Loyal Companions LLC

Loyal Companions LLC offers private and group training programs. Private lessons are available in-home or at their Rock Island, TN classroom, covering basic and advanced on-leash and off-leash obedience, behavior modification, and specialty task training. These packages typically last 6 weeks, with one lesson per week, teaching commands like come, sit, down, stay, place, leave it, take it, give it, and heel, and addressing behaviors such as jumping or stealing.

Group classes include a 6-week AKC STAR Puppy class for pups 8 weeks to 6 months, focusing on socialization and basic commands. The 6-week AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) class is for dogs 6 months and older, covering basic commands and manners. An advanced 6-week AKC Community Canine Good Citizen (CGCA) class is offered twice a year for dogs that have passed the CGC, focusing on public performance. They also offer 6-week group scent work classes for competition or fun, and 6-week group trailing classes for tracking and SAR.

Their service dog program involves raising puppies from high-quality breeders in their home, socializing them, housebreaking, and attending AKC classes before beginning task training. They train service dogs for mobility assistance, hearing impairment, PTSD, seizure alert/detection, diabetic alert, and other specialty tasks, but not seeing-eye dogs or emotional support animals. Service dogs are trained for up to four specific tasks tailored to the individual’s needs, such as deep pressure therapy, mobility support, retrieving items, or alerting to medical conditions. They do not train existing family pets to be service dogs.

Pricing Summary

Private training lessons are priced per hour based on distance: $90 for within a 25-mile radius, $110 for within a 40-mile radius, and $120 for within a 50-mile radius. Prices increase beyond 50 miles, requiring a minimum 2-hour session if not part of a package. Additional costs apply for behavior modification or specialty task training.

Group classes are 6-week courses: AKC STAR Puppy and AKC CGC are $150 per pup, AKC CGCA is $165 per pup, and Trailing Class is $175 per pup (includes a clicker). There is no set price for service dogs; the cost varies based on the dog, type and number of tasks, and equipment needed. A deposit is required at contract signing, with full payment due 60 days before delivery. Financial assistance or grants are not offered. Payments accepted include cash, check, or online via QuickBooks (debit, credit, draft).

Policies

For group classes, pups must be current on vaccinations with vet records required. For service dog applications, individuals must be at least 21 years old to sign a contract; those between 18-21 require a co-signer. Service dogs are not placed with handlers younger than 8 years old, except in extreme circumstances.

Service dog payments require a deposit at contract signing, with full payment due 60 days before delivery; no payment plans are offered. Delivery of service dogs up to 200 miles is included, with additional charges for further travel. Service dog applications will be denied if age is misrepresented or if an applicant impersonates a parent.

Loyal Companions LLC is a dog training business led by Mike Ratliff, a Certified Master Trainer. Mike is a graduate of the internationally acclaimed Highland School for Dog Trainers in Harmony, NC, where he completed the Master Dog Trainer program with honors and perfect attendance, ranking in the top 5 of his class. He also completed the Student Excellence Training Program, which focused on specialized tasks and training non-canines.

Loyal Companions LLC offers a range of services including private in-home and classroom-based training, group classes, and specialized service dog training. Mike is experienced in basic and advanced obedience, behavior modification, and specialty skills for service dogs, covering mobility, scent, and protection training. He aims to help Middle Tennessee residents transform their “bad dog” into their “best dog.”

The business also offers pet photography services and sells a variety of pet products, including dog food (TLC Pet Food, Diamond Dog Food), training collars (Dogtra, PetSafe, Herm Sprenger), leashes (PetSafe, DogLine multi-handle), treat pouches, and elevated dog cots (Momarsh).

For service dogs, Loyal Companions LLC raises puppies from high-quality, health-tested breeders, socializing them and beginning training at 10 weeks of age. They train service dogs for tasks such as mobility assistance, hearing impairment, PTSD, seizure alert/detection, and diabetic alert. They do not train seeing-eye dogs or emotional support/therapy dogs, nor do they train existing family pets to become service dogs. Service dogs are trained for up to four specific tasks tailored to the individual’s needs.

Accomplishments

Mike Ratliff holds a Bachelor of Business Management from the University of Phoenix. He is a graduate of the Master Dog Trainer course at the Highland School for Dog Trainers, where he graduated with honors and perfect attendance, ranking in the top 5 of his class. He also completed the Student Excellence Program, focusing on specialized tasks and non-canine training.

He is an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, a Certified Pet Dog First Responder, and an approved Evaluator of Service Dogs with FSDS, Inc. He is a Professional Premium Member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, a Professional Member of the International Association of Canine Professionals, and a member of the National Association of Canine Scent Work.

How to Get Started!

To get started with group classes, pre-registration is required, and individuals are encouraged to contact the trainer for upcoming schedules. For service dogs, interested parties must complete a preliminary application questionnaire. Applicants must be at least 18 years old to request an application and 21 years old to proceed with a contract. Upon application approval, training for service dogs will be completed according to specific needs, followed by registration.