HELPERDOGS believes you can OWNER TRAIN (O/T) your own Service Dog (SD). Having done so myself, I know that it *can* be done. Some disabled people can train their own SDs by themselves with guidance (lessons or training) while other disabled people need a little more help with one on one training of their soon to be Service Dog (SD). How is this done at HELPERDOGS? Together we evaluate the situation. What goals would you like to set for yourself and your dog? What needs do you have that you think your dog could help you with? Together we write a list of possibilities. Then we assess your ability to train your dog. What special needs do you have? Do you just need to go slower than a regular dog obedience school in training basic obedience as a start? Have you already trained your dog in basic obedience and now need to develop a program and plan of action to turn your mannerly pet into a Service Dog? Do you want someone to help you actually train your dog for specific tasks? Do you want to set up a program and work with us so that you can learn to train your dog yourself? We also need to assess your dog's abilities to help you. Most dogs can learn anything. Service Dogs have the added duty of traveling in public with their owners. Together you and HELPERDOGS must be sure your dog will be capable of dealing with the unexpected things that happen out in public and can handle the stress. When these goals are determined then HELPERDOGS begins to formulate, along with you, a plan of action. We are now ready to start the training process so that your pet becomes a Service Dog - but please remember this doesn't happen overnight. HELPERDOGS will aid you in finding all possible materials that you will need to owner/train your own Service Dog (SD) from equipment to learning materials. We will develop an ongoing lesson plan and continuously re-assess your '"team's" progress. (Remember we also make customized equipment.) Our usual program is one where the owner and dog come together for lessons and then go home to practice before the next sceduled lesson or training session. If an owner needs special help we will keep a dog a few days teaching a new lesson before the team goes home to practice. You can either come to HELPERDOGS or we can come to you! WHAT CAN YOUR DOG DO? Almost anything you can imagine from retrieving dropped objects that you can't pick up from the floor yourself, to opening doors, getting a telephone, seeking someone else for help, helping to pull your wheel chair or work in harness by your side helping you to walk. Your Service Dog (SD) can even help you pick up around your house, help with the laundry and many other *tasks* that you may need to help mitigate your disabilities. It just takes time, patience, dedication, and a love of working with your dog to teach what we call 'tasks' and what your dog will call 'fun'. One last important point: by law, a Service Dog is only a Service Dog if his owner/handler is 'disabled' according to the ADA1990 definitions. Please check with our "Important Links" page for more information as to whether or not you would be considered 'disabled' allowing your dog to be a Service Dog in public. Rember, though, any dog can be a big and happy help to you at home! |
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