Welcome to The Duncan School, we're happy you are here! We're dog lovers, just like you, and know how adventurous life can be with one by your side. We also know that the better the dog is trained, the more fun it is!

We offer several options from puppy basics to advanced service dog task training. Our private lessons are designed to guide you and your dog to be a successful team. You'll learn new skills through baby steps to ensure clear communication is established, confidence is built and maintained, and the trust between you two is mutual all while having fun! The skills are reinforced by positivity and homework assignments. Classes are completed in person with a American Kennel Club Approved Evaluator, Temperament Test Judge, and Farm Dog Certified Judge. 

I'm Alisha Cline, founder and trainer at The Duncan School of Canine Excellence. Since 2018, I've specialized in training Service Dogs for tasks that include allergen detection/alerts, scent-based medical alerts, item retrieval, interruption of anxiety ticks, “time" reminders (such as medicine time, bedtime), and pressure therapy. Many of my private clients are children to civilian middle-aged adults. I also evaluate candidate dogs for their potential success in Service work, schedule ADA training on SD interactions for employers and their teams, and teach pet obedience classes.

 I currently sit on the Board of Directors for Backroads K9. It's a non-profit assisting Veterans and civilians and their owner-trained Service Dogs wanting professional help.

My personal experience with Service Dogs:

I am an owner/handler of my own Service Dogs. After being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis I found the Service Dog world and realized how much help one of them could help with my disability. Their help is not only mitigating the symptoms but has opened doors (oh look, a task pun! I like puns) that I didn't know I could open. I have one lab mix, Riley, who is now retired and living the couch potato, squirrel-chasing pet life. My actively working SD, Duncan, the namesake of the School, is my lifesaver. I've taught him to detect gluten, and glucose level alerts, assist me in household chores, find help if I need it in stores, and light mobility tasks. He does so much more; I could write a book about him!

Outside of training family pets and service dogs, I am in the process of learning Search and Rescue Tracking with our bloodhound puppy Newton. With the goal of eventually being a volunteer deployable team.