Our Training Program
Amazing Tails is a unique training program, unlike any other in the service dog industry.
• Amazing Tails rescues the majority of the dogs used in the program from local shelters and rescues. Clients may have their own dogs trained for service, provided that the dog meets certain criteria. On occasion, Amazing Tails may accept a donated puppy from a local (PA, DE, MD) breeder. Amazing Tails does not have a breeding program and will not participate in the problem of canine overpopulation.
• Clients are expected to assist our trainers throughout the training process, from selection of skills to be taught to actually working with the dog during training if possible. This involvement allows our trainers to customize the skills being taught.
• Upon successful completion of the Amazing Tails Partnership Training, ownership of the dog is transferred to the Client. Amazing Tails does retain ownership of the dog’s official equipment and certification documents and may remove the equipment for cause.
• All of our dogs are kept in a household environment with an assigned trainer. Our dogs do not live in a kennel during the training process.
• At Amazing Tails, Service Dogs are trained to the highest standards of the service industry. Our positive training methods ensure that the dogs enjoy working.
Our Dogs
Amazing Tails generally adopts 
adolescent or young adult dogs from local shelters. Once a dog has been accepted into the Amazing Tails program, it is taught to obey basic obedience commands by voice and signal, and is socialized in a wide variety of public locations. After the dog shows a mastery of basic commands and is comfortable in public, the trainers work to teach the dog the specific skills that will be needed by the Client.
Training is generally accomplished in a 6 month training period, depending upon the individual dog and the complexity of skills requested by the client.
Upon completion of the dog's training, the Client must come to Southeastern Pennsylvania to learn to work with his or her dog. Once again, Amazing Tails utilizes focused training to establish bonds between the dog and the Client, and ensure a positive start to the working relationship. This instruction generally occurs during a 10-14 day Partnership Program, and involves training and evaluations in a variety of environments.
Once the dog goes home with the Client, Amazing Tails is in frequent contact for follow-up assistance during the first critical year of the working relationship. Clients are invited to return to our facility whenever possible for classes or follow-up visits, and it is required that the partnership of Client and dog be re-evaluated each year.
Our dogs are trained using positive, motivational techniques that teach the dogs what behavior is expected. Our goal is to show the dogs that working is a fun and satisfying experience.
Our Clients
Our clients come from all backgrounds and have a variety of physically limiting conditions including but not limited to: Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, Ataxia, Lupus, Muscular Dystrophy, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, Paralysis, Head Trauma, Spinal Cord Injury, Diabetes, and Fibromyalgia.
Each application is considered on its own merits, regardless of age, ethnicity, religion or gender. Applications regarding children will be considered.
Clients are encouraged to participate in training at specific points to ensure that the dog's training will meet the Client's individual needs. Clients must be willing and able to travel to Southeastern PA in order to participate in a 10-14 day Partnership Training.
Cost?
Amazing Tails requires its clients to make a financial commitment for the training of a Service Dog. By assuming financial responsibility, we ensure that our clients take an active role in the training process and the future success of the partnership with the dog.
Amazing Tails, LLC, Inc. is a Delaware non-profit corporation, and all contributions from Delaware and Pennsylvania are tax-deductible pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Please contact us if you wish to make contributions and live in another State.