Embarking on the journey of training a Service Dog can feel daunting. With a multitude of concepts, behaviors, commands, and etiquette to master, both trainers and handlers can find it challenging to know where to begin, let alone identify the most valuable training resources. To help navigate this complexity, we’ve polled successful and established Service Dog trainers to compile a list of the top 10 essential resources for this critical task. Sue Ailsby’s Training Levels Program consistently emerged as the premier resource, praised for its systematic, step-by-step approach that fosters a strong bond, develops obedience, guides socialization, and builds manners. This program is specifically designed for Service Dogs, effectively enhancing impulse control, response to cues even under distraction, and creative problem-solving skills in a fun yet structured manner, ultimately creating a unique communication system between dog and handler.
Susan Garrett’s Crate Games was another highly recommended resource, appearing on nearly every trainer’s list. This purely motivational program is invaluable for teaching unwavering impulse control and self-regulation, particularly in distracting environments. It also lays a solid foundation for “stays” and recalls, even in very young puppies. Trainers report that with Crate Games, puppies can quickly learn to target objects at a distance, maintain positional stays, and confidently offer various training behaviors. Crucially, the program teaches dogs to choose relaxation and focus, making these behaviors self-rewarding, and ensures they are comfortable and relaxed in crates or designated spaces, which is a significant benefit for public access.
The Control Unleashed books, including the original and The Puppy Program, were frequently cited as essential, even though they were initially written for performance dogs. The Puppy Program is designed to cultivate a lifelong love of learning and focus, creating a stable, handler-focused dog that can perform reliably in any situation, regardless of distractions. It’s a proactive approach to preventing behavioral issues. For adult dogs struggling with impulse control, focus, or performance under distraction, the original Control Unleashed book offers valuable strategies and is also highly beneficial for those training a Service Dog beyond the puppy stage.
Building Blocks for Performance was identified by three-quarters of the polled trainers as a key resource. This program focuses on instilling working aptitude, strong handler focus, performance under distraction, and the ability to regulate excitement levels. These are all vital skills for any Service Dog in training. Furthermore, Building Blocks excels as a relationship-building program, solidifying the working bond between trainer and puppy early on, while also developing responsive obedience and ingrained manners.
The Canine Life and Social Skills (C.L.A.S.S.) program was recommended by the majority of trainers. C.L.A.S.S. is a comprehensive, motivational training and manners certification program that utilizes experienced, certified trainers and established protocols. It offers three levels of training: BA, MA, and PhD, each building upon the last. While handlers learn basic and intermediate obedience, public access skills, and solid manners, the true value of C.L.A.S.S. for Service Dog trainers lies in its provision of group training, skills practice, distraction proofing, and socialization within a controlled and positive environment.
Learning Games provides a fun and motivational approach to teaching dogs independent thinking, creativity, cue recognition, and reliable performance. It also enhances the opportunity for bonding, effective communication, and developing crucial foundations for future task work. Kyra Sundance’s 101 Dog Tricks was a valuable resource for half of the trainers surveyed. While teaching 101 tricks, this book serves as an excellent starting point for those new to basic and intermediate obedience or unsure how to begin task training. It covers foundational behaviors like sit, down, and stay, as well as practical tasks such as opening and closing doors, turning lights on and off, retrieving, and message work, all of which directly translate into Service Dog tasks. A bonus is the ability to earn trick dog titles for Service Dogs, with Kyra confirming that tricks can be adapted to suit a Service Dog’s specific needs.
For visual learners, Donna Hill’s free Assistance Dog Training channel on YouTube is an outstanding and unparalleled resource. Her channel offers clear, step-by-step directions and effective techniques for teaching a wide range of Service Dog behaviors and task work.
The [Teamwork I](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0965621618/ref=rdr_ext_tmb) and Teamwork II manuals are established resources for Service Dog training information. While opinions on these manuals vary, they can offer valuable training advice specifically for owner-trainers teaching various tasks. They can fill gaps that other resources might not cover.
Finally, every trainer polled emphasized the importance of sound CDs for Service Dog training. These CDs allow trainers to socialize and desensitize their dogs to various sounds that might otherwise be missed. While no single CD was universally recommended, a Puppy Sounds CD appeared most frequently, alongside CDs for dog trials, fireworks, and common household sounds like babies and children. Thunderstorm CDs were also regularly mentioned.
While this list provides a starting point, numerous other excellent resources are available. It’s crucial to explore various training avenues, continuously learn, and never stop discovering new methods together. Service Dog teams that train collaboratively are more likely to stay together and succeed. For those beginning their Service Dog training journey, free online resources from Anything Pawsable, such as guides on the “First Five Skills You Should Teach a Service Dog in Training,” “100+ Things to Include While Socializing an SDiT,” and “Things Service Dogs in Public Should and Should Not Do,” may also prove beneficial.
Consider how you approached your Service Dog’s socialization and public access training. Did you follow a specific plan, or did life’s circumstances guide the process? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below.