If you’re living with a disability in New Mexico, it might be worth training your pooch (or a new puppy) to become a service dog. Not only do these lovable creatures provide invaluable assistance with everyday tasks, but they also receive legal protections under federal and state laws.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) affords anyone with an eligible disability the right to bring a service dog into any “public accommodations” (restaurants, entertainment venues, retail stores, educational institutions, etc.). Businesses, landlords, and airlines cannot charge for a service dog or treat the owner differently, providing the animal is housebroken and well-behaved.
New Mexico created the Service Animals Act in 2013, which aligns with the Americans with Disabilities Act to offer protections to service animals and their users. Under this act, only dogs and miniature horses are considered service animals. Most of the protections are the same as what is offered by the ADA. The Service Animals Act also prosecutes those who would misrepresent a pet as a service animal.
Although there are no formal certification or registration requirements, a canine must be adequately trained to qualify as a service dog. In this article, we’ll cover what to consider when searching for a service dog trainer and then review the top five providers in New Mexico.
What to Look For When Choosing Service Dog Training
Choosing an appropriate service dog training center is the first step towards turning a canine companion into a bonafide service animal.
Regardless of whether you choose an online or in-person trainer, it’s best to stick with an established operator with years (or decades) of industry experience. Look for a provider with a proven track record with your specific disability.
Not all trainers work with every dog. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing—it could mean they excel at training a specific breed. Some insist on working with a custom-bred puppy, while others accept existing pets (after a rigorous evaluation) or source animals from a local shelter. In any case, check whether these conditions align with your needs.
For a brick-and-mortar establishment, it’s worth assessing the facilities in person before committing. Are the kennels in good shape? Do the dogs have plenty of open space? A low-quality trainer will cut corners and deliver subpar results.
While a sizable waitlist indicates a successful business (or a popular non-profit), you should also consider your own timeline. If you need an animal trained in a hurry, there’s no point joining a five-year waiting list.
Finally, cost is a crucial consideration. While the law requires a service dog to be capable of supporting its owner, there’s no legal requirement to enlist a professional trainer. An online training course gives you the necessary tools to train your animal at home and saves you thousands compared to an in-person program.
Online vs. In-Person Service Dog Training
So what’s the best option for training a service dog: in-person or online? Both methods have their advantages, which we’ll discuss below.
While an in-person course requires you to attend scheduled classes, an online program lets you train your animal at your convenience—you don’t even need to leave the comfort of your own home. The most significant benefit, however, is cost. Online programs give you all the support and guidance you need at a fraction of the price of an in-person course.
Although rigid and expensive, in-person programs may achieve better results because an experienced professional provides expert, tailor-made training sessions. Furthermore, the in-person option puts less burden on the owner, essential when a severe disability renders self-training impractical. Both humans and canines also get ample opportunity to socialize and exercise—active and outgoing owners often find in-person training more fun.
| Pros of Online Service Dog Training | Pros of In-Person Service Dog Training |
| Cost-effective: online courses cost a fraction of the price of in-person programs | Less owner burden: trainers do most of the work, essential for people with severe disabilities. |
| Convenience: train your dog at a time that’s suitable for you | Expertise: in-person trainers draw on years of experience to achieve optimal results |
| Comfort: no need to leave the comfort of your own home | Exercise and socialization: you and your dog will get out and about |
The Best Service Dog Training in New Mexico
Now that you’re up to speed, it’s time to check out the top service dog training programs in New Mexico, both in-person or online. We’ve searched long and hard to identify and review the top courses in the state to make the selection process easier for you.
US Service Animals Online Training
The top dog in virtual training, US Service Animals Online Training, gives you everything you need to teach your canine to become a service dog from home. The six-module program consists of 12 easy-to-follow videos that outline cutting-edge animal behavior theories and how they apply to your four-legged friend. Unlike other online programs, you’ll get customized support from a professional service dog trainer throughout the course.
The comprehensive program teaches your pet to assist with various disabilities, including blindness, hearing loss, diabetes, mobility issues, and epilepsy. No breed or size restrictions apply, and you get a handy certificate at the end (there’s also an optional service vest, collar, collar tag, and leash).
Cost: $349
Location: Online only (6 video modules)
Certificate: Yes
1:1 Support: Yes
Equipment Provided: Clicker, plus optional service vest, collar, collar tag, and leash
Assistance Dogs of the West
Assistance Dogs of the West (ADW) is accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI). This non-profit organization connects people with organizations that can help them acquire or train service dogs. For their owner self-train program, service dogs and their owners are trained for a minimum of six months by ADW trainers and learn a minimum of three tasks. Classes run in 12-week blocks. Once an owner-trainer and their dog pass the program, they will be required to take annual public access tests for the next two years to ensure that the team retains the skills taught during the program.
Additionally, Assitance Dogs of the West provides their own dogs that they breed, raise and train for a minimum of two years before matching with clients. These dogs are trained to assist those with a variety of disabilities, like autism spectrum disorders, mobility impairments, and PTSD, among others. ADW does not train leader dogs for those with visual impairments, or hearing dogs.
Assistance Dogs of the West only uses positive training techniques that do not involve pain, force, fear, or intimidation.
Cost: Cost is dependent on training program, contact for details
Location: In-person (Santa Fe, NM)
Certificate: Yes
1:1 Support: Yes
Equipment Provided: None
Service Dogs of New Mexico
Service Dogs of New Mexico helps applicants train their own dogs to become service dogs, though they occasionally have trained service dogs that are available for purchase. The organization was started by a diabled veteran who was fed up with long wait lists for trained service dogs. Service Dogs of New Mexico trains service dogs for adults and children but they also have a program for veterans.
Service Dogs of New Mexico offers “team training” which entails the handler training alongside their service dog. Team training is the most cost-efficient and popular program, but the organization also offers a board and train program, for those who prefer to be a little more hands-off with training. Some breeds may be subject to pre-testing before enrollment in either program. When it comes to training methods, Service Dogs of New Mexico uses what they call “fear-free training” mainly incorporating positive reinforcement in real-life scenarios, which is super beneficial for service dogs.
Cost: $175 for processing, call for additional pricing
Location: Sandia Park, NM
Certificate: Yes
1:1 Support: Yes
Equipment Provided: Unspecified
New Mexico Dog Training Academy
New Mexico Dog Training Academy can help you train your own dog to become a service dog if they have what it takes. Training is administered in one-on-one and group settings; and is conducted in your own home, the New Mexico Dog Training Academy’s facility, and public. These various modes of training will prepare your dog to work in all different settings. The New Mexico Dog Training Academy is part of the Pet Professional Guild, meaning that trainers do not use force, fear, pain, or intimidation to train dogs.
Cost: $2,900+
Location: In-person (Albuquerque, NM)
Certificate: No
1:1 Support: Yes
Equipment Provided: None