Living with a mental health condition such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, or other psychiatric conditions can make daily life feel overwhelming. For many people, dogs provide companionship, stability, and unconditional support — but in some cases, their role goes far beyond comfort. When trained to perform specific tasks that directly mitigate a mental health disability , a dog can become a psychiatric assistance dog . These dogs are life-changing partners wh

The Breed You Need , Not Just the One You Want When it comes to choosing a dog to train as an assistance dog, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is selecting the right breed. It’s also one of the most common areas where heart and head can clash. Many people are drawn to a particular breed because they’ve always loved them — perhaps they grew up with one, admire their looks, or have heard how intelligent they are. But when training an assistance dog, the breed you love m

Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can bring daily challenges — from fatigue and muscle weakness to difficulties with balance, mobility, and coordination. In the UK alone , there are now over 150,000 people currently living with MS , and about 7,100 new diagnoses each year . Globally, the figure is estimated at around 2.9 million people  living with MS. But for many people, an assistance dog can make an extraordinary difference. These specially trained dogs don’t just offer

At Adolescent Dogs, we’re passionate about helping puppies get the very best start in life. We know that responsible breeders work tirelessly to produce healthy, confident, and well-adjusted puppies — and we want to support that dedication. That’s why we’re offering 3 months of FREE Online Academy access  for every puppy you place in a new home through our Breeder Puppy Pack Programme . This exclusive offer gives your puppy owners access to professional, force-free training f

A stroke can change life in an instant. Everyday tasks — getting dressed, walking safely, or making a cup of tea — may suddenly become challenging. Recovery often involves finding new ways to do familiar things, rebuilding confidence, and regaining independence. One source of support that’s making a real difference for stroke survivors is the partnership between people and assistance dogs . The scale of the challenge According to the Stroke Association , stroke is one of the

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a complex condition that affects how the brain and body communicate. People living with FND can experience a wide range of symptoms, including seizures, limb weakness, mobility challenges, tremors, and difficulties with speech or coordination. These symptoms can be unpredictable, often fluctuating in intensity and frequency — making everyday life uncertain and sometimes frightening. Assistance dogs can provide life-changing support fo

Therapy dogs are more than just loving pets — they’re four-legged ambassadors of comfort, connection, and care. From care homes to...

If you’ve recently welcomed a puppy into your life, you may have experienced it already… one minute they’re a sleepy, adorable ball of...

An assistance dog can be life-changing, offering independence, confidence, and essential support to people with disabilities or long-term...

Before advancing to the higher stages of assistance dog training, every dog in our programme must pass a Temperament Assessment . This...

The idea of a loyal, supportive assistance dog helping a child navigate daily life is a powerful and heart-warming one. For many...

In the UK, dogs play an increasingly important role in supporting people’s physical and mental health. But terms like assistance dog ,...

Walking multiple dogs together can be challenging—especially when one is reactive. Learn why solo walks may better support your reactive dog's progress and how to manage training in a multi-dog household.

Dogs are naturally social creatures, but that doesn’t mean they all know how to greet others politely. Just like humans, dogs rely on a...

Welcoming a new puppy into your life is an exciting, heart-warming, and slightly chaotic experience. That first week sets the tone for...

Discover answers to the most common questions about our Assistance Dog Training Programme, including costs, suitability, tasks, certification, and how to get started with your dog

Have you ever seen your dog suddenly start sniffing the ground during training? Or perhaps they shake off like they’re wet—despite being...

Small dogs often have a reputation for being "bossy," "yappy," or overconfident—but what’s commonly referred to as “small dog syndrome”...

If you’ve ever tried to ignore your dog’s barking, jumping, or whining—only to find it suddenly gets worse—you’re not alone. Many dog...

Public access training is a crucial part of your assistance dog’s journey, but knowing when to start is just as important. Read our blog

Residential dog training is often debated, and understandably so. Many pet owners wonder if sending their dog away for an intensive training program will really address their dog’s behavioural issues. In this blog, we’ll explore what makes residential training effective, the importance of choosing the right trainer, and why a home-based approach may be best for you and your furry friend. Finding the right trainer The success of any residential training program hinges on the t

Why Do Dogs Eat Poo? Causes & Solutions. Discover why dogs eat poo and how to stop it. From diet deficiencies to learned behaviours, anxiety

Discover how decompression walks can help reactive dogs reset and relax. Learn how low-stress walks reduce cortisol, ease reactivity, and

Embarking on the journey of training an assistance dog is a rewarding endeavour, and starting with a puppy can be a fantastic way to build a lifelong partnership. While it's important to wait until your puppy is older before diving into serious tasks or public access training, there is tremendous value in beginning early with the fundamentals. Early training isn’t about forcing your puppy into “work mode”—it’s about laying a solid foundation through positive socialisation, ba