How long does assistance dog training take?

Training timelines vary depending on the dog, handler, and required tasks. Most teams work towards public access readiness between 18–24 months of age, although training and skill development continue throughout the dog’s working life. Our structured award system helps break the process into achievable stages so progress feels manageable and clear.

Can any breed train to become an assistance dog?

Most breeds and crossbreeds can begin training, provided they are suitable in temperament, health, and size for the tasks required. We welcome all breeds except those banned under UK legislation. Suitability depends far more on the individual dog’s temperament, confidence, and willingness to work than on breed alone.

Do I need previous dog training experience?

No prior training experience is required. The programme is designed to guide beginners step by step, explaining not only what to train but how and why. Many members start with their first dog and progress successfully with trainer support available throughout their journey.

What support will I receive during training?

Members receive ongoing professional guidance throughout their training journey, including: • Access to 450+ structured video tutorials • Live trainer support seven days a week • Weekly live Zoom support sessions • Private WhatsApp access for additional guidance • Optional workshops, one-to-one lessons, and residential training opportunities You are never expected to train alone.

Can my dog still help me if they don’t work in public?

Yes. Many dogs provide meaningful assistance within the home environment through trained tasks and routines. Public access work is only one aspect of assistance dog training, and success looks different for every team.

Owner Trained Assistance Dogs

Assistance Dog Programme

Train Your Own Assistance Dog — With Expert Support Every Step of the Journey

Why Choose Us?

Our Online Assistance Dog Programme supports individuals and families across the UK and worldwide to successfully train their own assistance dogs — from puppy foundations through to advanced public access and task work.

Whether your goal is greater independence, increased confidence in daily life, or meaningful disability support, we provide structured, ethical training designed to help you and your dog grow into a reliable working partnership.

✔ No waiting lists
✔ All breeds welcome (except UK banned breeds)
✔ Train at your own pace with professional guidance
✔ Suitable for physical, medical, and psychological disabilities

✔ Open to adults and child handlers

Flexible Training Options to Suit You

You can choose the level of support that works best for your life:

Train from home

Follow our comprehensive online programme with step-by-step tutorials, live trainer support, and optional in-person workshops.

Train with us directly

Access one-to-one lessons, residential training stays, and practical workshops across the UK.

Public Access Tests are available throughout the year, including Guildford, Bluewater, Brighton, and Birmingham (Crufts).

👉 Start building a confident, capable partnership with your dog today.

Why Train With Adolescent Dogs?

We are a team of qualified, force-free dog trainers with over 20 years of experience supporting family dogs and owner-trained assistance dog teams across the UK and internationally.

Our programme is neurodivergent-led and neurodivergent-friendly, shaped by lived experience and a genuine understanding of the barriers many disabled handlers face in traditional training environments.

Rather than expecting handlers to fit rigid training systems, we design training around real lives — allowing you and your dog to progress at a pace that is sustainable, ethical, and achievable.

We support teams at every stage of their journey, from early foundations through to advanced public access and working skills, providing structured guidance alongside compassionate, professional support.

List of members

Watson

PTSD support

Willow

PTSD & Autism Support

Pumpkin

PTSD Support

Sky

Mobility Support

Who Can Benefit From an Assistance Dog?

Assistance dogs can support people with many different types of disabilities and health conditions. Every handler’s needs are unique, and training is tailored to the individual tasks and support required in daily life.

We welcome teams working towards assistance dog training for a wide range of disabilities, including:

Physical Disabilities

Support with mobility, stability, retrieval tasks, and independence for conditions such as spinal injuries, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, amputations, chronic pain conditions, Stroke, Brain Injuries and more.

Medical Alert & Response

Dogs trained to recognise or respond to medical changes including diabetes, epilepsy and epileptic and non epileptic seizures, blood pressure conditions, allergies, migraines, PoTS, and other health conditions.

Psychiatric & Neurological Support

Task-trained assistance dogs supporting individuals with autism, PTSD and C-PTSD, severe anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, FASD, and other neurological or psychological disabilities.

