There are a variety of different methods for training service dogs and most potential service dogs do not begin training until about 12 to 15 months old. Classes and training for service dogs can last anywhere from six months to one year, and depends on the organization training each dog.

During the first several week of service dog training; the dogs are placed through a number of different medical screenings. THe dog’s temperment is meassured and blood and medical tests are preformed that include X-rays to make sure the dog suffers from no life threatening genetic deffects that may make him/her untrainable. Many dogs are let go from the training program because they do not pass certain areas of these important medical tests.

The first half of the training program with service dogs focuses on teaching basic commands. The dogs will also begin working with wheel chairs, and focus on retrieving items a person confined to a wheel chair may need. If a service dog passes the first half of the training program they will be able to continue with the most important part of the program.

The second part of a training dog program usually involves building and adding to the commands that were learned during the first half of the course. Once a potential service dog make it through this, they are paired with a disabled individual called “team training”, where both the dogs and their recipients are trained on how to work and accomplish things together for the last couple of weeks of a training session.

Upon proper completion of all three aspects of training a dog graduates and is considered a service dog for the rest of his life. Many service dog recipients continually add new commands to their dogs repitoir by visiting workshops and seminars that a service dog trainer may provide throughout the years of a service dogs life.