H&S Service Dog Training Program
Professional guidance for people training their own service dogs.
Training a service dog is a significant commitment. It requires much more than teaching basic obedience—it involves reliable public behavior, task training, environmental stability, and a handler who understands how to continue the training throughout the dog's working life.
Heart & Soul Dog Training provides professional training and education for individuals who are training their own dogs for service work.
What Service Dog Training Includes
Building the Foundation
Before a dog can become a reliable service dog, they need a strong foundation.
Training may include:
Basic and advanced obedience
Focus and engagement
Impulse control
Leash skills
Reliable response to the handler
Environmental stability
Appropriate public behavior
Settling quietly
Working around distractions
Real-world exposure
Task Training
Training Skills That Matter
Service dogs perform specific tasks that mitigate their handler's disability.
Depending on the individual and the dog's suitability, training may include developing and refining disability-related tasks.
The goal is not simply to teach a dog tricks. It's to develop reliable, purposeful behaviors that can be incorporated into the handler's everyday life.
Learn More About Service Dog Tasks
Public Access
Real-World Service Dog Training
Service dogs don't work in training facilities—they work alongside their handlers in the real world.
Training may include structured field trips and public-access practice in a variety of environments, helping dogs learn to remain focused, responsive, and unobtrusive while navigating everyday distractions.
Training Your Own Service Dog
You Are Part of the Training Team
Owner-trained service dogs require significant time, consistency, and commitment from their handlers.
Our goal is not simply to train your dog for you. We teach you how to train, reinforce, manage, and maintain the skills your dog needs throughout the process.
Need More Hands-On Training?
Some handlers want to be actively involved throughout the entire training process. Others need a dog to receive more immersive training before returning home.
Our Board & Train programs provide intensive training while your dog lives and learns with us, followed by follow-up support to help you successfully maintain those skills at home.
3-Week Board & Train — $4,000
A focused immersive training experience with follow-up support.
5-Week Board & Train — $6,500
Additional training time, including an additional private training session and follow-up support.
3-Month Board & Train — $12,000
An extended training program designed for more comprehensive development, including three months of follow-up training after your dog returns home.
Is Your Dog a Good Candidate?
Not every dog is suited for service work.
Temperament, health, behavior, environmental stability, motivation, and the ability to work reliably around distractions all matter.
If you're considering training your own service dog, we'll help you understand the training requirements and whether your dog may be an appropriate candidate.
Hope Service Dogs
Looking for a Professionally Bred Service Dog?
Heart & Soul's service dog training experience helped grow Hope Service Dogs, Inc., our separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to breeding, raising, and training Golden Retrievers for service work.
If you're looking for a professionally bred and trained Golden Retriever service dog, visit Hope Service Dogs.
Ready to Begin?
Tell us about yourself, your dog, and your service dog goals.