Service dogs have to be invisible rockstars in public who save lives, do their job, and work in complete unison with their handlers every day, under any circumstances. It takes years of practice to produce that level of discipline for dog & handler as well as self-control & focus for the dog. Just as great athletes aren't born overnight, neither are great service dog teams. When part of a service dog team, both you and the dog have to be in it for the long haul. This isn't a hobby for the weekends or once a month. Athletes train every day. They find the time, because it's important. Because slacking off won't help them reach their goals. Our service dogs have to be on their game both on and off duty. Behavior and manners need to be maintained both in work and play. Together, we practice being a team every day so that when that teamwork is needed most, it's there, ready to go. Dogs learn in increments built up over time into bigger, more complex chunks of information (shaping). For this reason, we as handlers must be able to devote our full attn to our dog as they learn in order to help them learn to the best of their abilities. We must be able to work in the right mix of distraction, distance, duration, and level of challenge to every exercise, command, and action that we teach our service dogs. They aren't born knowing how to handle being in a store, holding sit through fireworks, or bracing at just the right time despite a dog friend being nearby. It is our responsibility to teach them these skills, and it is our responsibility to help the dog maintain these skills long after they've been learned. Just as parenting takes many sacrifices, constant care and guidance for their children, raising and training a service dog needs the same level of care and commitment. Kids never grow out of needing gentle reminders to have good manners, and adults constantly continue their education and strive to learn new things - our dogs are the same way. They may need a tune up here and there, but mainly they need to be handled and worked with every day from beginning to retirement to help keep them sharp. Keeping them sharp, keeps us sharp. Partnering with a working dog has often be compared to having a toddler attached to your hip all the time. This is an accurate description. When you work with a service dog, that dog is never far away from you. A good service dog tracks you through the house, some do their tasks as if on autopilot, and they all do the impossible. It is truly incredible to work with a service dog, and even more empowering to know that the rockstar by your side is the product of your time, dedication, and devotion not only to the dog's needs but to finding a way to actively improve your quality of life for the better. It is hard, it is tiring, but I assure you that finding the time to work with your service dog a little bit every day is worth it.
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Dogs learn in increments. We teach them commands by shaping a bunch of small actions together over time to create one larger or more complex action. Think of it as forming a ball of clay. You start with a small piece then roll on another chunk, then another, and another until you have enough material to make your project. Shaping works hand in hand with a dog's surroundings and the level of challenge that the exercise creates for your dog in order to produce a dog who can complete any action under any circumstances. Learning the 4 D's will help you accurately and appropriately increase the amount of materials (increments of shaping under various circumstances) that your dog needs in order to complete complex functions. Distance
Duration
Distraction
Degree of Difficulty
All Work in UnisonEach time you handle your dog and ask them to perform an exercise, action, or command, you must first stop and ask your self these questions:
It may be helpful to keep a log of each of these questions for every command and exercise that you practice with your dog when you first begin teaching a new command or exercise. It will help you keep track of what's been done, what needs more work, and when your dog is ready for the challenge factor to be increased.
Many things go into creating a good service dog, but age is one of the most crucial. There is a good reason why programs start with puppies bred from reputable parents, and why most owner-trainers search for puppies from a breeder or younger dogs from a rescue. Youth is paramount for this task. In this post, I'll discuss the service dog timeline, the importance of puppies, and advantages of starting young vs the disadvantages of starting with an older dog. |
My Name is Sally...I have a condition called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. This blog is about my journey training Robbie, a dog who helped me regain independence, confidence, and achieve the impossible in the face of my disability. It continues on with the training of Austin, Robbie's successor. Check Out... - "More than a Dog" was published on a site called The Mighty Categories
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