Trusting K9: Purpose Driven Training
Service Dog Training Pathways & Training Options
Built on Trust. Led with Purpose. Designed for Real Life.
At Trusting K9, we don’t just train dogs — we transform lives by strengthening the bond between handler and canine partner. Whether you’re raising a future service dog, refining advanced public access skills, or rebuilding confidence after behavioral setbacks, our programs are designed to empower both ends of the leash.
Because here’s the truth:
A service dog isn’t born — they’re built through clarity, consistency, and connection.
OPTION 1: PRIVATE ONE-ON-ONE SERVICE DOG SESSIONS
Personalized. Purpose-Driven. Handler-Focused.
Private sessions are where transformation begins. This is you, your dog, and a laser-focused plan tailored to your unique goals as a handler. These sessions are ideal for future service dog teams because the human must learn to lead with calm confidence — and we train you right alongside your dog.
After every lesson, you’ll receive clear, step-by-step homework so progress continues daily between sessions. This is how confident service teams are built — not in one session, but through intentional practice at home and in the real world.
Young Puppy Foundation / Future Service Dog Basics
$525 total | Training at our facility
Typically, 10 weeks – 4 months of age
- FIVE structured lessons across FOUR appointments
- First appointment is a 2-hour double lesson
- Remaining sessions are approximately 1 hour each
Focus includes:
✔ Engagement & relationship building
✔ Place, focus, neutrality, and calm mindset
✔ Early public exposure foundations
✔ Confidence, impulse control, and handler awareness
✔ Preparing the puppy for future task training
Service Dog Foundations: Intermediate / Advanced
$650 total | Training at our facility
Any age | Complimentary evaluation required
- SIX lessons across FIVE appointments
- First appointment is a 2-hour double lesson
- Remaining sessions are approximately 1 hour
Focus includes:
✔ Reliable obedience under distraction
✔ Public access readiness
✔ Leash skills & handler positioning
✔ Calm neutrality around people, dogs, and environments
✔ Building consistency without reliance on treats
Service Dog Public Access Immersion Package
$750 total | Real-World Training Environments
This package is designed for teams ready to step out of the training center and into real life.
Because a service dog doesn’t work in a quiet room — they work in grocery stores, parking lots, sidewalks, restaurants, medical offices, and unpredictable environments. This program bridges the gap between “knows the commands” and can perform them anywhere, anytime, with calm confidence.
This immersive public-access package strengthens trust, handler leadership, and reliability in high-distraction settings — while ensuring your dog meets the expectations of a true working service partner.
Package Includes:
- FIVE total in-person training sessions
- 2 public sessions in Mansfield, Missouri
- 3 public sessions in Springfield, Missouri
- 2 public sessions in Mansfield, Missouri
- Each session approximately 1 hour
- Conducted in carefully selected, real-world environments
- Handler coaching included in every session
Public Access Focus Areas:
✔ Calm entry and exit from public spaces
✔ Maintaining focus amid crowds, carts, noises, and movement
✔ Neutral behavior around people, dogs, and food
✔ Confident leash handling and body positioning in tight spaces
✔ Settle behaviors under tables, in lines, and during downtime
✔ Ignoring dropped food, distractions, and unexpected stimuli
✔ Handler awareness, timing, and calm leadership
This package is ideal for:
- Service dog teams preparing for increased public access
- Handlers seeking confidence navigating busy environments
- Dogs who perform well in controlled settings but need distraction proofing
- Teams progressing toward advanced service dog reliability
Public access is not about perfection — it’s about consistency under pressure.
This program gives you the structure, coaching, and repetition needed to walk into public spaces knowing you and your dog are prepared.
Available only after complimentary evaluation and completion (or concurrent enrollment) in Service Dog Foundations: Intermediate / Advanced.
OPTION 2: BOARD & TRAIN HYBRID — SERVICE DOG ACCELERATOR
Fast-Tracked Foundations. Deepened Partnership. Lasting Results.
