ASSISTANCE DOG PROGRAMME
Places are limited to ensure every team receives individual support. To enquire about joining the waiting list, please get in contact by clicking here or email fivesensesdogtraining@gmail.com
About the programme
Five Senses helps people with disabilities train their own dogs to become assistance dogs.
Assistance Dogs are trained to support their handler by carrying out tasks tailored to their needs, for example by performing deep pressure therapy, opening/closing doors or retrieving medication.
Full support and guidance is provided to help you achieve assistance dog status using modern, safe, rewards-based methods of dog training.
You will receive 1-2-1 support, taking into account your disability and personal circumstances in order to provide a service tailored to the individual needs of you and your dog.
Most assistance dogs take approximately two years to complete their training, although every dog progresses at their own pace. Read our other FAQs.
My Motivation
My primary motivation behind starting Five Senses Dog Training has always been to help people with disabilities. As a disabled person myself, I recognise how life changing the support of an Assistance Dog can be. I feel honoured that through my work I can help others train their pet dogs to a standard that will allow them to gain greater independence in their day-to-day lives.
Assistance Dog Awards
Five Senses Dog Training offers a structured award pathway consisting of five progressive levels:
- Puppy
- Foundation
- Novice
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Awards are available when the trainer feels their dog are ready to be assessed. Each award must be completed in person and passed before progressing to the next stage of the programme.
Assessments have been conducted in line with the IAADP minimum training standards, and will be assessed by a qualified trainer. Award assessments are available to members when their trainer feels they are ready. Assessment fees apply.
Why Choose Five Senses
- Force-free, reward-based training.
- Tailored to your disability and lifestyle.
- Structured award pathway with clear goals.
- One-to-one coaching throughout your journey.
- Ongoing support between sessions.
- Annual Public Access Test for qualified teams.
- Guidance from a trainer with lived experience of disability and owner-trained assistance dogs.
Is This Programme Right For You?
✔ Suitable if you:
- Have a disability that could be mitigated by an assistance dog.
- Are happy to be a part of a structured programme which involves advancing through 5 awards.
- Are committed to training consistently over approximately two years.
- Want to owner-train using positive reinforcement methods.
- Can attend sessions in Knutsford.
✘ This programme may not be suitable if you:
- Are looking to purchase a fully trained assistance dog.
- Wish to use aversive training methods or equipment, such as slip leads used for corrections, choke chains, prong collars or electronic collars.
- Have a dog that displays reactivity, aggression or seperation anxiety which requires behaviour modification before begining assistance dog training.
*Please note that this programme is independently run and is not funded by the government, charities or external donors. Membership fees reflect the time, expertise and ongoing support provided throughout your training journey. Prices are reviewed annually and may increase in line with inflation.
MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS
Flexible Membership
Support at your own pace
£10 per month
- Book training sessions whenever you need them (fees apply).
- Your £10 monthly membership fee is deducted from the cost of any training session booked that month. For example, if you book a £40 session, you'll only pay the remaining £30.
- Perfect for handlers who prefer to train at their own pace while still receiving ongoing support and remaining part of the Five Senses community.
- Members-only WhatsApp community.
- Exclusive Facebook group with training videos and resources (coming soon).
- Support with public access issues.
Full Membership
⭐Most Popular Option⭐Everything you need for regular training.
£40 per month
- 1 hour in-person session in Knutsford per month.
- Detailed session notes after every session to track your progress.
- Personalised training programme tailored to your needs.
- Ongoing personal support, feedback and guidance.
- Members-only WhatsApp community.
- Exclusive Facebook group with training videos and resources (coming soon).
- Support with public access issues.
Post Qualification
For qualified assistance dog teams.
£5 per month
- Continued access to trainer support.
- Annual PAT included.
- Advice on maintaining public access standards.
Group Classes
Small groups of 3-5 dogs
£30 per hour
Our Assistance Dog Group Classes are designed for owner-trainers who are working towards raising a calm, confident and reliable assistance dog.
Led by two trainers with lived experience of disability, our classes provide a welcoming, supportive and non-judgemental environment where you and your dog can train alongside others who understand the unique journey of owner-training an assistance dog.
With small class sizes, you'll receive individual guidance while benefiting from carefully structured exercises in a real-world group setting. Sessions are suitable for dogs at various stages of their training and focus on developing the essential skills needed for everyday life, public access and assistance dog work.
ASSISTANCE DOG TASK LIST
Below are some examples of tasks that I can help train your dog to do, to assist with your disability.
*Please note, I do not teach weight-bearing tasks such as bracing, guiding tasks (with the exception of guiding to an exit/seat), nor medical alert tasks.
MOBILITY
Close Door
Open Door
Empty Washing Machine
Load Washing Machine
Get Card Out of ATM
Fetch the Post
Fetch a Drink
Retrieve Dropped Item
Retrieve Specific Item
Take Item to Another Person
Find Person
Help Undress
Push a Button
Remove Duvet
Putting Rubbish in a Bin
Tidying Toys Away
PSYCHIATRIC
Deep Pressure Therapy
Tactile Stimulation
Panic Response
Interrupt Self-Harm
Wake Up Handler
Remove Duvet
Flashback Response
Crowd Control
Lead to Exit
Lead to Seating
Retrieve Self-Care Kit
Watch My Back
AUTISM
Deep Pressure Therapy
Tactile Stimulation
Meltdown/Anxiety Interruption
Picking up Dropped Item
Retrieving Specific Item
Crowd Control
Medication Reminder
Alert Caregiver
Lead to Seating
Lead to Exit
MEDICAL RESPONSE
Fetch Medicine Bag
Find Person
Take Item to Another Person
Lead to Seating
Guide to Exit
Wake Up Handler/Remove Duvet
FAQs
Who can apply?
The programme is available to people with a diagnosed disability. The definition of a disability under the Equality Act (2010) is a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal day-to-day activities.
Can I train my pet dog to be an assistance dog?
Yes! Five Senses Dog Training can help you train your own pet dog to become an assistance dog.
What type of assistance dogs can you help train?
Mobility Assistance Dogs, Psychiatric Assistance Dogs, Autism Assistance Dogs and Medical Response Dogs. Please note I do not assist with tasks involving medical alert (e.g. for seizures or diabeties), guide tasks nor weight-bearing tasks.
Where are the sessions held?
In person sessions are held in Knutsford and occasionally Stockport.
Do you work with other organisations?
I am more than happy to work with other organisations and private trainers, so long as we share similar training methods and ethos. Please message me to discuss.
ASSISTANCE DOG SPECIALIST
I am a qualified Assistance Dog Specialist with the Dog Training College (DTC).
ASSISTANCE DOG TRAINING PROVIDER
Five Senses Dog Training is listed on the CATE UK website as a training provider for Assistance Dogs.
