Get Ready to Train Your Service Dog

Name: Get Ready to Train Your Service Dog
Start: 2025-09-27T10:00:00-04:00
End: 2025-09-27T12:00:00-04:00
Location: Gemini Dogs

Schedule

Sat Sep 27 2025 at 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

Gemini Dogs | Littleton, MA

Workshop with service dog expert Sharon Wachsler will cover:
- Service Dog Definitions, Terminology, and Laws
- Pros & Cons of Owner-Training vs a Acquiring a Trained Service Dog
- The Path (Pyramid) of Owner Training
- Finding Trainers or Programs
- How to get started and what to look for in a service dog prospect
Answers to your questions:
- Is it better to train your own service dog or to get a fully trained service dog from an organization? What are the benefits and drawbacks to each approach?
- What is the fastest way to get a service dog? What is the most affordable way to get a service dog?
- What is the best way to find the right dog to train -- breeder? Rescue? Adult or puppy? What breed?
- What’s the difference between service animals and emotional support animals?
- Which laws apply to housing, schools, flying, and public accommodations? Are the laws different for service-dogs-in-training?
- What is the training process? Should I start training assistance tasks early in the process?
- Should I bring my puppy everywhere to set the stage for public access training?
- When is the right time to consult with a professional service dog trainer?
$35
Gemini Dogs, 53B Ayer Road, Littleton, MA, United States, 01460
978-486-9922
Sharon Wachsler has been owner-training service dogs since 1998. She is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, provider member of the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners, and owner of At Your Service Dog Training in Hadley, MA. Sharon helps people with physical or mental disabilities, or their families, with all aspects of service dog training, including finding the right dogs to train, puppy raising, public access training, and task training. Sharon previously worked in disability information, referral, and advocacy and has been a facilitator for AANE (the Association for Autism & Neurodiversity). She loves mentoring and consulting with dog pros on service dog training.