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If you have a mental or physical disability, a service dog can help you better navigate and participate in the world around you. A professionally trained service dog is typically the best way to go, but it isn't a requirement! You can absolutely train a dog to be your service dog as long as you have the time and patience for it. Here, we've gathered some of your most common questions about how to train your service dog on your own without a professional trainer.
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QuestionWho trains service dogs?Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.This depends on the nature of the disability the dog is being trained to support. For example, people with sight issues should contact the Guide Dogs for the Blind organization, who run programs to spot talented puppies with the potential to be service dogs. Other organizations linked to specific disabilities can put you in touch with trainers registered with the specific skills to train a support dog. Alternatively, professional bodies such as the Association of Pet Dog Trainers provide links to useful resources that may be of help.
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QuestionHow do I train my dog to go get help if I fall down outside?Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.Break the task down into small elements and train the dog to do one part, then once he has firmly grasped that move onto the next element. For example, decide on the sequence of events which in this case might be: You fall down, the dog barks to draw attention. First, teach the dog to bark on demand. Then teach the dog to bark with you fall.
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QuestionCan a dog be trained as a service animal to go into nursing facilities? I work as a traveling consultant in different nursing facilities.This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerNo, a service dog is trained to assist a specific individual by performing tasks related to their specific disability. The type of dog you're talking about would most likely be considered a therapy dog. While many nursing facilities allow therapy dogs, there's no legal requirement that they do so.
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Tips
- Any breed of dog can be a service dog, including breeds that are "banned" in certain cities and other areas. For example, if you have a Pit Bull service dog and move to an apartment complex that bans Pit Bulls, your service dog would be an exception to the ban. [18] X Research sourceThanks
- Since neither registration nor certification isn't required under the ADA, business owners don't have the right to ask you for proof of either. If you have access issues, call the non-emergency number for your local police. [19] X Research sourceThanks
- Visit the website of the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners at https://www.iaadp.org/ for extensive resources on training service dogs, including information about disability law in various countries.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Although service animals are not required to wear a vest, you may find that it's very useful to have one. It serves as a visual cue to other people in public places, most of whom know that they should not approach a working service animal. You can also use the vest pockets to store copies of state and ADA laws, emergency meds and medical supplies, and a collapsible water dish.
- You are NEVER required to tell anyone what your specific diagnosis is! That is your confidential medical information. If you are approached by a store employee or business owner (or police officer), you are only required to state that your dog is a service animal to assist you due to a medical need, & (in general terms) what the dog does to assist you.
- There are a lot of great dog training videos on YouTube. I don't like public places with too many people, so training classes are stressful. I have been training my Great Dane pup using YouTube videos and she is doing great.
- Always give your dog exercise. If you're unable to exercise your dog yourself, contact a reputable dog walker.
- Remember that every breed can become a service dog, but not every dog can become one!
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Warnings
- This article is based on US disability laws about service animals. The law in other countries might differ. Talk to a local lawyer who specializes in disability law for more information.Thanks
- Emotional support animals provide comfort but are not trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a disability. As such, they do not qualify as service dogs and aren't guaranteed access to public places under the law. [20] X Trustworthy Source American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to sourceThanks
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References
- ↑ https://waservicedog.org/resources/beginners-guide-to-service-dogs/
- ↑ https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html
- ↑ https://anythingpawsable.com/first-five-skills-service-dog-in-training/
- ↑ https://www.newmobility.com/2006/12/training-your-own-service-dog/
- ↑ https://www.newmobility.com/2006/12/training-your-own-service-dog/
- ↑ https://anythingpawsable.com/first-five-skills-service-dog-in-training/
- ↑ https://adata.org/service-animal-resource-hub/misconceptions
- ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/service-dog-training-101/
- ↑ https://waservicedog.org/resources/beginners-guide-to-service-dogs/
- ↑ https://waservicedog.org/resources/beginners-guide-to-service-dogs/
- ↑ https://www.newmobility.com/2006/12/training-your-own-service-dog/
- ↑ https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2019.00334/full#
- ↑ https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html
- ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/service-dog-training-101/
- ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/service-dog-training-101/
- ↑ https://www.ada.gov/ada_intro.htm
- ↑ https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html
- ↑ https://adata.org/service-animal-resource-hub/misconceptions
- ↑ https://adata.org/service-animal-resource-hub/misconceptions
- ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/service-dog-training-101/
About This Article
Article Summary
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While it's not possible to fully train your service dog without a professional trainer, you can train it to perform certain tasks like picking up your keys or alerting you to the phone ringing. For example, start by placing your keys on the floor where your dog can clearly see them. When it approaches the keys, say “keys” and give your dog a treat. Once your dog associates the keys with you saying the word, teach it to hold the keys by using the cue word "Hold" and rewarding your dog when it holds the keys in its mouth. To learn how to have your dog certified as a service dog, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I am disabled with balance issues going on four years now. Just learned about balance dogs, and hate the idea of waiting two years for a trained dog. I barely leave my house now for fear of losing my balance and falling, so was thinking maybe my boys and I could train a dog. We have trained dogs to sit, stay, shake, etc. After reading this and watching the video, I think we could do this. Thanks for all the information in it." ..." more
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"I am disabled with balance issues going on four years now. Just learned about balance dogs, and hate the idea of waiting two years for a trained dog. I barely leave my house now for fear of losing my balance and falling, so was thinking maybe my boys and I could train a dog. We have trained dogs to sit, stay, shake, etc. After reading this and watching the video, I think we could do this. Thanks for all the information in it."
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"It was all very helpful, especially the clicker/treat. I am using treats on this 16 week old pup. He loves to please and is very loving and responsive. I'm training him for my physically disabled sister. He's a quick learner and knows his commands. Thanks."
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"I just lost my Boxer service dog to cancer in his spine after 10 great, fantastic years of his being a fabulous service dog. He saved my life a handful of times from asthma and non-epileptic seizures brought on by PTSD and anxiety disorder! Thank you."
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"I have an Aussidore who is the son of my AKC Yellow Lab, Bruno. Bruno can open doors, get things out of the refrigerator, find hidden items, etc. Knowing when to start training Boomer (the Aussiedore) and how to keep his attention on me was great."
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"Good to know that I can train my own service dog, to ask professionals about certification, that there are no "tests" a service dog must pass. I've already checked with my county's service dog laws/requirements. I already have my doctor's letter."
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