How to Make My Dog a Service Dog

How to Make My Dog a Service Dog

The process of making your dog a service dog is easy if you have a qualifying disability and can be done in five steps. The hardest step in the process is the third one — training — and often the most time-consuming.

The good news is you have options along the way for each and this guide walks you through each step in the process, shares tips on how to overcome challenges, and ways you can save money when turning your pet dog into a service dog.


In this article:

  1. Make sure your dog is up to the job
  2. Teach your dog to behave in public
  3. Train your dog to perform service tasks
  4. Consider whether you need a trainer
  5. Use service dog accessories to identify your dog

1. Make sure your dog is up to the job

A service dog can be any breed, but not every dog is ready to become one. A service dog has to be calm, focused, and ready to perform their task, even in hectic situations. If your dog is easily distracted, reactive, or anxious in new environments, they might have a hard time with service dog duties.

For example, if your dog barks at strangers or pulls aggressively on the leash, they’ll need a lot more basic training before you can even consider more advanced service training. 

Your dog should also be healthy enough to handle the physical demands of service work. Schedule a vet check to rule out any issues that could affect their ability to perform tasks. For example, a dog with joint problems might not be a good candidate for mobility-related tasks, like retrieving items or offering physical support (if you’re interested in this type of work, check out our guide for best dog breeds for mobility work).

Service dogs come in all shapes and sizes. A larger dog may be more suitable if you need help pulling a wheelchair, but a smaller dog can be fine for retrieval tasks and many kinds of psychiatric service dog work. 

2. Teach your dog to behave in public

Your service dog needs to be a perfect public citizen — this is non-negotiable. If your pup barks, jumps, or gets distracted easily, businesses can legally ask you to leave, even if your dog performs amazing disability tasks.

Begin in quieter places and work your way up:

  • First week: Practice in your front yard or a quiet park during off-hours
  • Second week: Try a pet-friendly hardware store or small shop
  • Third week: Visit busier stores during slow periods
  • Fourth week: Challenge your dog with food courts or busy sidewalks

Keep initial outings under 15 minutes. It’s better to have five successful short trips than one long, overwhelming session. You should also train your dog to:

  • Lie quietly under tables at restaurants
  • Ignore dropped food on the floor (even chicken!)
  • Stay in a down-stay while you talk to strangers
  • Walk beside you without pulling or sniffing
  • Remain calm when other dogs or kids approach

Ask friends to “accidentally” drop treats near your dog while you practice the “leave it” command. You can gradually increase the difficulty with tastier foods.

Make every outing a training opportunity by bringing high-value treats (tiny pieces of chicken or cheese work great) on every trip. When your dog stays focused during distractions, immediately reward them. This teaches them that ignoring chaos equals delicious rewards.

Even the best-trained service dogs might have off days. If your dog seems stressed or distracted, it’s okay to cut an outing short. Building reliable public access behaviors takes months, not days.

3. Train your dog to perform service tasks

Now comes the most important part of service dog training: teaching specific tasks that directly help with your disability. While good behavior makes your dog welcome in public, it’s the specialized tasks that legally qualify them as a service dog.

Most service tasks seem overwhelming initially, but they’re chains of simpler behaviors. For instance, teaching a dog to bring you medication involves:

  1. First, teach a solid “fetch” with toys they love
  2. Next, transition to picking up the medication container
  3. Add a “hold” command so they don’t drop it
  4. Teach them to bring it directly to your hand
  5. Finally, add the specific cue “Get my medicine”

Practice each step until your dog succeeds 8 out of 10 times before moving to the next step. This might take days or weeks per step, depending on your dog’s learning style.

Here are some examples of common service dog tasks you might train:

For mobility assistance:

Teaching your dog to retrieve dropped keys, open doors, or press elevator buttons starts with basic fetch games using your dog’s favorite toys. Gradually transition to the actual items they’ll need to retrieve, adding verbal cues like “get my keys” or “push the button.”

For medical alerts:

Training your dog to detect blood sugar changes or oncoming seizures requires exposure to scent samples collected when you’re experiencing those medical events. When your dog notices the scent, immediately reward them and pair it with an alert behavior like pawing your leg or bringing a specific toy.

For psychiatric support:

Deep pressure therapy, where your dog lays across parts of your body during anxiety attacks, builds on a basic “lap” command. Start by inviting your dog onto your lap for short periods, then gradually increase duration and position until they understand they should maintain pressure until released.

Training service dog tasks requires consistency. Practice for 5-10 minutes, 2-3 times daily, gradually moving from quiet home settings to environments with distractions. Keep sessions short but focused, and use a simple training journal to track progress. Your dog should practice each task in multiple locations (different rooms, outdoors, public spaces) to ensure they perform reliably anywhere. If you want to learn more about training check out our complete training guide

4. Consider whether you need a trainer

Many people successfully train their own service dogs, and that’s completely okay under ADA service dog rules. The advantage is cost savings and the deep bond that forms during training. However, it requires significant time commitment — typically 30 minutes of focused training daily for many months.

