Expand Your Skills and Knowledge on Service Dog Training and Dog Fitness
Whether you are a professional dog or service dog trainer, current service dog handler, pet dog owner, or looking to begin your service dog training journey, we offer a variety of courses that will enhance your skills and help you in your journey.
Discover our Specialty Courses Below.
Ready to jump straight to our Trainer Academy Instead? Go here.
What You Will Learn: Through this course developed in partnership with Debby Kay’s world renowned Sweet Snoopers Program, you will get a step by step approach to applying conditioning principles to train a dog to consistently and reliably detect specific scent and alert their handler to the presence of the target scent. You will also learn what type of dog makes a good scent detection dog and how to select a diabetes/scent detection candidate. This course is applicable to diabetes and other medical scent detections.
How You Will Learn: This is an online, self-paced course with detailed materials, hand-outs, videos, and an accompanying manual. Throughout the course, you will be submitting tests in the form of true/false, multiple choice, fill in the blank, and long answers. You will also be asked to submit three video assignments. You will have the opportunity to discuss your tests and assignments with Atlas faculty as well as retake tests as needed.
Benefits: You will develop an in-depth understanding of scent training and learn the skills to train a dog to alert to scents at any time of the, in any place, and even in the presence of other dogs. This course is beneficial to trainers wanting to support their clients as well as owner trainers wanting to train their own service dog service dog for scent alerts.
Who it is for: This course is geared towards experienced dog trainers as well as those training their own service dog. To be successful in this course, trainers and owner-trainers alike will need/should have a basic understanding of positive training methods, how to use a marker, how to deliver reinforcement and how to set up a training session. This course is not for the novice handler who does not have prior dog training experience.
Timeline: We give you SIX months to complete this course. After this time, you will lose access to the course unless you have prior written arrangements with Atlas.
CEUs: This course qualifies for 21 continuing education credits with CCPDT, 7.5 with IAABC, and 5 with KPA.
Cost: $495
Find the full Syllabus here.
What you will learn: This course covers dog body language in relation to service dogs as well as the physical, psychological, and emotional requirements of service dogs. We discuss various sources for finding a suitable service dog as well as the necessary temperament, health, and red flags to look for during an evaluation. It explains breeds and sizes and how they impact the dog’s ability to perform specific tasks.
How You Will Learn: This is an online, self-paced course with detailed materials, hand-outs, and videos. Throughout the course, you will be submitting tests in the form of true/false, multiple choice, fill in the blank, and long answers. If you choose the CEU version of the course, you will also be asked to submit a video assignment. You will have the opportunity to discuss your tests and assignment with Atlas faculty as well as resubmit as needed.
Benefits: This course highly benefits trainers who are helping their clients select a potential service dog candidate. It is also of great benefit for an owner-trainer to use in choosing a dog for themselves.
Who it is for: This course is geared towards experienced dog trainers as well as individuals in the process of looking for a service dog candidate.
* This course is not intended to replace the skills of a trainer assessing a dog for you as a client. Please consider also working w/ a professional trainer to assess a dog.
Timeline: We give you SIX months to complete this course. After this time, you will lose access to the course unless you have prior written arrangements with Atlas.
CEUs: Option for CEUs! You can chose to take this course and earn continuing education credits. Or you can take this course just for fun and your own growth and education. Note: If you take the non CEU option, you will not have any video assignments to submit. You will also not have the same amount of personalized and detailed feedback from Atlas instructors that you would get from the CEU version.
This course qualifies for 5 continuing education units with CCPDT.
Cost: CEU cost – $475 Non CEU cost- $400
Find the full Syllabus here.
What you will learn: This course digs deep into training methods and their applications to service dog training. You will learn advanced training concepts, management, methods for behavior adjustment, and exercises to build engagement, and confidence between the client and dog,
You will also learn all about task training foundations. The course covers detailed information regarding a variety of cues that are used as a foundation/building block skill for a variety of disability tasks.
How You Will Learn: This is an online, self-paced course with detailed materials, hand-outs, videos, and an accompanying manual. Throughout the course, you will be submitting tests in the form of true/false, multiple choice, fill in the blank, and long answers. You will also be asked to submit two video assignments. You will have the opportunity to discuss your tests and assignments with Atlas faculty as well as retake tests as needed.
Benefits: You will gain in depth skills to help you build essential foundations to many service dog tasks, be they mobility, psychiatric, or medical. This is a great course for trainers and service dog handlers/owner-trainers alike.
Who it is for: This course is geared towards experienced dog trainers as well as those training their own service dog. To be successful in this course, trainers and owner-trainers alike will need/should have a basic understanding of positive training methods, how to use a marker, how to deliver reinforcement and how to set up a training session. This course is not for the novice handler who does not have prior dog training experience.
Timeline: We give you SIX months to complete this course. After this time, you will lose access to the course unless you have prior written arrangements with Atlas.
CEUs: Option for CEUs! You can chose to take this course and earn continuing education credits. Or you can take this course just for fun and your own growth and education. Note: If you take the non CEU option, you will not have any video assignments to submit. You will also not have the same amount of personalized and detailed feedback from Atlas instructors that you would get from the CEU version.
This course qualifies for 15 continuing education units with CCPDT and 25 continuing education units with IIABC.
Cost: CEU cost – $575 Non CEU cost – $475
Find the full Syllabus here.
Want to learn even more? Add on one or more of our Disability specialty modules.
- Mobility Specialty: This course covers and teaches you how to train a wide range of common tasks that service dogs can provide for disabilities pertaining to mobility/balance, as well as their applications.
