Confirm the dog has the right temperament, health, and age for service work
Define the specific tasks the dog will be trained to perform
Start with basic obedience commands
Teach reliable house manners and public behavior
Socialize the dog to different people, places, sounds, and surfaces
Train loose-leash walking and focused heel work
Teach task-specific skills one at a time
Reinforce calm behavior in distracting environments
Practice public access skills in controlled settings
Generalize commands across multiple locations and situations
Use positive reinforcement and consistent cues
Proof behaviors with increasing levels of distraction
Train the dog to ignore food, people, animals, and environmental distractions
Build duration, distance, and reliability for each behavior
Maintain regular practice and refresh training over time
Work with a qualified professional trainer if needed
Follow local laws and public access requirements