SDC Certification Program Application

Applications are now open for the next Service Dog Coach Certificate Program session, which begins February 23, 2027. Spots are filled first come, first served. Please apply by February 11 so there’s enough time to fully review and process your application. This may be the only session in 2027, as our founder takes time to update program materials and work on new projects.

What happens next:

Submit your application. It takes about an hour to complete, but you can save and return to it if needed.
We review your application and notify you by email, usually within one week.
If accepted, sign the agreement and reserve your spot within 5 business days. To reserve your spot more than 30 days before the course start date, a $600 deposit is required. To reserve your spot within 30 days of the course start date, full payment is required.

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Step 1 of 6

URL

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Confirmation: Upon submitting your application, you should receive an email confirmation within one business day. If you don’t receive the confirmation, please contact us as your submission might not have been received.

Name*

First Last

Pronouns (Optional)

Address*

Street Address City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Phone

If we have questions about your application, we may need to reach you by phone.

Email*

Enter Email Confirm Email

Business Website

Facebook Business Page

Other Social Media

Please list urls for your other social media accounts such as Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn

References

Provide contact information for 3 references, two professional and one client. One professional reference must from be a credentialed dog trainer, the other may be from a credentialed dog trainer, veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist.

First Professional Reference Name*

First Last

Email*

Enter Email Confirm Email

Phone

Second Professional Reference Name

First Last

Email*

Enter Email Confirm Email

Phone

Third Reference Name*

First Last

Email*

Enter Email Confirm Email

Phone

Training

What training tools do you use in your work with dogs? For example, what types of collars, leashes and harnesses do you recommend?*

Training Mechanics

Choose One*

2 Minute Training Example Video

Written Training Step-by-Step

Training Example Video*

Submit an approximately 2 min. video that shows you training a dog a behavior that the dog does not already know using clicker training. We are interested in your training mechanics. We do not expect to see the dog’s finished performance in this short video.

Your video can show you clicker training a simple behavior such as targeting a lid, hand, sticky or another item with a nose or paw(s); performing a chin rest on your hand or couch. You can generalize a skill, for example, if the dog was previously trained to touch your hand with their nose, you can show training the dog to touch a spoon instead.

If you already have video that shows you training a dog a behavior that the dog does not already know using clicker training (for instance, on social media) and the video meets the criteria, you are welcome to submit it by providing the link.

Video should be approximately 2 min. long and show:
1. You training the dog the entire time.
2. You marking with a clicker and rewarding desired behavior.
3. You adjusting criteria appropriately as per the dog’s responses.

Video should NOT show no reward markers (no “uhuh,” “ack” or other similar verbalizations ).

Preferred method of sending video: Upload the video to Dropbox, Google Drive, Vimeo or YouTube and provide the link to the video below.

Training How-To Step by Step*

Describe clearly and carefully, as you would for a training client, the step by step process you would use to shape “go to place” using clicker training. The end goal is for the dog to go to a mat, lie down and stay there.

Briefly describe a complex, advanced behavior you have trained a dog to do?*

Do you use or recommend: electronic (shock) collars (training collars or fences), choke chains, prong collars (metal, plastic or Starmark style) or other similar correction collars?*

Yes

Are electronic (shock) collars (training collars or electronic fences), choke chains, prong collars (metal, plastic or Starmark style) or other similar correction collars used or permitted in the training business you own or work for?*

Yes

SDC Program Policies

Please read each section below fully and carefully.

Offer Code

Limit one per applicant.

Electronic Signature Agreement*

I have reviewed and agree to the electronic signature policy . I am at least 18 years old and I have the authority to enter into this contract and affirmatively consent to using an electronic signature for this contract and any renewals of this contract.

Data Collection Agreement*

I consent to my submitted information being collected and stored.

Education and Credentials

Work Experience

References

Training

Training Mechanics

SDC Program Policies

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Education and Credentials

Work Experience

References

Training

Training Mechanics

SDC Program Policies

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