How to Train Your Dog to be a Service Dog (Easily)

Dogs have been our oldest and the most loyal companions. This thousands-year-old companionship is proof that all dogs serve us in some way — guarding homes and livestock, providing companionship and love. However, service dogs take this dynamic to a whole different level, aiding people with disabilities and life-threatening conditions in navigating their lives. This may lead you to wonder how to train your dog to be a service dog.

This could be for different reasons. Perhaps you’re in need of a service dog, but the long waitlists and exorbitant costs are getting in the way. Or maybe you feel that your kind, intelligent, furry companion could do some good by helping a person in need. Now, this leads to the question, how do you go about it?

Making a dog a service dog is a huge undertaking. To be able to fulfill it successfully, you need clarity not just on the nuances of service dog training but also on technicalities like service dog certification, eligibility, requirements, and so on. This exhaustive guide on what it takes to train your dog to be a service dog addresses all the relevant questions, concerns, dilemmas, and doubts you may have about going through with this process. Let’s dive right into this service dog training manual. 

What is a Service Dog?

The simple answer is, a service dog is a dog that aids people with disabilities. That’s precisely how the Americans with Disabilities Act defines it: any dog “individually trained to work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability”. The National Service Animal Registry outlines a full list of disabilities that make a person eligible for a service dog. These include, but are not limited to blindness, hearing loss, diabetes, autism, and diabetes.

Such dogs are trained to meet the specific needs of their human companion, such as

• Opening doors and drawers
• Carrying objects
• Retrieving objects
• Pulling wheelchairs
• Alerting to seizures
• Guiding the visually impaired
• Alerting individuals with hearing disabilities
• Giving medication reminders

The specific nature and the degree of training is what differentiates a service dog from emotional support dogs as well as other working dogs. The very same factors are what make service dogs expensive and hard to come by. This is why many people explore how to train a dog to be a service dog.  

Types of service dogs

To be able to train your dog to be a service dog, you need to understand the different types of specialized training in this category and then ascertain which one aligns the best with your needs. Only then will you be able to zero in on the right service dog training regimen. Here are the most common types of service dogs:

1. Hearing dogs

As the name suggests, these dogs are trained to help individuals who are deaf or suffer from partial hearing loss. They alert their companions to important sounds, be it the phone ring, an oven timer, or smoke alarms.

2. Guide dogs

Guide dogs are among the most well-recognized service dogs. They help their hearing- or visually-impaired owners/companions navigate everyday tasks, especially traveling from one place to another.

3. Mobility assistance dogs

Mobility assistance dogs work with wheelchair-dependent individuals or those with other mobility issues. They pull wheelchairs, open and close doors, fetch objects, and can even turn lights on and off.

4. Autism service dogs

As the name suggests, they are trained to help children as well as adults with autism navigate everyday lives and help them perform a variety of tasks.

5. Diabetic alert dogs

A sudden rise or drop in blood glucose levels—hypoglycemia, in particular—can prove to be fatal in people with diabetes. These service dogs are trained to alert their owners of any such fluctuations (yes, they can smell it).  

6. Seizure response dogs

These service dogs assist people with seizure disorders like epilepsy. They are trained to retrieve medication, get a phone, activate emergency alarms, and even physically remove their owners from situations that could trigger a seizure.

7. PTSD service dogs

These dogs assist people with PTSD or anxiety disorder by helping them stay calm in triggering situations as well as providing comfort in case of a panic attack, retrieving medicines, or getting help.

How are service dogs different from emotional support or therapy dogs?

Before you embark on the journey to train your dog to be a service dog, it’s important to understand the difference between service dogs, therapy dogs, and emotional support dogs — because they’re often mistaken to be synonymous. However, they each serve a distinct purpose,  and are trained accordingly

Service dogs	Emotional support dogs	Therapy dogs
Trained to perform specific tasks	Provide owners with comfort and emotional support	Help with social interactions, mood regulation as well as physical well-being
Considered essential to a person’s ability to navigate everyday life	Help improve a person’s quality of life	Considered vital to self-esteem and motivation of the people they serve
Have rights to access most public spaces such as hospitals, public transport, airplanes	Have fewer access rights in public spaces. For examples, emotional support dogs may not be allowed on airplanes	Have fewer rights in public settings and may be given limited access to public spaces

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Eligibility for a Service Dog

The Americans with Disabilities Act enables people with physical disabilities to keep service dogs to assist them navigate the challenges of everyday life. The Act defines physical disability as, “Any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological, musculoskeletal, special sense organs, respiratory (including speech organs), cardiovascular, reproductive, digestive, genitourinary, hemic and lymphatic, skin, and endocrine.”

