Assistance Dog Training To Support A Loved One
Can Your Family Dog Become an Assistance Dog to Support a Child or Loved One?
Yes – With the Right Training and Support!
Many families across the UK find themselves asking the same question:
Can our family dog be trained to support a loved one with disability or additional needs?
The answer is: yes — with commitment, the right training, and support, it’s absolutely possible.
At TDT UK, we’ve designed the unique Family Dog - Foundation Training for Assistance Dogs specifically for individuals & families who want to commence the journey to train their loyal pet into a life-changing companion for thmesleves or a child, sibling, parent, or partner with a disability.
This flexible, online programme gives parents
and carers the tools and confidence they need to train their own dog — all at a pace that fits around busy carer or family life. But before you begin, there are a few key things to understand, particularly around UK law and responsibilities in public.
The Law: Who Can Handle a Dog in Public?
UK law states that no one under the age of 16 can be in sole control of a dog in public. That’s a crucial point if you are considering training a family dog as an assistance animal — especially if the person the dog will be supporting is a child.
This means that:
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An adult (16+) must complete the training and be the dog’s
official handler.
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This adult is responsible for the dog’s welfare and public
behaviour at all times.
So, while the dog may provide day-to-day emotional or practical support
for a younger family member or someone you care for, you are the one
who guides the training, handles the dog in public, and ensures it meets
the standards of an assistance animal.
The Assistance Dog Team: Who’s Involved?
Training a dog to become an assistance dog in a family setting is a team
effort. There are three key members of this team:
1. You – The Handler
You’ll complete our TDT UK Family Dog - Foundation Training and are legally and practically responsible for the dog in all public settings.
2. Your Loved One – The Recipient
The person your dog will support. They might be a child, a sibling,or an older relative. While they benefit from the dog’s support, they cannot take legal responsibility for your dog in public.
3. Your Dog – The Companion Turned Lifeline
With training, your dog can learn how to perform specific tasks,remain calm in busy environments, and pass the Public Access Assessment — a key milestone in becoming a recognised assistance dog
What Do You Need to Start?
To enrol in the Family Dog Foundation Training for Assistance Dogs and undertake a Public Access Assessment, we ask for:
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Eligibility documentation, such as:
o Proof of a UK disability benefit, or
o A letter from a health professional (e.g. GP) confirming that your loved one would benefit from an assistance dog.
This helps us ensure that our programme is supporting individuals & families who genuinely need assistance dogs for supportive tasks.
Why Choose Our Online Family Dog Foundation Training?
Families come to us for all kinds of reasons — sensory regulation support, physical support, or emotional companionship. But what they often share is a need for:
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Flexibility: Train at your own pace, from the comfort of your home.
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Affordability: Avoid the high costs of residential or in-person training programmes.
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Community Support: Access our UK-wide network of TDT Trusted Trainers, who can offer 1-to-1 support when needed.
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Confidence: Know you’re following a structured, training plan that prepares your dog for Public Access Assessment.
🐶 Start the Journey Today
If your dog already has the temperament and bond with your family member, they may have the potential to become an incredible support animal. With dedication and guidance, your family dog could do more than offer love and loyalty — they could provide life-changing assistance as well.
Explore our Family Dog Foundation Training for Assistance Dogs and learn how we can support your journey and ensure that your dog is happy to help: