Most service dog public access tests focus heavily on the dog’s behavior. Can the dog walk on a loose leash through a store? Hold a down-stay? Ignore distractions? Respond reliably to cues? These …
Teaching “Get Dressed”: Strategies for Service Dogs
Introducing a service dog to their harness, vest, or collar is an opportunity to begin training sessions and public access work on a positive note. Service dogs can learn to associate being handled …
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Flexible “Rules” for Happier Service Dogs
Service dog industry language regarding public access training has historically been very absolute. No sniffing while working, no petting while working, always “invisible” and out of the way. In …
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Platform Work and Its Uses in Service Dog Training
Whether it’s navigating a tight space next to a wheelchair, standing behind a handler with PTSD to perform “blocking,” or lying under a chair in a crowded coffee shop, service dogs need to move their …
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Preparing for Flight: Flying with Service Dogs
Flying is stressful for most people, but when you add a service dog into the mix, everything becomes more complex. Handlers are juggling their own disability needs, adaptive equipment or medications, …
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Public Access Testing and Service Dog “Certification”
“Can you certify my dog for service work?” This common question is one professional trainers often dread. Clients expect a quick yes or no answer but in reality, it’s more complex. In the United …
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