Before Getting Started

You are embarking on a very important journey - not just for you and your dog, but also for the public. Your training sets a standard for others wishing to do the same. It is understandable that self-trained service dogs is becoming more and more popular. Having an organization train a dog for you is very expensive and the wait list can be years. Consequently, more and more people are turning to self-training options. But because of this, more “fake” and improperly trained dogs are finding their way into public places. States are cracking down on penalties. So, you are not only training your dog for you, but also acting as a representative and model for self-trained service dogs so that this option remains an option for those in need of service dogs. Take this responsibility very seriously. This is not novice training. It requires skill, dedication, and knowledge. Service dogs are not pets. They are a lifeline for independence, safety, and quality of life.

Before you begin, keep your goals in mind:

• Service Dog Tasks - most states and the ADA require service dogs to perform 3 tasks to help their handler. These are tasks that the handler can not perform on their own. Make sure that you know what your service dog will be doing to help you. Letting me know ahead of time will help me to prioritize for you skills we need to teach your dog.
• Know Your State’s Laws - every state has their own rules and laws for service dogs. You need to do your homework and know your own state’s laws regarding access of service dogs in training, regulations, laws, and penalties.
• Body Structure and Physical Conditioning - Certain tasks are not to be performed until a dog has reached full maturity in growth. Bracing and mobility assistance fall under this category. So some tasks will be able to be addressed now, others will have to wait, depending on the age of your dog.
• Public Bahavior and Vest Work - the expectations of service dogs and behavior in public is high. You will be working everyday to build a very strong foundation in default manners and behavior. Only when your dog can behave well in public areas accessible to all dogs will you then place your dog is a Service Dog in Training vest and work in areas not accessible to dogs (unless your state laws say otherwise).
• Therapy, ESA, and Service - know the difference. You might be asked when working with your dog in a vest in public. Part of self-training a service dog, unfortunately, involves educating others. Service dogs, unlike therapy and ESAs, are protected under the ADA with accessibility rights. Wherever their handler goes, the dog also goes. Some states also allow this for service dogs in training (SDiT), but not all. That is why it is important to know the specific rules for the state in which you are training.
• Modifications with Certain Training - there will be some modifications I will ask you to do when working with certain behavior games. These modifications are to instill certain habits that service dogs must have that companion dogs don’t. Make sure that you follow all directions and procedures to ensure success with training.
• Staying On Top of Training - It is important to stay on top of training. Service training is a life-long committment with the dog. They will always need to hone skills. That also means you will stay on top of scheduling your consults regularly throughout the training with me. You are also ging to need to find a local trainer that can work with you on any additional training that can not be met remotely. At the very least, you will need to find a trainer in your area that can conduct the AKC CGC, and CGCU tests for your dog’s training resume. Your training with me will prepare you for those tests. It is your responsibility to practice.
• No Excuses - I do not accept excuses for why you can’t take the time to train. Nor excuses as to why you can’t follow a set of rules. You have taken on this responsibility, and have committed to the time and dedication it takes to train a service dog. This is a 100% commitment, and you should expect nothing less, just like me. Depending on the tasks required and the abilities of the handler, it can take up to two years or more to fully train a service dog. Make sure you are ready for that kind of commitment.
• Put Training First - you are not training a pet, you are training a serve dog which is a tool and teammate. Be ready to turn people down and be your dog’s advocate. Protect your dog at all costs - from naive people and bad dog owners. Never hesitate to tell people “No” and tell people your are training and not greeting strangers - especially other dogs. Often time I will say, “I don’t do on-leash greetings,” or I will say, “Nope, we are not sniffing or greeting other dogs.” You will also have to tell other people to get their dog away from yours, even body block. Be prepared to be assertive - you and your dog, the team, is priority ONE!

I am committed to this task and level of responsibility.

Once we have talked and I know you are committed to this level of training, we will begin foundational work and through all the cues and games, I will help you with modifications. The order in which you train will also be different than with companion dogs. I also highly recommend boundary training. It teaches must-have skills that every service dog needs to be successful in public situations.