How Long Does It Take To Train a Service Dog?

How long does it take to train a service dog? Countless dog owners who want their dogs to be more than just a loving companion ask this question before bringing them to The Dan Gentile Dog Training Center, the leading dog training expert in New Jersey. Discover what it takes to teach your dog basic obedience and task-specific commands, along with other key components of being a service dog.

Types of Service Dogs and Their Expectations

Basic dog ownership may involve teaching simple commands like sit and stay, but training a working service dog requires more effort and has higher stakes. Find out what it means to be a service dog and how they help individuals.

Service Dogs for Physical Disabilities

Those with physical disabilities like blindness or poor mobility can rely on a service dog to assist them with everyday tasks. These animals must be able to assess different situations and act in the best interest of their handler. For example, a guide dog must undergo training to assist blind handlers safely through crosswalks and other environments.

Psychiatric Service Dogs

How long does it take to train a service dog to help with mental health conditions? Psychiatric service dogs must have a calm temperament to support their handler through emotional distress due to conditions like:

• Depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Anxiety

Different dog breeds can fit this role based on their temperament, though they’ll still need extensive training.

Factors Affecting Training Timelines for Service Dogs

There’s no universal timeline for service dogs to complete their training. The task at hand depends entirely on the following factors.

Poor Socialization or Public Access Skills

Service dogs need to spend time around others and navigating public spaces as a key part of their training. If the dog lacks socialization skills and cannot focus on the task at hand while other people or animals distract it, the training period will take longer.

High Energy Levels

Dogs with high energy may be unable to focus on what’s expected of them. This can make the training period much longer than if you’re working with a dog with a calm demeanor.

Canine Health Issues

Sometimes, unexpected health issues can delay your dog’s service training. For example, a leg injury could require several weeks of rest, leaving the dog unable to practice becoming a service animal.

Personal Time Commitments

Training a service dog requires plenty of effort on your part. You should dedicate one to two hours each day to training and bring your dog with you in public to help them learn the proper behaviors. Successful training will take much longer if you make room in your schedule.

Enroll in Professional Dog Training Programs

How long does it take to train a service dog? What does deaf dog training entail? Experts at The Dan Gentile Dog Training Center can answer these questions and more as you navigate the training process.

Contact us today to enroll your pet or future service dog in a robust training program. Call (732) 938-5040 for more information.