Empowering Lives, One Paw at a Time

Training a service dog begins with having the right partner. Not all dogs are suited for the demands of this role, so it’s important to evaluate your dog’s temperament, behavior, and health before moving forward.

Does your dog have these traits?

• Health: Your dog should be free of chronic medical issues and physically fit for the work ahead.
• Trainability: A curious, engaged dog that enjoys learning is more likely to succeed in service work.
• Calm Demeanor:
  • Friendly or neutral toward adults, children, and other dogs.
  • Able to walk calmly past other dogs on a leash without barking, lunging, or growling.
• Comfortable with Handling and Equipment:
  • Wears a collar, harness, and leash without issues.
  • Allows food, toys, or other objects to be taken away without guarding.
• Resilient: Recovers quickly from loud noises or unexpected situations and doesn’t remain fearful.
• Adaptability: Comfortable in new environments, around novel objects, and with different situations.
• Non-Aggressive: Shows no signs of reactivity or aggression toward people or animals.
• Low Prey Drive: Isn’t easily distracted by moving animals or objects.
• Emotionally Stable: Tolerates being left alone for reasonable periods without experiencing distress.

A service dog must stay calm, reliable, and focused in all environments. These traits not only ensure your safety and success but also help maintain public trust in service dog teams. A well-suited dog fosters confidence, making access to public spaces seamless and ensuring they can effectively support your needs.

If your dog meets these criteria, you’ve taken the first step toward building a strong partnership. Starting with the right foundation ensures the best chance for success in training and service work.

An Owner-Trained Service Dog is a dog you train yourself, with guidance and support from us. We’ll help you teach your dog the specific tasks you need while ensuring they meet public access standards and are ready to assist you confidently. 

Training a service dog is a journey that requires patience, consistency, and time. We use positive reinforcement to help our dogs build the confidence and independence they need to act in any situation. Fear-based training can lead to learned helplessness, where a dog believes they have no control over their environment and stops trying to respond to challenges.

By encouraging dogs to think and problem-solve, our approach ensures they’re prepared to support their handlers through emergencies. We focus on creating a strong, trusting bond, where the dog is empowered to act confidently and appropriately. not just about teaching tasks; it’s about shaping a dog into a calm, reliable partner in every situation. This process demands more than individual effort—it calls for the support and understanding of everyone in your household or unit.Training a service dog can be a transformative experience, and we are committed to supporting you every step of the way. As a nonprofit organization, we strive to help as many individuals as possible, but some services—including evaluations, needs assessments, and specialized training programs—require fees to ensure the quality and continuation of our work.

We ask that clients fund these services directly or engage in their own fundraising efforts. If this isn't possible, we encourage reaching out to Assistance Dogs International (ADI) to explore other organizations options. Please note ADI does not provide funding. 

Unfortunately, due to insurance and liability requirements, we’re unable to work with every breed and this is region-dependent. We have a deep love for all dogs, and it’s difficult for us to turn any away. If we’re unable to train your dog, please understand it’s not a reflection of the dog itself.

Keep in mind that certain breeds face stigmas that can make public access more challenging. While these dogs can be excellent service animals, it’s important to be prepared for the challenges these stigmas may present. Additionally, please remember that service dogs and protection dogs serve different purposes. Service dogs are trained specifically for medical tasks to assist their handlers and are not meant for protective or guarding behaviors.

Just as we expect our dogs to be well-mannered, we ask that the people we work with remain respectful and considerate in public settings. We also request refraining from using social media to criticize others for misunderstandings about service dogs in public.

Our mission is to ensure every service dog we train is safe, reliable, and enhances lives, while fostering a supportive and understanding environment for learning.

Thank you for being part of this journey.If you have questions or need more information, please contact us directly.

Training a service dog is a rewarding and transformative experience, but it's important to understand that not all dogs are suited for full-service dog work. Statistics show that only about 30% of dogs meet the rigorous standards for public access and advanced task training. While this is a reality, it doesn't mean you won’t see tremendous value in putting your dog through our program. Each level of training offers lasting benefits, regardless of whether your dog becomes a fully trained service dog.

