Service Dog Training

"At Pet Coach to the Rescue, we believe every dog deserves to live a healthy, happy life with loving and educated owners. Our mission is to create a strong partnership between you and your dog through education, nutrition, socialization, and training."

Service Dog Training in Everett, WA

Force-Free Training

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Locally, Family, and Woman Owned

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Service Dog Training with Pet Coach to the Rescue

Do you want to train your own service dog? Read on to learn what service dogs do, how to choose the right dog for the job, and what our service dog training program looks like.


service dog is trained to perform a specific task (or tasks) that meets a medical need related to a diagnosed disability. Service dogs go through rigorous training and, when their training is complete and they pass a Public Access Test, are legally permitted to accompany their handler into public places.  A service dog is trained to perform specific tasks that assist a person with a disability with activities of daily living. Some service dogs have one task, while others can perform 30 tasks or more. Some examples include: 

Mobility tasks


  • Retrieve objects like keys, cane, dropped objects, or emergency phone (when needed) 
  • Open doors 
  • Turn lights on/off 
  • Carry items 
  • Alert caregiver when help is needed 
  • Assist in balance 
  • Alert handler to sound (hearing assistance) 
  • Alert handler to obstacles or terrain change (vision impairment) 
  • Lead owner (vision impairment) 


Medical alert tasks


  • Alert handler to low blood sugar (diabetes) 
  • Alert handler to impending seizure 
  • Retrieve medication 
  • Alert caregiver when help is needed 


Psychiatric care tasks


  • Perform deep pressure (“weighted blanket”) therapy 
  • Retrieve objects like medication or emergency phone 
  • Alert handler when they are performing a compulsive behavior 
  • Alert/distract handler when they display signs of anxiety 
  • Lead handler home 


Request a call back with our certified trainers to help you determine if a service dog is right for you and how to train your own to fulfill your needs.

Our 3-Step Approach to Training Service Dogs and What That Will Cost

At Pet Coach to the Rescue, we have a three-phased approach to training service dogs in partnership with their handlers: 


  • Step 1: basic obedience skills mastery 
  • Step 2: training for specific skill(s) needed to provide assistance to their handler 
  • Step 3: training for public access & transportation (i.e., bus, ferry) 


We offer two options for service dog training; the one you choose will be based on your dog’s age. 


For Dogs Under 6 Months:


  • Take our 12-week puppy course ($450) 
  • Take our 6-week adolescent class if needed based on performance in puppy class ($265) 
  • Enroll in our all-inclusive monthly Service Dog in Training (SDiT) subscription ($500/mo). This includes: 


  • Weekly SDiT class 
  • Social Walker Club 
  • Adolescent class (if needed) 
  • Monthly private sessions* 
  • Enrichment classes (as desired) 


*This does not include travel time/fees outside our traditional service radius.


For Dogs 6 Months or Older:


Schedule a two-hour evaluation with Shawna. During this time, she will discuss your needs and observe your dog to help you determine whether your dog has the appropriate temperament for service dog training. Some things she will look for include: 


  • Basic obedience skills 
  • Breed/size and whether your dog can physically perform your needed tasks 
  • Whether your dog is sociable with people 
  • Attachment to handler 
  • Doesn’t startle easily to sounds 
  • Motivational factors (food-motivated is great!) 


Following your evaluation, Shawna will give her recommendations for next steps. If your dog is a good candidate but still needs to work on fundamentals, she may recommend puppy/adolescent classes first. Or, if your dog is a good candidate and ready to begin training, you may begin the all-inclusive SDiT program ($500/mo). 

How to Sign Up for Service Dog Training with Pet Coach to the Rescue

All clients interested in our Service Dog Training program should schedule a FREE phone consultation with Shawna. Shawna will determine the best training sequence for your dog. *Please note, ideal service dog candidates are less than 1 year old at the start of their training. 


Once you’re enrolled in any of our training programs, you’re part of the Pet Coach to the Rescue family! You can now request to join our Facebook Training Group; within this group you will have access to all of our handouts, videos of training exercises, fun contests, and be able to connect with other pet parents.

As a service dog in training candidate, you're also eligible to join our SDiT Facebook Group to connect with other handlers on a similar journey. We hope to see you there! 

FAQs About Service Dogs and Their Training

  • Can any dog be trained to be a service dog?

