Training a service dog requires time, patience, and professional guidance. Not everyone can afford to hire a trainer or enroll in a service dog school. That’s why online service dog training programs are becoming more popular and accessible.
But how do you choose the right one for you and your dog? What are the best service dog training courses in 2023? This article will answer these questions, so check it out and choose the suitable programs for you and your furry friend.
About Service Dogs
Following the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs must be separately trained to work or perform tasks related to the person’s disability. There are different types of service dogs, depending on the needs of the person they serve.
Who qualifies for a service dog?
If someone has a diagnosed disability, they might be eligible for a service dog. When the disability pertains to mental health, they can qualify for a special service dog – a psychiatric service dog (PSD).
These dogs are trained to assist with conditions like autism, depression, panic disorder, OCD, PTSD, etc. If you have a mental health disorder, it’s worth considering a PSD for its extra support. You deserve the best support possible; for many, a PSD can be just that.
What is the best age for service dog training?
There is no definitive answer to the best age for service dog training. However, most experts agree the ideal time to start training a service dog is between 8 weeks and 6 months old – when it is still a puppy.
Meanwhile, puppies are more adaptable and receptive to learning new skills and behaviors than older dogs. They are also easier to socialize and expose to different environments and situations than older dogs.
However, older dogs can still become service dogs. It may take longer and require more effort, but older dogs still learn new skills and behaviors if they are motivated and willing. The most crucial factor for training a service dog is not the age but their temperament and personality.
How To Choose the Right Online Service Dog Training Program?
Online dog training courses are a convenient and affordable way to train your dog to become a certified service dog. There are many factors that dog owners need to consider:
- Accreditation: The courses should be accredited by a reputable organization such as ADI or IAADP. Accreditation ensures that the online service dog training program meets the standards and guidelines for service dog training and certification.
- Curriculum: A comprehensive and customized curriculum covers both public access training and task training. Make sure to tailor it to your specific disability or mental health condition and your goals.
- Trainers: You need a qualified and experienced service dog trainer. They are the ones who give you guidance, feedback, and support throughout the training process.
- Methods: The training program should use positive reinforcement methods that are humane, effective, and science-based.
- Resources: Choose a service dog online training program that provides various resources such as videos, articles, books, webinars, etc. These resources help you learn more about service animals and troubleshoot problems.
- Cost: There are many reasonable and transparent program that fits your budget. Specifically, online service dog training program often offers discounts, scholarships, or payment plans.
Top 5 Online Service Dog Training Programs
1. Dog Academy
Dog Academy is an online platform that offers various courses on dog training, behavior, and care. One of their courses is the Service Dog Training Course, which helps you train your own service dog from start to finish. The course covers various topics, such as:
- How to select a suitable candidate for service dog training
- How to teach your dog basic obedience skills
- How to teach your dog specific tasks for your disability or mental health condition
- How to prepare your dog for public access testing and certification
The course consists of 12 modules, each with a video lesson, a written summary, a quiz, and a homework assignment. It allows you to access the program anytime, anywhere, and at your own pace. You can also interact with other students and instructors through the online forum and live Q&A sessions.
These courses offer lifetime access at $529.99 but are currently discounted to just $349.99. Dog Academy also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for those who may not find it satisfactory. Check out their website right now for more details and instructions.
2. US Service Animals
US Service Animals is a top-notch company you can rely entirely on for your PSD training needs. They take legal matters very seriously and have a team of lawyers behind them to ensure everything follows the highest legal standards.
This company uses a positive, reward-based training approach that builds a strong bond between you and your service animal. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or an experienced trainer; they have a course that fits everyone. Their training program is easy to access and covers all you need.
Besides, US Service Animals has a great reputation – an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and a stellar 5.0 average rating on Trustpilot. That means lots of customers are happy with their service.
If you’re worried about Emotional Support Animal (ESA) documentation, US Service Animals has got you covered. They offer stress-free ESA consultations and valid prescription letters, making the process hassle-free for those who qualify.
How about customer support? US Service Animals has a friendly and experienced team that is always ready to help. And don’t worry about making the right choice – they also offer a money-back guarantee, so your investment is fully protected.
So, if you’re seeking for an online PSD training course, US Service Animals is the best choice. Visit their website and start your successful PSD training journey with them today!
3. Service Dog Academy
Regarding medical alert dog training, Service Dog Academy is a fantastic choice. They specialize in training various medical alert dogs, including those for diabetes, migraines, POTS, narcolepsy, and A-Fib. However, it’s crucial to note that they don’t offer programs for other types of service dogs like PSDs.
The academy offers different kinds of training, both in-person and online. For online courses, they use Zoom and Google Hangout to communicate with clients and their dogs. They also have pre-recorded video lessons available in case you dismiss any classes.
Their classes start at $250, so you can purchase a plan that fits your budget. While you won’t get a certificate after completing the training, the academy provides personalized support. They work one-on-one with you to ensure you and your dog have the help you need during the training process.
4. Service Dog Training School
Service Dog Training School is another option if you need to train your furry friend for different disorders or want to teach them specialized skills. They offer online courses for PSD training and other specific programs like autism companion, diabetic alert, and seizure alert dogs. This feature sets them apart as customers can get all the skills their service pup needs in one place.
But there are a few downsides too. Some courses can be pricey, though they’re still cheaper than buying a trained service dog or going for in-person training.
Many dog owners find the courses challenging, but the school is trying to make them easy to understand. The best thing is you’ll have your own personal trainer who gives you advice based on your videos and photos.
The trainers are certified by the American Kennel Club or the Canine Behavioral College UK, so they know what they’re doing. However, the school doesn’t provide much legal support, and some airlines may not accept dogs trained here for in-cabin travel.
Despite those drawbacks, Service Dog Training School is still the choice of many customers around the UK. It’s time to choose a suitable online service dog training for your pup, and Service Dog Training School can satisfy your demands.
5. Doggy U
Doggy U’s service dog online training program offers a unique blend of online learning and personalized attention. Through extensive video lessons and readings, service dog owners access learning techniques at their own pace, fitting their schedules and their dogs’ needs. The program provides comprehensive resources, ensuring personal training without the constraints of a classroom setting.
Apart from the online resources, Doggy U goes the extra mile by offering highly focused individualized consulting throughout the entire training journey. They provide guidance in selecting a prospective service dog and continue to support the raisers throughout the training process.
The programs we get are flexible, catering to different time commitments, financial capacities, and intensity levels. This approach ensures a thorough and warm training experience for all parties.
Moreover, Doggy U’s training program is not limited to specific disabilities. They train dogs to support a variety of conditions, including mobility and balance, hearing, anxiety, and PTSD.
The cost for the program starts at $49.99 for the initial consulting appointment. Further, many membership options are available, with tiers starting at $3 per month. After purchasing, you’ll instantly grant access to video learning content.
The online training process is accessible to anyone, regardless of location. However, there is one thing to consider: you won’t get any official certificate upon completion of the training.
For those seeking personalized support, Doggy U offers optional one-on-one assistance. This extra guidance can be greatly helpful for people who need more individualized attention during their training journey.
The Bottom Line
We hope that this article has helped you find the best online service dog training program for you and your furry friend. If you are ready to start training your service dog online, choose to enroll in one of the programs we have recommended above.
Remember that training a service dog is not a simple task, but it’s worth it. They will give you assistance, support, and companionship that improve your physical and mental health. Start training your service pup today!
