A common challenge that service dog trainers encounter is a person with a disability who has selected a dog for service work that is not suited for … [Read More...] about At-Home-Only Service Dogs

Learn About Service Dog Training
Service Dog Educator
Veronica Sanchez MEd., CABC, CPDT-KA is known for her expertise in service dogs. She developed a certificate program for professional dog trainers in service dog coaching and wrote the book, Service Dog Coaching: A Guide for Pet Dog Trainers. She is a frequent speaker and writer for professional organizations including the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and the Pet Professional Guild. Veronica is passionate about educating professional dog trainers, healthcare professionals and others about service dogs.
Online Courses
On-demand courses about service dog training for professional dog trainers, career-changers, healthcare pros and others interested in service dogs. Learn about task training, service dog laws and more.
Service Dog Coach Certificate
A comprehensive program in service dog coaching for experienced pet dog trainers. Earn the respected SDC credential, expand your training skill set, help dogs and help people with disabilities.
What people are saying about our courses
"This is an excellent program. It provides so many important details and is very clear, while still remaining interesting! The mixture of learning methods is superb, and I highly recommend this thorough and informative program." - Risë VanFleet, PhD, CDBC, Author, The Human Half of Dog Training and Animal Assisted Play Therapy™, International Institute for Animal Assisted Play Therapy
Service Dog Coaching Certificate
“The retrieve is a seemingly simple task that is deceptively difficult to train. The Cooperative Paws retrieve course does an excellent job of breaking it down — with valuable troubleshooting throughout. This course is a must for anyone interested in training a retrieve for service work or any reason.” — Nancy Liebhauser CPDT-KA, CTDI
The Retrieve
“I really learned so much from your course. Your presentation was extremely informative, relevant and user friendly. I appreciated that you included both video and text when covering the content.” - Michele Siegel CPDT-KA, Therapy Dog Trainer & Evaluator
Service Dog Fundamentals
"This thoughtfully constructed course provides much-needed clarity on the subject of service dogs. The information is presented in short sections — making it easy for professionals to fit this course into their busy schedules. I also love that the written materials are available for download so I can read and refer back to them when I’m not online.” - Cliff DeGray, Arlington VA
Service Dog Fundamentals
“I’m really impressed by the thought you put into setting up the course, the layout, presentation of information, consistency of nomenclature and use of learning points like ‘keys to remember.'”- Leslie Sinn, DVM, DACVB, CPDT-KA, Behavior Solutions
PTSD Service Dog Tasks Course
"This course is excellent, giving clear instructions to build four useful tasks from start to finish. I highly recommend this course to trainers wanting to expand their knowledge in the growing field of serving clients with PTSD." - Melissa Laub DDS, CPDT-KA, SDC, Co-founder Teal Paws
PTSD Service Dog Tasks Course
"I did my research and found nothing but rave reviews of Veronica and the curriculum in the SDC course. I was ready to learn. I wanted to have answers when someone asked about service dog training." - Ginger Hetrick, CCDT, SDC, Pawsitively Obedient Dog Training
Service Dog Coaching Certificate
"Veronica was fabulous to work with in the SDC program. She was responsive and thoroughly answered all of my questions..." - Laura Sharkey PhD, KPA-CTP, SDC Woofs Dog Training
Service Dog Coaching Certificate
"This is what the dog training community has been waiting for. Finally, a comprehensive, high-quality program to teach trainers how to train service dogs!" - Kelly Spring CBCC-KA
Service Dog Coaching Certificate

Preparing Service Dogs to Work in Tight Spaces
Working with a service dog in a small space is challenging. Store aisles can have objects and food on low shelves that are tempting for a dog to … [Read More...] about Preparing Service Dogs to Work in Tight Spaces

Communicating with Clients who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing During COVID-19
Physical distancing and face masks can make teaching training classes more challenging when working with all clients, but this is especially true when … [Read More...] about Communicating with Clients who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing During COVID-19

Teaching Brace and Balance: Important Considerations
Dog trainers are often asked to train service dogs to help a person balance when walking or getting up from a fall. The person may hold a harness the … [Read More...] about Teaching Brace and Balance: Important Considerations

Training Service Dogs to Pull
Service dogs need to pull to perform tasks like opening a door, opening a drawer, pulling a zipper and helping their owner take off a jacket. Pulling … [Read More...] about Training Service Dogs to Pull

Default Behaviors for Service Dogs
What do checking in with their owner, waiting at curbs, and lying down while their owner waits in line have in common? These are all examples of … [Read More...] about Default Behaviors for Service Dogs