    Not all dogs can be service dogs. A dog that successfully learns its “job” and passes the Public Access Test is the result of both rigorous training AND natural temperament. One of those things is within handler control, while the other is not. 


    Some breeds are naturally more predisposed to being successful as service dog. These include labs, retrievers, and standard poodles (“doodles” are not included in this list due to genetic unpredictability during the breeding process). However, it’s important to note that even among dogs that are specifically bred and trained to be service dogs, only 25%-50% actually succeed. 


    Because of this reality, if you choose to train your own service dog it’s critical that you work with a trainer who understands the requirements of service dogs. A trainer must be willing to communicate honestly and openly with you about your needs, your dog’s performance, and your likelihood of success. At Pet Coach to the Rescue, we commit to clear & honest communication throughout the training process so that you get the most value out of your investment. 

  • How do emotional support and therapy dogs differ from service dog training?

    Emotional support animals provide emotional support (comfort) to their handler with a mental health condition; they do not perform a specific, identifiable task. Emotional support animals require no special training or certification. Because emotional support animals are considered companions or pets, they are not legally protected to enter public places. That protection is solely reserved for service dogs. However, emotional support animals do have protection under the Fair Housing Act so they may be permitted in homes where pets are usually prohibited, and no separate pet deposit is required. 


    Therapy dogs provide comfort to others. They are brought into hospitals, nursing homes, libraries, or schools to interact positively with patients, students, or residents. Therapy dogs have excellent obedience skills, enjoy social interaction, and have an innate temperament appropriate for regular, calm, and therapeutic interactions with strangers. Like emotional support animals, therapy dogs do not have legal protection for unrestricted public access. 


  • Why train my own service dog? Can't I just buy one?

    The process to get a professionally trained service dog is lengthy and expensive. Waitlists can be years long as it takes about two years to train a service dog. Even after a handler receives their service dog, there is an additional training period (up to 18 months!) in conjunction with the original trainer to solidify the trainer-handler relationship and ensure they can perform the necessary tasks. Not to mention that trained service dogs cost tens of thousands of dollars. For many people, both the timeline and the cost are prohibitive. For these individuals, training a service dog on their own makes sense. 


    Ideally, you’ll begin working with a trainer before you purchase or adopt a dog. Your trainer can advise you about the best breed for your needs and can help you begin the training process as early as possible. 

  • How long does it take to train a service dog?

    It takes about two years to fully train a service dog. After training, the average service dog works for about 5-7 years before retiring due to old age and their own physical restrictions. 


    It’s also important to know that most service dogs must be re-homed after retirement. If the handler needs a new service dog to help them with their activities of daily living after their first dog has retired, the first dog must be removed. Two service dogs cannot live in the same household as they will compete with each other and, ultimately, degrade the performance of the working dog. 

  • What other things do I need to think about when considering the responsibility of a service dog?

    Service dogs are amazing, but they’re not a one-size-fits-all solution for everyone. If you’re thinking about training a service dog, here are some things to think about: 


    Are you prepared for your invisible disability to become visible? A service dog is a clear sign that its handler has a disability, and some individuals are more comfortable with that publicity than others. While businesses cannot ask, “What is your disability?”, they can ask “What task has the dog been trained to perform?” or “Is the dog a service dog required because of a disability?” before allowing them into a public space. Make sure you are prepared for and comfortable with questions of this nature. 


    Does the breed, size, and temperament meet the needs of the tasks it will perform for you? When it comes to service dogs, size matters. If your dog will accompany you everywhere, you probably don’t want a giant breed that will take up a lot of space in a restaurant or a toy breed that might get stepped on in a crowd. Medium-sized breeds tend to be ideal, and breeds that are known for a calmer temperament tend to be more successful in completing service dog training. 


    Are you ready for the work? Dog ownership is a big responsibility; service dog ownership is no different. Having a service dog also means ongoing training to ensure they have good obedience and task skills. If your family is helping you, make sure they’re on board with the work as well. 

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Learn More About Pet Coach to the Rescue

Located at 10113 Dakota Way, Everett, WA. Pet Coach to the Rescue specializes in force-free and service dog training, and fear and aggression classes. Discounts are available for rescue groups. In business since 2013. Certified dog trainers. Request a call back.

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