As someone based in the UK, I spent a long time researching service dog training options before choosing SDTSI, and I can confidently say it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The training was rigorous, but always tightly supported. Every question I had was answered quickly, thoroughly, and in a way that felt completely personalised to me and my 5.5-year-old Shih Tzu. The guidance was tailored not just to “a dog,” but to my dog and our specific circumstances.
The team is kind, compassionate, and exceptionally knowledgeable. On more than one occasion, I felt stuck or unsure whether I could move forward with a particular exercise, and they provided practical, insightful tips I would never have thought of myself. Before starting, I seriously considered much more expensive options involving in-person trainers because I wasn’t sure I could train my dog myself. What happened instead exceeded all expectations. Not only did my dog learn remarkable skills, but we built a deeper bond than I thought possible. Today, he heels naturally and often looks up to check in with me without needing a command. Sometimes we simply make eye contact, and he pauses, thinks, and responds appropriately. That level of partnership is something I did not expect from an adult dog.
To give context, my Shih Tzu is 5.5 years old. I never imagined he would learn to fetch specific items, bring me his toys on cue, and reliably drop them when asked. Some of these skills felt completely out of reach at the beginning. Now they’re part of our everyday life. One of the most important moments happened in the very first lesson: I realised I had been picking my dog up incorrectly for years. Correcting that alone may have saved him from potential injury, discomfort, and future veterinary costs. That single insight was invaluable. I also deeply appreciate the kind and thoughtful training philosophy SDTSI promotes. The focus on positivity, patience, and enjoyment of the process made a significant difference. I’m not certain a hired coach would have fostered the same dynamic between my dog and me. The programme consistently reinforces having fun and maintaining the right attitude, which kept us motivated throughout. We even received dog-friendly recipes, which I’ve started trying for the first time.
We have now graduated, and I feel completely confident navigating crowded, unpredictable, and challenging environments together. Because we went through the training as a team, my dog behaves like a full-time working assistant, not just when given formal commands. I genuinely have a co-pilot I trust. I did not expect these results from an adult dog, but here we are. The experience has been transformative, and I only wish I had started sooner. Training has become such a positive habit for us that we’re now working on more complex skills simply because we enjoy learning together. I cannot recommend SDTSI highly enough. Thank you Dani, for all your extra support!
