There are tons of resources out there about service dogs but not too many about the different types of service dog training.
Trained Dogs
While it is easier, faster, and sometimes better to hire a professional animal trainer that specializes in training service animals the cost can be more than most can handle. Fully trained dogs range from about $14,000 and up, normally between 20K to 30K. This simply, for most of us, is unattainable. I am not saying that the price mentioned above is gouging, it takes a lot of time to fully train a dog to specific tasks for the handler.
Hybrid Training
Over the last few years, I have seen a great increase of non-profit groups that have started helping people in need of a service dog that help the prospective handler find a dog that meets their criteria and then helps the handler train the dog. The trainer typically meets with the group of teams to see their progression, gives the team(s) instructions for training to work on, and tests the team’s ability.
Programs like these are typically free to the handler. The prospect dog is most of the time found and tested from animals found in shelters or donated by others. There are people that will buy from a breeder with the trainers help to decide which puppy would be a good candidate.
You will see a lot of programs like these dedicated to Veterans who suffer with PTSD.
In my opinion this is the best way to go, as you the handler must put in the sweat equity of training, and this creates a remarkably close bond between you and the dog. This also allows you to have a trainer close by when you run into problems and a clear path for the training.
Self-Training
With the advent of tools like You Tube, mobile phone apps, and the like there are great avenues to take to train dogs. With this there are also pitfalls which can easily be fallen into.
Legally, in most states, there is no reason why someone can not train their own service dog. Please, always know your state laws about service dogs, not only will this keep you out of trouble, but it is also needed as you are going to have to be able to educate others. Trust me on this one as I have run up on plenty that were confused on service dog law.
If you are going to train your own service dog here my suggestions to get you started.
Trained Dogs
While it is easier, faster, and sometimes better to hire a professional animal trainer that specializes in training service animals the cost can be more than most can handle. Fully trained dogs range from about $14,000 and up, normally between 20K to 30K. This simply, for most of us, is unattainable. I am not saying that the price mentioned above is gouging, it takes a lot of time to fully train a dog to specific tasks for the handler.
Hybrid Training
Over the last few years, I have seen a great increase of non-profit groups that have started helping people in need of a service dog that help the prospective handler find a dog that meets their criteria and then helps the handler train the dog. The trainer typically meets with the group of teams to see their progression, gives the team(s) instructions for training to work on, and tests the team’s ability.
Programs like these are typically free to the handler. The prospect dog is most of the time found and tested from animals found in shelters or donated by others. There are people that will buy from a breeder with the trainers help to decide which puppy would be a good candidate.
You will see a lot of programs like these dedicated to Veterans who suffer with PTSD.
In my opinion this is the best way to go, as you the handler must put in the sweat equity of training, and this creates a remarkably close bond between you and the dog. This also allows you to have a trainer close by when you run into problems and a clear path for the training.
Self-Training
With the advent of tools like You Tube, mobile phone apps, and the like there are great avenues to take to train dogs. With this there are also pitfalls which can easily be fallen into.
Legally, in most states, there is no reason why someone can not train their own service dog. Please, always know your state laws about service dogs, not only will this keep you out of trouble, but it is also needed as you are going to have to be able to educate others. Trust me on this one as I have run up on plenty that were confused on service dog law.
If you are going to train your own service dog here my suggestions to get you started.
- Make sure a Service dog is right for you. Am I Right for a Service Dog? | Is a Service Dog Right for Me?
- Get to know the Federal and State laws on service animals. You can start at the ADA Site
- Do your research on dog breeds. There is plenty of info on the net to get a good feeling about which breed would be best for you. Shelters are also a good place to look for perspective service dogs
- Look for a breeder/trainer let them know what you are looking for. It is especially important to have a pro trainer or breeder help you make the choice on which dog to choose. They have the experience, and the knowledge of which dogs would be good candidates for becoming service dogs.
- Have a game plan on how you are going to train you dog. For me I used a trainer for Dougal’s initial obedience training, then I used that as a base line to continue his training.
- Do not hesitate to call in a professional for help, or even to polish off some training.
