Frequently Asked Questions

 General FAQ

  • It’s important to choose a trainer that is knowledgeable + experienced in your specific goals (ie. sports, behavior modification, service work, or reactivity). Trainers that rely on harsh corrections use fear & intimidation to control dogs. They often do so because they lack the in-depth knowledge of canine behavior and psychology. A good trainer will be knowledgeable in force-free methods and seek to eliminate aversion. Look for someone that is LIMA, force-free, or R+ based and has sufficient experience working with dogs of all ages and breeds.

  • Helping Howls is fear-free, positive reinforcement based. Our training uses positive, reward-based methods. We believe in fun and enjoyable training for our dogs. Our approach is designed to create a change in both behavior and mindset. This way, dogs can be fulfilled both mentally and physically. We help our dogs love training and working alongside their owners. Not only are our methods effective but they carry no risk of harming a dog mentally or physically. Ethics in training are a huge priority and we will never knowingly cause pain, discomfort or harm to dogs to accomplish our goals.

  • Yes! Helping Howls utilizes a variety of techniques to help dogs succeed. Additionally, our training utilizes classic and operant conditioning principles. This science-backed approach has been shown to be effective on all dogs, regardless of age and breed. We recognize that breed often plays a role in dog’s learning style and are prepared to adapt to your dog’s unique needs. Helping Howls takes pride in our ability to train dogs but also recognize that some cases are beyond our scope. When appropriate, we may refer you to a behaviorist or another trainer that specializes in your specific area of need.

    Helping Howls does not work with severe behavioral or aggression cases. Contact us for a referral to a qualified behaviorist in your area.

Service Dog FAQ

  • Any person with a disability qualifies for a service dog! If you have a mental, cognitive, or physical condition or disability that impairs one or more major life functions, your right to be accompanied by a task trained service dog in public spaces is protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act. “Disability” is loosely defined by the ADA and it is ultimately up to an individual and their medical team to decide whether a service dog is the best option.

  • A service dog is any dog that has been trained to perform tasks to mitigate their handler’s disability. For example, guiding a blind person or alerting a hearing impaired person to a fire alarm. Service dogs can be trained to help individuals with all kinds of disabilities, from mobility to psychiatric. A properly trained and paired service dog can not only provide help during medical events and emergencies, but also make daily tasks easier, more enjoyable and more accessible.

  • Maybe! Service work requires a specific temperament and drive to work. A good service dog candidate will be confident, tolerant, and eager to please. A dog also needs to be healthy and free of any disabling conditions. We also recommend beginning training as a puppy or young adult due to the lengthy process. If your dog sounds like a good fit, enquire about an evaluation so we can discuss your dog and your specific needs.

  • Helping Howls currently offers:

    • Psychiatric

    • Mobility

    • Autism

    • Seizure Response

    • Medical Response

    • Allergen Alert

    • Diabetes Alert

    • Medical Alert

    • Hearing Alert

    • Service Dog Prospect Selection

    • Puppy Raising

    We do not offer full guide dogs.

  • No. ESAs are pets used as part of a mental illness treatment plan. Unlike service dogs, they do not require task training, are not permitted in public spaces unless those spaces are designated as pet friendly, and must abide by all pet fees and regulations on airplanes. ESA status is solely intended to allow these special pets to live in non-pet friendly housing with their people who need them. If you’re looking for ESA training, we can help with all levels of pet training, as well as provide support in training home manners.

  • At Helping Howls, we don't believe service dog training should follow a rigid checklist or one-size-fits-all curriculum. Every team has different goals, strengths, learning styles, and disabilities, so every training journey looks a little different.

    Instead of dividing training into strict phases, we work in building blocks. Each lesson builds naturally on the last, gradually increasing the complexity of the environments, skills, and expectations as both the dog and handler are ready.

    One thing that often surprises new clients is that we training in public from the start.

    That doesn't mean walking through a crowded mall on day one. Instead, we introduce carefully chosen, low-pressure environments where dogs can begin learning how to exist calmly in public while remaining successful. As their confidence and skills grow, we slowly expand into more challenging locations, busier environments, and longer outings.

    This approach allows us to build real-world experience from the beginning rather than spending months perfecting obedience in a quiet training room before expecting dogs to suddenly generalize those skills elsewhere.