Basic Obedience
Clear first rules, a connection with the owner and basic skills for everyday life.
National School of Service Dog Training
Find your programme.
For life with a dog, your professional journey and specialist work. Start with what matters to you.
Where would you like to start?
Choose the situation closest to yours, and we will show you which programmes to compare.
Two routes through foundation training
You can start the General Training Course without completing another course first. Your choice depends on your goals and the range of skills you need, as well as your dog's experience.
| Programme | Goal | Duration | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Obedience | Connection, recall, walking to heel, ‘sit’, ‘down’ and ‘stay’. The ‘stand’ command is not included in this course. | 2 months | 2 times a week |
| General Training Course | Foundation obedience, ‘stand’, retrieving, returning to a designated place and more advanced exercises. Obstacles are the next stage. | 3 months | 2 times a week |
For dog owners
Programme and terms
General Training Course
Progressive work on obedience, staying in position and following commands around distractions. Also suitable as a first course.
Breed courses
Find your breed. Start with our French Bulldog course.
For future professionals
Dog training instructor
From the basics of canine behaviour and learning to supervised practice with a mentor and a final assessment.
Dog-assisted therapy specialist
Preparing specialists and dogs to work with people alongside professionals in the relevant field.
For specialist roles
Protection and Guard Training
Specialist preparation for protection work, with an emphasis on dog handling and control.
Personal Protection Dog
Advanced service dog training for escort and personal protection tasks.
Search Dog Training
Training search dogs and handlers for official services and organisations.
Guide Dog Training
Preparing a dog to guide a person with a visual impairment and training its future owner.
For practising professionals
Progressing to a higher category, voluntary certification and specialist programmes are discussed with the school team. Agree entry requirements, the syllabus and the document issued on completion before starting.