Confirm you want a service dog for a disability-related task
Identify the specific tasks your dog will perform to mitigate your disability
Choose an appropriate breed and individual dog with stable temperament, good health, and trainability
Start with basic obedience: sit, stay, down, come, heel, leave it, and impulse control
Socialize your dog to everyday environments, sounds, and people while maintaining calm behavior
Train public access skills: loose-leash walking, ignoring distractions, staying near you, and not greeting others
Train task-specific behaviors using positive reinforcement and clear cues
Examples of task training include retrieving items, alerting to medical episodes, guiding, opening/closing doors, and interrupting harmful behaviors
Use a consistent reward system and keep training sessions short and frequent
Practice tasks in varied real-world settings to ensure reliability
Teach “generalization” so the dog performs the task in different locations and conditions
Ensure the dog can handle long periods of calm while you are working
Address reactivity, fear, barking, jumping, stealing, and bathroom issues before public access work
Train and proof the dog’s ability to remain focused around other animals and busy areas
Consider working with a professional trainer experienced in service dog training
Keep medical and behavioral records for your dog’s care and training progress
Ensure the dog is up to date on vaccinations and receives routine veterinary care
Decide whether you will train your dog yourself or obtain training through an organization
Prepare for public access by practicing with increasing difficulty and distance
Use a harness/vest and handler cues that support task performance and public access manners
Do not rely on “certificates” alone; focus on task performance and reliable behavior
In the U.S., understand legal requirements for public access and disability-related access under the ADA
Gather required documentation if applicable to your location, housing, or transportation rules
Maintain ongoing training and refreshers to keep skills reliable over time
Plan for the dog’s working lifespan and retirement needs