Assistance Dog Training

Assistance dogs play an invaluable role in supporting people to live more independently, safely, and confidently. Whether providing practical task support, emotional grounding, or helping navigate the world with greater ease, a well-trained assistance dog is built on far more than cues and skills alone — it starts with emotional wellbeing, trust, and choice.


Our assistance dog training is grounded in force-free, reward-based methods and is designed to support both ends of the lead. We don’t just train dogs — we teach you how to train your dog, so you feel confident, informed, and supported throughout the process.

A Team-Based Training Approach


Assistance dog training is most successful when the handler understands why and how training works. As part of this service, we coach and guide you step-by-step, ensuring you develop the skills to continue training ethically, safely, and effectively between sessions.


You will learn how to:



  • Read and respond to your dog’s body language and stress signals
  • Build engagement, focus, and emotional regulation
  • Teach and reinforce assistance tasks using positive reinforcement
  • Set up training environments that support learning and reduce overwhelm
  • Recognise when your dog needs support, distance, or rest


This approach empowers you to become your dog’s primary teacher, advocate, and support person — a critical element in long-term success.

Our Training Philosophy


We take a holistic, behaviour-led approach, looking at the whole dog — temperament, confidence, coping skills, and emotional resilience — not just task performance. Training is tailored to each dog and handler combination, recognising that every team progresses differently.


Our focus includes:


  • Strong foundations of emotional wellbeing and confidence
  • Gradual, thoughtful exposure to public environments
  • Teaching assistance tasks at a pace that supports learning and welfare
  • Helping dogs remain calm, engaged, and comfortable in working settings
  • Supporting rest, recovery, and balance alongside training
  • Ethical, Realistic, and Welfare-Focused


Not every dog is suited to assistance work, and welfare always comes first. Part of our role is helping you assess suitability honestly and compassionately, without pressure or unrealistic expectations. If a dog is struggling, we adapt the plan — or help you make informed decisions — with kindness and transparency.


Who This Service Is For


This training is suitable for:


  • Owner-trained assistance dog teams
  • Owner-trained mindDog teams
  • Dogs in early training needing solid behavioural foundations
  • Dogs whose stress, arousal, or reactivity impacts public access work
  • Handlers seeking professional guidance, education, and ongoing support


Why Train With Us?


  • Force-free, reward-based training
  • Behaviour-focused and welfare-led
  • You are guided on how to train your dog
  • Individualised plans for dog and handler
  • Ethical suitability assessments
  • Ongoing guidance and support


Training an assistance dog is a journey — and you don’t have to do it alone. Our goal is to support you in building a confident, capable partnership with your dog, grounded in trust, understanding, and respect.

Assistance Dog Assessment

For those wanting to know whether your dog maybe suitable as an assistance dog

  • $220 for a comprehensive 1.5–2 hour in-home session

Assistance Dog Training Sessions - Out in the Community

  • $110 for a 45 min to 1 hour session