Any good experiences?
Hello, I’m new to this subreddit and have finally gotten my first ever service dog prospect.
For some context, he’s a 12 week old male German shepherd puppy (which I got from a reputable breeder with his papers and a temperament test) and I’ve had him since 8 weeks.
He has picked up quickly on basic commands and learns quick and is a very confident puppy, which I like.
However I need help since I’m still new to all of this, even with 3 years of research on everything.
I’m mostly owner training him to be a PSD and a medical response service dog, and I live in central Florida, I’m looking for a good training facility to help me give him the best start that I can especially for service work. (That isn’t insanely expensive and within reason, as I’m 23)
In the future, also wanting to do sports with him on weekends. (Dock diving, fast cat, etc.)
I’m currently working with Beyond the Leash for day-camp and their puppy class and basic obedience, but was recently referred to Dog Training Elite Orlando and have started with them.
I am aware of the recent TikTok video about them, and wasn’t sure what to think, and I did consider cancelling but I went back to them on account that I have no personal resources, as well as the fact that usually when people point out something bad, they never actually offer alternatives.
I’m just looking to see if anyone has actually had good experiences with their SD with DTE for some mental reassurance, and if they really are that bad can someone give me some recommendations on training facilities or trainers that specialize in working with service dogs and specifically starting him out while he’s a puppy to give him the best start for when he starts task training later on.
Please let me know! And advice is always appreciated as long as it is respectful! Thank you all!