Owner-Trained Service Dogs

The partnership that gives you freedom.

Training your own service dog is an incredible journey, and it’s not one you have to figure out alone. At Centre Stage Dog Training, we help you and your dog become a confident, capable team ready for real-world service work.

Whether you’re starting with a young puppy or adult dog, our program gives you structure, guidance, and steady progress. You’ll learn how to train and prepare your own service dog with compassionate support every step of the way.

A black dog lying on the floor of a hardware store, surrounded by shelves stocked with shower heads, spray nozzles, and other plumbing fixtures.

“Jackie is so understanding and easy to work with. She really works so well with dogs and helps their owners to train them. She clearly knows and explains dog body language and knows how to motivate and communicate with all different types.”

- Anjie O.

Types of Service Dogs We Train

  • Diabetic alert

  • Allergen alert (gluten & nuts)

  • Chronic-illness medical alert / response (e.g., cardiac, migraine)

  • Hearing alert

  • Psychiatric / PTSD support

If your needs fall outside these categories, we’ll help you find a trusted trainer who can assist.

How it works

Every service-dog journey begins with an initial consultation (in-person $175 | virtual $160).

We’ll evaluate your current dog, or help you find a suitable prospect, then design a custom training plan that fits your goals, timeline, and lifestyle.

After your consultation, you can choose between two training paths:

  • Private coaching, where you’ll learn to train your own dog with step-by-step guidance, hands-on support, and ongoing feedback.

  • Done-for-you training, where Jacqueline handles the daily work while keeping you closely involved through transfer lessons, video updates, and clear next steps.

Whichever route you choose, every plan includes consistent communication, structured milestones, and compassionate coaching to help you stay on track.

Let's plan your service dog journey

Why Choose Owner Training?

Owner-training allows you to live and learn with your service dog from the very start. You’ll develop the bond, trust, and communication that make great teams shine. You’ll also gain the confidence to maintain training long-term. It’s flexible and deeply rewarding, but it also takes time, patience, and commitment.

Our job is to make that path clearer and more achievable.

Group Learning and Ongoing Support

Service-dog clients also get access to exclusive group classes designed to keep skills sharp and confidence growing. Alongside service dog specific programs, you’ll have opportunities to join small in-person or virtual classes covering practical topics like mastering distractions, loose leash walking, and field trips.

These sessions are a fun way to keep learning, meet other dedicated handlers, and strengthen your teamwork in real-life settings.

“Jacqueline is very knowledgeable, a great communicator and always there to answer any questions you have. We are so blessed to have met Jacqueline and will continue working with her to get our pup acclimated to special needs children and eventually even become our son's service dog. Thank you to Jacqueline for helping us through our journey as first time dog owners!”

- Marylucy A.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • A service dog is trained to perform specific tasks that directly mitigate their handler’s disability. Under the ADA, service-dog teams have public-access rights and can go anywhere the public can go (except sterile environments).

  • Yes, with the right support. We’ll evaluate your dog to make sure they have the confidence, stability, and temperament for service work. If you don’t yet have a dog, we can help you find an appropriate candidate.

  • On average, 18–24 months. Many dogs begin helping their handlers well before they’re fully trained.

  • Tasks may include medical alerts (e.g., blood sugar, migraines, cardiac changes), allergen detection, retrieving dropped items, hearing alerts, deep-pressure therapy, psychiatric interruption and response, and more.

  • Because real life doesn’t happen only in a training hall. Hybrid options allow you to get feedback and coaching in your own environment, making learning faster and more relevant.

  • Book a consultation! We’ll discuss your goals, evaluate your dog (or help you find one), and outline your personalized plan.

Start with a consultation
A woman walking a yellow Labrador Retriever dog in a store aisle.