Owner Trained Assistance Dogs

Assistance Dog Programme

UK's leading Owner Trained Assistance Dog Programme

We proudly support the training of Owner Trained Assistance Dogs in the UK through our Online Assistance Dog Programme.

Why Choose Us?

We mirror and exceed the highest standards recognized for assistance dogs around the world, ensuring your dog receives the best training possible.

We Support a Wide Range of Disabilities:

✅ Physical
✅ Medical
✅ Psychological

All breeds are welcome (except banned breeds), and there’s no waiting list!

Choose How You Train:

Train your dog yourself from home with our comprehensive online programme, with optional monthly in person workshops OR
Train with us intensively via our Residential Training Programme or one to one lessons
Assistance Dog Workshops North and South UK
Public Access Tests available in Guildford and Brighton. Also in Birmingham at Crufts each year in March.

Join today and start building the perfect partnership with your dog!

Welcome to the Adolescent Dogs Online Academy for Owner Trained Assistance Dogs in the UK

Who are we?

We are a team of qualified, force free dog trainers who have been training family dogs for over 19 years, helping Owner Trained Assistance Dog teams to reach their goals

Our mission is to make assistance dog training accessible to all. The inclusive nature of our programme allows us to have no waiting lists, no breed restrictions or neuter requirements, allowing more people to fulfil their dream of having a trained assistance dog without the barriers than often exist with traditional routes.

By providing home-based training options and ongoing support, we're able to empower individuals to take control of their own assistance dog journey, which is a powerful and much needed service in todays world.

List of members

Watson

PTSD support

Willow

PTSD & Autism Support

Pumpkin

PTSD Support

Sky

Mobility Support

What disabilities do we support?

We support a wide range of disabilities including:

Physical disabilities (wheelchair users, PoTS, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Multiple Sclerosis, ME, Spina Bifida, Cerebral Palsy, Spinal Injuries, Brain injuries, Strokes, Amputees etc)
Medical support (Diabetes, Epilepsy, Seizures, Addisons, Allergies, Blood Pressure, Migraines, POTS, Crohns, non epileptic seizures)
Guiding & Hearing - we only currently have light guiding & hearing videos available, but our trainers are happy to support your training journey in any way we can
Psychiatric & neurological support (Autism, Downs Syndrome, PTSD, C-PTSD, Dissociative Identity Disorder, FASD, Bipolar Disorder, Major depression, Severe anxiety) Your dog would need to ease your symptoms via specially taught tasks
Emotional support dogs: An emotional support dog is a dog who provides emotional support and eases your anxiety/symptoms without any training. Unfortunately Emotional Support Dogs are not recognised in the UK.

To utilise an assistance dog, regardless of the type of disability, a handler must qualify as disabled under the Equality Act of 2010. This means that their disability must have a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. We do not discriminate based upon diagnosis and we are open to recipients with any psychological condition with recommendation from their Psychiatrist

Online Programme

Train your assistance dog from home

We provide comprehensive assistance dog training, supporting you from puppyhood to a fully trained assistance dog, guiding you at each stage of the journey.

Video Library: Gain instant access to over 450 on-demand video tutorials, covering everything from puppy training and socialisation to basic and advanced obedience, recall, lead walking, household manners, distraction-proofing, public access skills, and behavioural challenges.

Task Training: Our tutorials also include specific task training, tailored to help your dog support you with tasks that mitigate the effects of your unique disability. You can choose which tasks you need and select them from the extensive list of videos.

Trainer Support: Enjoy live trainer support seven days a week, along with the option to join weekly live Zoom sessions for personalised guidance. You'll also have a private Whatsapp number for the head trainer for private support when needed.

