Yes, we train out-of-state dogs quite regularly. Total K9 Focus works with service dog owners in all parts of the country. We haven’t had an international service dog yet, but we could do that too. We can deliver many of our programs worldwide. Non-local dogs are usually in our Board and Train Puppy Service Dog program.
We can adjust our service dog training programs to fit most situations. If you don’t live in California, plan to visit us for hands-on, in-person sessions throughout the process. In such a scenario, plan for a 3-4 day stays at a local hotel at the training’s 6-month, 9-month, 12-month, and 15-month mark. Pet-friendly hotels are close by. Your dog is not considered a service dog during training, so pet-friendly places are important during this time. These visits are your opportunity to train your service dog with us. It is important for making you a successful team.
Your Participation While Training Your Service Dogs
You get to spend a lot of time with your dog during each visit. It will be with you during your entire stay. We will meet 1-2 times daily for 1-3 hours each. This allows you to become familiar and comfortable and practice public access and tasking by yourself and with our guidance. This is your chance to participate in training your service dog.
This schedule is not rigid; we are flexible. These visits need to happen around those timeframes, but a few weeks sooner or later is never a problem.
If you are local, these visits change to home visits for 2-3 weeks each time. If you’re remote, these are the minimum requirements. However, if you are able and willing to come out more often or for longer, even better. We are trying to keep it manageable for our out-of-state clients but welcome additional participation while training your dog.
If you are interested in exploring more details, you can start here.