How to Train a Psychiatric Service Dog From a Puppy

Whether you have difficulties with hearing or are in a wheel chair, having a companion that can help is right around the corner. Training dogs to work for you as service dogs can provide you with the an extra helping paw for all of the small stuff. Starting your dog out when they are a puppy and getting them to work with you will allow you to live more comfortably.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• dog treats
• training props

1. Decide what you need help with. Before you even get a dog, you will need to determine what type of training it needs. For example, if you have problems getting clothes on or picking up things, this is what you will train your dog to do. This will provide you with a way to start training.

2. Set a time of the day. Puppies need consistency and need to know when things will start. You will want to set one or two times a day, every day, in order to help your puppy get started.

3. Start with the basics. The best way to start training your puppy is to start with the basic training, such as sitting and standing. You can add on two or three things at a time in order to start your dog. Make sure that you pick words that are only one syllable long. At first, you will need to show your dog what to do. For example, if you want them to sit, show him how to sit.

4. Reward your puppy for trying. Once you start speaking the language to your dog, reward them when they do something right. Tell them good in a high voice, give them a treat and repeat the word. Then, do the same thing again, where you tell them what to do and reward them when they do it.

5. Move into advanced training. As soon as you have the basics down, you can move into three more exercises. Just like the basics, you will want to give them a short word, then show them what you need. You can use props or the specific materials that you will need help with so that they understand exactly where they should go every time. When they follow the commands correctly, reward them. Eventually, they will automatically respond.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that training takes time. You can expect to go over one concept with your dog at least 100 times before they will automatically understand what you are doing. Remember to be consistent and to take your time training them.
• Don't punish your puppy. If your puppy misses out on something or doesn't get it quite right, don't punish him, tell him they are bad or hit him. This will cause him to become scared and all of the training techniques you have been working on will be lost.

[bevykona]

on 2/5/2009 this really doesn't cover psychiatric training at all. these are just basics for any dog's training. sit, stay, come, heel, fetch, drop it. where is the psychiatric part? i have 2 service dogs.