Five Foundation Skills for a Service Dog in Training
Kea Grace
Originally published 2019-09-17
Choose one skill. Make the next practice small enough to succeed. Keep a note of what happened so tomorrow’s session has a clear starting point.
Keep your progress in one place
Record your cue, setting, repetitions, and next step in the free training log. Print it or download your entries without creating an account.
Start with foundations
Look for exercises that match your dog’s current skill and comfort. Practice attention and settling in quiet places before adding a busier setting. AP’s archive below gives you several places to begin.
Choose humane instruction
AVSAB recommends reward-based training. Its AVSAB position statements also explain how to evaluate a trainer. Ask prospective trainers how they adapt exercises when a dog is frightened, confused, or uncomfortable.
Plan the next practice
- Write one observable goal, such as looking toward you after a familiar cue.
- Choose a quiet location and a reward your dog enjoys.
- Keep notes about what you actually observed.
- Change one part of the next practice rather than making everything harder at once.
For an owner-trainer roadmap, read How to build a service dog training plan.