THERAPY DOG TRAINING AUSTIN TX

Get started with Total Dog’s therapy dog training in Austin, TX, today! With over 30 years of experience and more than 3,000 happy clients, we are very confident in our dog training. That’s why we guarantee results and offer lifetime support and guidance. We will be by your side to help you with your therapy journey every step of the way!

THERAPY DOG TRAINING IN AUSTIN, TX

Do you want your dog to bring comfort, companionship, and emotional support to those in need? At Total Dog!, we specialize in training therapy dogs in Austin, TX. We help you turn your dog into a certified therapy dog. This way, your dog can comfort people in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and other community places.

Unlike service dogs, therapy dogs are trained to offer emotional support to multiple people, making them perfect for volunteer work, hospital visits, and stress-relief programs. Our trainers will help your dog build temperament, obedience, and social skills. This way, your dog can become a calm, friendly, and well-mannered therapy animal.

FREE CONSULTATION

We start with a completely free consultation. During this consultation, we assess your dog’s temperament, behavior, and suitability for therapy work. Based on this information, we develop a personalized training plan centered around your specific needs and goals.

Want to train your dog as a certified therapy dog? Click here and fill out a quick form to claim your free consultation today!

WHAT OUR THERAPY DOG TRAINING COVERS

Our therapy dog training program helps build confidence, social skills, and obedience. It prepares your dog for real-world interactions. We cover:

Advanced Obedience Training – Ensuring your dog follows commands and specific tasks like sit, stay, come, heel, and leave it.

Calm & Friendly Behavior: Teach your dog to remain calm and affectionate around strangers, loud noises, and distractions.

Socialization & Confidence Building Expose your dog to places like hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and therapy settings.

Public Access & Good Manners: Keep your dog well-behaved in public spaces like hospitals, airports, and offices.

Emotional Support & Comfort Techniques – Teach your dog to offer gentle, loving companionship to those who need it.

Therapy Dog Certification Prep – Get your dog ready for therapy dog certification programs.

Our program is perfect for Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Poodles, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. We also welcome other friendly, social breeds. We work with any trainable dog that meets therapy dog standards.

WHY CHOOSE TOTAL DOG! FOR THERAPY DOG TRAINING IN AUSTIN, TX?

Experienced Therapy Dog Trainers – Our expert trainers have experience preparing dogs for therapy work in hospitals, schools, and community outreach programs.

Custom Training Plans – Every dog is unique. We adapt training to fit their temperament and therapy goals.

Positive, Reward-Based Training Methods – We use gentle, effective techniques to ensure your dog is friendly, confident, and well-mannered.

Certification Assistance – We prepare your dog for therapy dog certification. This helps them work in therapy settings.

HOW OUR THERAPY DOG TRAINING PROGRAM WORKS

1. Free Consultation

We begin with a free consultation. During this consultation, we check your dog’s behavior, temperament, and readiness for therapy work.

2. Personalized Therapy Training Plan

After the free consultation, we create a tailored training plan. This plan helps your dog provide comfort and emotional support in public places.

3. Hands-On Therapy Dog Training

We provide structured lessons and real-world experiences. This helps your dog learn obedience, socialize, and develop therapy skills. Our goal is to make sure your dog is ready for certification.

4. Guaranteed Results

We guarantee that the goals you set at the beginning of the program will be achieved. If progress takes longer than we thought, we will offer unlimited lessons for free until you reach your goals.

Start your journey to therapy dog certification today!

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?

CONSISTENT SUPPORT

What sets our program apart is our life long support and unwavering commitment to you and your dog long after the program ended. We believe that training is a lifelong journey, and our support doesn’t stop once the program is complete. When you work with us, you gain a trusted partner for life. Whether you need a refresher on training techniques, guidance on new behavioral challenges, or simply reassurance, we’re just a call or message away. Our goal is to ensure lasting success and a strong bond between you and your dog, no matter how much time has passed.

GUARANTEED RESULTS

When you choose to train with us, you’re not just signing up for a program. You’re investing in guaranteed results. We are fully committed to helping you achieve the training goals you set at the start of your journey. If those goals aren’t met within the expected timeframe, we won’t stop there. We will continue working with you, providing unlimited lessons at no additional cost until your goals have been reached. Our promise is simple: no matter how long it takes, we stand by you every step of the way. With us, your results are not just expected—they’re guaranteed for life.

Get started with expert therapy dog training in Austin TX today!

HEAD TRAINER

SGT BRICE CAVANAUGH

SGT Brice Cavanaugh founded Total Dog! He is a certified service dog trainer and serves on the Board of Directors for the National Tactical Police Dog Association, Operation Overwatch and The Pink Berets. He is a Professional Member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and is an Evaluator for the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen multi-tiered program.

LOCATION & SERVICE AREA

We’re happy to provide all Total Dog! therapy dog training programs for locals in the greater Austin area. These include Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Leander, Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, and Dripping Springs. Call today or claim your free consultation to get started!

Austin: (512) 580-3364

San Antonio: (210) 722-9919

FAQ

MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How Much Does Your Training Cost?

At Total Dog! We create custom training programs for you and your dog. They focus on your needs and your dog’s learning style. Our training programs vary from dog to dog in structure, layout, duration and cost.

That’s why we don’t offer a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead we offer a free consultation. This lets us meet you and your dog. We’ll look at your lifestyle, goals, age, temperament, breed, and past training. This way, we can create a training program that fits your needs and goals perfectly!

Is Training Really Unlimited?

We offer a Total Dog! dog training package that includes unlimited lessons until your dog reaches the goals identified at the start of the program. Following the program’s completion, you’ll have the opportunity to extend your dog obedience training to help them reach new goals at no extra cost.

Are There Breed Restrictions?

No, we don’t impose any breed restrictions. Total Dog! is a full-service dog training company. We offer private lessons, puppy classes, service dog training programs, and boarding for all breeds and ages.

What Training Methods Do We Use?

We mainly use positive reinforcement to shape your dog’s behavior. This helps create a strong base for a well-behaved dog. Our dog trainers consider each dog’s needs. This ensures a great experience for you and your pup. By rewarding good behavior with treats, praise, and consistent guidance, we foster a stronger bond between owner and dog. For dogs requiring additional support, we also offer behavior modification strategies to address specific challenges, ultimately helping every pet reach its full potential in a safe and supportive environment. At Total Dog, we’re devoted dog lovers who use effective methods to ensure your dog will become a great therapy dog!

What’s The Best Age To Begin Training?

We believe the best way to establish a strong foundation for your dog’s behavior is to begin training as early as possible. Puppies are like sponges for new information, and it’s important to capitalize on this to build proper social skills. However, this does not mean mature dogs can’t thrive with appropriate guidance. At Total Dog!, we are a team of professional dog trainers. We offer an all-inclusive service that addresses various training needs, ranging from basic obedience to advanced obedience work. Don’t overlook a puppy’s early stages—this is when bad behaviors can take root, potentially leading to a fearful dog, separation anxiety, or aggression. Our goal is to help dog owners build a lasting bond with their pets, regardless of age or breed, because as long as they’re awake, they’re learning.

Do You Provide AKC “Canine Good Citizen” Certification?

Yes. All of our certified trainers are AKC Certified evaluators—meaning they’re qualified to provide the AKC test and sign off your dog for it. It’s a 10-part test for $25.

What Programs Do You Offer?

We offer in-home private dog training and dog boarding and training. Unfortunately, we do not provide group classes.