Service Dog Trainer Program
Want to answer YES when clients ask you if you can help train their service dog?
Our courses are designed for the experienced dog trainer wishing to expand their knowledge, skill set and grow their business.
All courses are self-paced and online through a mixed-media platform.
Common learning styles and teaching skills
Ethical principles and behaviors when training
Communication, listening, interpersonal skills
Planning and setting up training sessions
Confidentiality and professionalism
People Modules
Communication, leadership, instruction, compassion, and professionalism
Teach and adapt based on your client’s individual needs, desires, and abilities. Understand non-verbal communication and stress signals in clients. Learn the best approaches to teaching clients with disabilities.
Teach a dog how to ground and calm their person down during a panic attack.
Animal learning theory
Dog development and physiology
Puppy socialization and rearing
Dog body language & communication
Dog health, maintenance, and preventative care
Methods and use of training equipment
Dog training approaches including planning and carrying out training sessions
Dog Modules
Dog behavior, development, health, communication, learning theory and training.
Gain further knowledge about dogs, especially as it pertains to service dogs
Teach a dog how to help their person hike safely and independently.
Choice of dog appropriate for service work
The Americans with Disabilities Act and relevant laws
Understanding disabilities
How to be a successful trainer when working with clients with disabilities
Developing your service dog program
Atlas’ Public Access Test
Foundational disability concepts and tasks
Balance and mobility tasks
Medical alert and response tasks
Psychiatric and cognitive tasks
Sweet Snoopers® scent detection training by Debby Kay
Service Work Modules
Disability law, people with disabilities, service dog specialties
Understand the world of disability and service dogs. Learn about medical and psychiatric conditions and how to train a dog to help mitigate those conditions. Appreciate that training a service dog is more than just working with the dog.
Pricing varies from $2622 to $3520 depending on experience.
Credit for experience as well as certifications that can save you over 25% on tuition! Are you a Karen Pryor Certified Training Partner? CCPDT-KA? Have experience as an educator? Those are just a few of the credentials we recognize.
Learn More About Our Program
Read our Atlas Certified Trainer Program document to find out how it all works.
Download our full Academy Syllabi to get additional details.
Read our Atlas Trainer Policies that all Trainers need to follow to ensure our clients and their dogs are treated ethically and with respect.
Ready to Apply?
We encourage you to read the FAQs as well as the above program documents. When you are ready to apply, simply click the link below which will take you to our online application. You can save your progress and resume at any time.
Feel free to contact info@atlasdog.org if you have any questions.