GAV International Service Dog TrainingRegistered in Wyoming, United States
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Service dog training programs

Individual programs for human–dog teams: from the initial assessment and setting of tasks to final testing, certification and follow-up reassessment.

2. Main principles of the programs

  • A program is built around the person's functional limitations.
  • Tasks are selected individually for the specific team.
  • The suitability of the specific dog is assessed, not of a breed or type.
  • The plan may be adjusted during training.
  • Completing a course does not guarantee a certificate.
  • The team's safety and welfare take priority over deadlines.
  • All significant stages are documented.
A certificate is the result of confirmed training and assessment of the team, not a separate product that can be obtained without completing a program.

3. Program formats

The format is chosen together with the admissions committee — based on the tasks, the family's circumstances and schedule.

Owner-Trained Program

Owner training their own dog

For an owner who trains their own dog under GAV's supervision.

  • Regular sessions with a trainer.
  • Home practice.
  • Video reports.
  • Progress monitoring.
  • Interim checks.
  • Final assessment.
Responsibility for daily practice and maintaining skills lies with the handler.
Trainer-Assisted Program

Program with trainer support

For teams that need more intensive support.

  • More direct work by the trainer.
  • Behavior correction.
  • Training of special tasks.
  • Joint sessions.
  • Gradual transfer of skills to the handler.
  • Final check of the team.
Hybrid Program

Combined program

A combination of remote and in-person work.

  • Online reviews.
  • Video reports.
  • In-person stages.
  • Interim checks.
  • A mandatory in-person check of key skills.
  • The possibility of working in several countries.
A program cannot be completed entirely remotely — key skills are checked in person.

Depending on the program, certain in-person stages may be available through partner training centers in Cyprus and in Belgrade, Serbia. The availability of a specialist, the format of the session and the possibility of conducting an assessment are confirmed individually.

Assessment and Reassessment

Assessment and reassessment

For teams that need:

  • Initial assessment.
  • Repeat assessment.
  • Confirmation of new tasks.
  • A check after an incident.
  • Assessment before renewing status.
  • A check after a long break.
An assessment without a sufficient training history does not guarantee the possibility of certification.

4. Program stages

The full sequence — from the first inquiry to support and reassessment.

01

Initial inquiry

An application through the contacts page with a brief description of the request.

02

Collecting basic information

Information about the person, the dog and the current circumstances.

03

Assessment of functional tasks

Identifying the tasks for which the dog's help is needed.

04

Assessment of the dog

Temperament, health and suitability for the program.

05

Drawing up an individual plan

Tasks, stages and the training format are recorded in writing.

06

Basic training

Controllability, patience, basic obedience.

07

Training special tasks

Practicing tasks related to functional limitations.

08

Preparation for public settings

Stability of behavior outside the home and the training center.

09

Interim assessment

Monitoring progress and, if needed, adjusting the plan.

10

Final assessment

A check against the GAV assessment protocol.

11

Certification decision

The assessment outcome and granting of status to the team.

12

Support and reassessment

Scheduled reassessment and support of the team after certification.

5. Initial assessment

What is assessed at the initial stage:

  • The dog's age and condition.
  • Temperament.
  • Basic behavior.
  • Reaction to people and animals.
  • Ability to learn.
  • Recovery after stress.
  • Current skills.
  • Expected tasks.
  • The handler's capabilities.
  • Living and working conditions.
The initial assessment may end with a recommendation to continue the program, change the format, postpone the start or decline to work with the specific dog.

6. Individual training plan

Mandatory elements of the plan:

  • Goal of the program.
  • Functional limitations.
  • List of special tasks.
  • Performance criteria.
  • Basic behavioral requirements.
  • Risks.
  • Workload limits.
  • Session format.
  • Home practice.
  • Check stages.
  • Responsible specialists.
  • Conditions for changing the plan.

7. Documenting training

What is recorded for each session:

  • Date of the session.
  • Session format.
  • Specialist.
  • Skills practiced.
  • Level of prompting.
  • Successful and unsuccessful attempts.
  • Notes on behavior.
  • Notes on welfare.
  • Homework.
  • Attached videos.
  • Changes to the plan.
A session record must reflect real progress, not just attendance.

8. Handler's responsibilities

  • Do home practice.
  • Report problems.
  • Not conceal incidents.
  • Not use prohibited methods.
  • Follow veterinary recommendations.
  • Bring the dog for reassessment.
  • Maintain skills after the course ends.
  • Report changes in health or behavior.
  • Take part in training in person.

9. GAV's responsibilities

  • Provide a clear plan.
  • Document the work.
  • Adjust the program when necessary.
  • Assess safety.
  • Monitor the dog's welfare.
  • Report problems.
  • Not promise a guaranteed result.
  • Separate training from final assessment where possible.
  • Store data with restricted access.
  • Record status changes.

10. Possible program outcomes

Admitted to final assessmentThe team has met the plan's interim requirements.
Additional training requiredIndividual skills or tasks need further work.
Program changedThe plan was adjusted for the team's new circumstances.
Program temporarily suspendedTraining is suspended until the cause is resolved.
Team not admitted to assessmentThe plan's requirements were not met at the time of the check.
Assessment passedAll sections of the protocol were confirmed without comments.
Assessment passed with conditionsIndividual comments must be resolved.
Assessment not passedOne or more sections of the protocol were not confirmed.
Reassessment requiredA repeat check is scheduled within a set period.

11. Reasons for suspension

A program may be suspended if there are:

  • signs of pain;
  • illness;
  • chronic stress;
  • aggression;
  • dangerous loss of control;
  • rough treatment;
  • lack of progress;
  • inaccurate information;
  • systematic failure to follow the plan;
  • breach of the program rules;
  • inability to continue training safely.

12. When a program ends

  • The dog is unsuitable because of condition or behavior.
  • The tasks are unsafe.
  • The handler cannot provide the necessary control.
  • Continuing contradicts the dog's welfare.
  • False information was provided.
  • The team systematically breaks the program rules.
  • Training does not lead to a stable result.
  • The client withdraws on their own.
Ending a program does not always mean the person cannot get help in another way or with another dog.

13. Final assessment

  • Conducted under a separate protocol.
  • Includes behavior, tasks, control and welfare.
  • May be conducted by a different specialist.
  • The result is recorded in writing.
  • An appeal is possible.
  • The decision is not changed retroactively without a record.
  • Successfully completing a course is not the same as automatic certification.
Assessment standards

14. After certification

  • Maintaining skills.
  • Updating data.
  • Reassessment.
  • Reporting incidents.
  • Changing tasks.
  • Possible suspension.
  • Updating status in the register.
  • The dog's retirement.
Document verification

15. What the program does not guarantee

Legal note. A GAV program does not guarantee:
  • boarding a plane;
  • access to public places;
  • recognition in any country;
  • a medical result;
  • the absence of future behavioral problems;
  • lifetime validity of status;
  • passing the assessment;
  • that reassessment will never be needed.

A team's legal status is determined by the law and rules of the relevant country or organization.

16. How to start

First steps
  1. Fill in the inquiryThe form is on the contacts page.
  2. Describe the functional tasksWhat tasks you need the dog's help with.
  3. Provide information about the dogAge, health, current skills.
  4. Go through the initial reviewDiscussing the request with the admissions committee.
  5. Receive a decision on a possible program formatA recommendation on the format and next steps.
Submit a request Types of service dogs Special tasks

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