After you learn about the basics in our FAQ and getting started sections, here’s where you can find move forward with your service dog training. There are two sections: general advice/resources, and how-tos of public access training and work/task training.
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General advice/resources
How to find a service dog trainer. Dr. Veronica Morris dispels myths and walks you through the options for future service dog users who don’t get a service dog from a program.
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Why I use positive, force-free training methods
Of course you need to train your dog—but how should you train your dog? Professional trainer Katie Jesseph shares the clear verdict from the research, including what leading service dog programs have discovered.
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My future service dog: what should I train first, and next?
There are so many things to train, so what’s the right service dog training order? Dr. Veronica Morris helps you figure out how to think about this common conundrum.
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Our socialization/exposure checklist is crowdsourced from our service dog user community. The PDF checklist is paired with an intro article and photos to help you get set for the most basic kind of public access training.
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When should my service dog retire or wash out?
At any stage of your service dog journey, it’s wise to be aware of signs your dog should no longer be training or working as a service dog. Dr. Veronica Morris makes this evaluation easier by breaking down six reasons you might stop working your dog.
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Find sample training logs, blank training logs, and why it’s so important to keep a training log on this page.
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A personal lesson: paying attention to your dog to pace your training
Board member Linden Gue opens up in an engaging personal story about how she learned to watch her dog’s body language to train at the right speed.
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How do I train my service dog when I’m sick?
Linden helps you build your plan for training when you aren’t doing as well, giving you her answers to some guiding questions.
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How-tos of public access training and work/task training
Public access training is usually the biggest part of training a service dog. Community member Katie Jesseph helps you understand how to gradually transition to training in more challenging environments.
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How to train a service dog anxiety alert/response
One of the most common training questions we get is about help with anxiety. Dr. Morris’s advice in this article actually applies to many sorts of alert/response training needs!
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Our story of training “under”—body awareness & small spaces
Board member Heather Walker teaches the essential skill of getting your dog to be comfortable under objects and in tight spaces.
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Service dog training for the flying context
Start training for flying early, slowly, and in harmony with your other training. This article gives how-tos for three aspects of service dog training for flying contexts, complete with many pictures and videos.
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Training to help you exit a building
Board member Elaine Malkin provides a straightforward way to teach your dog to take you to exits.
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PSDP’s site contains advice meant to be used along with the assistance of a professional dog trainer. Please use caution and train responsibly—you are the one liable for any intended or unintended effects of your training!