Get

In Your Inbox

Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

How Long Does It Take to Train a Service or Guide Dog? Vet Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Service Dogs

While it is possible to train any dog to be a service or guide dog to a certain extent, some breeds are better at it than others. Even then, some dogs within a breed that’s thought to be a good service or training breed are just not cut out for the job. Once you do identify a dog that’s suitable for service or guide training, it takes a while time to complete the training process so they can excel at their jobs.

So, how long does it take to train a service or guide dog? The answer isn’t simple, although there are guidelines that can be referred to when planning to train a dog as a service or guide dog. According to the guidelines set by the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners, it should take about 120 hours of professional training and an additional 30 hours of social training in public settings.1 Here is everything that you need to know.

divider dog paws 4 oct 2025How Long Does It Take to Train a Service or Guide Dog?

According to the guidelines set by the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners, it should take about 120 hours of professional training and an additional 30 hours of social training in public settings. The training should take place over at least 6 months, to ensure that the training is not rushed and that nothing important is overlooked.

Before training can even begin, it is important to assess whether your dog is a good candidate for such training. Your dog must be patient, sociable, good with children and other animals, and used to stressful and engaging situations. Service and guide dogs are responsible for a variety of tasks, including:

  • Guiding the blind
  • Guiding the deaf
  • Mobility assistance
  • Seizure response
  • Diabetes assistance
  • Mental health support

Service dogs may help retrieve items for those who physically cannot do so themselves. They should always be willing to please their masters. They should be ready and willing to follow their owners wherever they go. They should remain calm even in exasperating situations. They should also be alert at all times.

Your dog may take up to 2 years to train depending on their age, temperament, and instinctive personality. Some dogs need more time to grow their strengths while working to restrain their shortfalls. Others are good at learning all these tasks and behaviors, so it does not take them as long to become reliable service or guide dogs.

service dog helping a blind woman
Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock

What Breeds Are Best Suited as Service and Guide Dogs?

Virtually any dog can be trained as a service and guide dog. However, some breeds make better service and guide dogs than others because of things like their instinctive personalities, temperaments, and behaviors. This makes them easier to train and more reliable when it comes to their service offerings overall. Here are the best-suited breeds for service and guide dogs:

Service Dogs

Guide Dogs

dog training outdoor
Image Credit: Rolf Klebsattel, Shutterstock

How to Get Started With the Training Process

It is important to work with a professional when training your dog to be a service or guide dog. You can start yourself with obedience training, but a professional should step in to train specific service, guidance, and social skills. You can learn from the professional how to execute the commands, how to reward the commands that are well received and executed, and how to correct behavioral and working behaviors when necessary.

divider dog faces oct 2024

Conclusion

It’s important to keep an open mind, have plenty of patience, and seek the help of a professional when training your dog to be a service and/or guide dog. While the breeds listed here are most suitable for service or guide dog training, almost any dog can achieve at least the minimum when it comes to helping people live happier and healthier lives overall.

Related Reads: 


Featured Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Dogster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

10 Remarkable Service Dog Statistics in 2025: Training, Costs & FAQ

Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website. Dogs trained to serve and assist...

Service dog giving assistance to disabled person on wheelchair

How to Get a Psychiatric Service Dog: 6 Vet-Approved Tips

Service dogs play a very important role in the lives of their handlers. They aid people with both physical and mental disabilities and...

Service dog giving assistance to disabled person on wheelchair

Why You Can’t Pet Service Dogs: 3 Surprising Reasons

As a community of animal lovers, we all know how difficult it can be to resist the urge to cuddle a service dog....

Service Dogs

What Does a Therapy Dog Do? Facts & FAQ

Every dog owner recognizes the positive impact their pet has on their lives. When they promote them to being therapy dogs, they give...

therapy dog visiting patient in hospital

More related

A man holds a dachshund's paw outdoors in a park in summer

Can a Dachshund Be a Service Dog? Vet-Verified Facts & FAQ

A Dachshund is an affectionate, playful, and loyal pet, and since they are so much fun to have around the house, many people...

dog paw on two human hands

How Long Does It Take a Rescue Dog to Bond With You? Vet-Verified Facts & Advice

Bringing a rescue dog into your home is a wonderful thing to do, but it comes with its own set of challenges. For...

Dog consistent training

How Long Will It Take to Train a Dog? Facts & Tips

When you have a dog as a pet, it’s important that you train them so they learn proper behavior, such as not jumping...

young woman using phone with her dog at home

Pet Telehealth: How Does It Work? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ

Many aspects of living with dogs have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has caused many people to become familiar with using...

Keep reading

How to Add Grain to a Grain-Free Dog Food: 5 Vet Approved Tips

Over the last decade or so, grain-free and gluten-free diets have become increasingly popular for humans, and by extension, that popularity has trickled down into canine diets, too. However, as with the human population, provided the balance of nutrients is...

Weimaraner eating dog food

6 Food High in Magnesium for Dogs: Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Like humans, dogs require essential minerals and vitamins to function. Magnesium, along with calcium, phosphorus, and potassium, is an essential macromineral. It’s important for bone formation, muscle, and nerve function. Magnesium must be included in the diet in sufficient amounts...

dog eating in a food bowl

Can Dogs Eat Sherbet? Vet-Reviewed Health & Safety Guide

Eating a cold and refreshing bowl of sherbet on a hot summer day sounds incredibly appealing, and it’s quite likely that your dog is watching every spoonful going into your mouth. This is the point when you wonder if it...

Can Dogs Eat Sherbet

11 Best Wet Dog Foods for Chihuahuas in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Chihuahuas are feisty and charming little dogs, and when it’s time to find new food, you want to ensure that your pup is getting only the best. There is a definite advantage to feeding wet or canned food to your...

Two chihuahuas eating together

How Much Should I Feed My Dog? Vet-Approved Feeding Chart & Guide

How much food to feed your dog is best determined by open and honest communication with your veterinarian. She will help calculate the appropriate number of daily calories for your dog based on criteria, such as breed, age, health, activity...
woman feeding a poodle at home

Can Dogs Eat Eggs With Cheese? Vet-Reviewed Health & Nutrition Guide

Feeding your dog tasty treats is one of the simple joys in life, and as many dog owners will attest, it’s even more fun when you and your pet can share the same meal. If you’ve just made a delicious...

Can Dogs Eat Eggs With Cheese

How to Cook Beef Liver for Dogs: Vet-Approved Recipes & FAQ

Beef liver is a nutritionally dense organ meat ingredient that can be used as a fantastic addition to your dog’s diet. It is a great source of protein, is low in fat, and contains a plethora of vitamins and minerals...

sliced beef liver with knife on black stone cutting board

How to Make Dog Treats to Sell at Home & Start a Business: 11 Tips

If there’s one thing we know about dogs, it’s that they absolutely love having as much food to eat as possible. It seems most dogs are willing to stuff just about anything in their gullet. So, you could make some...

Bone and paw-shaped dog treats on cookie sheet