Service Dog FAQ's

A: No, Down2Earth Dog Training does not provide fully trained service dogs. Instead, we offer personalized 1-on-1 training lessons that use positive reinforcement and science-based techniques to help you train your dog for obedience, puppy socialization, public access work and service dog tasks. Our approach empowers dog owners with the skills and knowledge needed to develop their dogs’ abilities effectively and compassionately.

No. A prospective service dog candidate needs to have a stable temperament, calm personality, no prey drive, no aggression, no resource guarding and needs to be in excellent health.

You can get personalized service dog training support based on your goals and your dog’s strengths. Every program is one-on-one, so we can focus on the skills that matter most for your partnership.

Expect a timeline of 12 to 24 months of consistent work. Public readiness and complex task training require time, maturity and daily practice.

Private training relies heavily on your dedication. You will need to practice our customized homework exercises for 15-30 minutes daily to build reliable behaviors.

Neither the federal ADA or Idaho State Law requires or recognizes official registration or certification. In fact, under Idaho Code 56-704A, buisnesses are explicitly forbidden from requiring documentation to prove a dog is trained to be a service dog. Success means your dog reliably performs specific tasks to mitigate your disability and behaves flawlessly in public.

Sessions begin at Julius Kleiner Park in Meridian, Idaho -OR- online through Zoom. As your dog advances, we move to pet-friendly stores and highly distracting public spaces to practice real-world scenarios.

The first step is to reach out via our contact form and tell us a little about your dog(s) and your goals. From there, we can schedule a free consultation where we will help you choose the right puppy, obedience, or service dog program for you and your dog(s).

Yes, with specific conditions. Under Idaho Code 56-704B, individuals specifically training or socializing an assistance dog have the right to enter public places. However, you are fully liable for any damages caused by the dog-in-training, and access can be denied if the animal is poorly groomed or out of control.

Per Idaho Statutes (Title 55), ESA's do not have public access rights and are treated as pets in public accommodations. They only have protected rights in housing.

We use positive reinforcement and science-based training methods to build reliable skills in a clear, supportive way. You’ll get practical guidance, gentle coaching, and a plan that fits your dog’s needs.

No. Science shows that force-free methods build stronger bond reliability and protect a service dog's psychological wellbeing. We do not use aversive tools like prong collars, choke chains or e-collars.

Service dogs must operate in highly stressful public environments. Force-free, reward-based training ensures your dog performs tasks because they want to, not out of fear or avoidance, preventing public burnout.

Yes, you can train with us online. Virtual sessions are a convenient way to get expert guidance from home, and they’re especially helpful if you live outside the immediate Boise or Meridian area.

You can pay with Debit and/or Credit Card via Venmo. You can also pay using cash. We’ll also walk you through the payment setup for your program so you know what to expect before you begin.