Suitability evaluation
Temperament, health, and handler needs are considered. Suitability is never guaranteed.
Owner-trained teams
Service-dog foundations
Private coaching for suitability, obedience foundations, public-behavior preparation, and a thoughtful task-training evaluation. No diagnosis is needed or collected to begin the assessment.
The training path
Build the dog and handler together
A service-dog prospect needs more than obedience. The work considers whether the dog can learn reliably while remaining comfortable and appropriate in demanding environments.
Obedience foundation
Clear communication and reliable everyday skills come first.
Public-behavior preparation
Calm, unobtrusive behavior is developed gradually in appropriate environments.
Task-training evaluation
The requested support outcome is discussed before any task-training plan is proposed.
Know the standard
What the ADA says
Under the ADA, service animals are dogs individually trained to do work or perform tasks directly related to a person's disability. Professional training or certification is not required by the ADA, and no private certificate, ID, vest, or online registration alone creates service-animal status. Emotional-support animals are not service animals under the ADA. Rules for dogs in training and public access vary by state and locality.Read the official ADA service-animal guidance
Owner coaching
Your handling is part of the foundation
- Practice clear, repeatable handling skills
- Prepare for appropriate public environments gradually
- Evaluate support and task outcomes without collecting a diagnosis
- Revisit suitability as the dog develops
No program can guarantee that a dog will be suitable for service work. For general household goals, see private training.
Prior client experience
In their words
“He’s also excellent in helping everyone in the family understand how to work with the puppy. … Aaron is an excellent trainer for the puppy and an excellent teacher for us.”
“Trainer Aaron has been instrumental in kuzco’s success and was able to help get Kuzco to pass his CGC test. … Aaron has been a great instructor to us as well so that we can continue to improve on Kuzcos skills.”
Prior client experiences with Aaron. Individual results vary.
Keep exploring
Related reading
- Obedience and public-behavior preparation build on the same lesson structure used in private training
- See how Aaron works alongside families and handlers on About Aaron
- For more on the ADA and what training can and cannot promise, read the service-dog FAQ
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