The Good Shepherd K9 Initiative logo
The Good ShepherdK9 Initiative
ESA & Therapy Dog Program

Companions raised with purpose, love, and impact.

Calm, connected, heart-led companions for the families who need them.

The Good Shepherd K9 Initiative raises and prepares emotional support and therapy dogs, and walks alongside every family with education, training, and support for the life of the partnership.

Explore Programs Meet Our Schnauzers
The Good Shepherd K9 Initiative — ESA & Therapy Dogs
✓ Screened Good Dog Breeder
EDUCATIONTRAININGSUPPORTLIFELONG IMPACT
Screened
Good Dog
BreederGOOD BREEDER COMMUNITY
Trusted & Transparent

Proud to be a screened Good Dog breeder

Good Dog only lists breeders who pass its screening process and agree to its community standards. Here’s what that means for your family.

  • Screened before listingGood Dog reviews every breeder application, with online audits and fraud checks, before a breeder can list puppies.
  • Science-backed standardsBreed-specific community standards developed with input from leading academics and canine experts.
  • Health-testing transparencyGood Dog evaluates each breeding program’s breed-specific health testing as a key part of screening.
  • A Good Breeder Code of EthicsBreeders in the community commit to Good Dog’s code of ethics for responsible breeding.
  • Buyer protection & supportReserving through Good Dog includes payment protection and help resolving any issues.
  • Open, honest profilesSee our parents, puppies, and availability in one place on our Good Dog profile.
View Our Good Dog Profile ↗ Good Dog’s Standards ↗

Good Dog is an independent marketplace. Its screening and standards are set and administered by Good Dog.

Our Breeding Program

Miniature Schnauzers, raised with purpose

Our breeding program is dedicated to Miniature Schnauzers: affectionate, clever, sturdy little companions with a big heart for their people. Every Good Shepherd puppy is raised in Gilroy, California, and starts life on the same pathway our training programs are built on.

Why Miniature Schnauzers

  • Affectionate & people-focusedThey bond closely with their families and love to be included.
  • Smart & eager to learnQuick learners who thrive with kind, consistent training.
  • Companion-sized & sturdySmall enough for home life, sturdy enough for everyday adventures.
  • Low-shedding coatA wiry coat that sheds little with regular grooming.
Coat colors we raiseSalt & pepperWheaten
Litter Spotlight

Nala’s Litter

9 puppies · Wheaten & salt-and-pepper
♥ All puppies reserved

Thank you to every family who reserved a puppy from this litter! Join our waitlist to be the first to hear about upcoming litters.

Join the Waitlist See Our Puppies ↗
Find Us on Good Dog

Meet our puppies & parents

Our Good Dog breeder profile is the best place to see current litters, parent dogs, photos, and availability.

View Our Good Dog Profile ↗
How It Works

Bringing your puppy home

  1. ExploreBrowse our puppies and parent dogs on Good Dog.
  2. ConnectSend us an inquiry or join the waitlist for an upcoming litter.
  3. Welcome homeOur First 30 Days guide helps your family and puppy settle in.
  4. Grow togetherContinue with Puppy Foundations, ESA training, or therapy-dog readiness.
Program Guide

A pathway for every stage of the journey

From the first night home to therapy-dog readiness, each program builds on the last, so puppies and handlers grow together with confidence.

Puppy Foundations
1

Puppy Foundations

  • Basic obedience
  • Potty & crate
  • Confidence
  • Socialization
  • Leash basics
8-week starter program →
Companion Training
2

Emotional Support Companion Training

  • Calm settle
  • Bond building
  • Public manners
  • Daily routines
  • Handler consistency
Heart-led companion skills →
Therapy Dog Readiness
3

Therapy Dog Readiness

  • Obedience reliability
  • Polite greetings
  • Stranger handling
  • Calm exposure
  • Mock visits
Advanced preparation →
Understand Your Dog
4

Understand Your Dog

  • Behavior
  • Communication
  • Body language
  • Stress signals
  • Enrichment
Behavior, communication & connection →
First 30 Days
5

First 30 Days With Your Puppy

  • Feeding routine
  • Sleep schedule
  • Potty routine
  • Home adjustment
  • Early commands
Success guide for new families →
Puppy Foundations
Program 1 · 8 Weeks

Puppy Foundations

8-Week Starter Program for Puppies

A gentle, structured program designed to help puppies and their families build confidence, trust, and everyday training success from the very beginning.

What This Course Covers

  1. Welcome Home & Building Trust
  2. Understanding Your Puppy
  3. Potty & Crate Training
  4. Name Recognition, Sit, Down & Stay
  5. Leash Skills & Recall
  6. Socialization & Confidence
  7. Calm Behavior & Impulse Control
  8. Real-World Practice & Graduation

Included

  • Weekly lesson
  • Home practice plan
  • Progress tracking
  • Graduation certificate

Best For

Puppies 8 weeks to 6 months, and first-time puppy families.

