Developing an assistance dog is not casual training.
It is not obedience classes.
It is not buying a vest.
It is not hoping your dog “grows into it.”
An assistance dog must be calm in unpredictable environments.
Reliable under pressure.
Task-trained to mitigate a disability.
Publicly safe at all times.
That level of stability does not happen by accident.
It requires structure, accountability, and professional oversight.
At Walkys, we take that responsibility seriously.
When It Matters This Much, Guesswork Is Not Enough
Many owner-trained assistance dogs struggle for one simple reason: there was no defined pathway.
Sessions were booked when problems appeared.
Tasks were layered before foundations were stable.
Public access exposure happened before neutrality was solid.
The result is often frustration, inconsistency, and in some cases, failure at public access level.
For someone relying on an assistance dog, that is not just inconvenient. It is deeply discouraging.
This program exists to replace uncertainty with clarity.
A Defined Development Model
The Walkys Assistance Dog Development Program is a structured 12-month progression designed to guide both dog and handler from suitability assessment through to public access readiness.
This is not a collection of lessons.
It is a staged development pathway with measurable benchmarks.
Progression occurs only when standards are met.
That protects:
- The handler
- The dog
- The public
- The integrity of assistance work
How it Works
A Defined 12-Month Development Model
What You Receive
Throughout the program, you receive:
• Weekly 1:1 coaching
• A structured 12-month roadmap
• Clear behavioural benchmarks
• Task progression tracking
• Public access standards checklist
• Video submission and review
• Written homework plans
• Access to the Walkys Professional Development Platform
• Ongoing accountability
We do not guarantee outcomes without compliance.
We do guarantee clarity, structure, and professional oversight.
This Program Is For You If
• You are serious about developing a legitimate assistance dog
• You are prepared to train consistently each week
• You value standards over shortcuts
• You want a defined pathway rather than trial and error
It is not for casual training.
It is not for rushed outcomes.
It is not for bypassing structure.
The outcome matters too much for that.
Delivery Options
The development model remains the same.
The difference is how in-person training is delivered.
Walkys Assistance Dog Development – Remote
All coaching delivered online.
Mandatory in-person assessments:
Suitability Test and Public Access Test.
Investment
$1,350 per month
12-month commitment
Total $16,200
If you travel to Walkys for testing, you cover your own travel.
If Walkys Trainers travels for assessments:
$3,000 per assessment
Plus flights and accommodation at cost.
Walkys Assistance Dog Development – Elite
(Client attends Walkys)
Weekly coaching plus Monthly in-person sessions at Walkys facilities.
Investment
$1,650 per month
12-month commitment
Total $19,800
Client covers travel and accommodation if required.
Walkys Assistance DOG Development – Executive On-Site
Private development delivered in your environment with weekly coaching and Monthly in-person sessions conducted directly with you.
Investment
$3,000 per month
12-month commitment
Total $36,000
Flights and accommodation billed at cost where required.
Why This Level of Investment
Developing a reliable assistance dog requires:
Time.
Consistency.
Professional oversight.
Objective progression.
Emotional steadiness from the handler.
The cost of inconsistent development can be far greater than the cost of doing it properly from the beginning.
This program is designed to reduce risk, increase clarity, and build reliability before public exposure.
The goal is not just to pass a test.
The goal is confidence in real-world life.
Limited Intake
Due to the level of oversight required, Walkys accepts a limited number of assistance development clients each year.
All applicants complete:
• Initial consultation
• Suitability evaluation
• Program readiness discussion
If standards are not met, progression does not begin.
That is not exclusion. It is protection.
Begin the Suitability Process
If you are ready to approach assistance dog development with structure, clarity, and professional guidance, the first step is application.
High standards produce reliable outcomes.