Choosing a service dog trainer in Canada is a significant decision. You are investing in the dog's education, your own skills, and a partnership that may become part of everyday life. Before signing a contract, you should understand how the trainer works and what the program can realistically offer.
A useful first conversation goes beyond asking whether someone trains service dogs. Ask how they assess candidates, protect the dog's welfare, teach handlers, and respond when progress does not follow the original plan.
Ask what training actually looks like
Terms such as "positive" or "balanced" do not tell you exactly what will happen in a lesson. Ask what the trainer does when a dog becomes distracted, worried, or unable to complete an exercise. Ask which tools they use and how they decide when to make an exercise easier.
We use evidence-based, reward-based methods at Pawsitively Service Dogs. Dog welfare matters throughout the process. In a peer-reviewed study of 92 companion dogs, dogs attending schools using a high proportion of aversive methods showed more stress-related behaviour and larger increases in cortisol after training than dogs in reward-based schools. This was a companion-dog study, rather than a service-dog trial, but it gives an important reason to ask careful questions about methods. 1
Ask about relevant experience
General obedience experience is useful, but service dog training also involves disability-related tasks, public environments, and teaching the handler to maintain the dog's skills. Ask about experience with your intended tasks and the situations where you expect to work together.
Ask what qualifications mean, who issued them, and whether any claimed accreditation can be independently verified. A trainer should explain their scope and recognise when veterinary or other professional input is needed.
Ask how suitability is assessed
A potential service dog assessment should help identify strengths, concerns, and whether further training is appropriate. It should not be presented as a guarantee that your dog will graduate. Ask how suitability will be reviewed as the dog develops and what happens if the dog is no longer suited to service work.
Ask what you are committing to
Request clear written information about what service dog training costs, what is included, and the handler's responsibilities. Check deposits, payment schedules, cancellation terms, and the policy if training ends early. Ask about the amount and type of practice expected between lessons.
Also ask how progress is measured and what support is available when a skill becomes difficult. A program should help you understand the training, rather than leaving you dependent on the trainer to handle your dog.
Ask how training relates to certification
A private training program and the provincial certification process are separate things. Ask the trainer to explain the relevant pathway in Nova Scotia or British Columbia, including who conducts any required assessment. A course-completion certificate should not be represented as provincial certification. 2, 3
Give yourself room to decide
You should be able to ask questions, read the contract, and consider whether the approach fits your circumstances. Treat promises that every dog will qualify or that complex training can be rushed as reasons to ask for a clearer explanation.
Discuss your next step
Considering training for a dog you already own? Contact Pawsitively Service Dogs to discuss a potential service dog assessment and whether our owner-trainer program may fit your needs.
British Columbia: jenn@pawsitivelyservicedogs.ca
Nova Scotia: melanie@pawsitivelyservicedogs.ca
General inquiries: info@pawsitivelyservicedogs.ca
Sources
[1] Vieira de Castro et al. (2020). Does training method matter? Evidence for the negative impact of aversive-based methods on companion dog welfare. PLOS ONE.
[2] Government of Nova Scotia. Service Dog Act and certification information.
[3] Province of British Columbia. Guide Dog and Service Dog Certification.