Traditional service dog training focuses solely on task completion. At Battle Buddy, we go deeper. We believe that true service dogs aren’t just trained—they’re partners who understand, anticipate, and respond to their veteran’s unique needs.

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Our 6-week intensive training program combines professional expertise, positive reinforcement methodology, and a deep respect for both veteran and dog. The result? Service dogs who don’t just work—they heal.

 

Program Highlights

• 6-week intensive program - Full immersion training in a home environment

• 150+ hours of professional instruction - One-on-one attention, not group classes

• Customized to veteran needs - Every program is tailored to specific requirements

• Home-based training - Dogs live in a family environment, not a kennel

• 24/7 care and monitoring - Round-the-clock supervision and enrichment

• Ongoing lifetime support - Training doesn’t end at placement

 

Investment Value

$7,000 per service dog partnership (Industry standard: $15,000-$30,000)

FREE to qualifying veterans - No veteran pays for their service dog

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What We Train: Service Dog Tasks

Specialized Tasks Tailored to Your Needs

Every veteran’s needs are unique. That’s why every Battle Buddy service dog receives customized training based on your specific challenges, triggers, and daily life requirements.

 

Core Service Dog Tasks

Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT)

When anxiety, panic, or emotional distress strikes, your service dog applies firm, calming pressure to your chest, lap, or legs. This grounding technique reduces heart rate, lowers cortisol levels, and provides immediate comfort during PTSD episodes or anxiety attacks.

 

Anxiety Alert

Your dog learns to recognize the subtle physical and behavioral signs of rising anxiety—before you even feel it coming. Through changes in your breathing, heart rate, or body language, your dog alerts you early, giving you time to use coping strategies before a full panic attack develops.

 

Grounding Techniques

During dissociative episodes, flashbacks, or moments when you feel disconnected from reality, your service dog provides tactile grounding. They may nudge, lick, paw, or lean against you to bring you back to the present moment.

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Nightmare Interruption

For veterans experiencing night terrors or trauma-related nightmares, service dogs are trained to recognize distress signals during sleep (thrashing, vocalizing, rapid breathing) and gently wake you by licking your face, pawing, or applying pressure.

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Mobility Assistance

For veterans with physical injuries or mobility challenges, service dogs can provide balance support, retrieve dropped items, open doors, turn on lights, and assist with stability when standing or walking.

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Medical Alert (Customized)

Depending on your specific medical needs, dogs can be trained to alert to blood sugar changes (diabetic alert), oncoming seizures, medication reminders, or other health-related conditions.

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Public Access Confidence

Your service dog is trained to remain calm, focused, and obedient in all public settings—restaurants, stores, airports, crowds—giving you the confidence to re-engage with the world.

 

Space Creation

In crowded or triggering environments, your dog can be trained to create physical space between you and others, providing a buffer zone that reduces anxiety and hypervigilance.

 

Retrieval Tasks

Service dogs can retrieve medication, phones, water bottles, or other essential items, reducing physical strain and increasing independence.

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Light/Door Tasks

Dogs can be trained to turn lights on/off using paw targets, open doors, and assist with other environmental controls.

 

Our Training Methodology

How We Train: Positive, Balanced, Partnership-Focused

 

At Battle Buddy, we use a balanced training approach rooted in positive reinforcement, trust-building, and respect for the dog’s intelligence and emotional needs.

 

Our Philosophy

We believe that the best service dogs aren’t created through force or fear—they’re developed through understanding, consistency, and a genuine partnership between trainer, dog, and veteran.

 

Training Principles

Positive Reinforcement Foundation

We reward desired behaviors with treats, praise, play, and affection. This builds confidence, enthusiasm, and a genuine desire to work.

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Balanced Approach

While positive reinforcement is our foundation, we also use clear boundaries, structure, and appropriate corrections when needed. This creates a well-rounded, reliable service dog who understands expectations.

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Individualized Attention

Every dog learns differently. We adapt our methods to each dog’s personality, learning style, and temperament—never forcing a one-size-fits-all approach.

