Service Dog Training

Service Dog Training in General

Training a dog or service work is a large field and getting bigger. Depending, the training will be different for each specific kind of work. As well, different breeds learn in different ways, and so the methods of teaching dogs for work are modified by knowledgeable trainers to suit the breed of dog being prepared for dog service work. Certain aspects of training are common however to all service trained dogs.

The puppy training procedures for service dogs are mainly oriented to their future service. Skills common to any well behaved dog including basic obedience and manners, toilet training, not begging or jumping up on people, waiting at doors, riding in cars, responding to your call, and commands like sit, down, stay and walking politely on a leash are a given for all dogs actually but especially important for service dogs. Selected potential puppies are tested during the early training period from time to time but are more thoroughly evaluated, after they leave their early foster homes to go to training centers. This is usually done between twelve and eighteen months of age. There they are evaluated. How is their temperament, health and trainability for this arena? Those who are not up to the standard are offered for adoption or transferred to different programs such as police dog or customs dog training. Generally the family that looked after the puppy is given the first option to keep any pup that does not continue in the training program.

Then the serious training begins. This includes for example teaching the dog to work in spite of distractions and to work in a variety of places, and circumstances. All service dogs must learn a working position. The dog is responsible for maintaining these commands regardless of how the owner moves and whether or not a leash is dropped. They are trained to toilet only on command when working.

By definition a service dog is individually trained to perform tasks that the dog's owner requires. Since each person has unique disability, each dog sold to a person must be trained for that individual, and the individual must be engaged in that process and learn his future life helping canine partner. Skills and tasks are generally taught when the dog is kept at the training centers working with professional service dog trainers. A late phase for these dogs is called public access training. In this period, the dog is taught to perform his duties without regard for distraction and in any environment. This period usually lasts six months to one year.

Many people choose to train their own service dogs, because existing service dog training programs do not fulfill their needs. This is permitted in some countries but not in all. Trainers with experienced in training of advanced dogs, may choose to train their dogs themselves, while others may employ a professional trainer or organization that accepts an owner's existing dog. Public access, rights of owners of service dogs varies according to country and region. The typical working life of a service dog is eight years, though some dogs may choose to work past Ten years. The time and cost for training and developing a service dog is not cheap, but the benefits a service dog brings to their owners lives is priceless.

“Service Dogs on the Scent”

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), a service dog is an animal trained to perform specific tasks or provide assistance to a person with a physical or mental disability. Service dogs are not therapy dogs, nor are they pets and under ADA guidelines are granted access to all public places under the rights of the individual with the disability. Since 1990 the definition of “service dog” has expanded beyond the traditional guide dog to include many areas: guide dogs, mobility dogs, hearing alert dogs, seizure response dogs and more recently allergy alert dogs.

Mild food allergies amongst people are fairly common, but the average person considers life threatening food allergies rare. In the United States alone however, life threatening food allergies affect millions of children and send thousands to the emergency room fearing for their lives. Often, many do not survive. This presented a need for an alternative solution.

Meet Remy, one of the first service dogs in the country to be named a “peanut sniffer,” she was professionally trained at Southern Star Ranch boarding kennel near Houston to detect minute traces of peanut residue in any object or environment. Without Remy, 9 year old Billy Gensel would not be able to live a normal life.

Billy Gensel was diagnosed with a fatal peanut allergy as an infant. Growing up he was never able to go to restaurants, birthday parties or attend other normal events most take for granted. This is because peanuts are deadly to Billy. Even something as simple as touching a table or a chair with peanut residue on it could trigger anaphylactic shock and kill him in less than 20 seconds. Now with Remy in the family Billy can go places that previously he would have never dared venture. Before eating out, Remy diligently checks the table and chair where Billy will be sitting. If there is peanut contamination, she gives a warning so Billy’s mom can wipe down the table. If staying in a hotel, Remy inspects it for missed candy wrappers or other hidden dangers and if flying on a plane Remy must first check the seats for peanut traces. Remy saves Billy’s life regularly and gives him the freedom to do things he would otherwise be unable to do.

Remy and other allergy alert service dogs can be a valuable tool for those with life threatening allergies. Given that a dog’s sense of smell far surpasses that of humans, odor detection is the perfect job for a properly trained canine. After completion of a training program, an allergy alert service dog will easily be able to detect minute particles of a particular allergen in any form: raw, cooked, oil, butter, dust and more. These special service dogs are trained rigorously and must be constantly vigilant to keep their child safe.

Multiple dog breeds are currently being prepared to begin their life as allergy alert service dogs, but most commonly chosen are the allergy friendly breeds such as: Australian Labradoodles and Portuguese water dogs. Other breeds like the Golden Retriever and Labrador retriever are also chosen due to their wonderful temperaments and high-powered noses. All dogs are carefully selected and screened for health and temperament before going into a training program.

Food allergies are a growing public concern in the US with the highest incidence being in young children. Food allergies are also believed to be the leading cause of anaphylaxis, resulting in 50,000 emergency visits each year. Thankfully, Allergy Alert Service dogs are on the rise also, offering a possible solution for children suffering from fatal allergies.

Using markers or flags for a track is a good idea so as to not lose the track, but don’t rely on them. Allow your dog to lead you, but in the beginning if he is going the wrong way, don’t move forward. Allow him to pick the track back up before going on. Don’t pull him back on.

If your dog appears to be working a track but is off what you laid a bit, he is probably tracking the drift of scent. As scent falls to the ground, it will catch in grass, bushes, and whatever material is there. Often scent will hang in the bushes above the ground or will drift a few feet over depending on the wind.

Remember to train your dog on an empty stomach so that the food on the track looks pretty tempting. Vary what you put on the track and make it something good like liver bits, chicken, hot dogs, cheese, etc. Make the end of the track a jackpot item like his dinner with extra goodies and/or his favorite toy. Eventually you will move these jackpots off the actual track, but in the beginning it is a good motivator to work.

Tracking can be a lot of fun for both the dog and person involved, and it is certainly great exercise as you traverse a variety of terrains. Wear comfortable shoes (hiking shoes or boots are often best for wilderness work) and clothing. Depending on the season, don’t forget sunscreen and bug spray too.

Tracking can be just an enjoyable hobby or you can train for competition through the AKC, as part of Schutzhund training, or for search and rescue work. You’ll be amazed by what your dog can do.

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