Service Dog Training Near Cooley Station Gilbert 41216
Service pet dogs alter every day life in ways that are easy to undervalue. A trained dog can pull open a door, disrupt a panic spiral before it seals, or alert to a diabetic low while you sleep. For families near Cooley Station in Gilbert, the question generally starts simple: where do we get the right training, and how do we do this well without losing months on the incorrect path? The response depends upon your special needs, your dog's personality, and the realities of your neighborhood parks, retail corridors, and the AZ heat cycle. I train teams in the East Valley and see the exact same pattern consistently. Success is not about secret commands. It has to do with excellent choice, thoughtful proofing in the locations you actually go, and truthful assessment at each step.
What counts as a service dog in Arizona
Federal law under the Americans with Disabilities Act specifies a service dog as one separately trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with an impairment. Arizona lines up with that standard. Emotional assistance animals and therapy canines do not have public access rights. That distinction matters when you start choosing a program near Cooley Station. If your goal is public gain access to for task-based assistance, your program must map to ADA task training and strenuous public behavior standards. If you want convenience at home, you might just require a various path.
There is no state license or computer registry that magically confers status. Vests, ID cards, and laminated tags sold online do not approve rights. What holds up in a grocery aisle on Germann or an outdoor patio on Pecos is behavior, task work connected to a disability, and a handler who can handle the dog calmly around strollers, going shopping carts, and crinkly chip bags.
Choosing the right dog in the East Valley
I fulfill numerous households who try to retrofit a beloved animal into service work. In some cases it works. Typically it does not, and the honest answer conserves heartache. A practical service prospect reveals curiosity without frenzied energy, recovers quickly from surprises, and has a food or toy drive strong enough to cut through interruptions at SanTan Village. Age alone does not figure out prospects. I have actually placed promising eight-month-old teenagers and turned down wobbly three-year-olds who shut down in hectic spaces.
Breeds that often prosper include Labradors, golden retrievers, poodles, and blends that inherit stability and biddability. That stated, I have actually seen heelers and shepherds thrive with constant outlets and skilled handlers. Heat tolerance matters here. A black-coated huge breed with a heavy jowl may struggle through a late May parking area. If your routine involves walking from Cooley Station to nearby shops, think about coat, skin health in dry air, and paw pads on 140-degree asphalt.
If you are going back to square one, expect a multi-step process:
- Temperament testing that includes startle recovery, food inspiration, sound sensitivity, and handler focus in an unique environment.
- A veterinary screen for hips, elbows when shown, cardiac and thyroid where breed risk suggests it, and a parasite protocol that holds up in Arizona.
- A 2 to 4 week acclimation period in the house to expect red flags like resource guarding, singing reactivity through windows, or persistent GI issues under training stress.
The training arc from Cooley Station walkways to full public access
Good training follows a spine: structure obedience, task acquisition, proofing under interruption, and public access standards. The difference in between a dog that heels in your living room and a dog that stays focused while a skateboard rattles by is the work you do in structured, regional environments. Near Cooley Station, that indicates building patterns in places you already frequent.
Start with foundation behaviors in low-distraction spaces. Loose leash walking, sit, down, place, and a rock-solid recall are table stakes. I want to see a 30 second down-stay beside a cooking area island before I take a dog to a shop aisle. I likewise teach a neutral reaction to food on the ground due to the fact that a dog who hoovers spilled popcorn in a theater is a threat. Targeting to hand or a tab is useful for movement groups who need precise positioning.
Task work runs on top of that scaffold. If you need deep pressure therapy for anxiety episodes, we teach a chin rest and a sustained pressure hint that generalizes from the sofa to a bench outside a cafe. For diabetes alert, we condition notifies to scent samples, then bridge to psychiatric dog training near me live lows and highs. For migraine alert, we generally start with fragrance or premonitory habits acknowledgment, and I set expectations carefully. Some notifies come from well-structured scent pairing. Others emerge from a dog's pattern reading and require reinforcement to solidify.
Proofing is slow, intentional, and local. I like to step groups through a sequence that matches East Valley truths:
- Neighborhood proofing: night walks around Cooley Station, kids on scooters, garage doors opening, occasional fireworks around holidays.
- Retail proofing: quiet weekday mornings at larger stores with broad aisles, then busier hours where carts and staff restocking develop noise and movement.
