Service Dog Training 101

Service Dogs are getting a bad rap.  Today I was questioned by a kid asking what my dog is trained for.  Then he said "PTSD".  I said no and walked away.  Walking in the world with your dog is not easy because people do not understand why that dog is there.  For you the handler. 

A Service Dog needs a good temperament to be in public and be highly trained.  A Service Dog can be in many capacities.  A person can use their own dog or pay for a trained one which is   $25,000.00 according to the AKC.   

​There is a 2nd kind of Service Dog that would not fit in the full fledged SD.  This is the dog at home with the person who will task train their own dog at home but not use it out in the world.   Task Training.  Pick up the cell phone, open the fridge, bring me my socks, and more.  Tasks to make someones day easier.  

Calls Trainers receive.  
Caller 1:  Can I make my dog into a Service Dog?
Trainer:   How old?
Caller 1:  6 years old
Trainer: How is your dog out in the world?
Caller 1:  Very bad.  Jumps barks and will not listen.
Trainer:  Taking a deep breath.  I can help you with your dog.  I can never promise you can make it a service dog.

Caller 2:  I just got a puppy and want to train it to be a service dog.
Trainer:  How old is your puppy?  
Caller 2:  12 weeks old.
Trainer: is it potty trained?
Caller 2:  Sometimes and sometimes she goes on the rug.  
Trainer:  So your pup is not potty trained?  
Caller 2:  Correct
Trainer:  Ok, lets start with potty training.  

Caller 3: I want to train my dog to be a Service Dog.
Trainer:  How old
Caller 3:  A year old.
Trainer:  Perfect if it is social in the world.
Caller 3:  My dog is good out in the world.
Trainer:  Awsome, lets set up a meet up.

Caller 4:  I want to train my dog to be a service dog to help me in my house.
Trainer: How old?
Caller 4: 6 years
Trainer:  Is this just for in your home and not a full service dog to go everywhere>?  
Caller 4:  I am home bound so will the dog be.
Trainer: Awsome we can train tasks in your home, lets set up a meet up.

Task training is fun. Teaching a muzzle is fun.  All dogs should learn even if not used.