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Gradual Progression

We build skills incrementally, ensuring each dog masters foundational behaviors before advancing to complex tasks. This prevents overwhelm and builds lasting confidence.

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Real-World Exposure

Dogs train in real environments—stores, restaurants, parks, crowds—so they’re prepared for actual public access situations, not just controlled training settings.

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Partnership Focus

We don’t just train the dog—we prepare them to attune to their specific veteran. This means teaching sensitivity, responsiveness, and the ability to read their handler’s unique cues.

 

Training Timeline & Process

What to Expect: Your 6-Week Journey

 

Week 1-2: Foundation & Assessment

Focus: Building Trust and Basic Obedience

• Comprehensive temperament and health assessment

• Establishing trust between dog and trainer

• Foundation obedience: sit, down, stay, come, heel

• Crate training and house manners

• Introduction to training equipment (leash, collar, vest)

• Daily enrichment and socialization

Veteran Involvement: Initial consultation to discuss specific needs and triggers

 

Week 3-4: Task Training Begins

Focus: Introducing Specialized Service Dog Tasks

• Deep pressure therapy training

• Anxiety alert recognition and response

• Grounding technique development

• Public access foundation (calm behavior in distracting environments)

• Continued obedience refinement

• Introduction to veteran-specific triggers (if applicable)

Veteran Involvement: Mid-training check-in and progress update with photos/videos

 

Week 5-6: Advanced Skills & Public Access

Focus: Mastery, Reliability, and Real-World Preparation

• Advanced task training (nightmare interruption, medical alert, mobility)

• Public access training in stores, restaurants, crowds

• AKC Canine Good Citizen preparation

• Distraction-proofing and reliability testing

• Handler transition preparation

• Final temperament and readiness assessment

Veteran Involvement: Go-home training session scheduled

 

Placement Day: Your Partnership Begins

What You Receive:

• Comprehensive go-home training session (2-3 hours)

• Detailed training manual (90+ pages)

• Service dog vest and identification

• Care and maintenance guide

• Emergency contact information

• Ongoing support plan

What Happens Next: - 2-week transition period with daily practice - Weekly check-ins for the first month - Monthly follow-ups for the first year - Lifetime access to training support

 

Meet Your Trainer

Rebecca Price: Professional Trainer with a Personal Mission

Rebecca Price isn’t just a certified dog trainer—she’s someone who understands the healing power of the human-animal bond firsthand.

Professional Credentials

• Tom Rose School For Professional Dog Trainers (June 2023) - One of the most respected service dog training programs in the country

• AKC Certified Evaluator (June 2023)

• Alliance of Therapy Dogs Certified (May 2025)

• GoodPup Trainer Certification (Aug 2025)

• Red Cross Pet First Aid/CPR Certified

• USDA Licensed with $1M liability insurance

Training Experience

• 50+ dogs trained for paying customers

• 3 service dogs trained for private clients

• 100% success rate in behavior modification programs

• 4+ shelter dogs adopted through free training programs

• 30+ institutional therapy visits since July 2025

Educational Background

• Master’s degree in Organizational Development & Project Management

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology/Women’s Studies

Rebecca’s Personal Commitment

“I’ve seen what PTSD can do. I’ve experienced the isolation, the anxiety, the feeling that you’ll never be yourself again. Working with dogs saved my life—and I’m dedicated to creating that same healing for other veterans. Every service dog I train isn’t just a job; it’s a sacred responsibility to honor both the veteran’s service and the dog’s potential.”

 

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Training Facility

Where Training Happens: Real Homes, Real Communities

Battle Buddy service dogs are trained in real-world environments that prepare them for life with their veteran partner. Unlike large commercial kennels, our dogs experience training in authentic settings—from home environments to community spaces—ensuring they’re ready for any situation.

 

Primary Training Facility: Dalmatia BnB

Home-Based Training in Clinton, Missouri

Our primary training facility is Dalmatia BnB, a professional, home-based training center where service dogs live and train in a real family environment. This isn’t a sterile kennel—it’s a home that prepares dogs for the life they’ll live with their veteran partner.

