Can Your Family Dog Become an Assistance Dog?

Many families across the UK ask us 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 families who want to commence the journey to train their loyal pet into a life-changing companion for 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. This is an important point if you're considering training a family dog as an assistance animal, especially if the person the dog will be supporting is a child.

This means that:

• An adult (16+) must complete the training and be the dog’s official handler.

• 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 in this way is a team effort. There are three key members of the team:

1.     You – The Handler

You’ll complete our TDT UK Family Dog - Foundation Training and Public Access Assessment 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 a TDT UK Public Access Assessment, we ask for:

• Eligibility documentation, such as:

  • Proof of a UK disability benefit, or

  • 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 families who genuinely need assistance dogs for disability-related tasks or emotional support.

If you only require your dog to help you with tasks at home and do not intend to take a Public Access Assessment, then our online course is still ideal for your needs.

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:

• Flexibility: Train at your own pace, from the comfort of your home.

• Affordability: Avoid the high costs of residential or in-person training programmes.

• Community Support: Access our UK-wide network of TDT Trusted Trainers, who can offer 1-to-1 support when needed.

• 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 and willing to help:🌐 www.tdtuk.co.uk

Please note: We will always help to signpost you to specific Assistance Dogs Organisations if we feel you would benefit from additional or more specialised support depending on your own or your loved one’s circumstances.