How to Train Each Service Dog Task

Step-by-step pages for every task on our what to say when they ask list. Patience and healthy treats do most of the work.

Before you start: the basics every task sits on

• You can train your own dog. "People with disabilities have the right to train the dog themselves and are not required to use a professional service dog training program" (ADA.gov FAQ Q5).
• Socialization comes first. A calm, focused dog in public is built, not born. AKC says to socialize the dog "with the objective of having them remain on task in the presence of unfamiliar people, places, sights, sounds, scents, and other animals," and to teach the dog to focus on you and ignore distractions (AKC, Service Dog 101).
• Basic manners. IAADP's minimum standards include sit, stay, come, down, heel, and coming when called even in a busy store, plus no aggression, no begging, ignoring food on the floor, and working calmly on leash (IAADP Minimum Training Standards). The dog must be housebroken (ADA.gov FAQ Q25).
• It takes time. IAADP's minimum is 120 hours of training over six months or more, with at least 30 hours of outings in public places (IAADP).
• Practice in public the right way. Under the ADA, "the dog must already be trained before it can be taken into public places," though some state or local laws cover dogs in training (ADA.gov FAQ Q6). Until then, practice in pet-friendly places.
• Reward-based training. Mark the exact moment your dog gets it right with a click or a word like "Yes," then reward (AKC, clicker training). Build a behavior in small steps (shaping) (AKC, shaping). Hearing Dogs for Deaf People has trained thousands of dogs this way without punishment (Hearing Dogs for Deaf People).

"You'll need" on every page means: patience; healthy, low-calorie treats in tiny pieces (treats should stay under 10% of your dog's daily calories, and small pieces of carrot or green bean are low-calorie options; skip grapes, raisins, chocolate, onions, garlic, and macadamia nuts) (UC Davis Veterinary Nutrition Service); short 5–10 minute sessions that end on a win (AKC); and a marker word or a clicker.

Safety, for every medical task: never rely on the dog alone. Keep your meter or CGM, your medication, and your doctor's plan.

Pick a task

• Hearing alert (also: Hearing assistance) Rule
  Hears a sound, nudges you with its nose or paw, then leads you to the sound. For danger sounds like a fire alarm, it nudges you and then lies down instead of leading you toward the danger.
• Guiding Rule
  Guides a person who is blind or has low vision around obstacles, stops at curbs and stairs, finds doors and seats, and refuses to go forward when it isn't safe ("intelligent disobedience").
• Mobility assistance Field
  Opens and shuts doors and drawers, pushes automatic door buttons, and turns lights on and off.
• Balance assistance and Stability assistance Rule
  Stands still and braces on a cue so you can steady yourself, get up from a chair or the floor, or walk step by step to a seat.
• Wheelchair pulling Rule
  Wearing a harness with a pull strap, the dog helps move a manual wheelchair on flat ground.
• Item retrieval Rule
  Picks up dropped things, like keys, a phone, a cane, or a card, and puts them in your hand.
• Medication retrieval and Phone retrieval Rule
  Goes to one set spot and brings you a small bag with your medication, or your phone, when you can't get up.
• Medical alert Field
  Learns a specific scent or sign linked to your medical change, and gives a trained signal, like a nudge or a sit.
• Glucose alert DOJ
  Alerts you when your blood sugar goes low (or high), so you can check it.
• Seizure alert DOJ
  Alerts you or someone nearby when a seizure is starting.
• Seizure response Rule
  During or after a seizure, it barks to get family, presses an alarm pedal, or lies next to you to help keep you from getting hurt.
• Allergen detection and Allergen alert Rule
  Sniffs food, a table, or a room, and gives a trained alert, like a sit, if it smells your allergen.
• Medication reminder DOJ
  Nudges you, and keeps nudging, when it's time to take your medication.
• Panic alert DOJ
  Notices your early signs of a panic attack and nudges or paws you, so you can act before it builds.
• Panic interruption DOJ
  During a panic attack, it does a trained action that helps lessen it, like nudging you, giving deep pressure, or leading you out.
• Episode interruption DOJ
  Nudges or paws you to bring you out of a freeze or a dissociative episode.
• Behavior interruption and Disruption Rule
  Breaks into a harmful or repetitive behavior, like skin picking, hair pulling, hitting yourself, or a meltdown, with a nudge, a paw, deep pressure, or redirection.
• Deep pressure (also called DPT) Field
  On cue, it lies across your lap, chest, or legs and holds steady weight on you, then gets off when you say so.
• Grounding DOJ
  Leans on you, rests its chin on your knee, or paws you until you reorient.
• Safety guidance DOJ
  Leads you to an exit or a quiet, safe spot when you're overwhelmed or disoriented.
• Room checks DOJ
  Goes into a room or your home first, turns on lights or looks around, and comes back to signal it's OK to come in.
• Wandering prevention DOJ
  A child wears a belt attached to the dog's harness, while an adult holds the dog's leash. If the child tries to bolt, the dog holds still and anchors them. Some dogs also learn to track a child who wanders off.
• Nonviolent protection and Rescue work Rule
  Nonviolent protection: shields you from injury without any aggression, for example by lying next to you during a seizure. Rescue work: gets help, by finding a family member and bringing them to you, or pushing an emergency call button.
• Nightmare interruption Field
  Notices restless movement or sounds while you sleep and wakes you, for example by nudging you, licking your hand, or pulling the covers off, then stays with you.

These are general training tips, not a substitute for a qualified trainer, your doctor, or your vet. Stop any exercise that hurts or stresses your dog. Sources checked October 19, 2026.