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Facility Features

Home-Based Environment - Dogs live in a family home, not cages or kennels - Exposure to real-world sounds, routines, and environments - Comfortable, low-stress training atmosphere - 24/7 supervision and care - Daily interaction with household activities

 

Temperature-Controlled Spaces - Climate-controlled indoor training areas - Insulated, heated/cooled garage for additional space (12x30 ft) - Comfortable rest areas for downtime - Safe, clean environment year-round

 

Outdoor Training Areas - Secure 6-foot fenced yard - Agility equipment (tunnel slides, wooden spools, tires, custom A-frame) - Private rental play yard for socialization - Real-world exposure to outdoor environments -

Space for physical exercise and enrichment

 

Professional Equipment - $1,000 Priefert kennel system - Professional training tools and equipment - Live-streaming audio/video monitoring - Safety and emergency protocols - First aid and emergency supplies

 

Capacity & Attention - We train only 2-3 service dogs annually at our primary facility, ensuring each dog receives individualized attention and the highest quality training.

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Real-World Training in a Community Setting

In partnership with Max Motors in Butler, Missouri, Battle Buddy service dogs receive critical public access training in a real community setting. This partnership allows our dogs to train in a busy, dynamic environment with real distractions, real people, and real-world challenges.

 

Why Max Motors?

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High-Traffic Environment

Max Motors provides the perfect training ground for public access skills: - Busy showroom with customers, staff, and activity - Realistic distractions (conversations, movement, sounds) - Exposure to strangers approaching and interacting - Practice navigating crowds and tight spaces

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Community Integration

Training at Max Motors helps service dogs: - Build confidence in commercial settings - Practice calm behavior around strangers - Develop focus despite distractions - Prepare for restaurants, stores, and public spaces

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Real-World Preparation

Unlike controlled training facilities, Max Motors offers authentic scenarios: - Unpredictable environments - Spontaneous interactions - Noise, movement, and visual stimulation - The exact conditions dogs will face with their veteran partners

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Group Class Training

Max Motors also hosts our community group training classes, providing: - Socialization opportunities for dogs in training - Educational outreach for the community - Visibility for Battle Buddy’s mission - A supportive, welcoming environment for learning

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Public Access Training Locations

Training Where Life Happens: Real Stores, Real Streets, Real Life

 

Service dogs don’t just need to behave in training facilities—they need to be reliable everywhere their veteran goes. That’s why Battle Buddy service dogs train extensively in the actual public spaces veterans navigate every day throughout Clinton and the surrounding region.

 

Retail & Commercial Locations

Walmart - High-traffic aisles and checkout lines - Shopping cart navigation - Crowded entrances and exits - Automatic doors and loud announcements - Food sections with tempting distractions - Unpredictable customer interactions

 

Home Depot / Lowes

Large warehouse environment - Loud machinery and power tool sounds - Concrete floors and echoing acoustics - Forklifts and moving equipment - Garden center outdoor/indoor transitions - Staff and customer interactions

 

Tractor Supply 

Agricultural and pet supply environment - Animal feed and product smells - Other animals (chickens, rabbits, etc.) - Farm equipment and rural setting - Outdoor/indoor transitions - Unique rural retail atmosphere

 

Community & Outdoor Spaces

Clinton Square - Downtown public gathering space - Community events and festivals - Crowds and social gatherings - Outdoor seating and dining areas - Street traffic and pedestrians - Variable noise levels and activity

 

Local Parks 

Off-leash dog distractions - Children playing and running - Picnic areas and gatherings - Wildlife (squirrels, birds, geese) - Open spaces and recall training - Outdoor recreation environments

 

Local Neighborhoods

Residential sidewalks and streets - Dogs barking from yards - Children on bikes and scooters - Mailmen, delivery drivers, and service workers - Doorbell and knock training - Real home environment scenarios

 

