Specialty Dog Training

I HIGHLY recommend Graham and the Specialty Dog Training team for your service dog or protection dog needs. I have the most well-behaved dog and emotionally intelligent shepherd who is complimented everywhere I take her due to her wonderful, personalized selection and training process by Graham and the SDT team. I called Graham over a year ago with a very unique set of needs for a dog. Graham listened, asked me lots of questions, and came back to me with one very special dog who would fit the bill, Ella. Ella has been with me now for 8 months and I can truly say she is one of the biggest highlights of my life. She feels like she was hand-picked just for me, because she was. We have an incredible bond and over time she has come to anticipate my needs beautifully. Whether we are traveling on flights, around kids, going to restaurants, walking on crowded streets in NYC, going into my place of work to sit at a desk all day, or hanging out with friends—she is a 10/10 service animal. Pilots, flight attendants, grocery store clerks, and waitresses all compliment that they can tell she is a “real” service animal because she is excellently behaved. And due to her breed, our bond, and her training, I notice how she looks out for my safety as well when we are in public or when we are home alone. She is so tuned in and ready to work and get her job done, whatever the occasion. Like anyone might be, I was hesitant to take on owning a working dog due to doubting they would perform well once home, the cost, or feeling worried having the dog around kids or other pets. However, SDT and Graham delivered on their promises to find me an excellent fit and they have stayed in touch to ensure a stellar transition from their facility to our home. You will not find better dogs or long term support in the success of your dog/human match than with Graham and his team. I will return to them again and again for my specialty dog needs.

TDLR: DALTON IS A DOG WHISPERER We enrolled our rescue dog in the 4-week program at Specialty Dog Training, and we are beyond impressed with the results! Our dog, a stray we found, had a lot of challenges when we first brought her home. She was very barky, had trouble walking straight on a leash, and barely knew any basic commands. We knew she needed professional help, and Specialty Dog Training delivered. After the program, she was a completely different dog. She walks like a dream on a leash now, with no pulling or zigzagging, and the barking has significantly reduced. She listens so much better to basic commands, and we can tell she's much more relaxed and confident. It’s clear that the trainers really know their stuff and took the time to understand our dog’s needs. We’re so grateful to Specialty Dog Training and our trainer Dalton for transforming our girl into a well-behaved companion. Highly recommend their program to anyone looking to improve their dog’s behavior!

Specialty Dog Training has been a remarkable experience! The care and attention to their dogs and clients, as well, is second to none other. The dogs are expertly trained and specifically chosen for each individual client. They are selectively bred for the jobs they will be doing for their owners. The owner, Graham and his staff are all remarkable people! They truly have huge hearts for the animals and always put them first. They are a small business which allows them to give personal attention to each client. I could not have chosen a more perfect company for my needs. My dog is flawless in every way! I whole heartedly recommend Specialty Dog Training without hesitation.

Graham and his team at Specialty Dog Training are the call you want to make to disucss the possibility of being matched with an almost indescribable canine companion and/or service dog. Graham knows a lot of things, but two things he knows exceptionally well are dogs, and people. The latter obviousy the harder! But, getting properly matched between person and/or family, with the dog that is most likely to become one of the most important parts of your life... well, how could it be more crucial?? My advice is to make it your first call. SDT and Graham can trustedly help you figure out this not-so-simple equation. Dealing with the experience and scale of the operatrion has been a pleasure. My neeeds and wants were fairly particular and I was fortunate to spend time at the SDT facility. It is top notch. --Charlie

Specialty Dog Training's Owner, Graham Bloem, matched me with the perfect service dog for my needs. 14 years ago Graham trained my first service dog, Shayna, to match my medical needs. She and I were partners in life for 12 plus years. Through this time, she and I received ongoing training and support to ensure that my skills as a handler and her obedience were on point. As new medical needs arose over the decade, Graham and his team trained Shayna for additional tasks to support me. This ongoing relationship between Graham, his trainers, myself and Shayna was absolutely priceless. Sadly, she passed away in 2022. In 2023, I reached out to Graham once again knowing I would receive ongoing support, training and guidance for the life of my next service dog. Graham conducted a detailed personal interview to assess my present medical needs, my home life and my work life. This personalized approach, matching process, high level of training and execution from Specialty Dog Training matched me with the perfect service dog for my needs. Rocky, a very handsome black lab with a giant heart, completed an 18 month training program preparing him in advanced obedience, public access manners and tasks that support my daily needs. He passed his CGC (Canine Good Citizen Exam) with flying colors, performed his PAT (Public Access Test) beautifully and demonstrated his task cues without a hiccup. Graham, Cassie, and other trainers for many months provided detailed one-on-one handler training while helping me build a special bond with Rocky. The SDT training guided me through all of Rocky's commands and how to best reinforce them and ultimately prepared him and I for our life together. The transfer of Rocky from the SDT team to me made me feel so supported. Working together reminded me of why I returned to Graham Bloem and his team at Specialty Dog Training for my second service dog. With deep gratitude, I thank everyone at Specialty Dog Training for the unconditional love and support, Karen and Rocky Baskin