Program Overview
At Heeling Assistants, we offer comprehensive science-based force-free training programs designed to create calm, stable, emotionally and physically well service dogs. While all members of the public can enjoy our puppy raising and skills programs, our advanced service dog programs have limited spots and consider each application seriously before acceptance. Our programs emphasize bond-based training methods to foster strong emotional connections between handlers and their service dogs.
Our training programs are designed to empower individuals by providing them with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively train their own service dogs, ensuring both safety, assistance, and a solid partnership.
We provide resources and support every step of the way, from selecting the right dog to post-certification guidance, ensuring each pair achieves their full potential.
Finding The Right Dog For You
The average dog cannot be a service dog, no matter how much training they receive. Our modern lifestyle is not even suited well to human mental health and it is certainly not suited to most dogs. Your dog, therefore, must be unusually resilient, unusually outgoing, and unusually dedicated to being your assistant.
At Heeling Assistants we are here to help disabled people and their families find and select a strong candidate for the job. Click below to find free resources on the subject, or you can choose to consult personally with one of our experts.
You do not need a disability to get our advice!
Raising A Puppy Well
Our puppy raising program starts at birth and continues through to the dog’s first year. Our goal is to help people raise a mentally and physically well dog who understands the world of humans and feels confident navigating it.
This program is open to all members of the public. You do not need a disability. Everyone can benefit from a well-raised dog, and if you plan to hire a trainer anyway, why not support a worthy cause while you’re at it?
Note that in-person classes are available only in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia currently.
Service Dog Skills Classes
Does your dog need a job? Not everyone who takes our classes has a potential service dog. You do not need a disability to teach your dog how to use their nose, how to retrieve, how to greet and comfort people, or any of the other cool things service dogs learn!
Service Dog Skills Classes are designed to teach the fundamentals of basic service dog skills. You can find out which skills your dog enjoys the most and learn what to concentrate on for more advanced levels.
Note that in-person classes are available only in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia currently.
Public/Urban Field Trips
For potential service dogs and their human partners in the Lower Mainland BC. This program aims at ensuring that potential service dogs can be calm, relaxed, and responsive in distracting, noisy, or unusual environments.
Group field trips work on being settled around other dogs, children, and strangers. We also practice safe doorway entry, safe use of elevators and escalators, and how to keep dogs out from underfoot so they do not pose a tripping hazard to the public.
Note that in-person classes are available only in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia currently.
Assistance Dog Accreditation Program
In order to be accepted to our accreditation program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Proof of disability such as PWD status, disability tax credit, or medical documentation.
- A clear idea of what it is their dog can do for them in public to assist with the disability.
- The dog must demonstrate the ability to do at least one assistance skill in a familiar environment.
- The dog must demonstrate a cheerful and relaxed attitude in busy public places.
- The dog must be comfortable around small children, men, and people in Halloween costumes.
- The dog must have the ability to walk on a loose leash in low to medium distraction surroundings. The dog must have at least two feet of leash available and choose to remain within a foot and a half of the handler 75% of the time.
- The human partner must demonstrate a positive, empathetic, teamwork attitude when working with the dog, and reward the dog appropriately when the dog does well. “Rewards” are anything the dog considers rewarding.
- Applicants must live in Canada or hold Canadian citizenship.