Train Your Own Allergen Detection Service Dog

A gluten detection dog, sometimes called a gluten sniffing dog or celiac service dog, is trained to recognize specific gluten-containing target odors and communicate the results to its handler. At Gluten Detected Service Dogs, dogs learn two distinct responses: an Alert when the trained target odor is detected and an All Clear when it is not detected. These skills can help people with celiac disease make more informed decisions when checking foods and everyday products.

Designed for people with celiac disease, alpha-gal syndrome, and food allergies who want professional guidance training their own service dog.

Positive reinforcement • Flexible scheduling • Nationwide training via Zoom

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Watch My Dogs Working

Gluten Detection Service Dogs for Greater Peace of Mind

A celiac service dog is trained to use scent detection to help identify gluten-containing items and communicate the result to their handler. At Gluten Detected Service Dogs, dogs learn separate behaviors for Alert and All Clear, giving the handler another layer of information when navigating everyday situations.

Owner-handlers learn how to build and maintain these skills through personalized training, while also developing the foundation and public-access skills needed for service work. A gluten detection dog should be viewed as an additional layer of protection rather than a replacement for normal gluten-safety practices.

Luna (white) Anira (silver)

Anira learning early scent discrimination during her gluten detection service dog training.

Alpha-Gal Detection Service Dog Training

Luna practicing advanced gluten scent detection as part of her gluten detection service dog training.

Gluten Detection Service Dog Training

Our Mission

My mission at Gluten Detected Service Dogs is to help people living with celiac disease, alpha-gal syndrome, and food allergies gain greater confidence through owner-trained scent detection service dogs. Using positive reinforcement and personalized, one-on-one instruction, I teach handlers how to develop reliable scent detection skills, understand their dog's Alert and All Clear behaviors, and build a strong working partnership. My goal is to give each handler the knowledge and skills needed to continue training and maintaining their dog's abilities throughout their working life.

A Life Built on Trust: My Training Journey

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Luna the gluten detection service dog and Deb posing next to a grizzly bear.

Meet The Trainer

Luna and anira at an outing in frankenmuth

I began working with animals at a very young age—long before I understood the word training.

By age seven, I was already training and showing horses, where I learned lessons that still guide me today:

Patience builds confidence.
Consistency creates reliable results.
Trust is earned, never forced.

Those principles continue to guide my work today as a gluten detection service dog trainer. My years of experience working with animals have shaped the positive reinforcement methods I use to teach scent detection, build confidence, and develop reliable communication between dogs and their handlers. Whether I'm helping someone train a gluten detection dog for celiac disease or a service dog for alpha-gal and other food allergies, my focus is on building a trusting partnership between the dog and handler.

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A Foundation Built on Trust

After training my own gluten detection service dogs, Luna and Anira, and completing a 300-hour internship with Dawn Scheu of Willow Service Dogs, specializing in gluten and food allergen detection training, I knew I wanted to help others develop the same working partnership with their dogs. That experience strengthened my commitment to helping people train their own service dogs through positive reinforcement and individualized instruction.

Through personalized Zoom coaching, I help owner-handlers train reliable gluten detection service dogs, alpha-gal detection service dogs, and food allergen detection service dogs using positive reinforcement. Training is available nationwide, allowing you to work directly with your own dog from home while receiving professional guidance throughout the training process.

My life took an unexpected turn when I became seriously ill with Lyme disease.

For years, I struggled with symptoms that affected every part of my life. More recently, I've also learned to navigate life with Alpha-gal syndrome.

Those experiences gave me a firsthand understanding of what it feels like to live with chronic illness and to constantly think about what is safe to eat.

That perspective ultimately led me to specialize in gluten detection service dogs.

Today, I understand that these dogs offer more than scent detection—they provide confidence, peace of mind, and greater independence.

Anira beginning early scent training as a future gluten detection service dog at approximately five months old.

Luna and Anira practicing public access skills as gluten detection service dogs during an outing in Frankenmuth, Michigan.

Deb Duvall with Gunnthor at the Metamora Wassailing Parade

Deb & Gunnthor at Metamora Wassailing Parade

Let's Talk About Your Dog

Have questions about training your own gluten, alpha-gal, or food allergen detection service dog? Schedule a consultation to discuss your dog, your training goals, and which owner-handler training program may be the right fit for you.