ONLINE COURSE · LEVEL 2
Lights On training course
Teach your dog to go into a dark room ahead of you and turn the light on.
- TaskTurns on lights on cue
- Lessons4 · about 55 minutes
- Practiceabout 4 weeks
ABOUT THIS COURSE
Walking into a dark room can be hard for handlers with anxiety, PTSD or mobility limits. In this course your dog learns to go into a room, touch a light switch or push-plate with their nose or paw and turn the light on.
Tip: most dogs do best with a large rocker switch or a stick-on push light at dog height. A switch extender is an inexpensive way to make a regular switch easier.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Lesson by lesson
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1
10 min
Nose target a sticky note
Your dog touches a sticky note on the wall with their nose on cue.
-
2
15 min
Paws up and push
Your dog puts front paws on the wall and pushes the target firmly.
-
3
15 min
Flip the real switch
Your dog turns on the light switch on cue, 8 out of 10 times.
-
4
15 min
Go ahead and turn it on
From the doorway, your dog goes into a dark room and turns the light on.
You'll log at least 8 practice sessions before signing your record.
WHO IT'S FOR
Handlers with anxiety, PTSD or limited mobility who want the lights on before they enter a room. Works best for medium and large dogs.
WHAT YOU GET
Proof of your work, wherever you go
Certificate of completion
With your dog's photo, your signature, the task trained and a QR code. Print it yourself or have us mail a printed copy.
Public training record
A page anyone can scan: the course, the task, your practice history and your signed declaration.
Wallet card
Your Training Record in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet — it updates itself when you refresh.
On your verification page
Registered with USAR? Your dog's verification page shows that you completed USAR training.
What you finish with
- A dog trained on a real task, step by step
- A practice log with optional video — the story of your work
- A signed training record with its own page and QR code
- A certificate of completion and a Wallet card
Where it helps
- Answering "what task does your dog do?" with confidence
- Showing a landlord or business your training history
- Keeping skills sharp with a yearly refresh
- Working alongside a local trainer if you use one
Handler-led training completed through a USAR online course and confirmed by the handler's signed declaration. Not observed in person by USAR.
FAQ
Questions handlers ask
Will my dog scratch the wall?
Put a clear plastic guard around the switch while training, and reward nose touches over paws if you prefer.
My dog is small. Can they do this?
Yes, with a stick-on push light or a switch extender at a lower height.
What kind of certificate do I get?
A certificate of course completion for the task training you did with your dog — with your dog's photo, your signature and a QR code to your training record. The ADA doesn't require any certification for a service dog; what matters is that your dog is trained to do tasks for you, and that's exactly what the courses teach.
Can I train my own service dog?
Yes. Under the ADA, handlers may train their own service dog. What matters is that the dog is individually trained to perform tasks related to your disability and behaves appropriately in public. Our courses give you a structured plan for the task training part.
How long does a course take?
Most courses take a few weeks of short daily practice. Each course shows its lessons and the typical number of weeks. You go at your own pace — lessons stay open, and your practice log keeps track of your progress.
What do I get when I finish?
A signed training record with its own public page and QR code, and a certificate of course completion with your dog's photo and your signature. Members also get a Training ID card for Apple Wallet or Google Wallet; with a single course it's an optional add-on.
How does the membership work?
One payment ($79) gives you every course and level for a year, new courses as they come out, the Wallet card and the yearly refresh. It does not renew on its own. Before the year ends we email you: keep it going for $29.99/year if you want, or let it end.
MORE COURSES
Other tasks you can train
Level 1
Service Dog Foundations
Task: Foundation skills: focus on handler, settle on a mat, loose-leash walking and calm public manners
The core skills every working dog needs before task training: focus, a solid settle, loose-leash walking and calm public manners.
Level 2
Deep Pressure Therapy
Task: Deep pressure therapy on cue
Teach your dog to lie across your lap or chest on cue and apply calming pressure during anxiety or sensory overload.
Level 2
Medication Retrieval
Task: Retrieves medication pouch on cue
Teach your dog to find and bring a medication pouch to you on cue, from another room.
Start Lights On today
Self-paced lessons, a practice log and a signed training record when you finish.