In-Home Service Dog Training

Service dogs are raised to assist people with disabilities.  Most service dog providers rely on volunteers who train dogs in their own homes until they are ready to serve.  If you want to become a volunteer for in-home service dog training, it’s important to learn about the process and how it will impact your current lifestyle before you decide to go through with it.

• Many service dog training providers require people to complete an apprenticeship before they can become service dog trainers.  Going through a supervised service dog training apprenticeship is a great way to get involved if you don’t have a background in professional canine training.


• In-home service dog training volunteers do not get paid, or get paid very little.  Most groups that connect service dogs with disabled people are non-profit organizations.  They are sustained by donations and grants.  If you are considering becoming a part of an in-home service dog training program, be prepared to work very hard for little or no money. 


• You must be financially prepared to take care of a dog for around two years because that’s typically how long it takes to fully prepare a service dog for working with the disabled.   In most cases, you won’t be compensated for the amount of money it takes to raise a healthy dog.  Taking care of a dog can be very expensive, and non-profit service dog providers can’t afford to reimburse volunteers for supplies and medical care.


• In-home service dog training programs are not for everyone.  You’ll have to fill out an application and get approved before you can get started with training a dog in your home.  The exact application and approval process varies depending on the group and their cause.