- Dining environments: outdoor patio seating with chips and salsa on the ground, servers stepping between tables, birds opportunistically enjoying. We practice settling under a chair without creeping.
- Medical settings: practice in a compatible clinic lobby or training facility set to that requirement. The sensations are specific, from flooring cleaners to beeping devices. If your jobs consist of cardiac or seizure reaction, we prepare simulations safely with your clinician's input where appropriate.
- Transportation: rideshare entries, parking lot etiquette in heat, and short journeys on Valley City bus paths if that will become part of your life.
By the time a group is prepared for full access, I expect consistent neutral behavior to pet dogs, individuals, dropped food, and sudden sound. I likewise wish to see the handler step into the function. The most trustworthy service canines work for handlers who give clear, calm info, supporter when needed, and quietly eliminate themselves if the dog is having an off day.
The Gilbert heat issue and practical workarounds
Summer training in Gilbert isn't just uneasy, it is a safety issue. Asphalt in June and July can go beyond 140 degrees by late morning, hot enough to burn pads in seconds. Plan outdoor sessions at dawn and after dark, and feel the ground with your bare hand for 5 seconds. If it injures, it is off limitations. I time restroom breaks appropriately and stash water in the vehicle. Inside shops, hot paws can still pulsate. If your dog flops repeatedly inside after a short walk from the lot, pads might already be irritated.
Poisoning and pest issues rise with the heat too. This part of the Valley sees scorpions, foxtails in spring, and occasional palm fruit particles near landscaped residential or commercial properties. Keep nails short, pads conditioned with light balms that don't develop slickness, and bring a little first aid set. I teach a leave-it hint that is instant, not negotiable, due to the fact that a swallowed palm nut or chicken bone in a car park can thwart your month.
Owner-training versus program placement
You have two main routes: owner-train with professional assistance or acquire a dog through a complete program. Both can work in Gilbert. Owner-training puts you in every repeating, which constructs durability in novel situations. It also puts the burden of choice, medical screening, and day-to-day consistency on your shoulders. A solid owner-train timeline runs 12 to 24 months, with the first 3 to 6 months heavy on foundation work.
Program pet dogs show up even more along, typically with jobs and public manners in location. The compromise is waitlists and cost, and the match still matters. I have actually seen excellent program pets struggle due to the fact that the home environment did not fit their energy and expectations. If you go the program path, ask to observe training, see video in diverse locations, and speak directly with positioned customers in climates comparable to ours. Heat tolerance again is not a little detail here.

In the East Valley, hybrid techniques are common. A local trainer assists with selection and early socializing, you handle daily reps, and you utilize structured group sessions to grow proofing under distraction.
Expected timeline and expenses near Cooley Station
Timelines are a range, not a clock. Even with an appealing young person dog, getting to reputable public gain access to usually takes 9 to 18 months. Medical alert jobs add time due to the fact that you require enough genuine occasions to enhance after preliminary scent conditioning. Mobility jobs that involve counterbalance and product retrieval need both strength and careful type to safeguard the dog's body.
Costs vary by company. For owner-trainers utilizing private sessions and periodic group classes, plan for a couple of thousand dollars throughout the project. Add veterinary screenings, equipment like correctly fitted harnesses, and take a trip time. Complete program positionings can vary into the tens of thousands. Some nonprofits balance out costs with fundraising or sponsorship. Scholarships exist, however they are competitive and typically come with long waits.
I motivate clients to spending plan for maintenance after positioning. Skills decay without practice. Set aside time and resources for quarterly tune-ups, refresher public gain access to checks, and continuous healthcare. Gilbert's growth means brand-new traffic patterns and building and construction noise. Keep proofing.
Public habits standards you need to anticipate to meet
There is no single federal test, however the Support Dogs International Public Gain Access To Test is a solid standard. I utilize criteria that mirror it, adjusted to Arizona truths. The dog remains calm near shopping carts, opens automatic entrances without spooking, ignores food on the ground, and recovers quickly from abrupt sound. The handler demonstrates control without jerking or raised voices. The dog removes only on hint and just in appropriate areas.
