SERVICE DOG TRAINING
Empowering Partnerships for Greater Independence
We specialize in training service dogs to become reliable, skilled companions who support their handlers with confidence and care.
We train service dogs to assist with:
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mobility
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medical alerts
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psychiatric/emotional support
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daily task performance
Our customized programs focus on building a strong working relationship between dog and handler.
Our expert trainers use positive reinforcement techniques grounded in compassion, science, and respect for both dog and human. We meet each team where they are and guide them through the stages of training—from foundational obedience to public access readiness and task-specific skills.
Your dog has the potential. We help you unlock it—one step, one success, one tail wag at a time.
Service Dog Program Details
Each service dog training program will be a unique case tailored directly to your needs and your dog's abilities. The length of the program will be a minimum of 6 months to a maximum of 2 years depending on what services you are looking to acheive with your service dog.
Examples of Services we can Provide:
Deep Pressure Therapy
Nose Nudge or Face Lick to Alert
Interrupting Repetitive Behaviors
Medication Reminders
Mobility Support
Blocking Crowd Control
Item Retrieval
Door Opening & Closing
Pulling, Dragging, or Carrying Objects
Paw and Nose-Push Targeting
Find an Exit
Diabetic, Siezure, and Cardiac Alert
Examples of Disabilities we can Address:
PTSD
Anxiety
Depression
Other Mental Health Conditions
Autism
ADHD
Down Syndrome
Other Learning and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
Chronic Pain and Illness
Medical Alert
Physical and Mobility Support
Your dog will be certified, ready, and able to accompany you everywhere as your medical support, including airplanes and restaurants.
Therapy Dog Program Details
You and your dog are attending the local school distrcit as official volunteers due to a recent tragedy. The kids need emotional support and someone to lean on - that's where your dog comes in for pets, love, affection, and support. You handle your dog with pride, knowing that this is what they were meant to do, seeing the kids fill with relief as they interact with your dog, bringing the first smiles anyone has seen to their faces today.
If this is along the lines of what you envision for your dog to acheive more, your community would be lucky to have you. We are here to help train your dog in their advanced obedience and manners so they are fully prepared to enter the world as a working volunteer. Being a Therapy Dog is a lifechanging job that requries you to be ready to volunteer with them. If you have the dedication to your community, we have the dedication to you.
A Therapy Dog is a working dog who is certified to attend individuals or crowds to provide emotional support to the community with you as their primary handler. For your dog to become a certified Therapy Dog, they will be required to undergo 2 - 6 months of training with Barkley & Co.
Therapy Dog Visit Examples:
Hospitals, Rehabilitation Centers, Retirement Communities, Hospice Care
School District, Libraries, and Detention Center Volunteers
Disaster Relief and Community Event Support
Therapy dogs provide a crucial role in our communities, bringing understanding, love, support, and comfort to those in need. If you think you have a natural therapy dog or would like to own one, we would love to work with you to help better our community.
Meet Some of our Therapy & Service Dog Graduates
Petey
Golden Retriever
Therapy Dog, Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab
Charlie
Golden Labradoodle
Therapy Dog, Sutter School District
Tyrus
Rottweiler
Service Dog, Mobility Support
Moose
Golden Labradoodle
Service Dog, Down Syndrome Companion
Rocky
Yorkshire Terrier
Therapy Dog, Yuba County School District
Harper Fynn
Labrador Retriever
Therapy Dog, Sacramento
Puppy Temperament Testing
Barkley & Co. offers temperament evaluations using the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test for breeders, puppy buyers, and working-dog prospects.
Selecting a puppy involves much more than choosing the first one to run up and say hello. Each puppy possesses unique strengths, motivations, and personality traits that can influence its future success as a family companion, therapy dog, service dog, sport dog, or working partner.
Through structured evaluations, we assess qualities such as:
Confidence
Human focus
Recovery from stress
Independence
Social attraction
Prey and retrieval drive
Sound and environmental sensitivity
Handling tolerance
Our goal is not to label puppies as "good" or "bad," but rather to identify the homes and lifestyles where each individual puppy is most likely to thrive.
Whether you're a breeder seeking professional evaluations for an entire litter or a family hoping to select the puppy best suited for your goals, we'd love to help.
Why Work With Barkley & Co.?
Over the years, we have evaluated and trained puppies of many breeds and backgrounds, including future family companions, therapy dogs, service dogs, and working prospects. Our experience raising and training puppies from eight weeks of age gives us a practical understanding of how early temperament traits often influence future behavior, trainability, and confidence.
We genuinely enjoy working with breeders and are always excited to help match great puppies with great homes.
Our Breeders & Rescues
Interested in litter evaluations or puppy temperament testing? Contact us to learn more about our Volhard Puppy Aptitude Testing services.
Certifications
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