Diabetic Alert Dog Training

Top Dog offers several training programs tailored to individual needs. The Texas Top Dog Program (Board and Train) focuses on off-leash reliability and manners, covering commands like sit, place, come, stay, wait, leave-it, off, and appropriate greetings. The Canine Good Citizen Program (Board and Train) provides basic obedience for everyday situations, including leash walking, sit, place, come, stay, and appropriate greetings.

Day Training is a hybrid program where dogs are dropped off daily for training and owners receive briefings and homework in the evening. This can cover leash walking, sit, place, come, stay, wait, leave it, no jumping, appropriate greetings, and problem behaviors like barking, digging, chewing, and house training. The Puppy Primer program for dogs under 5 months addresses puppy behaviors like nipping, jumping, humping, play biting, chewing, house training, and introduces basic obedience and socialization.

The “Do More With Your Dog” Group Class is a unique six-month program with flexible attendance, starting with one-on-one foundation building before joining group sessions. The Foundation Training Program offers private lessons at the client’s home, facility, or other locations, focusing on customized needs such as leash walking, sit, place, come, stay, wait, leave it, off, appropriate greetings, and eliminating problem behaviors. They also provide “Around The World” video conference sessions for remote assistance.

Pricing Summary

For Diabetic Alert Dog training, the cost is $100 per day for stays at their facility. The total cost varies based on client involvement, with examples ranging from $6,400 to $17,900 spread over the course of the program. They offer an in-house fundraising specialist to assist clients.

Other programs include:
Texas Top Dog Program (Board and Train): $2950, includes unlimited email follow-ups and a 1-month group class membership.
Canine Good Citizen Program (Board and Train): $1875, includes two follow-up lessons and a two-week group class membership.
Day Training: $895 for five training days.
Puppy Primer (for dogs under 5 months): $415, includes two private lessons and three socialization days.
Do More With Your Dog (Group Class): $849+, provides six months of training with access to 50 sessions.
Foundation Training Program (Private Lessons): $410 at the facility, $550 in-home (mileage restrictions apply), includes three custom sessions.
Around The World (Video Conference): $95 per session, recorded and sent to client.

Top Dog is a dog training business established in 2005, specializing in creating a common language between dogs and their owners. They offer a variety of training programs designed to fit different family needs and expectations, ranging from basic obedience to specialized service dog training.

A unique advantage is their “Training Cycle” program for Diabetic Alert Dogs (DADs), where they work with the client and a specially selected puppy from a very young age. The puppy spends periods at the facility for training and then returns home with the owner to practice new skills, continuing this cycle until fully trained. They no longer offer fully trained adult dogs for DADs.

Top Dog also provides Doggie Daycare services, exclusively for graduates of their training programs. The daycare focuses on fun, safety, and structure, with staff trained in pet CPR and first aid, and dogs grouped by temperament. They emphasize a routine to reduce anxiety and aggression.

They offer a free initial consultation for all programs, encouraging potential clients to visit the training center, meet the team, and ask questions. They also provide a free monthly newsletter with dog training tips.

Accomplishments

The business was established in 2005. Adam Gibson is the Training Director, Founder, and CEO, with a lifelong dream of working with dogs, starting with 4H as a youth, volunteering at a humane society at 16, and formal training at Northstate Canine Academy at 18. He has attended dozens of other schools, workshops, and seminars. Andrea Gibson is the Office Manager. Madison Davis is a Lead Trainer who started volunteering at shelters and rescues and joined Top Dog after high school in 2018. Stephanie is a Lead Kennel Tech and Trainer who began training dogs in 2018. Lindsey is a Trainer who started volunteering at shelters and working as a Veterinary technician, transitioning to professional dog training in 2010. Coral and Tori are Kennel Tech Crew and Assistant Trainers. Glen is a Kennel Tech Crew and Assistant Trainer with three years of experience in dog training.

How to Get Started!

To get started with any program, clients need to schedule a free initial consultation with the Training Director. During this consultation, they will get to know each other, answer questions, and learn more about the dog. For Doggie Daycare, a consultation is required for the first visit to collect vaccination records and fill out forms. For the Diabetic Alert Dog program, clients must fill out an information request form to set up the free initial consultation, and then complete a secure application form after watching a video about their training program.