I'm a fan of transparent requirements. If your trainer does not supply a written set of public gain access to habits and job criteria, ask for it. You must understand what service dog trainers available near me "ready" looks like in quantifiable terms: period of settles, range from diversions, percentage of successful repeatings across environments. For example, I think about a team prepared for grocery store work when the dog can hold a three-minute down-stay at the end of an aisle while carts pass, keep a loose leash heel through produce where staff members mist vegetables, and perform at least one job on cue within 10 seconds under moderate distraction.
Task training specifics that often come up
Diabetic alert in the East Valley brings a couple of regional wrinkles. Cooling and dry air modification aroma behavior. We train with scent samples kept appropriately and rotated to avoid inscribing on the wrong provider. Then we move rapidly to live confirmation with a CGM or finger stick because gadgets do wander. A sensible alert rate starts low and climbs with support. False signals are typical early on. We tighten requirements by reinforcing when the number validates, neglecting when it does not, and tracking context carefully.
For PTSD or panic-related work, two jobs tend to assist most teams: deep pressure treatment and disrupt cues before escalation. Lots of handlers report that congested outdoor patios or big box stores trigger early symptoms. We teach the dog to identify physiological tells like hand wringing or increased pacing. The dog nudges or paws gently, then follows with continual contact if the handler cues it. Pair that with tactical positioning. A dog put in between you and oncoming foot traffic while you check out can lower perceived hazard and give you the minute you need to breathe.
Mobility jobs need caution. Counterbalance is not weight bearing. We use devices that disperses pressure across the dog's shoulders and back, never motivating the dog to brace against heavy loads or climb up stairs while bracing. I teach item retrieval with a soft mouth, beginning with fabric items before relocating to keys and phones. Dropped items on rough parking area pavement can get heat and taste odd. Pet dogs require to obtain and hold calmly without chewing to eliminate stress.
Where to train near Cooley Station
You can do an unexpected quantity within a mile or two of home. Peaceful residential walkways are exceptional for early loose-leash operate in the night. Community greenbelts deal with supervised social exposure. Usage shaded benches for early settle training. For distraction scaling, pick large aisles and flexible staff. If your dog is not all set for close quarters, avoid narrow boutiques. Big areas let you pull away and reset without bumping into other shoppers.
I specify about timings. Go early on weekdays for your very first retail sessions. Avoid Saturday midday crowds till the dog corresponds. Keep sessions short. Ten to fifteen minutes, one strong rep of a job under moderate interruption, then leave on a win. Stacking long sessions results in sloppy habits and frustration.
Noise desensitization requires preparation. Construction websites pop up frequently around establishing locations. You do not require to stroll through them, but working within earshot for a couple of minutes assists the dog find out that intermittent bangs and beeps anticipate nothing. Set noise with easy known habits. If the dog stuns, go back to range where focus returns in under 5 seconds. If it takes longer, you are too close.
Equipment that holds up in our climate
Handlers inquire about vests, harnesses, and boots. Vests are optional legally, but a clear label lowers friction for everybody. Select breathable mesh for summertime and guarantee ID details is stitched or clipped safely. Heat-trapping materials are a problem. Mobility teams need structured harnesses with a deal with, fitted by someone who understands shoulder anatomy. Avoid any style that limits forelimb extension.
Boots are situational. For quick transits throughout hot surfaces, boots avoid pad burns, but many dogs dislike them at first. Condition gradually. Teach a stand, touch the paw, benefit, then slip on one boot for a couple of seconds and eliminate. Repeat till motion looks natural. Oftentimes, you can time trips to prevent boots completely. Paw balms assist conditioning but are not heat shields.
Leashes ought to be simple and strong. A four or six foot leather or biothane leash with a solid clip suffices. Flexi leashes have no place in public access training. Slip leads are tools for particular trainers and need to not be your default in public. If you use head collars or prongs under expert assistance, comprehend that they are not shortcuts. Excellent handling and support history matter more than hardware.
What gain access to looks like when it goes right
A normal weekday for a refined group in Gilbert might appear like this. Early morning restroom break in a peaceful typical area, simple engagement work, then breakfast delivered through training to hone reaction speed. Mid-morning errand to a hardware shop or market for 5 to ten minutes. The dog settles while you compare products, performs one task on hint, and neglects a kid pointing and whispering. You leave calmly and reward outside the door. Afternoon downtime in air conditioning. Evening walk after sundown, a brief obedience refresh in a greenbelt, and a single scenario drill like simulated panic disturbance while resting on a bench.
