Service Dog Training in Southern California
My name is Sarah and I am a professional dog trainer specialized in service dog training. I am based in Southern California and offer training services nationwide. So far, over my career, I have personally trained 38 reliable service dogs. Each dog takes 1-3 years. I have trained dogs for many well-known conditions like Mobility, Stability, Seizures, and Diabetic Alert.
Furthermore, for complex conditions like Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD), Cardiac Conditions, various Psychiatric Disorders, and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). In addition, I have trained service dogs for more rare conditions like Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS).
I became interested in service dogs after being in a debilitating car accident. As a result, I ended up in a wheelchair. My doctors told me I would never walk again, but I proved them wrong. As soon as I regained light walking ability, I went to school to become a professional dog trainer. Today, I have two personal service dogs and am looking for a third.
My service dogs are known to be some of the best in the country. I am happy to provide references upon request. Furthermore, the service dogs I train have impeccable public access behaviors. They shine with reliable tasking. Above all, my service dogs are able to make independent decisions if their handlers become incapacitated. In conclusion, whatever your service dog needs are, I can help you. Read more about Sarah Gill.
Service Dog Client Testimonials
“…I then started to look for trainers that would work with me to select and train a puppy. Sarah and Ralf were the only ones that I spoke to that provided a full service. They would find a breeder and temperament test puppies. While this could be a long process, I was lucky that the perfect puppy was available shortly thereafter.
As a handler herself, Sarah is particularly empathetic to how vulnerable the process of receiving a service dog can be. Ralf does a great job of explaining not just what to do with your dog, but also why doing so is in line with dog’s natural instincts.
A service dog isn’t for everyone, which Sarah and Ralf also recognize. However, if it is determined that one is right for you, you can’t find a better place to work with than Total K9 Focus.”
“I received my service dog, Harrison, from a program in December 2016 … Harrison went back into training, this time boarding with Sarah and Ralf to be retrained. Because Harrison was already 5 and having a few health troubles, we chose one task to retrain and of course lots of retraining for behaviors and manners.
Harrison has always made a life-saving difference in my life, and the training … renewed his ability to help me completely. He now behaves excellently in public, reliably completes his task on command, and makes me proud, and healthier, every day. He is really a different dog than before they retrained him and my partnership with him now is truly amazing! I would still be a very ill person without the assistance of Harrison and I will be forever grateful to Sarah and Ralf for the kindness they showed us, and the excellent teaching they provided.”
The Challenge With Selecting Good Service Dogs
The Washout Rate
Service Dog Trainability
Stress Resiliance
Not all Service Dog Training is Equal
Our service dogs are some of the most reliable dogs in the country. We have a hard-earned, well-deserved reputation for our dog’s performance. This is no accident. It starts with selecting the right dogs. The service dog industry has a washout rate of over 50%; this includes dogs specifically for service work. Wash-out means the service dog fails at some stage during training or within the first year of starting to work. They are not able to handle the stress of service work.
Our personal wash-out rate is around 10%. There are many reasons for this. We combine the right dogs with the best possible training. Further, we train dogs in drive and guide their genetics instead of suppressing them. Also, we train more through play than food and apply all learning science correctly. Most importantly, we spend the time to build the right motivation and relationship before training tasks. Watch our videos. Our training is different from what you see elsewhere. Contact us today to get your best service dog possible.
Our Service Dog Programs
Our Service Dog Training Partners