(Assistance dogs must be trained to actively mitigate disability symptoms through specific learned tasks.)

Hearing & Light Guiding Support

We currently provide foundation resources for hearing alerts and light guiding work, with additional trainer support available throughout your training journey.

Assistance Dogs and UK Law

Under the Equality Act 2010, an assistance dog supports a person whose disability has a substantial and long-term impact on daily life. There is no official UK registration system — legitimacy is based on training and behaviour standards rather than certification.

We welcome applicants regardless of diagnosis and focus on how a dog can meaningfully mitigate the handler’s disability.

Emotional Support Dogs

Dogs that provide comfort through companionship alone are considered emotional support dogs. While valuable companions, emotional support dogs are not legally recognised as assistance dogs in the UK because they are not task-trained.

If you are unsure whether an assistance dog is appropriate for your situation, our trainers are happy to guide you before you join.

Online Assistance Dog Programme

Train Your Assistance Dog From Home — With Expert Guidance

Designed so you and your dog can succeed — even if you’ve never trained an assistance dog before.

Our online programme provides structured, step-by-step assistance dog training, supporting you and your dog from early foundations through to advanced public access and working skills.

You are guided at every stage, so you always know what to train next and how to progress confidently.

Step-by-Step Training Library

Access over 450 on-demand video tutorials covering:

puppy foundations and socialisation
obedience and focus skills
recall and loose lead walking
household manners and settling
distraction-proof public access skills
behavioural challenges

Training is broken into clear stages, allowing you to progress at your own pace.

Personalised Task Training

Choose from a wide range of task-training tutorials designed to help your dog actively mitigate your disability.

You select the tasks that meet your individual needs, creating a training plan tailored specifically to you.

Ongoing Trainer Support

You are never expected to train alone.

✔ Live trainer support 7 days a week
✔ Weekly live Zoom guidance sessions
✔ Private WhatsApp access to the head trainer for additional support when needed

Practical & In-Person Support

Alongside the online programme, members can access optional hands-on training opportunities:

Monthly assistance dog workshops in Surrey
One-to-one lessons across multiple UK locations
Residential training stays for intensive progress

These options allow you to combine flexible home learning with real-world coaching.

Structured Awards & Public Access Testing

Progress through our structured Award system — from Puppy level through to Gold and Mitigating Task Awards — building skills and confidence along the way.

Once your dog reaches 18 months, teams can undertake the Public Access Test, designed to meet and exceed international assistance dog standards.

Certificates and rosettes celebrate each stage of your journey.

Is This Programme Right For You?

Training an assistance dog is a journey, and it’s normal to feel unsure about where to begin. Our programme is designed to support handlers at every stage — whether you are starting with a young puppy or continuing training with an older dog.

This programme may be a good fit for you if:

✔ You want to train your own assistance dog with professional guidance
✔ You are willing to practise training consistently over time
✔ You value ethical, force-free training methods
✔ You want structured support without long waiting lists
✔ You are looking for flexibility that works around your health and lifestyle

This programme may not be the right fit if:

✖ You are looking for a fully trained assistance dog to be provided
✖ You need immediate public access without completing training
✖ You are unable to commit time to ongoing training practice

Not Sure Yet?

Many of our members begin feeling uncertain about their dog, their ability, or whether assistance dog training is achievable for them.

Our trainers are happy to guide you before you join, helping you decide whether this pathway is right for you and your dog.

👉 You don’t have to figure everything out before starting.

