Service Dog Training
Please note that I am no longer offering service dog training. This page is for informational purposes only. I can assist with maintaining your current service dog or help you prepare your dog or puppy for future service training with another trainer.
Todd Campbell is a certified Service Dog Coach (SDC) trainer and, to date, the only person to have held this distinction in the Orlando area. While he is no longer accepting clients seeking service dog training, or related public access training, his background reflects extensive expertise in the field. SDC trainers must demonstrate exceptional skill to be accepted into the program and are trained to teach service dog tasks while effectively transferring knowledge and skills to clients. This distinctive certification requires ongoing continuing education to remain current, along with a strong emphasis on compassion, empathy, and working with individuals with a wide range of disabilities. Todd’s approach empowered service dog handlers to become confident owner-trainers and is rooted exclusively in positive, force-free methods, supporting service dogs as independent thinkers without reliance on punishment-based practices.
Service Dog Training Requirements
1.
Able to attend training lessons for 2 years or longer if it is from puppyhood. Well-adjusted adults, it is a 1 1/2 year process. Because training takes so long, dogs that are 5 years of age or older usually are disqualified because generally, service dogs are retired around 8 years of age.
2.
Able to commit daily time to practicing with your dog between appointments.
3.
Have a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. A dog for emotional support does not qualify and therapy dogs don’t qualify either. Look below as to what the differences are.
4.
Be aware that during or after training, your dog might not make it through the program. Up to 50% of service dog candidates in programs are not able to complete training and work in places pets are not permitted.
5.
Willing to be patient and realize it is a long training process. I will help you train your dog’s foundation skills and fully train the tasks before putting service dog vest on your dog and before taking your dog to places pets are not permitted. This preliminary training could take one to two years or more depending on age and tasks being trained.
6.
Have support from your licensed healthcare provider for use of a service dog.
Service dogs are defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act and are dogs that are specifically trained to help people with disabilities. I help people with disabilities train their own dog to assist them as a service dog. These dogs are special dogs and have innate talents.
FAQs
Flying with a Service Dog
Service dogs are currently allowed and protected under the law. Having a well-trained public access dog is essential and required under most major carriers. For example, some, like American Airlines, require that you put the trainer’s name and/or business on the U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form.
Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Training
ESA’s are not the same thing as service animals and are not allowed places pets are not permitted and they are now not allowed on most airline carriers. However, if you need your ESA to be trained for places that allow dogs, I can help you with that.
Therapy Dog Training
Therapy dogs are not the same thing as service dogs and are not allowed in places that pets are not permitted unless they are invited by a school or hospital. Therapy dogs should be tested by a reputable testing organization such as the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. I can help you prepare your dog for therapy work and the test if your dog is a good candidate.
Requirements for the dog
Your dog must have no history of aggression or reactivity towards people, dogs, or other animals. Good service dogs must be almost “invisible” in public and not attract negative attention.
Your dog must be trainable. Labs, golden retrievers, or mixes are known breeds for service work, but each dog is an individual, and other breeds could be suitable if they exhibit specific characteristics. For at-home only service dogs, they only need to display the ability to do the desired tasks in the home.
No history of behavioral issues like separation anxiety or fear.
Physically healthy
Under the age of 4