Assistance Dog Trainers?
- Thread starter blw30
- Start date
desertranger
New Member
Start by going to a basic obeiedience course an d remember the student is you not your dog. I can also recommend that you read a few books on training. Start with Control Unleashed available at Amazon and The other End of the Leash by Pat Mc Connell. It's not hard to train your dog. Been doing it for 40 years. Jin will not only be an SD but a trail and pack dog as well.
We are far beyond basic obedience although we continue to practice things like long down-stays with distractions, and we're working on positioning now. We are registered with the Delta Society as pet partners for canine therapy purposes.
The purpose behind the original question really is what to do beyond good behavior. :dogunsure: It would be great to continue on our own but I am considering hiring a nearby service dog training organization that has a program for owner-trainers to help us finish off.
The purpose behind the original question really is what to do beyond good behavior. :dogunsure: It would be great to continue on our own but I am considering hiring a nearby service dog training organization that has a program for owner-trainers to help us finish off.
yoyopoodle
Well-Known Member
I train Service Dogs - I love to hear of people who are training their own dogs 
Do you have specific tasks that you are not sure how to train - or are you wondering what sorts of things your dog can learn to do? Many of the 'tricks' that are covered by other users here are taught similarly. I haven't had time to check-in here much recently, but I'm more than happy to offer suggestions.
My program's website also has a lot of info that you may find interesting - not so much on 'how', but a lot of ideas as to 'what'. Look for the page listing the ~90 base commands (w/meanings) that each of our SDs starts off with... additional tasks are added once a partner is selected.
http://www.americanpoodlesatwork.org
If you like YouTube videos, we are starting to build a database for teaching your own SD:
YouTube - AmPoodlesAtWork's Channel
This is another great channel with far more videos:
YouTube - supernaturalbc2008's Channel
What state do you live in? Generally speaking, as long as you have good public etiquette you can start taking your dog out to socialize and work on basics in public (assuming your doctor agrees that you would benefit from having a Service Dog). You'll want to teach specific tasks at home, and gradually move to public settings and having your dog work with strangers if that will be helpful to you (presenting credit card, taking bag etc).
Lessons from good Service Dog trainers are certainly worth their cost, but since you and your dog already have all the basics down you may want to check if you can just observe them training other dogs, and if you can join puppy-training outings around town.
Make sure you agree with the methods you see used... there are many ways to get behaviors, and not all are suitable for all dogs. Also be very wary if a trainer wants you to use a collar other than a buckle or martingale, unless *you* feel that at this stage of training your dog would be easier to manage. IMO, once fully-trained a Service Dog should be happy and wanting to work without a training collar of any sort (including choke, halter, pinch, electric...). Keep that in mind as a goal through-out the stages of training
-Jillian
Do you have specific tasks that you are not sure how to train - or are you wondering what sorts of things your dog can learn to do? Many of the 'tricks' that are covered by other users here are taught similarly. I haven't had time to check-in here much recently, but I'm more than happy to offer suggestions.
My program's website also has a lot of info that you may find interesting - not so much on 'how', but a lot of ideas as to 'what'. Look for the page listing the ~90 base commands (w/meanings) that each of our SDs starts off with... additional tasks are added once a partner is selected.
http://www.americanpoodlesatwork.org
If you like YouTube videos, we are starting to build a database for teaching your own SD:
YouTube - AmPoodlesAtWork's Channel
This is another great channel with far more videos:
YouTube - supernaturalbc2008's Channel
What state do you live in? Generally speaking, as long as you have good public etiquette you can start taking your dog out to socialize and work on basics in public (assuming your doctor agrees that you would benefit from having a Service Dog). You'll want to teach specific tasks at home, and gradually move to public settings and having your dog work with strangers if that will be helpful to you (presenting credit card, taking bag etc).
Lessons from good Service Dog trainers are certainly worth their cost, but since you and your dog already have all the basics down you may want to check if you can just observe them training other dogs, and if you can join puppy-training outings around town.
