05/28/2026
A client recently asked me about when is best to start task training. Here’s my answer:
It depends! 🦮
A lot of the decisions around when we start task training comes down to age, psychical health, maturity, solid safety & recovery plans, and where the individual dog is at in their training. While we may train foundations for these skills earlier, the tasks themselves don't often start until closer to a year or older!
For mobility work we will teach foundations, and desensitize to mobility equipment, but until hip and elbow x-rays have been cleared by a qualified veterinarian or orthopedic veterinarian no weight bearing tasks will be trained.
What else do you want to know about task training?
Accessibility:
Slide 1) a teal slide with photo cut outs of two dogs. On the left is Leif, a baby rough collie. On the right is Athena, a small black standard poodle.
Slide 2) a teal slide with a grid effect, and photo cut outs. The top is Charlie, a red/white cavalier spaniel. The bottom is Saturn, a large golden retriever laying his head on Annika's lap.
Slide 3) a teal slide with a grid effect, and photo cut outs. The top photo is a golden retriever in a brown leather mobility harness. The bottom photo is Ekko, a golden retriever pushing a door button with his nose.
Slide 4) a teal slide with a photo cut out of Saturn, a large golden retriever standing in front of his person.
Service dog task training information, task training for people with disabilities, service dog training