Notice the lack of long training marathons. Consistency beats strength. The dog discovers that public outings are foreseeable, purposeful, and brief. You build a bank of effective reps. On off days, you adjust. If your dog gets to a store already over-stimulated, you turn around and operate in the car park rather. Smart handlers protect their progress.
Dealing with the general public, efficiently and with minimal friction
Curiosity is inevitable. A lot of East Valley homeowners are friendly, and many do not understand the distinction in between a service dog and a therapy dog. Keep an easy script ready: He is working, thank you for understanding. If somebody asks to pet and your dog is in an excellent place, you choose. Lots of handlers select to decline because reinforcing neutral complete stranger habits is easier than toggling gain access to. If a staff member concerns your gain access to, the law enables two concerns: Is the dog needed because of an impairment, and what work or task has the dog been trained to perform? You do not need to describe your impairment. A calm, brief response is often the fastest path forward.
Plan for the unanticipated. Off-leash pets appear more than they should. A firm support your dog, a give out, and a clear "No" to the approaching dog buys time. You can also bring a little barrier spray like a citronella device, legal and safe for both pets, used only if required. I practice a tuck behind my legs hint for clients whose pet dogs might need protection in tight spaces.
Red flags that inform you to pause or pivot
Not every bump is a failure. That said, particular patterns need definitive action. Repetitive hostility towards individuals, even if it looks like bark-lunge at distance, is a significant issue for public work. Lingering worry that does not improve with careful exposure is another. If your dog's GI system collapses under training tension for more than a week or 2, consider health aspects before pushing. And if you discover yourself dreading trips, not since of anxiety however since managing the dog feels like a fight whenever, step back and reassess. A good trainer will inform you when to pivot. Often the most caring choice is retiring a candidate to pet life and starting again with a much better fit.
Working with a local trainer effectively
The best results originate from clear goals, consistent research, and truthful feedback. Show up with a list of tasks tied to your needs. Bring data. If you are training for medical alert, track episodes, times, and the dog's habits. If you are working on public access, note where things break down. Video short clips of your sessions so your trainer can find patterns you miss.
Ask for transparency on approaches. Favorable reinforcement does the heavy lifting. Well-timed effects for genuinely unsafe behavior have their place, but the day-to-day is about rewarding the behaviors you want and establishing the environment so those behaviors are easy. In our environment, that means thoughtful timing, wise area choices, and not flooding the dog in busy places too soon.
Before dedicating to a bundle, request a shadow session or observe a class in a public venue. View how the trainer handles dogs that get over limit. Look for quiet resets, not screaming matches. Notice how they coach handlers. A trainer who can teach you to read your dog's tension signals will save you months.
Measuring progress without guesswork
I like numbers since they cut through feelings. You do not require a spreadsheet, just easy metrics duplicated weekly:
- Duration: the length of time can your dog hold a down-stay in a brand-new location before breaking, without continuous spoken reminders.
- Distance: how close can your dog work next to a recognized diversion like another dog or a food spill while remaining in heel.
- Latency: how fast your dog carries out an experienced job when cued under moderate interruption, determined in seconds.
- Recovery: how quickly your dog refocuses after a startle, in seconds to a calm sit or eye contact.
Track three to five reps and make a note of the mean. If duration stalls or latency climbs up for two weeks, alter one variable at a time. Lower diversion, shorten sessions, or increase support. In Gilbert summers, tiredness is a frequent covert variable. Keep water on hand and watch panting, tongue shape, and sloppy sits as early indications of heat load.
Realistic success stories and lessons from the field
A client near Williams Field and Recker adopted a young golden combine with strong food drive however a practice of scanning other pet dogs. She needed panic disruption and deep pressure treatment, plus stable public habits for grocery runs. We spent the first month building a settle on a mat and a tidy tuck under chairs, never leaving the living room. Her very first public session was 5 minutes in a quiet home goods shop at 8:30 a.m., one aisle, one job hint, exit. She logged every associate and watched latency drop from eight seconds to three. At week ten, a skateboard clattered behind them near a park. The dog stunned, went back, and then offered a sit within 3 seconds. That healing time informed us they were prepared to include more challenging venues.