Current list of tasks available to choose from

Frequently asked questions

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

Many people begin assistance dog training unsure whether their dog will be suitable — and that’s completely normal. Our programme is designed to help you explore your dog’s potential with professional guidance and structured support along the way. You can sign your puppy up to the programme from as early as 8 weeks old. In general, dogs can begin training if they: ✔ Are under around 6 years old (breed dependent) ✔ Are in good physical health ✔ Show no significant aggression or serious temperament concerns If you are unsure, you’re welcome to contact us — we offer free initial suitability guidance to help you decide whether training is the right next step. Understanding Suitability Not every dog is naturally suited to full public access assistance work. Success depends on both the dog’s temperament and the handler’s ability to practise training consistently over time. Our programme helps you develop skills progressively while assessing your dog’s comfort, confidence, and enjoyment of the role. A formal temperament assessment is required before progressing to the Silver Award. This can be completed with one of our trainers or an approved local professional. If Your Dog Isn’t Suitable for Public Access Work Some dogs may be better suited to supporting their handler at home rather than working in public environments — and this is still a valuable and meaningful outcome. If your dog does not pass the temperament assessment at 9 months, your membership may be transferred to a new dog. If suitability concerns arise at a later stage, a new membership would be required for a different dog. Membership fees are non-refundable.

Yes. In the UK, assistance dogs do not need to be trained by a specific organisation or registered with a government body. Under the Equality Act 2010, an assistance dog is defined by the support it provides to a disabled person through trained tasks that mitigate their disability. Owner-trained assistance dogs have the same legal protections as dogs trained by charities, provided they are well behaved, under control, and appropriately trained for public environments. Our programme helps guide teams towards meeting and exceeding recognised assistance dog training standards.

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.

Public access rights are not granted automatically and are not based on certificates or ID alone. Access rights apply when: • the handler meets the Equality Act definition of disability, and • the dog is trained to perform disability-mitigating tasks and behaves appropriately in public. Our programme prepares teams to meet high behavioural and training standards through structured progression and public access testing.

Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK) and Assistance Dogs International (ADI) are organisations that accredit certain assistance dog charities and training programmes. These organisations set internal standards for their member organisations, primarily relating to dogs that are trained and placed by those charities. In the UK, however, assistance dog access rights are governed by the Equality Act 2010, not by ADUK or ADI membership. This means that owner-trained assistance dogs can have the same legal protections as charity-trained dogs, provided that: • the handler meets the legal definition of disability, and • the dog is trained to perform tasks that mitigate that disability and behaves appropriately in public. Air Travel and Ferries Travel providers operate under their own policies and international regulations, which can differ from UK equality law. Some airlines and ferry companies may: • request additional documentation, • require behaviour assessments, or • prefer dogs trained by ADI or ADUK member organisations. This does not mean owner-trained assistance dogs are invalid, but it can mean additional planning is required before travelling. We recommend contacting the travel provider well in advance to confirm their current requirements. Our programme focuses on helping teams reach high behavioural and training standards to support successful travel experiences wherever possible, though acceptance decisions ultimately rest with the individual transport provider. Our teams have been approved to fly with British Airways, with teams having success with Air France. Important to Know There is currently: • no official UK government registration for assistance dogs, and • no legal requirement for ADUK or ADI accreditation for everyday public access within the UK. If you are unsure about travel requirements, our trainers are happy to offer guidance based on your situation and destination.

Our training promise

We believe assistance dog training should be ethical, accessible, and supportive for both handlers and their dogs.

When you join our programme, you can expect:

✔ Guidance from qualified, force-free trainers who prioritise welfare and understanding
✔ Structured training designed to support your dog throughout every stage of development
✔ A strong commitment to animal welfare, working only with fit and healthy dogs
✔ Education around both your rights and responsibilities as an assistance dog handler under UK law
✔ Ongoing assessments to help track progress and support success
✔ A welcoming community where members support each other throughout the journey

Our goal is to help you build a confident, capable partnership with your dog that is sustainable for the long term.

Real Assistance Dog Team Reviews

How joining works

You can begin training with us as soon as you join the programme. Puppies from 8 weeks old and older dogs are welcome to start their learning journey.

To ensure assistance dog teams meet appropriate welfare and training standards, a small number of documents are required once you begin working towards public access training.

These include:

A document that states your diagnosis
Confirmation from a health professional that you meet the Equality Act 2010 definition of disability (only required for depression & anxiety)
Appropriate pet insurance including public liability cover when beginning public access training
Ongoing commitment to ethical training and welfare standards

Our trainers guide you through each step, so you always know what is required and when.

