How to Train a Physical Assistance Dog

Professional training for pet dogs can be expensive, and assistance dog training is no different. Even with discounts and (potentially) medical insurance, having a physical-assistance dog professionally trained is often cost prohibitive for those who need it most.Many people with physical disabilities take on the task of training their own assistance dogs. For some, this is the best option, because the dog can be trained to mitigate a disability specific to that particular person.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Well-chosen dog of at least one year old
• Understanding of basic dog-training principles
• Eternal amounts of patience
• A person, group or professional trainer to turn to for advice and support when you hit a difficult point.
• Your dog's favorite treats

Define Actions to Be Taught

1. Make a list of activities you can no longer do yourself because of your disability.

2. Choose one activity you would like your dog to help with.

3. Break down the activity into steps. For example, if you want your dog to open a cupboard, the steps would be: 1. Grab cloth handle/ strap with mouth. 2. Pull handle while walking backward. 3. Stop pulling and let go of cloth handle/strap when cupboard door is open.Write down each step.

4. Look at each step, and break it down further. From Step 3 above, "Grab cloth handle/strap with mouth" might become:1. Take cloth or strap from owner's hand with mouth.2. Take and hold cloth or strap in mouth for a set period of time.3. Take and hold cloth or strap that is attached to cupboard.

5. Take an honest look at your dog's ability, fears and maturity to decide if tasks should be broken down further.

Teaching the Task

6. Start with the first task on your list. For our example, we'll use "Take cloth in mouth, from owner's hand." Get your dog's attention and say your cue word for "Take the object." Use something simple, like TAKE, TAKE IT or GET. Offer the cloth to your dog.

7. If your dog takes the cloth, give her a treat and make a huge fuss over her. You want your dog to absolutely sure she did what you wanted.If your dog does not take the cloth, put a small piece of his favorite treat on the cloth, or smear a bit of peanut butter on the cloth. When your dog leans down to take the treat, praise him.

8. Continue Step 2 until your dog has mastered, and is comfortable with, taking the cloth in her mouth. As your dog gains confidence and reliability with this task, decrease the treat from every time to every other time, then every third time she completes the task. Finally, treat randomly. As you decrease the treats, remember to tell your dog she did what you wanted by saying "Good dog," or whatever your phrase is.

9. Begin shaping the behavior of taking the cloth or handle by now asking your dog to TAKE and HOLD the cloth. When your dog TAKES the cloth, don't offer a treat or praise right away. Wait for several seconds, give a release command, and then treat and praise your dog.

10. Continue adding steps to further shape the behavior until your dog is preforming the desired task.

Tips & Warnings

• Before, during and after the training process, become familiar with ADA laws in your area.
• Remember that task training and public-service training are different. Just because your dog can preform a specific task at home does not mean he's ready to work in public.
• Start public-service training before or at the same time you start task training.
• If you run into something you don't know how to teach, consult a certified trainer, dog list or book, or a person who has trained a dog to perform the task you are teaching.
• Short yet frequent training sessions are usually better than one long session.
• Tailor the praise to your dog's personality. If your dog is hyperactive, don't drive him to distraction with overly exuberant praise. Likewise, if you dog is very calm, praise him in a higher, more excited voice.
• And old dog-training adage states that "Slow is Fast." Don't rush through training; it's important that your dog understand and master each step before you move on.
• Never use shock collars, prong collars or violence to train a dog. You may get the desired task in the short run, but in the long run, you will definitely destroy the trust and love your dog feels for you.

Who Can Help Sponsored