Practical Support: We hold optional monthly workshops in Surrey exclusively for our assistance dog members, offering hands-on support for awards, temperament assessments, and task training. Residential training UK wide and One to One lesson options in Surrey, Sussex and Stafford are also available to utilise alongside the online programme to give your dog's training a boost

Awards: Progress through our Award system—from Puppy to Gold level and the Mitigating Task Award—before qualifying for the Access Test, conducted in person in Surrey, UK once your dog is 18 months or older. Our Public Access Test meets and exceeds international assistance dog standards. Certificates and rosettes are available at each level.

Current list of tasks available to choose from

How do I sign up?

Simply fill in the questionnaire below and email us proof of your diagnosis. You'll be approved within 24 hours and can then choose to setup either monthly, yearly or lifetime membership
What proof of diagnosis do I need?:

For most disabilities, we require any document from a health professional that confirms your diagnosis. An EHCP or PIP is not sufficient as evidence. For mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder, you'll need a letter from a qualified psychiatrist. This letter should confirm that you have been diagnosed for at least 12 months, that your condition is classified as a disability with a significant daily impact on your life, and that a task-trained assistance dog would be beneficial for you. If you benefit from your doing being with you, but they do not need to provide tasks to provide this support, they are classed as an emotional support dog and do not have the same legal access rights as an assistance dog
What age can I start my dog?

We accept puppies from 8 weeks of age. You'll find video tutorials covering all of your puppy's needs throughout their first year, from puppy socialisation tips, confidence building, obedience and the foundations for tasks. As the journey can take 2 years, we don't recommend commencing training with dogs over the age of 6 If you're still awaiting the arrival of your new puppy, you can still sign up before they arrive! Just forward your insurance details once pup is home
Is my dog suitable?

As long as your dog is under 6 years of age (depending on breed), in good health and without any concerns over their temperament, you can begin your training journey. If you are concerned about any of the above, please send us a message. We offer free assessments. There is a mandatory temperament assessment before dogs can take their Silver Award. This can be done with a local trainer
How does the programme work?

Our Online Assistance Dog Programme provides step-by-step guidance to help you train your dog from home, at your own pace. With over 450 on-demand videos, you'll gain the skills needed for obedience, public access training, and advanced task work. 🌟 What’s Included? ✅ Live trainer support 7 days a week ✅ Weekly Zoom sessions for personalised guidance ✅ Direct WhatsApp access to the head trainer for private support ✅ Optional monthly workshops for in-person training ✅ Structured Award system, leading to an in-person Public Access Test from 18 months This programme gives you everything you need to train a confident, reliable assistance dog, with expert support every step of the way!
Do you offer In Person support?

Yes, we offer monthly members only workshops in Guildford, an opportunity to work through awards, get support with medical detection training, task training, temperament assessments and support with behavioural issues. We also offer one to one lessons in Surrey, Stafford and Southampton. In additiona, we offer a £100 per week discount off our residential training stays which are a popular choice for fast-tracking your training, overcoming training struggles, teaching tasks or preparing your dog for public access training
Do I have to travel for any training?

The majority of the programme is based online, allowing you to train from home and submit videos to pass all of the awards up to the Gold level. Your Temperament Assessment is done in person, but you can ask a local force free trainer to do this for you. The Public Access Test is available in Surrey and is done in person only. Occasionally the trainer travels up to Birmingham and Crufts each year, so it's possible to book a Public Access Test then. There are also various opportunities to book an Access Test in other parts of the country, please ask us.
Can I train with you even if I can't attend a public access test?

If you’re unable to attend the Public Access Test with us, you can still use our programme to train your dog to test-ready standards. You may choose to take the test with another assessor, but in that case, your certification would not be issued by Adolescent Dogs.
What if I don't live in the UK?

We welcome teams from around the world! However, it's important to check your local laws regarding assistance dogs. All awards can be completed via video submission, but the Public Access Test must be taken in person in the UK to be certified by us. If you're unable to attend, you can still use our programme to prepare your dog for a Public Access Test, but you’ll need to find a local organisation to conduct the test. In this case, the certification would not be affiliated with Adolescent Dogs.
Is there a waiting list?