This program is designed for handlers who want a powerful jump-start without sacrificing long-term success. While your dog stays with us for immersive training, you are still an essential part of the process. That’s why mandatory private lessons are included — because a service dog can only be as reliable as the handler guiding them.
We handle the repetition.
We build the foundation.
You step into leadership with clarity and confidence.
What This Journey Looks Like:
1️⃣ First In-Person Lesson (Drop-Off)
A vital, psychology-based session covering:
- What to expect from your dog
- How your mindset impacts progress
- How to support training success from day one
2️⃣ Training During Your Dog’s Stay
Weekly email updates that walk you through:
- Dog psychology & learning theory
- Service dog standards & expectations
- Preparing your home, routines, and handling skills
3️⃣ Second In-Person Lesson (Pick-Up)
A 2-hour transfer session where:
- Your dog demonstrates their new skills
- You learn exactly how to maintain and progress them
- Customized homework goes home with you
4️⃣ Third In-Person Follow-Up (2–3 Weeks Later)
A 1-hour refinement session to:
- Troubleshoot challenges
- Strengthen public access reliability
- Begin or advance task-specific work
Board & Train Hybrid — Future Service Dog Foundations
3-Week Stay | $3000 total
Typically, 10 weeks – 4 months of age
Board & Train Hybrid — Service Dog Foundations
4-Week Stay | $4000 total
Any age | Complimentary evaluation required
Behavioral concerns, confidence challenges, or advanced service goals may require additional time. Every dog is an individual — and we honor that.
WHY TRUSTING K9 BOARD & TRAIN IS DIFFERENT
We intentionally limit the number of dogs in our care.
No chaos. No overcrowding. No assembly-line training.
Your dog receives:
✔ Daily structured training
✔ Mental enrichment & confidence-building exercises
✔ Proper exercise and engagement
✔ Calm, controlled dog interactions (when appropriate)
✔ Real-life home environment practice
✔ Indoor accommodations with heat & AC
✔ Rest periods with calming classical music
This isn’t just training — it’s a lifestyle rehearsal for a working service dog.
SKILLS WE DEVELOP (PROGRAM-DEPENDENT)
- Clear communication between handler & dog
- Calm mindset and emotional regulation
- Focus & auto-focus
- Reliable sit, down, stay, and recall
- Place & duration work
- Doorway, food, and public manners
- Loose-leash walking & implied heel
- Neutrality around people and dogs
- Impulse control & distraction proofing
- Treat-weaning strategies
- Public access readiness
- Task foundations (service dog programs)
Every program is customized to your dog, your goals, and your commitment level.
AKC TESTING OPPORTUNITIES
Upon completion of training, you may test for:
- AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
- Community Canine (CGCA) for public access
- AKC Urban Canine Good Citizen (CGCU) for busy city
- AKC Trick Dog Titles
- AKC Temperament Testing
✔ Open to all dogs — AKC registered or not
✔ Testing included for graduates of any of our Service Dog training programs
✔ May also be scheduled at a later date at no additional cost
Non-graduates may schedule testing by appointment:
- $55 onsite
- $150+ for offsite testing
BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION (SERVICE DOG CANDIDATES)
Complimentary evaluation required.
This work is reserved for handlers ready to commit — because behavior change starts at both ends of the leash.
For fear, anxiety, reactivity, or resource guarding, additional sessions may be required after a solid obedience foundation is in place.
THERAPY DOG & SERVICE DOG PROGRAMS
Offered only after evaluation and initial assessment.
These are intensive, purpose-driven programs requiring:
✔ Rock-solid obedience
✔ Public access or public interaction standards
✔ Task training (service dogs)
✔ Facility or community visits (therapy dogs)
✔ Ongoing handler education & commitment
If you’re ready to show up, stay consistent, and build something extraordinary — we’re ready to guide you every step of the way.
Because when trust is built, confidence follows — and lives change.