Physical disabilities that make an individual eligible for a service dog include, but aren’t limited to:

• Allergies
• Asthma
• Arthritis
• Autism
• Blindness (partial and complete)
• Deafness (partial and complete)
• Epilepsy
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Osteoporosis
• Paralysis
• Scoliosis
• Seizures

In addition to physical disabilities, eligibility for a service dog also includes people with certain mental disabilities. These include, but aren’t limited to:

• Anxiety
• Bipolar Disorder
• Depression
• Eating disorders
• Mood disorders
• Neurocognitive disorders
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Psychotic disorders
• Substance Abuse disorders

Best Breeds for Service Dogs

When it comes to service dogs, the most popular choices often are German Shepherd Dogs, Labrador Retrievers, and Golden Retrievers. No doubt, these are among the best breeds for service dogs. However, they’re not the only ones suited for this job. Many other intelligent, sociable, and highly trainable dogs can fit into their role perfectly. Let’s take a look at the best breeds for service dogs — some of these may surprise you:

• Labrador Retriever: Friendly, easy-going, sociable, highly intelligent, eager to please, and at the same time, hardy and athletic, they can easily be trained to be attentive to their owner’s needs and keep up with them as they go about their day
• Golden Retriever: The Golden’s sociable nature and easy-going temperament, intelligence, and eagerness make them easy to train to perform specific tasks
• German Shepherd Dog: The first guide dogs back in 1920 were German Shepherds, and they continue to be a popular choice for service dogs. And it’s not hard to see why. They’re alert, intelligent, extremely loyal, and fearless, extremely loyal, and can learn a wide range of tasks with ease
• Poodle: This intelligent, highly sociable, and trainable breed has a knack for detecting allergens, making them a great fit as service dogs for people with deadly allergies. Besides, they have less dander and are considered to be the most hypoallergenic dogs. Standard Poodles also serve well as mobility dogs
• Bernese Mountain Dog: These adorable giants, known for their laid-back demeanor and intelligence, make for great mobility service dogs. They can also be trained to fetch and carry items. In addition to this, their tendency to be aloof with strangers keeps them from getting distracted from the tasks they’re trained for
• Great Dane: Given their strength and height, they can be a great asset for the mobility-impaired. Their loving nature makes them a good fit for psychiatric support as well. However, owing to their huge size, they may not be the right fit for everyone
• Collie: The intelligent and curious Collies check almost all the boxes for service dog suitability. They can be trained to sense seizures as well as those with mental disorders like PTSD. However, given their high grooming needs, they may not be suitable for people with certain physical disabilities
• American Staffordshire Terrier: AmStaffs, with their stocky build, are a natural choice for mobility service. But they’re capable of doing a lot more and can be trained to perform a wide range of highly specific tasks
• Pomeranian: Yes, the fluffball Pomeranian also makes the cut as one of the best breeds for service dogs. They can be trained to sense symptoms of diseases like Parkinson’s, asthma, or diabetes. They’ve also proved their mettle as service dogs for the hearing impaired as well as people with mental disabilities. Their portable size is definitely an added advantage.

Training Your Dog to Be a Service Dog

Now that you have all the information about what a service dog does and how, let’s get to the most crucial part: how to train your dog to be a service dog. I think it’s important to reiterate that it is a massive undertaking—one that requires a combination of skill, perseverance, and consistency.