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Assessments

Assessments & Access

Assistance dog assessments are not legally required in the UK. If a dog is trained to mitigate a disabled handler’s needs, they are protected under the Equality Act 2010.

However, owner-trained teams may occasionally encounter access challenges.

Training to recognised behavioural standards and completing structured assessments can help demonstrate reliability and professionalism in public environments.

Our optional Award pathway allows teams to progress step by step:

Puppy Award — any age
Bronze — from 6 months
Silver — from 9 months (includes temperament assessment)
Gold — from 12 months
Public Access Test — from 18 months

While no organisation can legally require registration or certification, structured training helps teams feel confident navigating real-world situations.

What you receive as a member

✔ Full access to 450+ training tutorials
✔ Assistance dog task training & award pathway
✔ Daily trainer support & progress feedback
✔ Weekly live Zoom support sessions
✔ Help building personalised training plans
✔ Optional workshops, one-to-one lessons & residential training
✔ Support with access challenges
✔ Member community & peer support
✔ Eligibility for assessments and assistance dog gear

Membership Options

Choose the Support That Fits Your Journey

Our Assistance Dog Programme provides a complete, structured pathway to help you train your own assistance dog—from foundation skills through to Public Access Test level.

Designed to be flexible and accessible, you can progress at your own pace while receiving ongoing guidance from professional trainers to support you, troubleshoot challenges, and keep you moving forward.

All memberships include full access to the Online Assistance Dog Academy, a step-by-step training pathway with clear milestones and real-world criteria, and continuous trainer support throughout your journey.

Monthly Membership

£39.99 per month pay as you go

A flexible starting point for teams looking to begin their assistance dog journey with professional guidance and a clear, structured training pathway.

Designed for those who want the freedom to train at their own pace, while still having access to expert support to stay on track, build real-world skills, and progress with confidence.

Includes:

✔ Full access to the Online Assistance Dog Academy, with 450+ step-by-step tutorials covering everything from foundations to advanced assistance dog skills
✔ A structured training pathway with clear milestones, real-world criteria, and progression from foundation through to Public Access Test level
✔ Ongoing trainer support to guide you, troubleshoot challenges, and support your progress throughout your journey
✔ Weekly live Zoom training sessions for additional coaching and guidance
✔ Access to workshops, lessons, and residential training options for further hands-on support
✔ Member community for ongoing encouragement and shared progress

👉 Cancel anytime.
👉 Upgrade to another membership option at any time.

Annual Membership

£360 per year

(Save over £100 compared to monthly)

Best suited for teams committed to consistent progress and long-term results.

Stay focused and supported throughout your training journey with continuous access to the full programme and guidance when you need it.

Includes everything in Monthly Membership, plus:

✔ Better value for long-term commitment
✔ Continuous access to training and support as you progress through each stage
✔ Ideal for teams working towards completing the full pathway and Public Access Test

Lifetime Membership

£750 (one-off payment)

Designed for handlers committed to completing their full assistance dog journey with long-term access to training, support, and progression.

Includes everything in Annual Membership, plus:

✔ Lifetime access to the Online Assistance Dog Academy
✔ Assistance Dog vest, membership card, and lanyard (awarded as part of your training journey)
✔ Public Access Test included (£120 value)
✔ Long-term flexibility to train at your own pace without ongoing subscription

Payment plans available. Important: Lifetime memberships are non-refundable but may be transferred to a new dog if needed.

Lifetime Plus Membership

£1,195 (Lifetime Access + Workshop Support)

Ideal for teams who want regular hands-on guidance alongside their online training, with ongoing opportunities to build real-world skills.

Includes everything in Lifetime Membership, plus:

✔ Ongoing access to Assistance Dog Workshops in Guildford
✔ Additional in-person support to strengthen real-world training
✔ Continued guidance in higher-distraction environments

(Workshops normally £39 each)

💎 Elite Mentorship Programme

£179 per month, or £1,800 per year, or £2,400 for Lifetime

Your most supported, structured path to a fully trained assistance dog

Designed for handlers who want personalised guidance, faster progress, and expert support every step of the way.

