A would-be owner trainer should already be an experienced dog trainer. Since experienced service dog trainers only experience a 1 in 8 success rate with dogs not specifically bred for the work, even experienced dog trainers (not experienced with training service dogs specifically) have an even lower rate. Inexperienced trainers have about one chance in a hundred of succeeding.
Most first time owner trainers who claim success don't realize that though their pet is well-behaved, he isn't nearly up to the standards of a service dog. So don't be fooled by the number of people who claim to have trained a service dog on their first attempt using only books and the Internet. One way to spot these inadequately trained dogs is to look at their task list and ask how they trained those tasks. If they say their dog does it naturally and they just reinforced it, you know you aren't dealing with a real trainer. If the tasks don't involve the dog actually getting up and doing something, then it isn't a task to start with. Check out our video section for some examples of service dogs performing tasks.
So start with solid dog training experience. If you don't have it yet, practice with a pet dog. There's a reason why people say you always ruin the first dog you train seriously. Each mistake you make sets you back months in training, and there are so many mistakes to work through before getting the hang of it. Train with someone with lots of experience training working dogs. No book, video, or Internet site is an adequate substitute for working beside an expert trainer to learn timing and how to read a dog accurately.
Any trainer wishing to embark on training a service dog should already know how to do all of the following (and then some):
1. Fix a dog with housebreaking problems.
2. Fix a dog who doesn't come when called.
3. Fix a dog who pulls on the leash.
4. Fix a dog who counter-surfs.
5. Fix a dog who begs at the table.
6. Fix a dog who jumps up on people.
7. Fix a dog who chews on furniture.
8. Fix a dog who nips.
9. Fix a dog who is afraid of the vet.
10. Fix a dog who bolts out the door.
Notice that all of the ten things mentioned are things any competent pet dog trainer should handle confidently. We get many questions from would-be owner-trainers from that list of ten items. Clearly these people aren't yet qualified to train a pet dog, much less a service dog. An experienced trainer can fix all of those problems in a month or two, but service dog training typically takes two years. It's a lot more work.
The first time owner-trainer should at least know how to train a dog to heel and stay well enough to pass an AKC novice test. Reading the test and figuring you can do it doesn't count. The dog/handler team should be evaluated by an AKC (or UKC) judge to show they reach the minimum standard of skill. Opportunities to take this test abound across the U.S., usually for around $15 at an obedience trial, match, or fun match.
The first time owner-trainer should be able to explain the following (and more):
1. the differences between negative reinforcement and positive punishment.
2. what a reinforcement schedule is.
3. what drives are.
4. name at least three motivators and explain how to use them in teaching a dog to heel.
5. be able to define heel position.
6. how to add a signal to a behavior.
7. how to teach a dog not to do something.
8. targeting.
9. the difference between a lure and a bribe.
10. how to fade reinforcement.