clickers, gentle leaders, martingales, and a variety of low and high reward, limited ingredient treats. Our service dogs are taught from a young age that tasking is fun!

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Q: What dog breeds do you work with?

A: We prefer to only select puppies from the Fab 4

(Labs, Goldens, Standard Poodles, Rough/Smooth Collies) with heavy preference towards poodles. We try to set up each puppy and client for success and minimize the amount of wash outs/early retirement dogs.

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Q: Can you train a rescued shelter dog to be my service dog? Will this be cheaper than a purebred?

A: Yes, but it won't be cheaper and the success rate is drastically lower. The price might even be higher, depending on unexpected vet bills and the wait time could be longer, since it is very rare to find such good temperament and health in a dog you don't know the genetic background of. Rescue dogs also tend to retire way sooner, meaning instead of 6-8 years of service work, a rescue pup may only work for 4-6 years.

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Q: Can I help you find the breeder for my future service dog prospect?

A: We only approve breeders who health test dogs for all breed specific health issues and receive an OFA CHIC number for each dog, along with titling in dog shows and sports before breeding. Please refrain from sending breeder suggestions. We understand the excitement, but we will inform you of the breeder picked and that way, you can watch the litter as they develop and be involved that way.

 

Q: Can I buy a puppy first, then fly it to you?

A: Please do not buy a pup without our head trainer approving the breeder and get a trainer to Volhard Temperament Test the ENTIRE litter (if the breeder hasn't done so already). We will provide you with a list of breeders in your state (at request only) for you to choose from, then you can meet your puppy prospect before flying them to PWAP in Florida. You will have to cover all puppy and travel expenses, along with paying for the first 6 months of training, before the pup arrives to me. Please get the puppy to me before 13 weeks of age, vaccinated and vet tested negative for all transmittable diseases.

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Q: Can you train my current dog?

A: Not every dog can become a service dog, but we are willing to evaluate your dog and give you training options. Age, temperament, breed, and health are all major factors. You may also want to consider at home service dog training for your current dog. It is very common for adult pet dogs to be under socialized and underexposed to new environments, which leads to anxiety in new places. If your current dog doesn't pass the Public Access Test, it can become an at home service dog instead, and you can join my program dog waitlist. At home service dogs are very beneficial while you are waiting to receive a fully trained service dog with public access rights.