Professional service dog trainers can be life-savers for complex tasks or if you’re struggling with certain aspects of training. Expect to pay $150-250 per private session, or $5,000+ for comprehensive programs. Look for trainers with specific service dog experience, not just general obedience credentials. 

Remember that even with professional help, you’ll need to maintain and practice the training daily. The most successful service dog partnerships involve handlers who understand and participate actively in their dog’s training process.

5. Use service dog accessories to identify your dog

While not legally required, a service dog vest or harness acts like your dog’s work uniform. When people see that bright vest with “SERVICE DOG” patches, they’re much less likely to pet, distract, or question your dog’s presence.

Choose gear that works for your specific needs. For hot climates, a lightweight mesh vest keeps your dog comfortable while still identifying them. For cold weather, consider a dual-purpose vest that provides warmth and visibility.

Many handlers find these accessories particularly helpful:

  • “SERVICE DOG – DO NOT PET” patches (positioned where people can easily see them)
  • A labeled leash wrap (catches attention when people miss the vest)
  • A simple ID card with your dog’s photo (not legally required but can reduce confrontations)

Though optional, this gear creates an instant visual signal that helps everyone understand your dog is working, not just along for the ride. This is especially valuable in busy places like grocery stores or restaurants where staff might otherwise question your dog’s presence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Making a Dog Into a Service Dog

Can any dog breed become a service dog?

Not all dogs are cut out for service work, regardless of how much you love them. While any breed can technically be trained, some have natural advantages or challenges:

Challenging breeds:

Brachycephalic dogs like Pugs or French Bulldogs often struggle with the physical demands of service work due to breathing issues. High-energy breeds like Border Collies or Australian Shepherds may find it difficult to settle in public settings.

Natural fits:

Labrador Retrievers make excellent service dogs because they’re eager to please, food-motivated, and naturally calm around strangers. Golden Retrievers have similar advantages plus exceptional emotional sensitivity for psychiatric work.

Remember, individual personality matters more than breed! Even a Chihuahua can become an exceptional seizure alert dog and a Pit Bull can excel at mobility assistance.

Can I adopt a shelter dog to train as my service dog?

Absolutely! You can save a life AND get an amazing service dog in one go. Many shelter dogs are actually perfect for service work — they’re often grateful, bonded companions who work hard to please you.

When adopting specifically for service work, look for dogs 1–2 years old with calm temperaments who show interest in people over other distractions. Ask shelter staff if they’ll let you test for basics like food motivation (will they work for treats?) and recovery from startling noises.

How long does service dog training take?

It depends on what tasks you need. Simple retrieval skills might take just a few months to master, while complex medical alert work (like detecting seizures before they happen) could take 12+ months of dedicated training.

For example, teaching a dog to bring you a phone during an emergency might take 2–3 months of daily practice, while training a balanced response to panic attacks could take a year to become reliable in all situations.

Most people find their dog reaches “working service dog” level at around the 1–year mark of consistent training, though you’ll continue refining skills throughout your dog’s working life.

Do service dogs need to be certified or pass a test?

Nope! This is one of the biggest misconceptions about service dogs. Under the ADA, there is NO required certification, registration, identification, or formal testing.

Your dog simply needs to:

  1. Be trained to do specific tasks that help with your disability
  2. Behave appropriately in public

That’s it! While some organizations offer “certification programs” or “service dog tests,” these are completely optional and hold no legal weight. Businesses are only allowed to ask you two questions:

  • Is this a service dog required because of a disability?
  • What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

They cannot demand paperwork, doctor’s notes, patches, special collars, or demonstrations.

Do I need to train my dog to perform multiple tasks?

Your dog technically only needs one task to qualify as a service dog. That said, many service dogs eventually learn multiple related tasks for comprehensive assistance. For instance, a psychiatric service dog might learn to:

  • Lead you to an exit during a panic attack
  • Create a buffer zone in crowded spaces
  • Provide deep pressure therapy during anxiety
  • Remind you to take medication

Start with the most important task, master it completely, and then build your dog’s “task vocabulary” over time.

Can I have two service dogs?

Yes! Some people successfully use two service dogs, though it’s definitely more challenging to manage.

Each dog would typically perform different tasks based on your disability needs. For example, you might have a larger dog for mobility support and a smaller dog for medical alerts. Both dogs must be individually trained to service dog standards.

If my disability changes, does my dog need to be recertified?

Not at all! Since there’s no official certification in the first place, your service dog’s status remains unchanged even if your disability or needs evolve.

You can simply train your dog to perform new tasks as your condition changes. For example, if you initially had a mobility service dog but later developed diabetes, you can teach your existing service dog to alert to blood sugar changes.

The beauty of owner training is the flexibility to adapt as your health needs change. Just keep reinforcing all tasks regularly so your dog maintains their skills.

If you are ready to register your service dog, click on the image below.

About the Author: The writing team at Service Dog Certifications is made up of folks who really know their stuff when it comes to disability laws and assistance animals. Many of our writers and editors have service dogs themselves and share insights from their own experiences. All of us have a passion for disability rights and animals.

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