Costs are based on your location and if you do or do not have a trainable dog.

Service Dog Express specializes in providing top-tier training for Service Dogs to individuals who've discovered that acquiring Service Dogs through alternative organizations can result in expenses as high as $25,000, along with extensive 2-year waiting lists. At Service Dog Express, our primary focus revolves around training clients who already share a bond with their dogs or assisting them in locating dogs we've thoroughly assessed for Service Dog temperament and trainability.

Our trainers serve the following areas:

Texas: Austin, Beaumont, El Paso, Houston, San Antonio, and West Texas (Amarillo, Lubbock)

New Mexico: Alamogordo, Las Cruces

Florida: Gainesville

Missouri/Kansas: Kansas City

New Jersey: Forked River

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City

Oregon: Coos Bay/North Bend

Tennessee: Nashville

During the evaluation of a client's personal dog, we take great care to determine whether the dog can effectively assist with the specific disability in question. For instance, a client seeking a mobility dog should have a medium to large-sized dog, and it's essential for the client to share a strong bond with their canine companion.

The designated trainer will offer guidance throughout the assessment process. Please refer to the comprehensive criteria provided.

For dogs younger than 3 months, we recommend focusing on puppy training, emphasizing a strong bond with the handler. At the 3-month milestone, the dog can begin its journey towards becoming a Service Dog through formal training.

To train your dog effectively, it's important that your canine companion possesses a gentle temperament, is open to making eye contact, enjoys being petted and receiving affection, exhibits no signs of aggression towards other dogs or people, and is in good health with all vaccinations up to date. Please see the full criteria

For dogs younger than 3 months, we recommend starting with puppy training, emphasizing strong bonding with the handler as much as possible. Once the dog reaches the 3-month milestone, formal training to become a Service Dog can commence.

The adoption fee for each Available Assessed Dog, as listed on our website, varies depending on the dog's foster or rescue location. Service Dog Express does not establish the adoption fees set by the foster/rescue organizations. These fees typically range from $125 to $200 or more. If you are not in proximity to the dog's current location, you have the option to explore local rescue shelters in coordination with your assigned trainer, who will provide guidance throughout the assessment process.

If you are not already a dog owner, we encourage you to explore your local rescue shelter to find a canine companion with whom you instantly connect. The dog you plan to train should exhibit a gentle temperament, be aged over 3 months, readily engage in eye contact, be receptive to affection and care, demonstrate no aggression towards other dogs or people, and maintain excellent health with current vaccinations. Please see the full criteria

Costs for clients who have been assigned a trainer:

We request our clients to purchase our $25 training e-manual. Service Dog Express developed this manual to address the potentially high costs associated with basic Service Dog training, offering a comprehensive and cost-effective e-manual solution. The e-manual not only provides detailed guidance on the necessary training tools but also includes valuable benefits, such as up to a 15% discount on Service Dog Vests and other equipment. Additionally, it outlines the essential commands required for a Service Dog to meet basic requirements. By using the e-manual, you can save up to three hours of one-on-one training, equivalent to a savings of $195.

Our e-manual offers step-by-step instructions for teaching many of the commands yourself. Ideally, we recommend at least one hour of weekly training with you and your dog until you both are proficient in basic Public Access Commands, which typically takes 10-12 sessions (individual situations may vary). You and your trainer have the flexibility to adjust the training schedule based on your specific needs. Specialized training for disability-related tasks is also integrated into the overall training process. Legally, you have the option to train your own Service Dog, but we strongly recommend working with a trainer for a more effective approach.

Our pricing structure is $65 per hour/session, with payment due at each session, allowing you to pay as you go. We typically do not require upfront payment, unless it's more convenient for the client. If the client diligently follows the homework provided by the trainer and actively engages in training their Service Dog in Training (SDiT) between sessions, the overall cost can be reduced, as fewer sessions may be necessary.

Cost Summary:

• $25 for the e-manual.
• $65 per hour/session.
• 10-15% discount on Service Dog Equipment.
• $125-$200+ for adoption fee if you do not have a dog.

Cost of Self Training:

For clients residing in areas where our trainers are not available, we provide an e-manual for $30, offering detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to independently teach various commands. The e-manual also provides guidance on essential training tools and offers a discount of up to 15% on Service Dog Vests and other necessary equipment.

According to ADA guidelines, individuals have the legal right to train their own Service Dog. However, if they opt to seek guidance from a trainer, such as one at a pet store or a local private trainer, it's essential to share our training manual with them. This ensures that the trainer is aware that the dog is undergoing training to become a Service Dog. Familiarity with the basic commands outlined in the Public Access Test, as provided in the manual, is crucial in this process.

Clients also have the option to independently train their dogs on the specified commands and record videos of the commands or conduct video conferences (e.g., Zoom, Facebook Messenger) with us. To assess the dog's proficiency, we would need to witness the dog executing each of the tasks outlined in the manual three times under various conditions. Advanced training sessions can be conducted via video conference or video. If feasible, clients may consider coming to Texas or the nearest location we serve for additional in-person training. Our consultant fee for video conferences is $1 per minute, equivalent to $60 per hour.

Cost Summary:

• $30 for the e-manual.
• Consultant fee would vary depending on use.
• 10-15% discount on Service Dog Equipment.
• $125-$200 (estimate) for adoption fee, from your local rescue, if you do not have a dog.

In addition, all our clients receive assistance if they are erroneously being charged a pet fee by their landlord, help with travel arrangements with the Service Dog and will assist with Service Dog rights in the workplace.

We have a listing of outside resources that may be able to provide you with funding if you qualify.

Please check out our or with any questions.