We receive many questions every day in our dog training Sacramento CA facility. Although there is no one right way, all service dogs require expert training, behavior modification work, and a wonderful working temperament, personality, and demeanor. You must think about many things when you consider making your dog a service dog.
Your service dog needs to:
• Public access tested (PAT).
• Obeyance training to very high levels
• Display impeccable behavior in all situations
• A goldilocks personality and temperament
• Get task-trained for your particular disability
You must be:
• Disabled according to the ADA
• Very knowledgeable about Dog Socializing Training Sacramento CA, behavior and nutrition
• Responsible and humane dog parent/service dog handler (pass the Canine Good Citizen Test)
All service dogs, including emotional support dogs, therapy dogs, and all other assistance animals, share the same characteristics of impeccable manners, behavior, and obedience.
Service dogs can be thought of as Olympic athletes or top doctors. Becoming an Olympic athlete, takes dedication, years of work, and natural skills/genetics. The failure rate is very high. Even though you spend a lot of time and effort to achieve your goal, it’s unlikely that you will become an Olympic athlete. This is not meant to discourage you from making your dog a service animal. It’s a good idea! Even if your dog does not become a service dog, it is a win for you both. You will be able to bring out the best behavior and train your dog while also educating yourself.
If you can understand the risks and that you and your dog are ready to make a team of Service Dog Training Programs in Sacramento CA, this guide will help you keep your eyes on the task at hand. While you or your service dog are still and in motion, etc.
They must also master the following:
• Walking on a loose leash
• It is best to leave it
• It’s time to go
Dogs must be able to perform the above tasks reliably, with novel stimuli and severe distractions for length and distance.
These must include the following:
• Flawless cue discrimination is when your dog does not respond to your request. For example, if you ask your dog to Down, he will do so one time. Your dog won’t cycle through behaviors, perform different behaviors or go into sequences. If you have the ability, your dog should be able to recognize behaviors using verbal as well as gestural cues.
• Excellent manners in all settings (hospitals and dog parks, planes, public businesses, vehicles, restaurants shopping centers, food shops, etc.). Service dogs must be calm, friendly, and confident.
• Potty trained Although it may seem obvious, there are certain goals for potty training your dog. Before you can consider a dog potty-trained, they should be capable of doing all the above for several months.
o When on-leash, eliminate
o Attach a collar, harness, backpack, or other accessories to eliminate your dog.
o Eliminate on-cue (where and how to potty).
o You can urinate and defecate right in front of others (not isolated).
o Eliminate distracting environments
o All the above in any combination, or simultaneously
• To reduce a person’s disability, a task-trained dog can be trained. Your dog should be able and willing to assist you in any situation or environment.