Of course, assuming that you have ruled out outsourcing service dog training to a professional—either because of the steep cost involved or because you want to utilize the training period as an opportunity to create an unbreachable bond with your dog (highly recommended). Whatever the reason, the bottom line is: you’ve taken this mammoth task on. Allow me to help with this detailed guide on the steps to make your dog a service dog:

1. Assess your dog’s suitability

The first step in this remarkable journey you’re about to undertake is to assess whether your dog meets the service dog requirements. Even if your dog isn’t among the best breeds for service dogs listed above, you can train them to become one provided they possess the following traits:

• A calm, unflappable temperament that enables them to stay composed in stressful situations
• Eagerness to learn and responsiveness to training cues. Your dog must possess basic obedience skills
• Excellent physical health and no underlying conditions
• While there is no age limit, for best results, you must begin service dog training in puppyhood
• Exposure to varied environments, and sociable demeanor around people and animals. This contributes to a service dog’s adaptability in different situations
• No aggressive tendencies, toward strangers or other animals

2. Basic obedience training

One of the most basic steps to make your dog a service dog is obedience training. Your dog should have mastered basic cues like sit, stay, come, and heel before you can graduate to advanced service dog training.

Suggested Reading: How to Teach Your Dog to Play Fetch: Step-by-Step Guide

3. Identification of tasks

As I’ve mentioned before, service dogs are trained to perform highly specific tasks that assist an individual with disability. These can range from carrying and retrieving objects to pulling wheelchairs, alerting to seizures, and offering reminders for medication. Before you begin service dog training, you will need to determine what specific task your dog will be required to perform.

4. Task-specific training

Now comes the challenging part of training your dog to perform the aforementioned specific task. Since there is a wide range of tasks performed by service dogs and each requires very unique training, you’d have to invest time and effort into zeroing in on the best training approach. For this, you can consider:

• Reading training manuals
• Signing up for a service dog training course
• Watching tutorials online
• Seeking guidance from skilled trainers 

5. Public access training

The process of making a dog a service dog requires a two-pronged approach: first, you need to train your dog to perform certain specific tasks, and second, instill in them the ability to execute these tasks in uncontrolled environments. This is where public access training comes in. It essentially entails teaching your dog how to behave in public. Essentially,

• Being non-reactive and non-disruptive
• Being calm and attentive to their companion’s needs
• Responsive to their companion’s needs

6. Socialization

A good service dog is extremely sociable and absolutely non-reactive to new environments and people. To achieve it, you must expose your dog to varied settings and situations, helping them become adaptable and confident.

7. Regular practice and evaluation

The last of the myriad steps to make your dog a service dog is a continuous reiteration of the entire training process. The training journey continues even after your dog becomes a skilled service dog. To ensure that they can perform their tasks efficiently and reliably, it’s vital to keep enforcing the lessons. For that, you must:

• Practice obedience and task-specific commands and cues regularly
• Adjust your dog’s training as per their companion’s evolving needs
• Consider having them evaluated by a professional trainer to identify areas for improvement

Certification and Legal Requirements

Finally, let’s talk about service dog certification and legal requirements. According to this service dog certification guide, there is no legal requirement to get your service dog certified in the United States. Public establishments cannot ask for service dog licenses or other documentation as a condition to allow entry. As per ADA rules, staff at any public establishment may ask only the following two questions if the handler’s disability is not apparent:

• Is the dog a service animal assisting a disability?
• What task has the dog been trained to perform?

However, not everyone may be aware of these guidelines. As a result, staff at public establishments may insist on seeing tangible proof of service dog status, so it is helpful to have a valid ID or documents on hand to avoid any unwarranted pushback or hostility. It can be helpful to register your service dog and obtain a tag or ID that helps you navigate public spaces. The service dog registration process can be accomplished in a few simple steps:

• Go to the service dog certifications website’s registration page
• Confirm your service dog eligibility
• Take a public access test
• Register your service dog

Canine Good Citizen test

To meet the service dog requirements and successfully perform that role, it’s recommended that your dog should pass the Canine Good Citizen test. This test is designed to assess dogs on a range of simple but vital skills that demonstrate that your canine companion is well-behaved and well-adjusted. These include:

• Accepting a friendly stranger
• Sitting politely for petting
• Appearance and grooming
• Walking on a loose leash
• Walking through a crowd
• Sit and down on command and stay in place
• Coming when called
• Reaction to another dog
• Reaction to distraction
• Supervised separation

FAQs

From what a service dog does to how to train your dog to be a service dog and the service dog registration process, you now have a complete lowdown on the process. I hope it helps you ascertain whether or not you and your dog can take on the mantle. If you decide this is the right call for you, I hope this guide comes in handy in helping you graduate from one step to the next. Good luck!