Make sure you agree with the methods you see used... there are many ways to get behaviors, and not all are suitable for all dogs. Also be very wary if a trainer wants you to use a collar other than a buckle or martingale, unless *you* feel that at this stage of training your dog would be easier to manage. IMO, once fully-trained a Service Dog should be happy and wanting to work without a training collar of any sort (including choke, halter, pinch, electric...). Keep that in mind as a goal through-out the stages of training
-Jillian
desertranger
New Member
At this point Jin is just finishing Intermediate obedience and is well into trail, pack, and drayage training where he will spend most of his time working. His problem is he is a bit too reactive for service dog at the moment so I'm working on that. I hope that within a year or two to be able to call myself a competent trainer as his training progresses.
boatman442
Member
i did not know we needed so many posts in the community to talk private. How many post's do we need?
boatman442
Member
I train Service Dogs - I love to hear of people who are training their own dogs
Do you have specific tasks that you are not sure how to train - or are you wondering what sorts of things your dog can learn to do? Many of the 'tricks' that are covered by other users here are taught similarly. I haven't had time to check-in here much recently, but I'm more than happy to offer suggestions.
My program's website also has a lot of info that you may find interesting - not so much on 'how', but a lot of ideas as to 'what'. Look for the page listing the ~90 base commands (w/meanings) that each of our SDs starts off with... additional tasks are added once a partner is selected.
http://www.americanpoodlesatwork.org
If you like YouTube videos, we are starting to build a database for teaching your own SD:
YouTube - AmPoodlesAtWork's Channel
This is another great channel with far more videos:
YouTube - supernaturalbc2008's Channel
What state do you live in? Generally speaking, as long as you have good public etiquette you can start taking your dog out to socialize and work on basics in public (assuming your doctor agrees that you would benefit from having a Service Dog). You'll want to teach specific tasks at home, and gradually move to public settings and having your dog work with strangers if that will be helpful to you (presenting credit card, taking bag etc).
Lessons from good Service Dog trainers are certainly worth their cost, but since you and your dog already have all the basics down you may want to check if you can just observe them training other dogs, and if you can join puppy-training outings around town.
Make sure you agree with the methods you see used... there are many ways to get behaviors, and not all are suitable for all dogs. Also be very wary if a trainer wants you to use a collar other than a buckle or martingale, unless *you* feel that at this stage of training your dog would be easier to manage. IMO, once fully-trained a Service Dog should be happy and wanting to work without a training collar of any sort (including choke, halter, pinch, electric...). Keep that in mind as a goal through-out the stages of training
-Jillian
I am disabled. A few years ago i was permanitly in a power wheel chair. today thanks to medication iam able to walk. sometimes with trouble and still have to use my power wheelchair ocassionally. I fell into a manhole years ago that had the wrong size lid on the top then covered up with straw at a rest area along side the highway. Im training my own dogs today and haveing a very fun time doing so. In what you had written about practicing in public settings i have not found any place that will allow me to take my dogs in the store's or buildings. I see that there are service dog ID tags and things out there we can get. How do i get my dogs registered or licensed as service dogs so that i can take my dogs into the stores and building in public places. Im afraid to just purchase something on the internet to show that my dogs are service dogs and have it not be legit and legal. I can use all the help i can get so that i know who and where to go and how to legally get my dogs licensed as services dogs. To get a handicap license plate for the car my doctor had to fill out some paper work. does this need to be done to have a licensed and legal service dog that i can take into all public places and stores with out any problems. thank you and may the Lord bless you all
boatman442
Member
I have just gone through everything you are going through and i had to figure it all out the HARD WAY myself. It seems like NO Body had the right information i was seeking. There is nothing to do to have a service dog. There is no registration or anything you have to do. If you have a Disability you qualify for a Service Dog. You do not need any paper work or tags. All you do is go into a store and if they ask tell them it is a service dog. When it is not obvious what service an animal provides, only limited inquiries are allowed. Staff may ask two questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability, and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform. Staff cannot ask about the person’s disability, require medical documentation, require a special identification card or training documentation for the dog, or ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task. There is only 2 different places to go to inorder to learn all the information you are seeking. I have provided that information here below.
