Can I Train My Own Service Dog? Tips for Dogs’ Home-Training
Written by 
Yes, you can train your service dog. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) allows individuals to train their service dogs without needing a professional trainer. Under the ADA, a service dog is defined as a dog trained to perform tasks directly related to a person’s disability.
Training your service dog is a cost-effective option that can strengthen the bond between you and your dog. However, ensuring the dog is task-trained and well-behaved in public requires significant time and effort.
With dedication, owner-trained service dogs can fully comply with ADA standards and provide essential support. Aside from being cheaper, home training also qualifies dogs as Service Animals and makes getting a PSD Letter even easier.
Understanding the ADA’s Position on Owner-Trained Service Dogs
The ADA is the main law governing service animals. According to the ADA, a service animal is a dog individually trained to perform tasks directly related to a disability.
For example, service dogs can be trained to interrupt harmful behavior in people with mental disabilities, alert deaf people to sounds, guide blind people, and more. The ADA doesn’t define any rules on who can train a service dog.
It explicitly allows people with disabilities to train their service dogs. They don’t necessarily have to use a professional trainer or program. However, the dog should be trained to perform tasks directly assisting with the handler’s disability.
Unlike emotional support animals (ESAs), the ADA grants service animals public access rights. They can go with their handlers to all public spaces. The ADA doesn’t need owners to get certifications for their service dogs. They don’t have to show any proof to exercise their rights.
What Animals Can Be Trained as Service Animals?
According to the ADA, only dogs specially trained to perform tasks for an individual with a disability qualify as service animals.
The ADA also recognizes miniature horses as service animals. However, they should get training to perform tasks directly related to a person’s disability. Here are key points to remember on which animals can qualify as service animals:
- Allowed Species
The ADA recognizes only dogs and some miniature horses individually trained to perform tasks related to a disability as service animals. An animal whose mere presence provides emotional support or comfort to owners is not recognized as a service dog, but as an ESA.
Psychiatric service animals undergo special training to assist people with mental disabilities. Thus, the ADA considers PSDs as service animals. - Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)
These animals provide emotional support and comfort but don’t undergo specific training. Emotional support animals are different from psychiatric service dogs (PSDs), and the ADA doesn’t consider ESAs as service animals. - Breed Restrictions
The ADA doesn’t restrict which dog breed can be a service animal. Any dog breed can be a service animal if it is trained to perform a specific task related to a person’s disability. - Size Restrictions
Any dog, regardless of size, can qualify as a service animal if properly trained. Miniature horses typically range in height from 24 to 34 inches (measured at the shoulders) and weight from 70 to 100 pounds. - Behavior Standards
Service animals must be well-behaved, housebroken, and under the control of their owners. The ADA requires service dogs to be harnessed, leashed, or tethered.
Best Breeds for Service Dog Training
Any dog breed can be a service dog. However, some breeds are better suited for certain tasks. For example, some breeds have better temperaments and are more easily trainable. Here are the best service dog breeds:
 |
Labrador Retrievers: These dogs are known for their friendly nature and high intelligence. They are highly trainable and make for great guide dogs. They also excel in tasks like therapy and mobility assistance. |
 |
Golden Retrievers: These dogs are calm, gentle, and eager to please, making them ideal service dogs. They are also easily trainable and can be trained as PSDs, mobility assistance dogs, medical alert dogs, and more. |
 |
Poodles: Poodles are highly intelligent and versatile. They are known for their ability to detect allergens, making them a great choice for those suffering from allergies. Poodles are also good at many other service dog tasks thanks to their social nature and trainability. |
 |
German Shepherds: These dogs are recognized for their loyalty, protective instincts, and intelligence. They can be trained as service dogs for various tasks, such as guiding and mobility assistance. |
 |
Mixed Breeds: Mixed-breed dogs with the right temperament and drive can also make excellent service dogs. For example, you can adopt a mixed-breed dog from a shelter and train it to become a service dog. |
Things to Consider When Training Your Own Service Dog
Training your service dog can be an incredibly rewarding experience. However, it’s crucial to approach it with the right mindset and preparation.
