A Service Dog is a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. These tasks are directly related to the person’s disability, such as guiding individuals who are blind, alerting individuals who are deaf, or assisting during a seizure. Service Dogs are different from emotional support animals and have public access rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Here at Valor K9 Academy, we follow a three phase process for training Service Dogs from start to finish. This allows our training to be clear, concise, and easy to follow for everyday dog owners. Service Dog Training does not need to be complicated. Less is more!

I often get calls from dog owners who need a Service Dog. Either they have a dog who they want to train or they are looking to find and train a Service Dog for themselves or a loved one. These owners have questions such as, What is the Service Dog Training process? How long does it take? Where can I source my Service Dog? How much is the training?

I train Service Dogs for a living. Let me help break down the training process and provide some helpful tips to you!

 

Service Dog Training Phase 1: Foundation Training

The first phase of Service Dog Training is Foundation Training. This is where the puppy or dog learns basic skills and behaviors in dog training. Typically, these skills include Crate Training, Potty Training, Basic Obedience Commands, and Started Manners. With a puppy, because puppies are young and develop slowly, this typically takes places from two to six months of age. With older dogs, this training can be done in a much shorter period of time depending on the individual dog.

Foundation training is best done using positive reinforcement (rewards such as food and praise), structure (crate, tether, and place bed), and consistency.

 

Service Dog Training Phase 2: Obedience Training

The second phase of Service Dog Training is Obedience Training. This is where the dog learns basic on and off leash obedience and manners at home and in public. It builds off the dog’s previous Foundation Training and ensures that training is reliable in new environments and around distractions without the use of a tangible reward such as food. Obedience Training solidifies the dog’s knowledge and performance of basic commands such as Engagement, Sit-Stay, Down-Stay, Heel, Come, Place, Wait, Leave It, and No.

A training collar is added for on leash obedience as well as off leash obedience in most cases. Every dog is different though so some dogs do not need a training collar and do just fine on a flat collar or slip lead. Typically this training is done with dogs six months of age and older. Training collars, such as prong collars and e-collars, should never be used on young puppies less than six months of age.

 

Service Dog Training Phase 3: Public Access Training and Task Training

The third phase of Service Dog Training is Public Access Training (called PAT) and Task Training. Public Access Training fine-tunes the dog’s behavior in public, no-pets places and ensures the dog in-training is able to focus on the handler despite distractions and exhibit good manners to accompany the handler without causing disruptions. Task training for Service Dogs helps alleviate the disability of the person and can include tasks such as retrieving dropped items, opening/closing doors, turning lights on/off, deep pressure therapy (called DPT), pulling a wheelchair, and more. Most Service Dogs are trained to perform more than one task, and the tasks selected are individual to the handler. Whatever will help the handler the most is what the dog is trained to do.

Once PAT and Task Training are completed separately, they are merged together and practiced in public, no-pets places. This ensures the Service Dog is fully reliable and able to work regardless of circumstances or location.

 

General Costs and Timeline for Service Dogs

The general cost for a Service Dogs is between $2,000.00 and $20,000.00. This depends on the cost of the dog, veterinary expenses, training equipment, and the training itself. Here at Valor K9 Academy, we work with each of our clients on an individual basis to determine what type of training is best suited for their budget and goals. Training is pay-as-you-go and we do accept grants and state assistance if the individual is able to acquire them.

The estimated timeline for Service Dog Training is six to eighteen months depending on the age of the dog at the start of training, the training program/s selected, and the handler’s individual ability to assist with continued training on a day-to-day basis.

 

The Most Critical Aspect of Service Dog Training

The most critical aspect of Service Dog Training is dog selection. Approximately two percent of dogs are cut out for service work. For best results, we recommend working with a professional from day one to pick the right dog who is well-suited for the job at hand. The goal is to stack the deck in your favor with the right genetics and the right temperament.

Typically, our clients start with a puppy from health-tested parents who are bred specifically to produce service dogs and therapy dogs. In some cases, we are able to source rescue dogs who are a great fit for service work. Even so, not all dogs are able to make it to the finish line. Service Dog Training is demanding and requires the right combination of genetics and training.

 

Frequently Asked Questions [About Service Dogs]

What do you look for in a Service Dog?

  • The key traits we look for are confidence, pack drive, food drive, toy drive in some cases, and a biddable temperament.

What are your favorite breeds for general service work?

  • Typically, we see the best results with English Labs, English Goldens, German Shepherds, Standard Poodles, and some doodle mixes.

How old is too old to start Service Dog Training with a dog at home?

  • Any dog can be trained to be a Service Dog. The question is, how long will that dog be able to work before retiring? The best age to start is under two years of age. This ensures the dog’s best years are still ahead and health issues will likely not hinder any of the dog’s ability to work.

If a dog is aggressive, can it be trained to be a Service Dog?

  • Dogs cannot be aggressive and work as Service Dogs. They ought to be social/neutral meaning they are friendly but able to work without soliciting attention from the general public. If someone reaches out to pet the dog without permission, the dog should be okay with it and not show any aggressive behaviors.

Do you have any recommended breeders?

  • Yes, please reach out. We are happy to share our favorite breeders with you.

Can rescue dogs be Service Dogs?

  • Yes, of course! Every dog should be treated as an individual. Rescue dogs and mixed breed dogs can make great Service Dogs. Any dog up for consideration should be thoroughly temperament tested first by a professional to ensure it is qualified for the job at hand.

Do you offer discounts to veterans and first responders?

  • Yes! We offer a military and first responder discount on our virtual platform, Valor K9 Academy Online.

Do you offer virtual training for Service Dogs?

Contact Valor K9 Academy

For more information on Service Dog Training or for help with your Service Dog, you can reach us by phone at 208-577-0744, by email at info@valork9academy.com, or by completing a training application on our Contact page.

Founded in 2014, Valor K9 Academy specializes in Puppy Training, Family Dog Obedience, Behavioral Rehabilitation, and Service Dog Training. We offer Private Lessons, Small Group Classes, In-Home Boarding, and Board & Train programs for dogs of all ages, needs, and breeds. Call Today to Speak with a Trainer!

Happy Training!