Another handler in Morrison Ranch worked a basic poodle for migraine alert. We started with scent samples from episodes gathered under her neurologist's assistance, then developed an experienced alert habits, a company nudge to her thigh. Early sessions produced false signals around mealtimes. Instead of penalizing, we tightened up requirements, strengthened just with verified onsets, and added a peaceful "check" hint to reset. Within three months, alert accuracy improved, and she prevented 2 migraines by taking medication earlier. The dog also learned to lie calmly under a chair during a two-hour work conference at a co-working space, an ability that seems simple till you need it for real.
Not every story is tidy. A shepherd cross with remarkable obedience stopped working public access after months due to the fact that of consistent vocalizing in tight spaces. The handler and I consented to retire him to pet status and selected a Labrador prospect with a softer default. That very first choice taught us about the home's noise environment and the handler's energy. The 2nd dog took to the jobs rapidly and reminded us that temperament is not negotiable.
Final assistance for Cooley Station teams
You can develop a reputable service dog team here with preparation, perseverance, and a practical eye. Pick a dog for stability initially. Train in the locations you live your life, at times that respect the heat. Keep sessions short, metrics honest, and stakes real. Find a trainer who listens and teaches you to read your dog, not one who flexes lingo. Advocate pleasantly with organizations, carry water, and know that a quiet exit on a rough day preserves long-lasting success.
Most of all, keep in mind that the goal is not a best heel in a staged video. It is a dog that provides you back pieces of your day. The walk to a cafe without a spiral. The confidence to grocery shop at 5 p.m. The consistent pressure on your lap that turns a rise into a breath, and a breath into a plan. If you build toward those minutes, with the terrain and the climate of Gilbert in mind, the rest falls under place.
Robinson Dog Training is a veteran-founded service dog training company
Robinson Dog Training is located in Mesa Arizona
Robinson Dog Training is based in the United States
Robinson Dog Training provides structured service dog training programs for Arizona handlers
Robinson Dog Training specializes in balanced, real-world service dog training for Arizona families
Robinson Dog Training develops task-trained service dogs for mobility, psychiatric, autism, PTSD, and medical alert support
Robinson Dog Training focuses on public access training for service dogs in real-world Arizona environments
Robinson Dog Training helps evaluate and prepare dogs as suitable service dog candidates
Robinson Dog Training offers service dog board and train programs for intensive task and public access work
Robinson Dog Training provides owner-coaching so handlers can maintain and advance their service dog’s training at home
Robinson Dog Training was founded by USAF K-9 handler Louis W. Robinson
Robinson Dog Training has been trusted by Phoenix-area service dog teams since 2007
Robinson Dog Training serves Mesa, Phoenix, Gilbert, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, Maricopa, and the greater Phoenix Valley
Robinson Dog Training emphasizes structure, fairness, and clear communication between handlers and their service dogs
Robinson Dog Training is veteran-owned
Robinson Dog Training operates primarily by appointment for dedicated service dog training clients
Robinson Dog Training has an address at 10318 E Corbin Ave, Mesa, AZ 85212 United States
Robinson Dog Training has phone number (602) 400-2799
Robinson Dog Training has website https://www.robinsondogtraining.com/
Robinson Dog Training has dedicated service dog training information at https://robinsondogtraining.com/service-dog-training/
Robinson Dog Training has Google Maps listing https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJw_QudUqrK4cRToy6Jw9NqlQ
Robinson Dog Training has Google Local Services listing https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=/g/1pp2tky9f
Robinson Dog Training has Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/robinsondogtraining/
Robinson Dog Training has Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/robinsondogtraining/
Robinson Dog Training has Twitter profile https://x.com/robinsondogtrng
Robinson Dog Training has YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@robinsondogtrainingaz
Robinson Dog Training has logo URL Logo Image
Robinson Dog Training offers services related to service dog candidate evaluations
Robinson Dog Training offers services related to task training for service dogs
Robinson Dog Training offers services related to public access training for service dogs
Robinson Dog Training offers services related to service dog board and train programs in Mesa AZ
Robinson Dog Training offers services related to handler coaching for owner-trained service dogs
Robinson Dog Training offers services related to ongoing tune-up training for working service dogs
Robinson Dog Training was recognized as a LocalBest Pet Training winner in 2018 for its training services
Robinson Dog Training has been described as an award-winning, veterinarian-recommended service dog training program
Robinson Dog Training focuses on helping service dog handlers become better, more confident partners for their dogs
Robinson Dog Training welcomes suitable service dog candidates of various breeds, ages, and temperaments
People Also Ask About Robinson Dog Training
What is Robinson Dog Training?