Key considerations include evaluating your dog’s temperament, ensuring they are physically suited for the tasks, and providing early socialization. Here are some essential factors to keep in mind:
- Assess Temperament: Service dogs must remain focused and composed in different environments. A naturally calm dog eager to learn can make training easier and quicker.
- Ensure Physical Suitability: Consider whether the dog’s size and strength are appropriate for the tasks. For example, dogs of certain sizes and strengths are better suited for mobility assistance tasks or any task requiring physical support.
- Introduce Socialization Early: Introduce your dog to different environments and distractions from an early age. This will help train it to behave appropriately in public settings, such as restaurants, cafes, and stores.
- Time and Cost Commitment: Training a service dog yourself requires time and effort. Be prepared for the long-term commitment of daily training. You should also be aware of costs associated with training, such as service animal required tools or professional assistance.
- Patience and Consistency: Training a service dog can take months. It requires patience and consistency. Positive reinforcement is essential to ensure the dog understands its tasks and behavior expectations.
Expected Behaviors and Public Access Standards
Well-trained service dogs have certain traits and behaviors that align with ADA standards. These behaviors reflect their training and suitability for public access.
Properly trained service dogs can perform specific tasks for their handlers without excessive prompting. They are also well-behaved in public settings. Here are key expected behaviors for service dogs in public, aligning with ADA standards:
Calm Demeanor A well-trained service dog remains calm and focused in various settings. These also include crowded, noisy, or high-stress environments. They don’t exhibit aggressive behavior, such as uncontrolled barking.
Performs Tasks Reliably Properly trained dogs remain focused on their handlers, are attentive to the handler’s needs, and can consistently perform specific tasks for them under various conditions without requiring excessive prompting or correction.
Capable of Ignoring Distractions A trained dog doesn’t get distracted by food, other animals, and unfamiliar people. It remains composed and focused on its handler and the tasks it is trained to perform.
Common Service Dog Tasks
Service dogs are trained to perform assistance tasks directly related to their handler’s disability. They can be trained to assist people with various disabilities. These can be physical, sensory, developmental, and mental disabilities.
Here are some of the most common tasks service dogs can perform:
- Retrieving items, opening doors and elevators, and pulling wheelchairs for a physically disabled person
- Helping visually impaired handlers navigate obstacles, cross streets, and find doorways.
- Detecting a drop or spike in blood sugar of handlers with diabetes
- Alerting others when their handler is having a seizure
- Alerting their hearing-impaired handlers to sounds like doorbell and alarm
- Interrupting anxiety attacks and harmful behavior in individuals with mental health conditions
- Providing grounding or deep pressure therapy for psychiatric needs.
Brief Introduction to Service Dog Training Methods
Various methods exist for training service dogs. These methods help foster desired behaviors and responses. One of the most effective and widely used techniques is positive reinforcement.
In this technique, the trainer rewards the dog with treats, praise, or play when it shows desirable behaviors. This method strengthens the connection between the behavior and the reward and encourages the dog to repeat the behavior.
Clicker training or marker is another effective method. It involves using a marker sound when the dog responds to a command. The marker sound can be “yes” or “free.” Pairing the marker with a reward helps create a clear connection between the sound and reinforcement.
Desensitization is another method of training a service dog. It involves gradually exposing the dog to different environments or tasks to reduce anxiety or fear responses.
Training service dogs requires consistency and patience. While the focus should be on positive methods, incorporating gentle corrections is also essential. This helps ensure the dog learns how to behave and perform specific tasks reliably.
Owner Training vs. Professional Training
There are multiple ways to get service dog training. You can train your service dog if you have sufficient time and knowledge.
