Galactic Service Dogs is an up and coming service dog training business based in Salinas, California serving Monterey County. We specialize in positive reinforcement-based, force-free training for service, therapy and pet dogs. We offer private training for service dog owner-trainers and therapy dogs, prospect selection and temperament testing, and group classes.
Staff
Leia DilleyOwner and Head TrainerIAABC-ADTAKC CGC Evaluator
Leia Dilley (they/them) is an IAABC Accredited Dog Trainer who has been training dogs for over 10 years. A lifelong animal lover, their passion for training began when they adopted a fearful and aggressive puppy off the streets of Los Angeles in 2014. Since then, they have accumulated knowledge and experience through continuing education, working with their own dogs, and working with shelter and client dogs. They joined the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants as an Accredited Dog Trainer in 2020 and have maintained that accreditation.In 2021, Leia started training their first service dog prospect, Margot, and fell in love with this specialty of training. The experience opened their eyes to the world of service dogs and the many ways a service dog can make a disabled handler’s life easier. It also put Leia into the position to understand and empathise with the barriers and challenges that service dog handlers face. Because of this, they have developed a strong passion for educating the public on service dogs, as well as making service dogs more accessible to more handlers who could greatly benefit from them.Leia aims to make training fun for both the dog and the handler. They utilize positive reinforcement training methods and never use fear, pain or intimidation to get compliance from an animal. They focus on emotional regulation, appropriate socialization and desensitization, agency and frustration reduction. They use a holistic approach, ensuring dogs have healthy, fulfilling lives and a good work-life balance, which leads to a longer and happier career. They also aim to build community amongst Galactic Service Dogs clients, creating a safe, supporting learning environment and opportunities to connect with other handlers.
BooneService Dog In Training
&
Demonstration Dog
Boone is a 2 year old yellow Labrador and works as Leia’s current service dog and demonstration dog. He is always happy to work, especially enjoying working in new environments and learning challenging new skills. He tasks with contagious enthusiasm - it’s impossible to be in a bad mood while watching him work.Boone loves to show off and help handlers and their dogs learn new skills. He also enjoys helping dogs learn to behave around other working dogs. Boone is still in training, not yet having completed a Public Access Test, which is his next goal.
ReignSocialization & Distractions
Reign is a 4 year old merle poodle who is a companion dog, but who has taken on a couple of roles at Galactic Service Dogs. She has high expectations for other dogs socially, which makes her excellent at teaching puppies to greet and interact with dogs appropriately. She teaches using very few corrections (she’s a fear-free trainer too!), mostly just showing no interest in the other dog until the dog acts in a way she deems is accessible. Once she approves, she offers appropriate play and interaction. She has a special ability to match the play style and intensity of a wide variety of dogs, even smaller, timid dogs and puppies.Reign also enjoys offering distraction services - while Boone focuses on his handler on leash, Reign is happy to trot around and bark at other dogs on leash. This is helpful when a client dog requires practice with more difficult dog distractions.
Private Training
Owner-training is the most accessible path to a fully trained service dog for most individuals. Our mission is to support handlers in their training journey, offering the advanced skill set that is required to train public access behaviors and tasks. The Galactic Service Dogs training program is custom-fit to each individual to suit their skill level, budget, and accessibility needs.Owner-trainers house and provide all care for the dog, as well as regular training and socialization. Galactic Service Dogs provides ongoing guidance and a personalized training plan tailored to the individual and their dog. Training is offered in both group and private sessions in the home and in public spaces. Keep an eye on this page for updates as we expand our services!
Consultation
60-90 Minutes
Virtual or in person
$150
The first step in the training process is a consultation. The consultation will last approximately 60-90 minutes and will entail discussion of the handler’s needs, education of the client and ensuring a service dog will be a good fit for them, and creating a detailed plan moving forward.If the client owns a dog that they believe may be a good candidate, we will perform a behavioral evaluation to determine if the dog has a suitable temperament to move forward with service dog training. If the client does not have a suitable dog, we will discuss options for acquiring a dog, and make a plan for assisting in finding the right one.If you are looking into acquiring a service dog prospect, it is highly recommended to complete a training consultation before purchasing a dog.