U.S. Department of JusticeCivil Rights Division
Disability Rights Section
Service Animals
The Department of Justice published revised final regulations implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for title II (State and local government services) and title III (public accommodations and commercial facilities) on September 15, 2010, in the Federal Register. These requirements, or rules, clarify and refine issues that have arisen over the past 20 years and contain new, and updated, requirements, including the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design (2010 Standards). AND
For more information about the ADA, please visit our website or call our toll-free number.
ADA Website
www.ADA.gov
To receive e-mail notifications when new ADA information is available,
visit the ADA Website’s home page and click the link near the top of the middle column.
ADA Information Line
800-514-0301 (Voice) and 800-514-0383 (TTY)
24 hours a day to order publications by mail.
M-W, F 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Th 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. (Eastern Time)
to speak with an ADA Specialist. All calls are confidential.
For persons with disabilities, this publication is available in alternate formats.
Duplication of this document is encouraged. July 2011
Once you check all this out please go to this website and check it out http://shop.registermyserviceanimal.com/
Once you are on the website click on the word HOME in the list on the Left Hand side. If you need any other assistance please contact me and i will try to help you. thank you
boatman442
Member
I have been training my first service dog. It is very fun and rewarding.. Go to website http://shop.registermyserviceanimal.com. then click on the word HOME in the left hand side colum. Also go to http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm
I have found these both to give me all the information i needed so i could train the correct tricks. Hope this helpshttp://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm
boatman442
Member
I have tried to get into the Obedience course and it told me that the class was full. Is this TRUE!! But i did get the book on Possitive Reenforcements and it is a very good book Jean put out. If i can get into the class please provide a link for me. thank you
boatman442
Member
WOW i am trying to reply to the post but it is very hard to tell which post that i replied to or not.I train Service Dogs - I love to hear of people who are training their own dogs
Do you have specific tasks that you are not sure how to train - or are you wondering what sorts of things your dog can learn to do? Many of the 'tricks' that are covered by other users here are taught similarly. I haven't had time to check-in here much recently, but I'm more than happy to offer suggestions.
My program's website also has a lot of info that you may find interesting - not so much on 'how', but a lot of ideas as to 'what'. Look for the page listing the ~90 base commands (w/meanings) that each of our SDs starts off with... additional tasks are added once a partner is selected.
http://www.americanpoodlesatwork.org
If you like YouTube videos, we are starting to build a database for teaching your own SD:
YouTube - AmPoodlesAtWork's Channel
This is another great channel with far more videos:
YouTube - supernaturalbc2008's Channel
What state do you live in? Generally speaking, as long as you have good public etiquette you can start taking your dog out to socialize and work on basics in public (assuming your doctor agrees that you would benefit from having a Service Dog). You'll want to teach specific tasks at home, and gradually move to public settings and having your dog work with strangers if that will be helpful to you (presenting credit card, taking bag etc).
Lessons from good Service Dog trainers are certainly worth their cost, but since you and your dog already have all the basics down you may want to check if you can just observe them training other dogs, and if you can join puppy-training outings around town.
Make sure you agree with the methods you see used... there are many ways to get behaviors, and not all are suitable for all dogs. Also be very wary if a trainer wants you to use a collar other than a buckle or martingale, unless *you* feel that at this stage of training your dog would be easier to manage. IMO, once fully-trained a Service Dog should be happy and wanting to work without a training collar of any sort (including choke, halter, pinch, electric...). Keep that in mind as a goal through-out the stages of training
-Jillian
southerngirl
Honored Member
I don't think think you have to have so many posts for private messaging. Never heard that before. You could try using the private message to see if it works or ask Jean Cote about it.