How to make training a service dog easy

Service dogs trained to perform tasks for a physically or mentally disabled individual must be selected for temperament, intelligence and social adaptability. The cost of professionally training a service dog correctly ranges from $10,000 to $25,000 and takes six months to two years. Because federal law does not demand certification, a service dog may be adequately trained by a competent owner instead. The choice to obtain a service animal is a decision that should not be made lightly; continuing training, care and maintenance can be time-consuming and costly. Consult with your physician if you wish to train or obtain a service dog.

Things You'll Need

  • Training vest
  • Harness
  • Treats
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Instructions

  1. Keep it Simple

    • 1

      Put on your puppy's training vest and harness to signal it is "time to work." A service animal in training will come to understand that its vest indicates that it is no longer play time.

    • 2

      Direct your puppy to do a task such as sit, heel, stay or walk. The ideal age to begin formal epilepsy service training is about 6 months to 1 year. Informal training such as socialization with other animals, learning his name and being comfortable with a variety of people handling him is essential prior to this time for the maintenance of a psychologically healthy animal. Animals that experience inadequate informal training are more likely to display fear aggression later in life, which will make them inappropriate for public access during stressful situations.

    • 3

      Reward your dog with a treat the moment it performs a task. Do not reward your dog if it does not perform the task. If your dog seems confused, break down the task into smaller steps until it can perform the request. Patience and repetition are essential for a service dog's ability to perform consistently.

    • 4

      Increase tasks in incremental difficulty levels until your epileptic service dog knows how to stay calmly by your side while lying on the floor, unresponsive for up to half an hour, just as he would have to do during an epileptic seizure. Begin to vary treat dispersal in irregular intervals to increase behavioral response.

    • 5

      Certify your dog as a service dog when well-trained in order to avoid disputes with public access. Though the law does not require certification, having the support of a certificate may be helpful should someone try to deny your service dog access illegally. In addition, the certification process administrator will assess weak areas of training and offer you support in ongoing training.