Train Your Own Assistance Dog – Affordable, Accessible, and Effective! 🐶💙

Empower Yourself with Professional Assistance Dog Training—Without the High Costs!

🐕 What This Course Offers You:

The training will begin to flow

This easy-to-follow, budget-friendly course gives you all the tools you need to train a reliable assistance dog for mobility support, PTSD, autism, hearing loss, medical alert, and more.
Assistance dog next to wheel chair, practicing a down stay in a supermarket

The Problem is....

How do you know that you're going to get the support you need throughout your journey?

Do you need an assistance dog but can’t afford the $20,000+ price tag of a fully trained service dog? You're not alone. We believe everyone deserves access to life-changing support, which is why we’ve created an affordable, step-by-step online course that teaches you how to train your own assistance dog—at a fraction of the cost. This course empowers you with the tools, knowledge, and support to confidently train a dog that meets your individual needs, on your terms. Do you need an assistance dog but can’t afford the $20,000+ price tag of a fully trained service dog? You're not alone. We believe everyone deserves access to life-changing support, which is why we’ve created an affordable, step-by-step online course that teaches you how to train your own assistance dog—at a fraction of the cost. ✅ No expensive trainers. ✅ No long wait lists. ✅ Train at your own pace, in your own home.
Full Curriculum
Assistance dog in a down stay at the chemist

💰 Why Choose This Course?

Unlike traditional assistance dog programs that cost $20,000-$40,000 and require years on a wait list, this course provides an affordable alternative designed for:

✅ People on a budget who need an assistance dog but can't afford professional training.
✅ Individuals with disabilities looking for an accessible, step-by-step program.
✅ Families who want to train their own assistance dog for autism, PTSD, medical alert, hearing loss and much more.
✅ Anyone who wants expert training guidance—without paying thousands of dollars.
✅ No expensive upfront costs – save thousands compared to pre-trained dogs.
✅ No long wait lists – begin your training journey today.
✅ Train at your own pace – access content anytime, from anywhere.
✅ Guided by a Government-Approved Assessor –professional support throughout. 

✅ Supportive online community – connect with other owner-trainers.
✅ Step-by-step structure – no guesswork, just clear guidance.
✅ Live access to a qualified trainer – get answers to your questions.
✅ Covers all key training stages – from puppy development to advanced task work.               ✅ Focus on welfare and ethical training – positive reinforcement methods only.
✅ Learn to advocate for yourself – Understand your rights and certification options.
✅ Optional feedback on your training videos – personal support available.
✅ Suitable for NDIS participants – may be claimable under certain categories

🎯 Typical cost of a fully trained service dog: $20,000-$40,000
🎯 Cost of training your own assistance dog with this course: A tiny fraction of that!

🚀 Get Started Today – Your Life-Changing Journey Begins Here!

You don’t need to spend thousands or wait years to have an assistance dog by your side. With the right training, your own dog can become your dedicated service companion.

🔹 [Enroll Now] & Start Training Your Assistance Dog Today! 🔹

💬 Have questions? We’re here to help—contact us anytime!

Course curriculum

You will also become a member of our community

    1. A message from the instructor

    2. What is an Assistance Dog and What Do They Do?

    3. Australian Assistance Dogs and Your Rights Under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)

    4. Other Countries - Legal Rights

    5. How to Handle a Public Access Denial in Australia

    6. Lodging Complaints for Public Access Denials

    7. Template: Formal Complaint Letter for Public Access Denial of an Assistance Dog

    8. Educating the Public About Assistance Dogs

    9. Ethical Considerations for Owners Training Their Own Assistance Dog

    10. Test Your Knowledge

    1. Evaluating Puppies vs. Adult Dogs for Assistance Dogs

    2. Rescue vs. Purpose-Bred Dogs for Assistance Work

    3. How to choose the right dog

    4. Understanding Dog Breeds: Choosing the Right Partner for Assistance Work

    5. Health and Genetic Considerations for Assistance Dogs

    6. Best Dog Breeds for Emotional Support & PTSD Assistance

    7. 🐕 Best Dogs & Tasks for Assistance Work

    8. Test your knowledge

    1. Understanding Animal Behaviour and Ethograms

    2. Where did the dog come from?

    3. Insight quiz

    4. Characteristics

    5. Providing Education According to Breed

    6. Test your knowledge

    1. Canine Communication and Body Language

    2. Body Language

    3. Understanding Dog Tails: Communication and Variations

    4. Weight Distribution

    5. Facial Expressions part 1

    6. Facial Expressions part 2

    7. A Dog’s Nose: A Powerful Tool for Understanding the World

    8. Understanding Canine Vocalisation

    9. Defensive Barking

    10. 🐕 Breed-Specific Vocalisations

    11. Understanding Displacement Behaviours in Dogs

    12. Understanding Tactile Communication in Dogs

    13. Understanding Arousal in Dogs: Finding the Balance

    14. Managing Arousal and Training for Balance

    15. Mastering Arousal Control in Dogs: A Comprehensive Training Guide

    16. Quiz

    1. How Your Dog Learns: Understanding Canine Learning & Behaviour

    2. Understanding How Behaviour Occurs: The Role of Stimulation & Conditioning

    3. 🐾 The Science of Canine Learning

    4. Operant Conditioning

    5. Understanding the Law of Effect in Dog Training

    6. The Four Quadrants to Behaviour

    7. Respondent Conditioning

    8. Understanding Extinction in Dog Training: The “Fifth Quadrant”

    9. Extinction Training Plan: How to Stop Unwanted Behaviours Effectively

    10. Test your knowledge

    1. Clicker Training

    2. Introducing your dog to the clicker

    3. Easy Exercise to practice your clicker skills

    4. Adding another dimension to the behaviour

    5. Test your learning

About this course

  • Subscribe NOW>
  • 161 lessons
  • 3 hours of video content
  • For prospect assistance dogs
  • Homework
  • Geared towards your PAT

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • 1. Can I really train my own assistance dog?

