WE BELIEVE IN THE 

LIFE-CHANGING POWER OF A 
WELL-TRAINED SERVICE DOG.

We can help you train yours.

Train Your Own Service Dog with Help from a Pro.

Live a fuller, safer life, with deeper connection to the world around you.

We empower people with disabilities to train their own service dog using positive, ethical training methods.

We offer in-person and online training options for those who need the help of a service dog to mitigate a medical disability. Our multi-phase program covers dog behavior and training techniques for up to 30 different cues and a minimum of 3 service tasks.

Working with Good Human Dog Training

Good Human Dog Training’s mission is to create life-changing partnerships by helping owner-trainers effectively train their service dogs. We know that the key to success is giving YOU the skills to train your own dog, thereby creating an incredible bond with your dog right from the start. It's right there in our name!

We use force-free, positive reinforcement training methods because they’re the fastest and most reliable way of attaining our training goals. The safest, most effective training methods don’t involve force, pain or fear and are based on proven scientific principles. When you work with us, we will teach you how to develop a strong and positive relationship with your dog based on clear communication and mutual trust.
We have self-study courses and in-person options for preparing you and your dog to be a public access service dog team. 

To learn more about the process and cost of our services, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions. 
The following are examples of the most common disability skills we teach:

ALERT

  • To changes in blood glucose
  • To allergens in food
  • To specific sounds, such as alarms
  • To specific smells, such as smoke 
  • Time of Day reminders

SUPPORT

  • Act as a social barrier 
  • Provide a constant feeling of safety
  • Perform pressure therapy
  • Offer a signal that allows you to gracefully leave social situations

RETRIEVE

  • Retrieve personal items (keys, phone, etc.)
  • Retrieve medication or self-care kit 
  • Retrieve dropped items
  • Deliver an item to another person

CALM

  • Apply deep pressure therapy
  • Interrupt repetitive behaviors
  • Cuddle on cue
  • Respond to a panic attack
  • Wake from nightmares 

Is Training a Service Dog the Right Decision For You?

This informative video will provide answers to the following questions:
  • What sets service dogs apart from ESAs?
  • Is having a service dog a good fit for me?
  • Can my dog be trained as a service dog?
  • What is the training process like?
  • How long does it take to complete?
  • What expenses are involved?
    And more!

Our Training Options

We offer a variety of options and locations for training your own service dog.
Write your awesome label here.

Online Program

This is a self-guided program for
those who wish to train their own dog.
This program provides training plans,
all program resources and access to
our community chats and meetups.

$59 monthly subscription

Write your awesome label here.

By the Lesson

If you don't need our start-to-finish  program, we can still work together!
You'll get specific resources, and we'll meet in-person or virtually. This is a great option for refining training or adding tasks.

$110 in-person/ $95 virtual

Write your awesome label here.

Hybrid Self Training

This program is a little of this, a little of that. You can pick and choose courses, and we can meet in person or virtually for lessons. This is a great option for those with training knowledge who just need structure. 

Contact us for more information

To be endorsed by Good Human, all assessments must be performed in-person.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a service dog, therapy dog and an ESA?

Service Dogs are trained to perform specific tasks and can be with their handler in public anywhere a civilian is permitted, with few exceptions.
Therapy Dogs are dogs who go with their owners to volunteer in settings such as schools, hospitals, and care facilities. Therapy Dogs are not trained for specific tasks and are only permitted in facilities where they are working and dog-friendly establishments.
Emotional Support Animals’ qualifications are based on their owner’s need for emotional support. ESAs may be trained for specific tasks, but their primary function is to provide comfort. The Fair Housing Act mandates “reasonable accommodation” to allow ESAs in housing.
If you are instead interested in getting additional training for your ESA, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for information.

What are the requirements for your service dog program?

We follow the guidelines and protocol laid out by Assistance Dogs International.
    To be eligible for the Service Dog program, a HUMAN must:
  • Have a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  • Have support from their licensed healthcare provider for using a service dog
  • Commit to using positive, non-aversive training methods
  • Be actively working to improve their quality of life and pursue independence.
  • Be physically and cognitively capable of participating in the training process.
  • Be in a stable home environment, and have a support network
  • Live in an area serviced by Good Human Dog Training (determined upon application) or be willing to drive to lessons 
  • Note: Anyone under 18 will need the approval of their guardian or parent to go through our program. That guardian must be present during all interactions and copied on all communications.

    To be eligible for the Service Dog Program, a DOG must: 
  • Be at least six months of age (we can point you to puppy classes in your area!)
  • Be in good physical health. And have all required vaccines.
  • Be appropriate for the desired service tasks required by the handler.
  • Your dog should be able to work comfortably in a distracting and stressful public environment in a stable home environment and have no conflict with other pets.
  • If seeking endorsement by Good Human, your dog should complete and pass Good Human's Readiness Assessment.

How is training with Good Human different than getting a trained dog from a non-profit program?

Clients of Good Human gain significant benefits that many reputable non-profit service dog organizations do not offer:
  • Work with the dog you already love. Good Human teaches clients to train their privately-owned dogs, assuming the dogs are good candidates. 
  • Training your own dog through Good Human Dog Training costs less than purchasing a program-trained dog.
  • Your dog, trained through Good Human, will have the same access as a dog program-trained dog.
  • We use only the least invasive, scientifically and ethically sound training methods.
  • Our clients are involved in each step of the training process. The skills you learn from Good Human will be an investment in your relationship with the service dog you have now and every dog that shares your heart and home.
  • We will customize your dog’s training to your needs and disability. 
  • There are generally no wait times with Good Human. Most non-profit organizations have lengthy waiting lists (sometimes a few years) to receive a dog.
  • Non-profit organizations typically receive many applications, but very few individuals are accepted because a limited number of dogs are available.
  • We do not require our clients to fundraise for our organization.
  • After reviewing and completing our Initial Consultation and Dog Assessment, we can accept many clients and start right away!

You’re committed,
and so are we.

So let’s get started.

Service Dog Program Application

Participating in a service dog training program is a labor of love and time.
Before we embark on this journey, we need to evaluate if we’re a good fit for one another.

Step 1.
Please review our FAQ before you proceed any further. This guide will help you understand what to expect when training your service dog. We also encourage you to read our Program Readiness Guide before applying to our program. Go ahead. We will wait.

Step 2.
Complete this Service Dog Program Application. This application will help us determine if we’re a good fit.

Step 3.
Schedule your Program Consultation.
We will schedule the Program Consultation within two business days of receiving your application or contact you to review options. This virtual meeting ensures you thoroughly understand the program and how it can benefit you. It provides us with a chance to answer any questions you may have.

This consultation costs $95 and usually takes about an hour to complete. 

Our Courses

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