Welcome back to Pawsitive Partnerships! In our last post, we explored what defines a Service Dog: a dedicated, highly trained Canine Partner who performs specific tasks to help mitigate their Human Partner’s disability. Today, we’re taking a closer look at how these remarkable dogs grow from curious puppies into skilled Service Dogs, capable of empowering greater independence. 

At Your Service Dog Inc’s Full Potential Service Dog School, training is personalized, game-based, and progresses through well-structured stages. Whether the dog is raised by a volunteer Puppy Raiser or directly by their Human Partner, every team receives one-on-one support through online lessons, daily communication with a trainer, and a structured training path.

Training is organized into a series of courses called Basic Foundation Skills, which are designed to build both the dog’s ability and the Human Partner’s confidence as a trainer and teammate. 

Puppy Kindergarten: A Gentle Start for the Youngest Learners 

Puppy Kindergarten is a supportive, optional first step designed especially for very young puppies who benefit from early socialization and gentle introduction to foundational concepts. This class provides early exposure to: 

• Vocabulary like “sit,” “get,” and “lie” 

• Calm behavior and house manners 

• Leash handling and grooming comfort 

• Confidence around people, places, and other animals 

Training at Your Service Dog Inc is always game-based, and the learning is structured, fun, and helps each puppy grow into their Full Potential at their own pace. 

Basic Foundation Skills – Level 1 

Level 1 is the first formal training step. It introduces the core behaviors required for Service Dog Work and is taught through fun, interactive games. 

What’s taught: 

• Foundational behaviors essential to any Service Dog’s role 

• Manners in public and focusing on the Human Partner despite distractions 

• The first Task: retrieving, which serves as a foundation for a wide range of disabilities 

• Strengthening the relationship between Human and Canine Partner 

This level is all about building trust, communication, and reliability through consistent, positive training. 

Basic Foundation Skills – Level 2 

 In Level 2, the dog and trainer build on Level 1 skills while introducing more challenges. This stage focuses on: 

• Developing a second Task customized to the Human Partner’s needs 

• Practicing behaviors with more distractions, longer durations, and varied environments 

• Deepening communication and handler skills to prepare for more independent work 

Game-based learning continues to make this training effective and enjoyable for both dog and trainer. 

Basic Foundation Skills – Level 3 

In Level 3, the training is fine-tuned for fluency and real-world application. Dogs and their Human Partners work on:

• Additional custom Tasks that directly mitigate the Human Partner’s disability 

• Advanced responsiveness and reliability across changing environments 

• Maintaining calm, confident behavior in more complex public situations 

 This level sets the stage for a successful Service Dog partnership that can adapt and thrive in daily life. 

 Lifelong Support and Partnership 

 Even after completing all three levels, training doesn’t truly end. Service Dog Work is a lifelong journey of teamwork, growth, and communication. Your Service Dog Inc provides ongoing support, personalized coaching, and continued mentorship—ensuring each partnership stays strong and continues to meet the needs of the Human Partner. 

Each team is unique, but they all share the same foundation: a partnership built through love, learning, and mutual respect. 

Have questions about training or want to share your own journey? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.