We have NO waiting list to join our programme. Sign up today and get approved within 24 hours
Does my dog need insurance?

Yes, your dog must have 3rd party liability insurance (this will need to include cover as an assistance dog before you begin any public access training). Agria, Many Pets and Petplan cover assistance dogs
Is there an age restriction for handlers?

While we have no age restrictions for handlers, if you are training a dog for a child under 16, a responsible adult must always be in control of the dog. For award titles, the adult handler may record the awards, but any mitigating tasks must be demonstrated with the young handler
How long does it take to train a dog?

To train your dog from puppy to fully trained (ready to pass an access test), takes a minimum of 18 months. You should expect the entire process to take roughly 2 years (depending on how much time you put into training and how suitable your dog is)
Can I train more than one dog?

We don't recommend training more than one dog at a time. This is due to the amount of time and commitment required to train each dog. As well as the on-going training needed throughout your dog's life to keep the training in place. If you do decide to train more than 1 dog, we offer a discounted rate to add a 2nd or 3rd dog to your membership
Does membership cover the dog or the handler?

Our membership options cover your dog. This means if you have multiple dogs, you'll need to ask us about the prices for multi-dog membership. If opting for yearly or lifetime membership, this covers for your dog. If for any reason, you choose to remove your dog from the programme, there is no refund on the membership. You can however transfer your membership to another dog if your dog does not pass their temperament assessment at 9 months.
What happens if my dog fails?

Not every dog is naturally suited to becoming an assistance dog. While our programme provides comprehensive training and support to help you progress through each level and overcome challenges, success depends on both the dog’s temperament and the handler’s ability to commit to training. If your dog does not pass the temperament assessment at 9 months, you may transfer your membership to a new dog. However, if your dog is deemed unsuitable at a later stage, a new membership will be required for a different dog. Unfortunately, membership fees are non-refundable. It's possible for your dog to only assist you at home, so your dog can remain as an 'at home' assistance dog if they fail
Does my dog need to be neutered?

We don't recommend neutering your dog unless there is a medical or behavioural need to do so. With girls, you may prefer to neuter after the 2nd season to reduce how often your dog will need to rest from supporting you
Will my dog become a registered assistance dog?

There is no official registration or certification for assistance dogs in the UK. As long as your dog is well trained and mitigates your disability, you are covered by the Equality Act 2010. We have no association with ADUK or ADI, so if you wish to visit places or travel with airlines/trains that require your dog to be ADUK or ADI registered, you will need to join a programme that offers this. However, we have had a few teams successfully travel via British Airways after passing through our programme and passing our Public Access Test.
Can your programme help with air travel?

Air travel rules are changing all the time. We recommend checking with your chosen airlines before signing up if this is a goal for you as many are governed by DEFRA who require dogs to be trained by ADUK or ADI charities. We have had a few teams successfully travel via British Airways flights after passing our Public Access Test
Will I be able to buy training vests?

Yes, once your dog has passed their temperament assessment and Silver Award from 9 months, you can purchase an 'assistance dog in training' vest, settle mat and lead slip with the Adolescent Dogs logo. You can fully customise your gear with your own preferred colours and design. This will help you with access whilst your dog is still training. An 'Assistance Dog' jacket can be purchased once your dog passes the Public Access test (from 18 months). Before 9 months, we can provide you with the details of vest makers who can make a vest without the logo. We also provide membership cards and letters of support.
Can you support with access issues?

Yes, we can provide official letters confirming your membership with our programme and the level of training your dog has achieved, as well as providing membership cards. We are also happy to email any establishments refusing you access such as Universities, Businesses, Colleges and Services.
Can my dog be an 'at home assistance dog'?

If your dog doesn't have the right temperament to accompany you in public spaces, you can still train your dog to support you at home. At home support can be valuable for many people, including retrieving medication, responding to alarms, supporting with anxiety etc.

Videos