How To Train A Dog For Service
Introduction
I’ve heard it said that you don’t train a service dog—you raise it. The truth is, service dogs are trained to do their jobs just like all other dogs, but the training process can take years and requires much more dedication. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t consider raising a service dog! Like most things in life, raising a service dog will present some challenges but offer many rewards as well. With the right preparation, anyone can train a dog for service work. In this article, I’ll explain how to get started on this life-changing endeavor.
Once you’ve evaluated your dog’s personality, and determined that he’s a good fit for service work, it’s time to start training.
- What is a service dog? Service dogs are trained to help people with disabilities. They may be trained to assist those who are blind, deaf, or have other physical disabilities. Service dogs may also aid people with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- What is the difference between a service dog and a companion dog? Companion animals can also provide assistance to people with disabilities; however, they do not require formal training in order to provide this support. Companionship can include keeping someone company while he’s at home alone because of his disability; providing affection when someone is feeling depressed; assisting with physical tasks (like opening doors) when the person has trouble doing it himself/herself—and so forth!
The first step for all service dogs is a reliable recall.
The first step for all service dogs is a reliable recall, meaning they will come back to you when called. This is the most important part of training a service dog because it allows them to be placed in any situation and still follow commands. You never know when your dog might need to come back to you, so it needs to be able to do so reliably no matter where or when you call them back.
Additionally, there are many different environments that can affect how well your dog comes back on command. Some dogs may be more distracted by other animals running around or people talking nearby than others would be; some may become nervous about being outside because it’s dark outside or there’s lots of traffic nearby; some might even become afraid of loud noises such as thunderstorms! To ensure that your dog will always come back on command regardless of what kind of atmosphere they’re in (or whether they’re indoors vs outdoors), start training them early on and continue practicing throughout their life until they’ve mastered this skill fully
Teach your dog how to down stay.
To teach your dog how to down stay, you will first want to get his attention. Once he is focused on you, tell him that he needs to lie down and then give him a treat when he does so. Once the food has been eaten, tell him again that he needs to lie down and then reward him again with another treat when he obeys. Repeat this several times or until it becomes second nature for the dog to obey when told “lie down”.
Once your dog has mastered the lie-down command without any kind of prompt from you, try having him remain in that position with his head up while continuing your training session (if applicable). This can be done by simply extending one arm in front of his face while pointing at him and saying “stay” while giving an open palm gesture towards yourself as if presenting a treat but without giving any actual treats out until after they have remained still for at least 30 seconds or more depending on their age/size etcetera; once that period has elapsed then begin rewarding them with praise + treats!
As always make sure there are no distractions around such as other pets coming by during training sessions so as not interrupting progress made thus far; also make sure nobody else touches either person involved in order not disrupting bond between human/animal pairing because remember: relationships built upon trust last forever!
Make sure your dog has an automatic sit.
Teach your dog to sit.
The first thing you should teach any dog is a good sit. This is useful because it gives you time to think before moving on to other commands and because there are many situations in which a dog can use this command, such as when they’re being scolded or reprimanded by their owner, or if they’re being told that they’ve done something wrong but needn’t be punished just yet.
You’ll need a reliable leave it command.
The leave it command is a versatile and useful tool for dog owners. It can be used to prevent your dog from eating food off the floor, chewing inappropriate items, jumping on people, and barking.
You’ll need to teach your dog the “leave it” command before they are able to learn any other behavior in the service class. If you don’t have this down well enough yet, practice it at home until you feel confident that your pooch understands what “leave it” means.
You need to be able to direct your dog with verbal and hand signals.
A service dog needs to be able to follow your commands at a moment’s notice, regardless of the circumstances. You can use body language and hand signals to direct your dog, whether you’re in public or not. Hand signals are especially useful when out in public because they can’t be overheard by other people. Use both verbal commands and hand signals together to direct your dog as needed. When teaching new behaviors, make sure that all of your signals are consistent so that your dog knows what each one means.
Service dogs require high levels of training, but if you’re up for the challenge, you’ll end up with a loving loyal friend forever.
Service dogs are specially trained to assist people with disabilities. In order to be a service dog, your dog must be friendly and obedient, calm and focused, confident and assertive in public settings, social with strangers and other animals (particularly if you have allergies), focused on the task at hand despite distractions, able to work effectively when tired or bored…the list goes on! But if you’re up for the challenge of training your own service dog from scratch—or just want some tips from someone who’s been there—here are some resources:
- Service Dogs USA
- The Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind
Conclusion
With these basic training tips, you should be well on your way to preparing your dog for service work. There are many other commands and behaviors that can be taught, but these are the most important for daily life as a disabled person’s companion. In order to get your dog certified, you’ll need to train with a professional trainer. If you’re interested in becoming a trainer yourself, take this course from the National K-9 Learning Center. Good luck!