A common challenge that service dog trainers encounter is a person with a disability who has selected a dog for service work that is not suited for public access. Generally, by the time the owner sees …
Blog
Preparing Service Dogs to Work in Tight Spaces
Working with a service dog in a small space is challenging. Store aisles can have objects and food on low shelves that are tempting for a dog to sniff. Add in adaptive equipment like a wheelchair or …
Continue Reading about Preparing Service Dogs to Work in Tight Spaces →
Communicating with Clients who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing During COVID-19
Physical distancing and face masks can make teaching training classes more challenging when working with all clients, but this is especially true when working with clients who are deaf or hard of …
Continue Reading about Communicating with Clients who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing During COVID-19 →
Teaching Brace and Balance: Important Considerations
Dog trainers are often asked to train service dogs to help a person balance when walking or getting up from a fall. The person may hold a harness the dog is wearing or directly place their hand on the …
Continue Reading about Teaching Brace and Balance: Important Considerations →
Training Service Dogs to Pull
Service dogs need to pull to perform tasks like opening a door, opening a drawer, pulling a zipper and helping their owner take off a jacket. Pulling is useful for handlers with disabilities, and it …
Default Behaviors for Service Dogs
What do checking in with their owner, waiting at curbs, and lying down while their owner waits in line have in common? These are all examples of default behaviors. Default behaviors are behaviors the …