PhD Dogtorate
Clickstart’s PhD Dogtorate classes are designed for teams preparing for service dog, therapy dog work, or other advanced training. We work in a variety of locations to perfect your dog’s skills in public and around distractions.
We are excited to offer three distinct tracts of our most advanced class! These courses are designed specifically for teams interested in advanced obedience, therapy dog training, or service dog training. Read more about the differences between therapy and service animals here.
Age Range:
15 months+
Prerequisites:
Masters Urban Canine Graduate
Package Details:
6 classes - $350
Companion Dog Tract:
This class is perfect for the dog training nerds looking for polished mechanics and engagement both on and off leash. In this six week course, you will learn foundations for precise heelwork, cues at a distance, reliable recalls near real world distractions, and building a training partner who is excited to work with you, with or without a leash! All six weeks will take place on the Clickstart Campus.
Pivoting & precision heeling
Recall past distractions
Distance work
Offleash skills around other dogs
Automatic leave it
Therapy Dog Tract:
Does your dog absolutely LOVE meeting new people? Have you thought about volunteering as a therapy dog team to visit people in schools, hospitals, or airports? Then this is the perfect class for you! This course is designed to prepare you and your dog for therapy dog evaluations through qualified organizations including OC Animal Allies. In this six week course, we will refine obedience skills, ensure your dog is comfortable with mobility equipment and crowds, and even teach some tricks to make therapy visits even smoother. All six weeks will take place on the Clickstart Campus.
Polishing obedience skills while fading out treats
Building confidence around mobility equipment
Navigating crowds
Polite greeting behaviors
Crowd pleasing tricks for therapy dog visits
Service Dog Tract:
Is your service dog in training ready to start their public access journey? This class is designed for owner trainers working with their service dog prospects who are looking to expand their toolbox. In this six week course, we will introduce foundational skills for public access, help you understand your rights as a disabled handler under the ADA, and begin generalizing your dog’s skills in non-pet friendly locations. The first three classes will take place on the Clickstart Campus. The last three classes will be field trips to public places.
ADA Overview
Building “on duty” cues
Interactions with the public
Restaurant protocol for service dogs
Navigating complex environments
Safety skills for crowds, public transit, and more
More Details
Resources
After each class, you will receive a follow-up email with step-by-step instructions for each exercise covered. This email will also contain links to additional resources, purchasable items, Clickstart’s supportive services and more.
Supportive Services
Once you’re enrolled in a group class, you’ll receive a discount on in-home private training to help address your specific goals and unique challenges. During private sessions, we can meet at local dog-friendly stores to troubleshoot your training together.
Trainer Qualifications
Our PhD Class curriculum was designed by Clickstart’s co-founder and certified Service Dog Trainer, Liv Healy. Liv has a passion for high precision training and advanced performance. It’s what makes them such a successful Service Dog Trainer! They have years of experience working with ATLAS Assistance Dogs and preparing service dog teams for the Public Access Test.
FAQs
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Yes, as long as your dog will be comfortable working in a variety of busy environments.
We can even administer a test (CGC, Community Canine, or Urban Canine) on your final day of class.
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If you haven’t taken our Masters class, then we will require proof of your dog’s Advanced AKC Titles (Urban and Community Canine) as well as a Discovery Call to gain explicit trainer approval.
Clickstart has a very unique way of training and very high expectations of a dog’s comfort during training. It is imperative that we are on the same page about methodology before working together.
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No. This class is designed to prepare you and your dog for a specific organization’s exam (ATLAS, OC Animal Allies, Pet Partners, etc.) that we are not authorized to administer.
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No. This class requires that your dog is very comfortable in busy, loud environments full of children, other dogs, crowds, and sudden/loud noises.
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Whether it’s a planned absence or a last minute emergency, each series comes with a complimentary Make Up/Office Hour class to schedule at your convenience. However, this make up class will take place on our Campus in Lake Forest and NOT in a dog-friendly store.
While we don’t offer refunds, we do our best to remain flexible and ensure your purchase is risk-free.