Robinson Dog Training is a veteran-owned service dog training company in Mesa, Arizona that specializes in developing reliable, task-trained service dogs for mobility, psychiatric, autism, PTSD, and medical alert support. Programs emphasize real-world service dog training, clear handler communication, and public access skills that work in everyday Arizona environments.
Where is Robinson Dog Training located?
Robinson Dog Training is located at 10318 E Corbin Ave, Mesa, AZ 85212, United States. From this East Valley base, the company works with service dog handlers throughout Mesa and the greater Phoenix area through a combination of in-person service dog lessons and focused service dog board and train options.
What services does Robinson Dog Training offer for service dogs?
Robinson Dog Training offers service dog candidate evaluations, foundational obedience for future service dogs, specialized task training, public access training, and service dog board and train programs. The team works with handlers seeking dependable service dogs for mobility assistance, psychiatric support, autism support, PTSD support, and medical alert work.
Does Robinson Dog Training provide service dog training?
Yes, Robinson Dog Training provides structured service dog training programs designed to produce steady, task-trained dogs that can work confidently in public. Training includes obedience, task work, real-world public access practice, and handler coaching so service dog teams can perform safely and effectively across Arizona.
Who founded Robinson Dog Training?
Robinson Dog Training was founded by Louis W. Robinson, a former United States Air Force Law Enforcement K-9 Handler. His working-dog background informs the company’s approach to service dog training, emphasizing discipline, fairness, clarity, and dependable real-world performance for Arizona service dog teams.
What areas does Robinson Dog Training serve for service dog training?
From its location in Mesa, Robinson Dog Training serves service dog handlers across the East Valley and greater Phoenix metro, including Mesa, Phoenix, Gilbert, Chandler, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, Maricopa, and surrounding communities seeking professional service dog training support.
Is Robinson Dog Training veteran-owned?
Yes, Robinson Dog Training is veteran-owned and founded by a former military K-9 handler. Many Arizona service dog handlers appreciate the structured, mission-focused mindset and clear training system applied specifically to service dog development.
Does Robinson Dog Training offer board and train programs for service dogs?
Robinson Dog Training offers 1–3 week service dog board and train programs near Mesa Gateway Airport. During these programs, service dog candidates receive daily task and public access training, then handlers are thoroughly coached on how to maintain and advance the dog’s service dog skills at home.
How can I contact Robinson Dog Training about service dog training?
You can contact Robinson Dog Training by phone at (602) 400-2799, visit their main website at https://www.robinsondogtraining.com/, or go directly to their dedicated service dog training page at https://robinsondogtraining.com/service-dog-training/. You can also connect on social media via Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube.
What makes Robinson Dog Training different from other Arizona service dog trainers?
Robinson Dog Training stands out for its veteran K-9 handler leadership, focus on service dog task and public access work, and commitment to training in real-world Arizona environments. The company combines professional working-dog experience, individualized service dog training plans, and strong handler coaching, making it a trusted choice for service dog training in Mesa and the greater Phoenix area.
At Robinson Dog Training we offer structured service dog training and handler coaching just a short drive from Mesa Arts Center, giving East Valley handlers an accessible place to start their service dog journey.
Business Name: Robinson Dog Training
Address: 10318 E Corbin Ave, Mesa, AZ 85212, United States
Phone: (602) 400-2799
Robinson Dog Training
Robinson Dog Training is a veteran K-9 handler–founded dog training company based in Mesa, Arizona, serving dogs and owners across the greater Phoenix Valley. The team provides balanced, real-world training through in-home obedience lessons, board & train programs, and advanced work in protection, service, and therapy dog development. They also offer specialized aggression and reactivity rehabilitation plus snake and toad avoidance training tailored to Arizona’s desert environment.
View on Google Maps View on Google Maps- Open 24 hours, 7 days a week