Additional Public Training Sites

Restaurants & Cafes - Indoor and outdoor dining - Under-table positioning - Food distractions and smells - Server interactions - Tight spaces between tables - Drive-through environments

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Gas Stations & Convenience Stores

Quick stops and short-duration tasks - Vehicle entry/exit practice - Small spaces with high traffic - Impulse control around food displays

 

Parking Lots & Sidewalks

Vehicle navigation and safety - Crosswalks and traffic signals - Distractions from moving cars - Pedestrian traffic - Real-world heeling and focus

 

Public Events & Gatherings

Community festivals - Farmers markets - Outdoor concerts - Crowded public spaces - Unpredictable environments

 

Why Real-World Training Matters

Preparation That Makes the Difference

Many service dog programs train exclusively in controlled environments—sterile facilities where dogs learn to behave perfectly in perfect conditions. But life isn’t perfect. Veterans need service dogs who can perform reliably in the chaos of real life.

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The Battle Buddy Difference

We Train Where You Live

Your service dog won’t just know how to behave in a training center—they’ll be prepared for: - The overwhelming sensory experience of Walmart on a Saturday - The loud, echoing environment of Home Depot - The unpredictable crowds at Clinton Square events - The distractions of dogs barking in neighborhoods - The temptations of Tractor Supply’s pet section

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Real Distractions, Real Reliability By training in actual public spaces, our service dogs learn to: - Maintain focus despite overwhelming distractions - Respond reliably in unpredictable situations - Stay calm when surprised or startled - Perform tasks even when stressed or overstimulated - Generalize their training to any environment

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Confidence for Veterans When your service dog arrives, you’ll have confidence knowing they’ve already: - Navigated the exact stores you shop at - Walked the same streets you walk - Experienced the same community spaces you frequent - Proven their reliability in real-world conditions

Training Progression: From Home to Community

 

How We Build Confidence Step by Step

 

Phase 1: Foundation at Dalmatia BnB

• Basic obedience in low-distraction home environment

• Trust-building and relationship development

• Introduction to training equipment

• Controlled socialization

 

Phase 2: Controlled Public Spaces

• Max Motors Showroom (predictable, supportive environment)

• Local neighborhoods (moderate distractions)

• Quiet parks during off-peak hours

• Gradual exposure to public settings

 

Phase 3: High-Distraction Environments

• Walmart, Home Depot, Tractor Supply (busy retail)

• Clinton Square during events (crowds and activity)

• Parks with off-leash dogs and children

• Restaurants and healthcare settings

 

Phase 4: Unpredictable Scenarios

• Random public outings

• Spontaneous situations

• Variable times of day and crowd levels

• Real-world testing and reliability confirmation

 

Result

A service dog who isn’t just trained—they’re proven in the exact environments where veterans need them most.

 

Safety & Standards

Professional Standards in Every Location

No matter where training occurs, Battle Buddy maintains the highest professional and safety standards.

 

Our Commitments:

• USDA Licensed facility and trainer

• $1M Liability Insurance (Liberty Mutual)

• Red Cross Pet First Aid/CPR Certified trainer

• City Licensed pet care provider

• AKC Certified Evaluator oversight

• 24/7 emergency protocols in place

 

Training Environment Standards:

• Temperature-controlled and safe conditions

• Clean, sanitary facilities

• Proper equipment and safety gear

• Emergency veterinary contacts

• Incident documentation and response protocols

 

Public Access Rights & Responsibilities:

• All training complies with ADA regulations

• Dogs wear training vests for identification

• Respectful of business policies and staff

• Clean-up and courtesy protocols maintained

• Professional representation of service dog community

 

Community Partnership Impact

Training That Gives Back

 

Our partnerships with local businesses and community spaces create a ripple effect of positive impact:

 

For Service Dogs:

Real-world preparation and confidence - Diverse training experiences - Socialization in authentic settings - Proven reliability in actual environments

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For Veterans: 

Dogs ready for any environment - Confidence in public access reliability - Smooth transition to daily life - Familiarity with local community spaces

