Service Dog Haus Merkel

STARTING THE SERVICE DOG by Jennece Cossey

They way I trained Bryn was making it all play time. So to her it was all fun. When you are playing with the rope with them keep saying the word "tug" (Or what ever word you choose). Over and over and praising for good strong tugs. Then hanging the rope on the door with the correct type handle (most handicap homes will have these), the type that would be on a french door. Then you hang that certain rope style on the side you want them to open and wiggle the rope and tell them to "tug" and eventually that command will turn to Open. When they tug and the door opens it's "Good!! Open!!". Then again on the other side of the door the tug will become "Close". I like one word commands. The people that we trained with drove me crazy. Maybe that's why we didn't get a dog. Poor dogs no wonder they were confused!! Instead of a simple "Load Up" it was "Get in the car".........or instead of Bryn, Look and show her what Alex dropped, then tell her Bring. They would call the dog and this was the dialog "(dogs name), Look, look, look, thats it!! That's it!! Get it, get it, That's it That 's it, Bring it bring it, That's it thats it, My lap, my lap, that's it, that's it!!Good dog!!" I'm like, really????

I started with a ball, something she really likes and would roll it off my lap. Running to get it was natural. She wanted it. I wouldn't take it from her, I'd pat my lap until she would put it there. Occasionally in the beginning we did use MY Lap, but it becomes natural to her. So then I started using old remote controls, cell phones things like that. We did start using the "get it" command there because that was not her ball. But, she knew once she got it to put it in your lap. Each dog can be taught differently by using "my lap" and "my hand" since you won't know where the dog is going. She plays different with the grandkids. They tell her to drop the ball and she drops it. I don't want them tugging and her re-gripping and getting little fingers. These dogs are smart, they pick up things quickly.

Teaching to push handicap buttons would probably be handy for some. Alex pushes his own. I did train her some on that. Just not much. I put a colored patch on the wall that is about the height of the buttons and tell her "up" and pat the spot on the wall. When she would finally get up I'd give her a treat. Eventually I got to where she had to land exactly where I patted to get her treat. That's how you get them to push the handicap button. Once they get to where they are hitting the spot you tell them you go to the real thing and it's like a light bulb going on.

I've never trained the light switch but have read about it. You drag the treat across the switch with their nose following when they flip the switch they get the treat. It starts with a fake switch on the ground. Then you put one on a post and eventually the real thing. You have to choose a word for each direction once it's on the pole.

Leave it is a very important command. And basically you just put something they like a lot and tell them to leave it. Put them in a platz, or sit. And just keep telling them to leave it. Then treat them with something else. Give back to them later. That command has been so important. Running squirrels, or hissing cats or even backpacks with "interesting" smells in them. That command has to ingrained heavily. The last thing you want is for your dog to be in a restaurant and smell something in a ladies purse across the room and want it!! How many folks do you think smuggle food out of a buffet in their purse??? Lots! Especially with the noses these dogs have!!

With the German Shepherd they have to be allowed to be pet while working. Especially if they are attached to a wheel chair. Encourage petting and attention. Even during public training. Because you and I both know how quickly they will get protective over their charge if they think no one is supposed to approach them. Or the chair! And for someone who is in a wheel chair, sometimes they need medical attention and if the dog won't let the EMT get near them..............

All gear must be silent. Cloth chokes or collars, nothing that rattles when they are laying in the floor and shift positions. All their tags and such go in their vest pocket. While registration is not law, it adds more credibility to the dog if they have that number and they can be confirmed as a service dog. Getting a CGC on the dog adds to the public access right. Again, not law, but makes the dog more credible. I wouldn't register the dog until they have their partner. Then register them as a team because that is what is on the certificate people need. Especially if it goes to kids attending school or college.

And take them everywhere!!!! Once you get your dog's vest, and handler ID, they can't question you or deny you unless the dog is disruptive by barking or being aggressive. They cannot by law even ask you what the dog is trained for. Put them in platz in very busy food courts. That's the best place to start before taking them to restaurants. Some train them to go under the table so they are out of the way. But if I put Bryn under the table, where would our feet go. I just ask for a table in the back or something because I don't want her stepped on. Once the dog is used to being in public, petco is a great place to take them to be face to face with birds and other critters that are in public and not home. Things at home are their buddies, other birds and cats may be more interesting to the dog.

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