Owner Trained Service Dog Program
Hands-On Partnership, Expert Support
At Aspen Service Dogs, our Owner Trained Program empowers you to train your own service dog with the full support of our experienced team. Over the years, we’ve successfully guided handlers working with dogs of many breeds and ages, from young puppies to adult companions. From your first consultation to certification, you’ll receive expert guidance, proven structure, and access to resources and facilities that make all the difference.
A Structured, Supported Path
Our Owner Trained Program is designed to help you and your dog grow together. You will work alongside professional trainers who have helped shape the Alberta service dog community for more than 25 years building skills, confidence, and partnership every step of the way
Unlike other programs that meet only in public settings, Aspen offers dedicated, controlled training facilities in Edmonton and Calgary. These spaces allow you and your dog to practice new skills in a calm, distraction-free environment before applying them in the real world. It’s a unique advantage that sets our teams up for long-term success.
How the Program Works
1. Consultation & Assessment
Your journey begins with an in-depth consultation and dog assessment. This session helps our trainers evaluate whether your dog is a suitable candidate for service work and begin developing a personalized training plan that reflects your goals, lifestyle, and needs. Even for young dogs, this early step helps set a realistic roadmap for growth and success.
2. Foundational Training
In this phase, we focus on developing a strong working relationship through clear communication, problem solving, and confidence building. Training takes place both in school and in carefully selected public environments from the very beginning. Early exposure to sights, sounds, and experiences helps puppies and young dogs build composure and resilience. Foundational skills like engagement, focus, and calm behavior also begin shaping the groundwork for the advanced tasks your dog will perform in the future.
3. Public Access & Skill Development
Real-world practice is woven into every stage of training. Classes alternate between controlled sessions in our Edmonton and Calgary facilities and practical work in public settings such as stores, cafés, and transit stations. This balanced approach ensures your dog learns to stay calm, focused, and reliable in any environment while continuing to strengthen your partnership.
4. Task Training & Refinement
As you and your dog progress, we begin shaping and refining the specific tasks that support your individual needs. Whether it’s mobility assistance, alerting, retrieval, or emotional regulation support, our trainers help you proof each behavior for consistency and confidence in public.
5. Certification Readiness & Assessment
When you are ready, we provide coaching and preparation for Alberta’s recognized qualification and public access testing process. By this stage, you and your dog will have the composure and reliability expected of a professional service dog team.
6. Ongoing Support & Community
Training doesn’t end at certification. Aspen graduates are part of a lifelong community. We offer ongoing classes, refresher sessions, and support to you stay sharp, confident, and connected throughout your dog’s working years.
Why Aspen’s Program Stands Apart
Leaders in Owner Trained Service Dog Development
Aspen has long been recognized as a leader in Alberta’s owner-trained service dog community, helping to shape the standards and practices many programs follow today. Many trainers across the province began their careers learning under Aspen’s experienced team and mentorship.
Professional Facilities in Edmonton & Calgary
Our dedicated training spaces provide safe, controlled learning environments to practice complex skills before entering public spaces.
Relationship-Based Training
Training at Aspen is built on trust, respect, and love. We follow proven, science backed principles that build confidence step by step, encouraging dogs to think independently, problem solve, and stay emotionally balanced in any environment. This results in service dogs who are reliable, adaptable, and deeply connected to their handlers. We are building true working partners in every sense.
Experience You Can Trust
Backed by years of proven success and leadership in the service dog community, Aspen’s staff bring unmatched expertise to every client and every dog.
Getting Started
Your first step is a consultation and assessment with our training team. Together, we’ll review your goals, evaluate your dog’s suitability, and create a tailored training plan that fits your lifestyle.
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