Private Training Sessions
30-60 Minutes
In home or in public
$50-$75 (Travel time may increase cost)
In person, private training sessions are personalized for the individual team. They may take place in the client’s home or in a public setting. These sessions will be the best time to improve handling skills and troubleshoot any issues that arise. In-home private sessions are great for working on home skills, tasks, and obedience. Public training sessions are integral to improving a team's public access skills.
Virtual Sessions
30-60 minutes
$35-$50
Virtual sessions are available via video call. Virtual sessions are excellent for review, discussion, planning and working on in-home obedience skills and tasks.This option is available as budget-friendly option to supplement in-person training sessions, but not replace them - we are currently not accepting virtual-only training clients.
Group Classes
Group classes are a great way to help your dog practice focusing with other dogs present. They are also a budget-friendly way to learn foundational behaviors, and they can help create a sense of community among handlers. Group outings will be offered in the near future.
Public Paws Levels 1, 2 & 3
6-week Course
$200
Next session starts June 27th, 2026!
Do you wish your dog could be well-mannered, confident and engaged while visiting pet-friendly public spaces? Are you looking to expand your dog training knowledge and learn new skills with your dog? Public Paws might be the class for you!Designed and taught by a service dog trainer, Public Paws is a class that caters to handlers of service dogs, therapy dogs and pet dogs that go out into public spaces. The class has a strong focus on building dog-handler engagement, focus, and strong foundational skills with the goal of helping dogs become appropriate and unobtrusive in public.Public Paws is a 6-week course taking place at the SPCA for Monterey County training center. Class takes place on Saturday afternoons at 1:30 for level 1 and 2:45 for levels 2/3.Prerequisites:
Teams should take at least one basic positive reinforcement training class with their dog before joining Public Paws Level 1. Dogs should be able to reliably perform basic cues such as sit and down. Dogs must not be reactive to other dogs in class and must not be aggressive to other dogs or people.NEW! Auditing spots now available for those interested in attending class who do not have a suitable dog for class. Great for anyone interested in learning about dog training including prospective future service dog handlers. Auditors attend class and receive all homework, and are provided a dog to practice with during class time.*This class does not take the place of a personalized service dog training program, and no dogs will be endorsed by Leia as service dogs from taking this class alone. If you are looking to train your dog as a service dog, please complete a consultation before signing up for class.
Public Paws & Beyond
Ongoing
drop-in basis
$25 per session
Public Paws & Beyond is a drop-in class for graduates of Public Paws Level 2. In this class, we will visit pet-friendly locations around the Monterey Bay Area to practice the skills learned in class while giving dogs exposure to a wide variety of environments.Clients will be placed on a contact list to be kept informed on upcoming class outings and can pick and choose which outings they would like to attend.Prerequisites:
Teams must graduate Public Paws Level 2 to join the contact list for Public Paws & Beyond.
Stay tuned for future classes!
CGC Testing
CGC, CGCA and CGCU tests are available upon request!The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) is a 10-item test that evaluates dogs and their handlers on skills that show the dog can be a good Canine Citizen! Dogs who pass the test are awarded with an AKC title and a ribbon. This test is open to purebred and mixed bred dogs registered with the AKC.We are also able to test for Trick Dog and Virtual Home Manners titles. Contact me for more information or to schedule your test!For more information on CGC, Trick Dog, Virtual Home Manners or AKC's mixed breed registration (Canine Partners) use the buttons below:
Contact
Please use the button below to inquire about upcoming group classes. To book a consultation, please complete the Consultation Request form below.If you have any other type of inquiry, you can use the contact form below or send an email! [email protected]
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Payment via Zelle can be sent to [email protected]