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For the Community: 

Awareness of service dog training - Education about veteran needs - Visibility for Battle Buddy’s mission - Support for local veteran causes - Positive representation of service dogs

 

For Local Businesses:

Meaningful community partnership - Support for veteran services - Positive brand association - Employee and customer engagement - Demonstration of community commitment

 

Training Facility Summary

Where Your Service Dog Will Train:

 

Primary Facility:

Dalmatia BnB, Clinton, MO - Home-based, cage-free environment - 24/7 care and supervision - Temperature-controlled indoor/outdoor spaces - Professional equipment and monitoring

 

Community Partner:

Max Motors Showroom, Clinton, MO - Public access training - Group classes - Real-world distraction exposure - Community integration

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Public Retail Locations:

Walmart (high-traffic retail) - Home Depot (warehouse environment) - Tractor Supply (agricultural/pet supply) - Local restaurants and cafes - Gas stations and convenience stores

 

Community Spaces:

Clinton Square (downtown events and gatherings) - Local parks (outdoor recreation and distractions) - Local neighborhoods (residential environments) - Healthcare facilities (hospital and medical settings) - Public events and festivals

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Result: A service dog trained in real environments, prepared for real life, ready to serve their veteran partner anywhere, anytime.

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Ready to See Where the Magic Happens?

Veterans and supporters are welcome to visit our training facilities and see firsthand the professional, compassionate environment where Battle Buddy service dogs are trained. You might even spot us training at Walmart, Home Depot, or Clinton Square!

[Schedule a Visit] [Apply for a Service Dog] [Contact Us]

 

Canine Good Citizen Certification

Every Service Dog Meets AKC Standards

All Battle Buddy service dogs are trained to meet or exceed AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) standards—the gold standard for well-behaved, reliable dogs in public settings.

AKC CGC Requirements

• Accepting a friendly stranger

• Sitting politely for petting

• Appearance and grooming acceptance

• Walking on a loose leash

• Walking through a crowd

• Sit, down, and stay on command

• Coming when called

• Reaction to another dog

• Reaction to distractions

• Supervised separation

Why This Matters

AKC CGC certification demonstrates that your service dog is safe, reliable, and well-trained in public settings—giving you confidence and legal credibility when accessing public spaces.

 

Specialized Programs

Unique Training for Unique Needs

 

Deaf Dog Program

We offer specialized training for deaf dogs using visual cues, hand signals, and e-collar vibration for recall. Deaf dogs make exceptional service dogs—they’re highly attentive to visual cues and body language, making them naturally attuned to their handler’s needs.

Program includes: - Visual command training - E-collar vibration recall - Hand signal communication - Weekly owner lessons during training - AKC CGC adaptation for deaf dogs

 

Scent Work Training

For veterans who benefit from task-oriented activities or need medical alert training, we offer scent work programs using clover scent, whiffle balls, and scent detection techniques.

 

Behavior Modification

If you already have a dog with potential but behavioral challenges, we offer behavior modification programs using counter-conditioning, desensitization, and positive reinforcement to address reactivity, fear, or anxiety.

 

Post-Training Support

We’re Here for the Life of Your Partnership

At Battle Buddy, training doesn’t end when your service dog comes home. We provide lifetime support to ensure your partnership thrives.

 

What’s Included

Go-Home Training Session - 2-3 hour in-person training with you and your dog - Hands-on practice with all trained tasks - Q&A and troubleshooting - Training manual and resources

 

Transition Protocol - 2-week structured transition period - Daily 15-minute practice sessions - Leash and crate management guidance - Routine establishment support

 

Ongoing Check-Ins - Weekly check-ins for the first month - Monthly follow-ups for the first year - As-needed support for the life of your dog

 

Refresher Training - Available anytime you need a tune-up - Addressing new challenges or behaviors - Adapting to changing needs

 

Community Connection - Access to Battle Buddy veteran community - Shared resources and support network - Event invitations and updates