Levels of Achievement: From Basic Skills to Full Certification

1. Level One – Canine Good Citizen (CGC) This foundational level focuses on essential obedience skills, preparing your dog to be well-behaved both at home and in public. Note: While CGC certification is an excellent milestone, it does not grant public access rights.
2. Level Two – Urban Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Here, your dog will continue to advance by navigating more challenging environments, such as city streets and crowded parks. While this level is key for teaching public behavior, it does not qualify for public access rights.
3. Level Three – Home Help Support This stage focuses on training your dog to assist with medical tasks, such as retrieving medication or alerting to specific needs within the home. While this is great for home assistance, it doesn’t grant public access.
4. Level Four – Public Access and Full-Service Dog Certification This is the highest level, where your dog demonstrates the skills needed to pass the Public Access Test and be recognized as a fully certified service dog. This is the only level that grants public access rights and prepares your dog for a variety of environments.

Links at the bottom of the page.

Step One:
Submit the requested videos and complete the "Get to Know You" form. 

Step Two:
Schedule and attend a meeting with Paws That Serve to have your dog complete a temperament test and a needs assessment.
One Time Cost: $125.

Step Three:
Submit your application to the program.
One Time Cost: $50.

Step Four:
Enroll in training courses.  Once you and your dog have been accepted into the program, you’ll begin weekly lessons tailored to your dog's specific needs, whether one-on-one or in a group setting. You’ll also be responsible for completing weekly homework assignments, maintaining your dog’s individualized training log, and preparing for progress discussions during each session to ensure success.

Cost: $350 per month

 If you do not currently have a dog and are looking to purchase one for service dog training, choosing the right dog is one of the most important steps in this journey. A suitable dog with the right temperament and health traits can significantly improve the likelihood of successful training and long-term performance as a service animal. We highly recommend this book on https://www.medicalmutts.org/post/new-book-selecting-and-training-your-service-dog-how-to-succeed-in-public-access-work. This insightful resource offers expert guidance on how to choose a dog for service work, including tips on evaluating temperament, health, and compatibility with specific tasks. 

We’ve been fortunate enough to learn from Jennifer personally and feel that she has done the important work of bringing her experience and expertise into this wonderful book. 

When selecting a dog, it’s important to remember that no amount of training expertise can entirely overcome a dog’s past life and/or genetic predispositions. Traits such as high reactivity, excessive fearfulness, or extreme guarding tendencies are deeply rooted and can make a dog unsuitable for service work, even with the best training. By starting with a dog whose genetics and temperament align with the demands of service work, you significantly increase the likelihood of success.

While not every dog may reach Level Four or become a fully certified service dog, the training journey itself is incredibly valuable. Each level builds a stronger bond between you and your dog, improving communication, trust, and mutual respect. Along the way, you'll notice significant improvements in your dog's focus, behavior, and overall confidence. These gains are beneficial regardless of whether your dog becomes a certified service dog.

Even if your dog doesn't meet the strict criteria for service dog certification, the skills learned throughout the training process remain practical and beneficial. You’ll walk away with essential tools to manage behavior more effectively, handle distractions, and navigate pet friendly public spaces with confidence. This training equips both you and your dog to handle various situations that can improve daily life, provide emotional support, and foster a positive environment.

Remember, the purpose of the training is not just about reaching a final certification, but rather about making meaningful progress together. The process itself is a success, as it enhances your relationship with your dog and helps you both develop new skills that can significantly improve quality of life.

In addition to our service dog training, we offer specialized programs for those interested in training facility dogs. We use the same positive reinforcement techniques across all our programs, ensuring that every dog—whether a service dog or a facility dog—receives consistent, high-quality training tailored to their role and environment.

Facility dogs play an essential role in therapeutic settings, such as schools, hospitals, mental health facilities, rehabilitation centers, and with first responders. These highly trained dogs assist professionals by providing emotional support, offering comfort, and helping to assist those in need. They serve as valuable partners, creating a sense of calm and well-being in environments that can often be stressful or challenging.

To begin, submit your training videos to us (details provided below). After reviewing your videos, we’ll schedule a call to collaboratively determine if your dog is a good fit for our program. Please allow 1–2 weeks for a response. Our goal is to provide honest feedback to ensure the program is the right path for you. If your dog is a match, you’ll complete an application to share details about your needs and your dog’s background.

Next, we’ll arrange an in-person needs assessment to conduct a temperament test and confirm your dog’s acceptance into the program. During this session, we’ll also discuss your goals and develop a personalized plan to set you and your dog up for success.

We’re dedicated to helping you and your dog thrive. For questions or to get started, contact us at Support@pawsthatserve.org.