Includes everything in our standard memberships, plus:

✔ Monthly 1:1 coaching session with Mike in Surrey (optional)
✔ Structured video feedback with personalised guidance
✔ Priority trainer access with faster response times
✔ Custom training plan tailored to your dog and needs
✔ Behaviour troubleshooting for more complex challenges
✔ Fast-track support towards Public Access Test readiness

Flexible & Supportive Options

You can start with Monthly membership and upgrade at any time.
Training progresses at your pace — there are no deadlines.
Our trainers guide you through each stage so you always know what comes next.

Not Sure Which Option Is Right?

Many members begin with the monthly option and upgrade once they feel confident the programme suits them and their dog.

👉 You don’t need everything figured out before starting.

What Happens Next?

Joining the Assistance Dog Programme is simple. Once you submit your registration form, we guide you through each step.

Step 1 — Submit Your Registration

Complete the registration form with your details, your dog’s information, and upload any required documentation.

Step 2 — Application Review

Our team will review your application to ensure the programme is suitable for you and your dog.

Step 3 — Approval & Membership Setup

Once approved, you’ll receive an email containing:

✔ Confirmation of acceptance
✔ Your membership payment link
✔ Instructions on choosing your membership option

Step 4 — Getting Started

After joining, you’ll receive a welcome email with everything you need to begin, including:

✔ Where to start training
✔ Award criteria and training pathway guidance
✔ Access to support groups
✔ Trainer contact details and support information

You can begin training immediately at your own pace, with guidance available whenever you need it.

Ready to Apply?

The registration form gathers information about you and your dog so we can ensure the programme is suitable and provide the right support from the start.

The form takes approximately 10–15 minutes to complete and includes:

✔ Your contact details
✔ Information about your dog
✔ Uploading supporting documentation such as diagnosis
✔ Training goals and support needs

You can complete the form at your own pace.

Submitting the form does not take payment.
Membership begins only after approval.

FILL IN APPLICATION FORM

How to Obtain Funding for Assistance Dog Training in the UK

Eligibility, Routes to Funding, and How to Apply Assistance dogs can be genuinely life-changing, offering increased independence, safety, and wellbeing for disabled people. However, the cost of training an assistance dog—particularly when done properly and ethically—can be a barrier. The good news is that funding is available , and not just through large charities. Many people are unaware that assistance dog training can be funded through a variety of statutory and non-stat

Adolescent Dogs

Paying it Forward

How Our Programme Is Funded & Supported

While we no longer operate a puppy-gifting pathway, we are proud to have previously gifted three assistance dog puppies to date. Our current focus is on supporting Owner Trained Assistance Dog teams, with a large portion of proceeds from our Online Academy and Assistance Dog Programme reinvested directly into practical support for our members.

Income generated through our Online Academy Memberships allows us to offer discounted residential training stays, as well as the occasional gifted residential stay or one-to-one support, to members of our Assistance Dog Programme. This approach enables us to provide meaningful support in a sustainable and ethical way.

We are not a charity. All practical trainer support is funded entirely through income generated by our Online Academy, which means the availability of gifted or heavily discounted stays is limited. We encourage members to contact us directly to discuss current availability.

Between 2021 and 2026, we provided over £80,000 worth of gifted residential training & practical support. In order to help as many teams as possible, we routinely offer 10–20% discounts on residential stays, with increased discounts available when funding allows.

Residential training is highly recommended for teams looking to accelerate their training journey. We can support dogs at a wide range of stages, including:

Early puppy socialisation and foundation training
Addressing emerging behaviours (barking, lunging, distraction challenges)
Teaching disability-specific mitigation tasks
Public access training and proofing
Preparing teams for Award assessments

Charitable Partnerships

We work in partnership with several charities, including PTSDUK, Define Fine, and Spectrum, donating 20% of membership sign-ups generated through our affiliate scheme back to each organisation to support their fundraising efforts.

If you represent a charity and are interested in joining our affiliate programme, we would be pleased to hear from you.