    Yes! Many people successfully train their own assistance dogs, even with no prior experience. Our course provides step-by-step guidance, from basic obedience to advanced service dog tasks, making the process easy, affordable, and achievable.

  • 2. Do I need to have a dog already to start the course?

    No, you don’t need to have a dog to begin. The course covers key content on dog selection, puppy development, and assessing suitability for assistance work. Starting early can help you make informed decisions when the time comes.

  • 3. What kinds of disabilities or conditions does this course cover?

    Our course is designed to help train assistance dogs for a variety of needs, including: ✅ Mobility support (balance, retrieving items, bracing) ✅ PTSD & psychiatric assistance (deep pressure therapy, anxiety alerts, nightmare interruption) ✅ Autism assistance (sensory regulation, safety tethering, social support) ✅ Hearing alert (responding to alarms, doorbells, name-calling) ✅ Medical alert (seizure response, diabetic alert, allergy detection)

  • 4. What if my dog isn’t a specific breed? Can any dog become an assistance dog?

    While certain breeds like Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and Poodles are commonly used, any breed with the right temperament, trainability, and size can become a great assistance dog. The most important factors are: ✔️ Calm and stable temperament ✔️ Eagerness to learn and work ✔️ Good socialization skills ✔️ Physical ability to perform the required tasks

  • 5. How long does it take to train an assistance dog?

    Training time varies based on your dog's age, experience, and the tasks they need to learn. However, most dogs take between 6 months to 2 years to become fully trained. Our course helps you train at a pace that works for you, with clear goals and progress markers.

  • 6. Does this course help with passing the Public Access Test (PAT)?

    Yes! A key part of our course covers Public Access Test (PAT) preparation, ensuring your dog is ready to behave in public places like stores, restaurants, and public transport. You'll learn: ✔️ How to train calm, distraction-proof behavior ✔️ How to handle real-world challenges ✔️ Step-by-step PAT practice exercises

  • 7. What training methods does this course use?

    We use positive reinforcement-based training, which is the most effective and humane method for assistance dog training. This means: ✔️ Reinforcing appropriate behaviour with treats, praise, or play. ✔️ Building a strong bond based on trust and confidence. ✔️ No harsh punishments or force-based methods.

  • 8. Can I take this course if my dog is already partially trained?

    Absolutely! Whether you're starting from scratch or refining advanced skills, this course allows you to skip ahead to the areas you need most.

  • 9. What if I need help during the course?

    We’re here for you! 🎉 You’ll have access to: ✔️ Trainer support for questions and guidance. ✔️ Exclusive community forums to connect with others. ✔️ Optional private help

A Note From the Founder

Assistance Dog Trainer Charlotte Smithson

As an extremely shy child, I fell behind tremendously at school and was written 'off' by many teachers as a failure. Well, after every knock down, I got back up and ended up going to university and carved a magnificent career for myself working with the things I love most in life, 'animals' and 'people'. I am now renowned for my wealth of knowledge and experience and receive 15-20% more referrals than the industry standard - which is a dismal 3%.

Social proof: testimonials

What some of our students say!

🌟 Testimonial: How This Course Changed My Life

— Sarah M., PTSD Assistance Dog Handler

*"I always dreamed of having an assistance dog, but the cost of a fully trained service dog was completely out of reach for me. When I found this course, I was skeptical—could I really train my own dog? But the lessons were so clear and easy to follow, even for a total beginner like me! Within a few months, my dog, Luna, learned how to pick up dropped items, interrupt my anxiety attacks, and even help me with balance when walking. The support from the trainers and the community made all the difference. Best of all, I didn’t have to spend thousands of dollars or wait years on a list. This course gave me independence, confidence, and an unbreakable bond with my dog. If you’re on the fence—just do it! It’s the best investment I’ve ever made."*

🐶 For PTSD Assistance Dogs

— James R., U.S. Army Veteran

"I never thought I could train my own PTSD service dog, but this course changed everything. The lessons were easy to follow, even as someone with no training experience. My dog, Max, now alerts me before panic attacks, provides deep pressure therapy, and wakes me from nightmares. This course gave me back my independence without the overwhelming cost of a fully trained service dog. If you’re struggling and need help, this is the best decision you’ll ever make!"

🐕‍🦺 For Mobility Assistance Dogs

— Emily T., Mobility Assistance Dog Handler

"I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which affects my mobility and balance. I couldn’t afford a $30,000 service dog, so I decided to try training my own with this course. I was amazed at how well the structured lessons worked! My dog, Daisy, now helps me stand up, retrieve objects, and even press elevator buttons. This course gave me the confidence and tools to train her myself—without spending a fortune."

🦻 For Hearing Assistance Dogs

— Carlos M., Hearing Assistance Dog Handler

"As someone with profound hearing loss, I relied heavily on vibrating alarms and flashing lights. But after taking this course, my dog, Toby, now alerts me to doorbells, alarms, and even someone calling my name. The training was easy to follow, and I could work at my own pace. This course made having a hearing service dog affordable and achievable for me!"

🧩 For Autism Assistance Dogs

— Laura P., Parent of a Child with Autism

"I wanted a service dog to help my son, who is on the autism spectrum, but the cost was out of reach. This course gave us a step-by-step guide to train our own dog, Bella. She now helps my son with sensory regulation, deep pressure therapy, and even prevents him from wandering. The difference in his life—and ours—has been incredible. Thank you for making this course so accessible!"