How the Program Works

Step 1 — Application & Consultation

We begin with a consultation to discuss your lifestyle, disability-related needs, goals, and what you are looking for in a future service dog team. Once approved, a deposit is placed to reserve your spot in the program. 

Step 2 — Puppy Selection

A puppy is carefully selected from health-tested, temperament-focused lines based on your individual needs and goals.

Step 3 — Raising & Foundation Training

Your puppy is raised and trained in a structured environment where they begin socialization, obedience, confidence-building, public exposure, and early service-dog foundations before transitioning home.

Going Home

Most Started Dogs go home from 8  to 12 months old, depending on the dog’s development and the handler’s needs.

At go-home, your dog will already have:

• Solid foundational obedience
• Crate and potty training
• Public access foundations
• Basic neutrality skills
• Basic task foundations
• Confidence in a variety of environments
• Household manners and structure

The dog is NOT considered fully trained at this stage. You are required to continue working with Dinah & The Dogs to complete your dog's training. Service Dogs take an average of 2 years to be fully trained. 

Payment Plans

We understand that obtaining and training a service dog is a significant financial investment. To help make our programs more accessible, we offer flexible payment plan options for all of our service dog programs.

Payment schedules are customized based on the structure and timeline of your selected program. Most clients make payments in installments throughout the course of training rather than one large upfront payment.

Because training timelines vary by dog and program, payment structures may differ between Started Dogs, Hybrid Programs, and Fully Trained Dogs.

Please note:

• A deposit is required to reserve your spot in the program.
• All payment plans must remain current throughout training.
• Final payment must be completed before placement/graduation.
• Additional training, extended stays, or specialized task work may involve additional costs.

We are happy to discuss payment plan options during your consultation to help find a structure that works best for your needs.

8-Month-Old Started Service Dog

Program Cost: $12,000 (without grants) 

At 8 months old, dogs have completed:

• Extensive socialization and environmental exposure
• Foundational obedience training
• Public access foundations
• Confidence-building exercises
• Basic service dog foundations
• House manners and daily living skills

Payment Plan Options for $12,000 (without grants)

This price does not reflect any additional training not included, nor does it reflect any grants that may be awarded based on availability.

12-Month Started Service Dog

Program Cost: $15,500 (without grants)

Dogs that remain in training until 12 months old continue advancing their obedience, public access skills, and begin more advanced task training specific to their future handler's needs.

Additional training includes:

• Advanced public access work
• Increased reliability in distracting environments
• Advanced task foundations
• More individualized task training
• Continued confidence and neutrality development

Payment Plan Options for $15,500 (without grants)

This price does not reflect any additional training not included, nor does it reflect any grants that may be awarded based on availability.