Train Your Own Service Dog
Every successful service dog team starts somewhere.
Let's build yours together.
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For those looking to work on specific skills, public access testing, refresher lessons, or other individualized goals, we offer both individual & group sessions tailored to your needs. These sessions & field trips provide hands-on guidance to build confidence, and refine essential skills in various environments.
Whether it’s one-on-one training or learning alongside others, we’re here to support you and your dog every step of the way.
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At Helping Howls, we believe the best training comes from building a partnership, not simply teaching commands. Our programs are rooted in positive reinforcement, reward & relationship focused methods that prioritize clear communication, trust, and long-term success. Rather than relying on fear, intimidation, or aversive tools, we focus on creating dogs who genuinely enjoy learning and working with their handlers.
Our trainers have experience working with service dogs across a wide variety of breeds, mixes, ages, and temperaments. While every dog learns differently, we tailor each training plan to fit the individual dog's personality, learning style, and goals.
Most importantly, we don't just train dogs….we coach teams. Success comes from teaching both ends of the leash. That means helping handlers develop their training skills, timing, communication, and confidence while building behaviors that fit naturally into their everyday lives. By supporting both the human and the dog together, we're able to create lasting results that extend well beyond our lessons.
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Helping Howls proudly offers in-person training in two locations across Virginia to better serve service dog teams and pet dog owners alike.
Richmond Area
Our Richmond-based program serves the greater Midlothian, Short Pump, and surrounding Richmond communities. Rather than working from a traditional training facility, we intentionally train in real-world environments where you'll actually spend time with your dog. Sessions may take place at parks, shopping centers, pet-friendly stores, outdoor shopping areas, cafés, and other public locations selected to match your goals and your dog's current skill level.Northern Virginia (NoVA)
Our Northern Virginia program serves the Tysons Corner area and surrounding communities. Like our Richmond program, lessons are held in carefully selected public locations that provide practical, real-life training opportunities. From busy sidewalks and shopping centers to quieter parks and community spaces, each location is chosen to help your dog build confidence and reliable skills in everyday environments.Training in public allows us to work on real-life situations: whether that's loose leash walking, public manners, service dog public access, task training, or simply helping your dog feel more comfortable navigating the world alongside you.
Richmond Location
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Our Richmond-based program serves the greater Midlothian, Short Pump, and surrounding Richmond communities. Rather than working from a traditional training facility, we intentionally train in real-world environments where you'll actually spend time with your dog. Sessions may take place at parks, shopping centers, pet-friendly stores, outdoor shopping areas, cafés, and other public locations selected to match your goals and your dog's current skill level.
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We believe service dog training should be flexible and tailored to your team's needs. Whether you're looking for occasional guidance or more consistent coaching, we offer options to fit your training goals.
Private Lessons: $160 per 1-hour lesson
Value Package $450 —Three 1-hour in-person lessons
5-Lesson Package: $780 — Includes four 1-hour in-person lessons and one 15-minute virtual coaching sessions
8-Lesson Package: $1,100 — Includes eight 1-hour in-person lessons and two 15-minute virtual coaching sessions
Virtual coaching sessions are designed to complement your in-person training and are perfect for reviewing homework, discussing training plans, troubleshooting challenges, and developing service dog task work before putting it into practice during your next lesson. Virtual coaching time from packages expires within a week of the last in-person lesson in package.
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We welcome dogs of any breed or mix to complete a service dog evaluation. While some breeds may be better suited for certain types of work than others, we evaluate each dog as an individual based on temperament, health, motivation, and aptitude…not just breed.
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Our programs support handlers with a wide range of disabilities and can include training for psychiatric, medical alert and response, mobility support, autism assistance, allergen detection, and many other forms of disability mitigation. Every training plan is individualized to the handler and the tasks they need most.
At this time, we do not offer guide dog training for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. All other service dog types are welcome to contact us to determine whether our program is the right fit for their team.
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Getting started is simple!
Step 1: Complete the Contact Us form below with a few details about you, your dog, and your training goals.
Step 2: A trainer will reach out within 5–7 business days to learn more about your team, answer any questions, and schedule your service dog evaluation.
Step 3: During the evaluation, we'll assess your dog's temperament, training foundation, and overall suitability for service dog work while discussing your goals and developing a plan tailored to your needs.
Step 4: If your dog passes the evaluation, your trainer will help you schedule your first lessons and choose the training option that best fits your goals: whether that's individual lessons or one of our discounted training packages.
We look forward to helping you and your dog build a confident, reliable partnership together!
NoVA Location
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Our Northern Virginia program serves the Tysons Corner area and surrounding communities. Like our Richmond program, lessons are held in carefully selected public locations that provide practical, real-life training opportunities. From busy sidewalks and shopping centers to quieter parks and community spaces, each location is chosen to help your dog build confidence and reliable skills in everyday environments.
Training in public allows us to work on real-life situations: whether that's loose leash walking, public manners, service dog public access, task training, or simply helping your dog feel more comfortable navigating the world alongside you.
-
We believe service dog training should be flexible and tailored to your team's needs. Whether you're looking for occasional guidance or more consistent coaching, we offer options to fit your training goals.
Private Lessons: $160 per 1-hour lesson
Value Package $450 —Three 1-hour in-person lessons
5-Lesson Package: $780 — Includes four 1-hour in-person lessons and two 15-minute virtual coaching sessions
8-Lesson Package: $1,100 — Includes eight 1-hour in-person lessons and four 15-minute virtual coaching sessions
We believe service dog training should be flexible and tailored to your team's needs. Whether you're looking for occasional guidance or more consistent coaching, we offer options to fit your training goals.
Private Lessons: $160 per 1-hour lesson
Value Package $450 —Three 1-hour in-person lessons
5-Lesson Package: $780 — Includes four 1-hour in-person lessons and one 15-minute virtual coaching sessions
8-Lesson Package: $1,100 — Includes eight 1-hour in-person lessons and two 15-minute virtual coaching sessions
Virtual coaching sessions are designed to complement your in-person training and are perfect for reviewing homework, discussing training plans, troubleshooting challenges, and developing service dog task work before putting it into practice during your next lesson. Virtual coaching time from packages expires within a week of the last in-person lesson in package.
-
We welcome dogs of any breed or mix to complete a service dog evaluation. While some breeds may be better suited for certain types of work than others, we evaluate each dog as an individual based on temperament, health, motivation, and aptitude…not just breed.
-
Our programs support handlers with a wide range of disabilities and can include training for psychiatric, medical alert and response, mobility support, autism assistance, allergen detection, and many other forms of disability mitigation. Every training plan is individualized to the handler and the tasks they need most.
At this time, we do not offer guide dog training for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. All other service dog types are welcome to contact us to determine whether our program is the right fit for their team.
-
Getting started is simple!
Step 1: Complete the Contact Us form below with a few details about you, your dog, and your training goals.
Step 2: A trainer will reach out within 5–7 business days to learn more about your team, answer any questions, and schedule your service dog evaluation.
Step 3: During the evaluation, we'll assess your dog's temperament, training foundation, and overall suitability for service dog work while discussing your goals and developing a plan tailored to your needs.
Step 4: If your dog passes the evaluation, your trainer will help you schedule your first lessons and choose the training option that best fits your goals: whether that's individual lessons or one of our discounted training packages.
We look forward to helping you and your dog build a confident, reliable partnership together!
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