Four Paws NC Owner Assisted Training
Owner Assisted Training
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Working with people and their own dogs to train as service dogs
Four Paws NC
Service & Therapy Dogs
Mailing: PO Box 12544 Wilmington NC 28405
Tax ID 84-2287904
OAT Classes and Fees
Prerequisite
The dog being used for this program should have basic obedience which includes sitting down, walking on a loose leash, leave-it and coming when called. The dog must be at least 9-months of age and have been with the owner for at least 6 months.
Application and Consultation
Before beginning our classes, each person must apply and participate in a consultation with a staff member of Four Paws and a Wake Up. The person must have a documented disability as defined by the Americans with Disability Act Title II regulations (ADA) (https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/titleII_2010/titleII_2010_regulations.pdf).
Before beginning our classes, we meet with the client and their spouse or significant other to talk about the needs of the client and the training. This meeting helps to ensure clients understand the commitment to the training and expectations for training. Following this meeting, a training agreement is sent to the client.
Owner-Assisted Training
Owner Assisted Training is offered in 8-week sessions to meet the needs of the client. Each 8-week session costs $1,000 and is billed and payable at the beginning of the session.
Each 8-week training session addresses the training needs of the client and their dog and progresses at the rate of the client’s training. Beginning with positioning, importance of commands, and foundational skills needed for service dog work and beginning outings. Progression of the commands and skills including simple retrieval of objects, increase the criteria of our foundation behaviors accompanied (with Four Paws Trainer) and unaccompanied (without Four Paws Trainer) outings of increasing difficulty, and review of access laws both state and federal. Outings include dining at a casual restaurant, elevator, and escalator training, and a grocery store experience.
Training includes AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluation, AKC Urban Canines Good Citizen evaluation, and a Public Access Test before completion and certification as a service dog team.
The length of time for a client to complete the owner-assisted training is dependent on the skills needed by the team and how much time and effort the client puts into training to achieve completion. If it takes four (4) 8-week sessions, a client will pay $4,000. If it takes six (6) 8-week sessions, a client will pay $6,000.
Service Dog Assessment Included in Curriculum fees
This is a scheduled assessment of skills and public access with the person and their dog. Successful results will provide the person and their dog with a certification letter attesting to the completion of the training and successful evaluation, a service dog identification card, and a service dog tag for the vest
This level is only offered to individuals completing the Owner-Assisted Training program of Four Paws and a Wake Up.
OAT Follow-Up
Consultation with a trainer by telephone. Up to 4 follow-ups in the first 2 months after completion of successful certification after which a fee of $50 per consultation will be charged.
OAT Private Training Session Fee: $150 per hour
This is a one-hour scheduled training session for clients with a trainer to problem-solve or teach a new skill.
OAT Re-assessment: Every Other Year Fee: $100
This is a scheduled assessment of skills and public access with the person and their dog. Successful results will provide the person and their dog with a certification renewal letter attesting to the completion of the training and successful evaluation and updated service dog identification. This is a mandatory assessment of any Owner-Assisted Service Dog Team that completed the Owner-Assisted Training program of Four Paws NC.
OAT Important Information
It takes time, patience, and repetition to train a service dog.
Each Owner Assisted Training team is expected to train apart from the scheduled class time. If you do not work with your dog, it shows, and the dog will not progress in its’ level of training.
The best way to practice training is to include training in your everyday life. For example, when getting ready in the morning, ask the dog to sit and down three times. Repeat again at different times throughout the day.
A parent or partner may assist with the training at no additional cost.
Four Paws and a Wake Up believes the handler of the dog must be the person with the disability.
Not every dog is cut out for the job. Some dogs that begin training will not complete the Owner Assisted Training.
Additional costs to the owner will include liability insurance, equipment, various levels of dog treats for the dog, and meals when on some accompanied outings.
Training fees are non-refundable.
Four Paws and a Wake Up reserves the right to not accept an applicant and/or the dog presented for training.
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