Companion Training
Program 2

Emotional Support Companion Training

Calm, Connected, Heart-Led Companion Skills

A thoughtful training pathway designed to strengthen the bond between handler and dog while building calm, dependable companion behaviors that support emotional wellbeing.

Core Modules

  1. Understanding the Human–Dog Bond
  2. Calm Companion Skills
  3. Supporting Emotional Regulation
  4. Life With an Emotional Support Animal
  5. Handler & Dog Partnership

Program Focus

  • Calm settle behaviors
  • Confidence
  • Handler consistency
  • Public manners
  • Daily support routines

Best For

Families seeking a well-trained emotional support companion.

Important note: This program provides training and education. It is not a government certification and does not replace clinical or legal guidance.
Therapy Dog Readiness
Program 3 · Advanced

Therapy Dog Readiness

Preparing Calm, Confident Handler–Dog Teams

An advanced preparation course for dogs and handlers working toward therapy-dog style readiness through obedience reliability, confidence, and real-world exposure.

Training Areas

  • Obedience reliability
  • Polite greetings
  • Leash manners
  • Extended settle
  • Handling by strangers
  • Confidence around equipment and noise
  • Emotional-environment readiness

What Teams Practice

  • Mock visits
  • Calm entry and exit routines
  • Handler advocacy
  • Distraction recovery

Best For

Stable, social dogs with basic obedience and committed handlers.

Completion of this course is preparation for evaluation and does not guarantee third-party certification.
Understand Your Dog
Program 4 · Education

Understand Your Dog

Behavior, Communication & Connection

This educational course helps families better understand canine behavior so they can respond with clarity, confidence, and compassion.

Course Modules

  1. Dog Communication
  2. Breed Traits
  3. Puppy Development
  4. Enrichment
  5. Stress & Fear
  6. Building Confidence
  7. Motivation & Reinforcement
  8. Preventing Behavior Problems

You Will Learn To

  • Read body language
  • Respond appropriately to stress signals
  • Create healthy routines
  • Strengthen trust

Best For

Puppy families, new dog owners, and anyone wanting a deeper understanding of their dog.

First 30 Days
Program 5 · 4 Weeks

First 30 Days With Your Good Shepherd Puppy

A Success Guide for New Puppy Families

A practical four-week transition program that helps new puppy owners build routine, confidence, and connection during the first month at home.

Weekly Roadmap

WEEK1Safety, Bonding, Feeding & SleepingSettling in and building trust
WEEK2Potty Training, Crate Routine & HandlingConsistent routines that stick
WEEK3Sit, Come, Leash Introduction & SocializationFirst skills and new experiences
WEEK4Confidence Building, Preventing Bad Habits & Preparing for AdolescenceSetting up for the months ahead

Included

  • Feeding reminders
  • Routine checklist
  • Home practice tips
  • Adjustment guidance

Best For

Every family bringing home a Good Shepherd puppy.

Sample Cohort Format

8-Week Live Class Schedule

One class per week in a small, supportive group, designed for steady, lasting progress.

  1. WEEK1

    Welcome & Bonding

    Meet the group, learn our training approach, and start building a strong foundation with your dog.

  2. WEEK2

    Understanding Your Dog

    Explore dog behavior, communication, and what your dog is telling you.

  3. WEEK3

    Potty & Crate Skills

    Set your dog up for success with consistent routines and positive crate training.

  4. WEEK4

    Foundation Commands

    Teach essential skills like sit, down, stay, and come using kind, clear, and consistent methods.

  5. WEEK5

    Leash Walking & Recall

    Build polite walking habits and a reliable recall for real-world safety and freedom.

  6. WEEK6

    Socialization & Confidence

    Help your dog feel comfortable and confident in new people, places, and situations.

  7. WEEK7

    Calm Behavior & Impulse Control

    Teach your dog to make good choices, manage excitement, and settle calmly at home and in public.

  8. WEEK8

    Review, Real-World Practice & Graduation

    Put it all together with real-life practice, celebrate progress, and prepare for continued success.

Program Options

Training that fits your family

In Person

Hands-on sessions with guidance in the moment.

Virtual

Learn and practice from the comfort of home.

Private Sessions

One-on-one attention tailored to your goals.

Small Group Classes

Supportive cohorts that learn and grow together.

♥ Programs may be customized for puppy families, emotional support companion goals, and therapy dog preparation.

Our Mission

Raising companions with purpose, love, and impact.

The Good Shepherd K9 Initiative is a purpose-driven program dedicated to raising emotional support and therapy dogs. We believe a great companion is shaped by thoughtful breeding, early foundations, and families who are equipped to keep growing alongside their dog.

That's why every Good Shepherd puppy comes with a pathway — from the first 30 days at home through advanced readiness — grounded in calm, kind, and consistent training.

EducationUnderstand your dog
TrainingKind, clear methods
SupportWe walk alongside you
Lifelong ImpactPartnerships that last
Get in Touch

Let's find the right path for you and your dog.

Whether you're preparing to bring home a Good Shepherd puppy, building an emotional support partnership, or working toward therapy-dog readiness, we'd love to hear from you.

Preferred format

We read every message and will be in touch soon.