- Medical Specialty: This course covers and teaches you how to train a wide range of common tasks that service dogs can provide to mitigate symptoms related to various medical conditions, as well as their applications.
- Psychiatric and Cognitive Specialty: This course covers and teaches you how to train a wide range of common tasks that service dogs can provide to mitigate symptoms related to various psychiatric and cognitive conditions, as well as their applications
Who these are for: The add on modules are geared towards experienced dog trainers as well as those training their own service dog. To be successful in the course, you should already have foundational understanding and experience using positive training methods. For owner trainers wishing to add on or refine their service dog’s tasks, the dog should be mature enough to begin task training and have the necessary foundational skills to build upon task work. These modules are not appropriate for puppies or young adolescent dogs.
Detailed syllabi for each specialty add on are in the Service Dog Foundations Syllabus.
You have TWO additional months to complete each specialty course after the SIX month initial period for Service Dog Foundations.
Each specialty module qualities for 12 CEUs with CCPDT.
Add on costs: CEU cost – $300 per module Non CEU cost – $250 per module
What you will learn: This course goes over basic dog anatomy and internal systems as well as dog movement and alignment. It covers many areas of fitness and exercise for dogs to increase flexibility, balance, strength, stamina and endurance. Throughout the course, age of the dog is taken into consideration, and exercises for puppies, adult, and senior dogs are provided. We also go over some training foundations such as marker training, mechanics, and reinforcements to ensure you are set up for success when working with your dog.
How you will learn: This is an online, self-paced course with detailed materials, hand-outs, and videos. Throughout the course, you will be asked to submit three video demonstrations as well as quizzes at the end of some modules. You will have the opportunity to discuss your tests and assignments with Atlas faculty as well as resubmit as needed.
Benefits: This is an online, self-paced course with detailed materials, hand-outs, and videos. Throughout the course, you will be asked to submit three video demonstrations as well as quizzes at the end of some modules. You will have the opportunity to discuss your tests and assignments with Atlas faculty as well as resubmit as needed.
Who it is for: This course is geared towards experienced dog trainers as well as those training their own service dog or pet dog. To be successful in this course, participants will need/should have a basic understanding of positive training methods, how to use a marker, how to deliver reinforcement and how to set up a training session. This course is not for the novice handler who does not have prior dog training experience. This course will benefit dogs of any age.
* Accessibility: Many of the exercises can be done in a sitting and stationary position. We aim to make our course as inclusive as possible so that people with varying levels of mobility can participate and exercise their dog!
Timeline: We give you SIX months to complete this course. After this time, you will lose access to the course unless you have prior written arrangements with Atlas.
CEUs: This course qualifies for 30 continuing education credits with KPA and 20 credits with CCPDT.
Cost: $325
Find the full syllabus here
FAQ
Both professional dog trainers with little service dog training experience, established service dog trainers, and owner-trainers training their own service dog can benefit from these courses. Please read the individual descriptions of each course for a better understanding of who will be successful in these courses.
If you have never trained a dog before, these courses may be difficult for you. We do not cover the basics of dog training. We would recommend you take our Teams Set in Motion course as a great start to your dog training journey!
Each course gives you the opportunity to qualify for continued education credits (CEUs).
Sweet Snoopers Diabetes and Scent Detection Course offers 21 CEUs with CCPDT, 7.5 with IAABC, and 5 with KPA
Service Dog Foundations Course offers 15 CEUs with CCPDT and 25 with IAABC
*Each additional specialty add-on (Mobility, Psychiatric, Medical) also adds 12 CEUs with CCPDT.
Service Dog Selection course offers 5 CEUs with CCPDT
If you take the CEU (continuing education unit) options for the service dog selection course or the service dog foundations course, you will pay a little more. But you also get a more from the classes as well as CEUs approved by several organizations. The CEU options comes with some video assignments on top of the quizzes that everyone takes. This means more personalized and detailed feedback from Atlas instructors and more hands-on practice for you.
The scent course automatically qualifies you for CEUs and there is no difference in assignments, price, or the type of feedback you will get.
No. If you are interested in becoming an Atlas Certified Trainer, you will need to complete our entire Atlas Trainer Academy.
Our Trainer Academy is a comprehensive program designed for professional or experienced dog trainers wanting to expand their skills, knowledge, and business to support service dog training. Through the program, students enhance their teaching and communication skills, crucial dog knowledge, and learn about disabilities, how to work with disabled clients, and teach many service dog tasks.
They also join a supportive and constructive community of like-minded, positive reinforcement trainers. They join a private Facebook group, have access to frequent virtual meet-ups, and get ongoing support from Atlas instructors and staff.
Atlas Certified Trainers are then promoted on our website, given client referrals, and have access to any new courses or materials for free!
These specialty courses are a glimpse into the Academy. These are just a few of the courses that Atlas Trainers take as they work through the program.
If you wish to continue on to the full Academy after completing some of these specialty courses you will receive a discount on the Academy.
Each course will be available to you for six months from the time you gained access to it.
You will have an additional 2 months per add on modules for Service Dog Foundations.
You will lose access to the course(s) if you do not complete them within the allotted time unless you have prior written arrangements with Atlas.
All these courses are offered online only through our learning platform. You will need access to a computer or tablet, and access to internet with reasonably high speeds.
If you are doing CEU versions you will need access to a way to record videos (a cell phone is fine).
There will be materials to download, videos to watch, as well as videos and documents to upload and submit. We can of course offer some tech support you if you have some difficulties navigating the platform!