Of all of the different things that our furry friends can be trained to do, service dog training is one of the most difficult.
These dogs are the true definition of everyday hero.
Although the tasks that they perform may seem routine, they make a world of difference in the lives of the disabled.
A service dog is a one that is trained to assist people with disabilities.
Nearly everyone is familiar with the use of guide dog for blind or deaf people.
However, there are many other types if disabilities that they can help with.
Service dogs also assist people who suffer from
In the United States, federal law protects the use of service dogs.
The American with Disabilities Act defines the role of them and regulates public access rights.
You will find them in most public restaurants, stores, and any other place that a person may visit.
So, how are these dogs selected and trained? There are a lot of wonderful dogs that start service dog training, but never graduate.
Unfortunately, most dogs are not suitable for service dog training.
They are a special class of canine.
Dogs are carefully screened for a personality type that indicates the right combination of traits.
These traits include things like how easy the dog is to work with, how fast they learn, and their general nature.
Service dog training is accomplished one of two different ways.
The first way is through a program.
These organizations will often breed their own puppies to have the right combination of characteristics.
Puppies are sometimes sent into foster homes, where a family will raise them.
Here they will learn critical social skills, potty training, and basic manners.
Once old enough, the puppies undergo an evaluation to determine if they have the right stuff for training.
If they do, then they progress to the first level of service dog training.
If they don't, then they are offered up for adoption.
They might also be transferred to other programs, such as narcotics or bomb detection.
All dogs, regardless of what they are used for, share some basic skills.
Leash training and simple commands are taught along with a basic working "position".
They must all learn to be obedient around distractions, and not to use the bathroom unless commanded to do so.
From this point, the service dog training program will vary, based on the individual that the dog will be assisting.
For a person in a wheelchair, this may include turning light on and off, opening doors, and retrieving objects.
As disabilities affect people differently, each dog must be custom trained to a specific person's needs.
The second method of service dog training is where a disabled owner trains their dog himself (or herself).
Or, they can choose to hire a trainer to train their own dog.
This has proved to be a very effective means for owners who have multiple disabilities, because they can tailor the training program as they see fit.
Many owners find this cross - training to be very beneficial.
The risk, however, is that they will become attached to their puppy.
Should the dog prove to be unable to be effectively trained, a disabled owner could be facing a tough decision.
Although it takes tremendous skill to be successful at service dog training, it is gaining popularity with many disabled people.
These dogs are the true definition of everyday hero.
Although the tasks that they perform may seem routine, they make a world of difference in the lives of the disabled.
A service dog is a one that is trained to assist people with disabilities.
Nearly everyone is familiar with the use of guide dog for blind or deaf people.
However, there are many other types if disabilities that they can help with.
Service dogs also assist people who suffer from
- mental disease;
- seizures;
- diabetes;
- severe allergies, among others.
In the United States, federal law protects the use of service dogs.
The American with Disabilities Act defines the role of them and regulates public access rights.
You will find them in most public restaurants, stores, and any other place that a person may visit.
So, how are these dogs selected and trained? There are a lot of wonderful dogs that start service dog training, but never graduate.
Unfortunately, most dogs are not suitable for service dog training.
They are a special class of canine.
Dogs are carefully screened for a personality type that indicates the right combination of traits.
These traits include things like how easy the dog is to work with, how fast they learn, and their general nature.
Service dog training is accomplished one of two different ways.
The first way is through a program.
These organizations will often breed their own puppies to have the right combination of characteristics.
Puppies are sometimes sent into foster homes, where a family will raise them.
Here they will learn critical social skills, potty training, and basic manners.
Once old enough, the puppies undergo an evaluation to determine if they have the right stuff for training.
If they do, then they progress to the first level of service dog training.
If they don't, then they are offered up for adoption.
They might also be transferred to other programs, such as narcotics or bomb detection.
All dogs, regardless of what they are used for, share some basic skills.
Leash training and simple commands are taught along with a basic working "position".
They must all learn to be obedient around distractions, and not to use the bathroom unless commanded to do so.
From this point, the service dog training program will vary, based on the individual that the dog will be assisting.
For a person in a wheelchair, this may include turning light on and off, opening doors, and retrieving objects.
As disabilities affect people differently, each dog must be custom trained to a specific person's needs.
The second method of service dog training is where a disabled owner trains their dog himself (or herself).
Or, they can choose to hire a trainer to train their own dog.
This has proved to be a very effective means for owners who have multiple disabilities, because they can tailor the training program as they see fit.
Many owners find this cross - training to be very beneficial.
The risk, however, is that they will become attached to their puppy.
Should the dog prove to be unable to be effectively trained, a disabled owner could be facing a tough decision.
Although it takes tremendous skill to be successful at service dog training, it is gaining popularity with many disabled people.
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