You can train your dog through a professional training program if you have resources. However, both methods have their pros and cons. The table below compares different aspects of owner training and professional training.
| Aspect | Owner Training | Professional Training |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Generally more affordable but requires a significant amount of time and patience. Mostly involves costs for training tools.Owner training cost typically ranges between $5,000 to $7,000. | It is more expensive, ranging from $10,000 to $30,000, depending on the training provider, the type of dog, and the tasks it needs to be trained for. |
| Control Over Methods | Owners have full control over the dog’s training process and methods. This helps owners understand the dog’s needs and build a strong bond with the dog. | Less control for owners during training, as professionals train the dog. |
| Success Rate | It depends on the owner’s skills, experience, and commitment. With consistency and patience, owner trainers’ success can be high (~75% ). | The success rate with professional training is typically 50 -70%. While professional trainers have more experience and specialized knowledge in training dogs for specific tasks, they also hold their dogs to very high standards. Thus, not all dogs make it through the rigorous training process. |
| Time Commitment | High time commitment, as training is ongoing and can take months or years. | Professionals handle the time-intensive training, but it’s completed in a set time frame. |
Benefits of Training Your Own Service Dog
Training your own service dog offers unique advantages that go beyond cost savings. It allows you to create a stronger bond with your dog, customize the training, and gain valuable knowledge. Here are some of the benefits:
- Cost Savings: Significantly less expensive than buying a professionally trained dog.
- Strong Bonding: Builds trust and a deeper connection between you and your dog.
- Tailored Training: Customizes methods to fit your specific needs and pace.
- Handler Knowledge: Improves your understanding of dog behavior for ongoing training.
Costs Associated with Service Dog Training
The costs associated with training a service dog can vary depending on the method you choose for training. This includes whether you train the dog yourself or through a professional training program.
Owner training costs include costs for adopting or purchasing a dog, costs associated with training tools, and vet care expenses. The cost of adopting a dog ranges between $50 and $500. However, the exact cost depends on the dog’s age, breed, and the type of organization.
Training tools costs include costs associated with tools like leashes, harnesses, and collars ($50 to $300) and training classes ($200 to $1,500). Training aids like clickers, treat pouches or scent kits might add $50 to $100.
Routine vet care costs range between $200 to $1,000 a year. It depends on your dog’s medical needs, age, and insurance plan. The cost of professional service dog training programs typically ranges from $10,000 to $30,000.
This cost usually covers training, handling, and health maintenance over a period of six months to two years. However, you must bear regular vet care costs once the training period ends. Owner training is a much more affordable option than professional training.
How to Register a Trained Service Animal
After training is complete, you are ready to get a PSD Letter for your service animal. One of the many benefits of having a prescription letter is that you can effortlessly get your pet wherever you go.
The ADA requires public places like stores and housing buildings to provide reasonable accommodations for your service animal. Handling a PSD Letter will make this process even easier, as it is the only legal documentation that proves you have a service dog.
To get a PSD Letter, you must complete your service dog’s training. Next, answer the ESA Pet’s pre-screening questionnaire. It will make the diagnosis process faster and pre-qualify you for a PSD Letter for travel and housing.
Secondly, one of our therapists will contact you in a teleconsultation to determine whether you are fit to get a Psychiatric Service Animal prescription. If approved, you’ll receive your letter in up to 48 hours.
Get your Official PSD Letter Consultation from a licensed therapist.
Get PSD Letter Now
FAQs About Training Your Own Service Dog
Can You Self Train Your Dog to Be a Service Dog?
Yes. You can train your dog to perform specific tasks related to your disability and be a service dog. However, it requires a significant amount of time, patience, and commitment.
How Can You Tell a Real Service Dog From a Fake?
Catching fake service animals is easy, as real service dogs exhibit certain traits and behaviors that help distinguish them from fake ones. Genuine service dogs are calm, composed, and non-aggressive. They remain focused on their handler and perform tasks without excessive prompting.
Why Does It Take 2 Years to Train a Service Dog?
Due to the complexity of the training required, training a service dog typically takes around two years. However, the training period varies depending on several factors. These include the type of tasks, the dog’s temperament, and the trainer’s skills and experience.
How Many Commands Must a Dog Learn to Be a Service Dog?
There is no strict number of commands a dog must learn to be a service dog. It should be trained to perform specific tasks related to its handler’s disability. It should be well-behaved and under the handler’s control in public settings. Providing house training is essential to ensure the dog behaves.
Conclusion
Training your service dog offers various benefits. These include cost savings, a stronger bond with your dog, and customized training for your specific needs. However, it requires time, patience, and commitment.
Consider your circumstances carefully before training yourself or getting professional assistance. Explore extra resources and support networks to ensure your success in creating a well-trained service dog.
