Service Dog Training by NDT
Types of Service Dog Training
We are a training center centered around our Naked Obedience training. In addition to teaching impeccable manners and complete off-leash control we do offer service dog training and certification. We are limited in what types of services we are willing to teach due to time constraints. These include training for Mobility Assist and Psychiatric needs including PTSD, anxiety disorders and autism. We do take on clients with other service dog needs and evaluate them on an individual basis. We do not offer training for seeing eye dogs.
Owners should be aware not every dog is capable of being trained as a service dog. It depends on a dog’s makeup and the unique needs of their owner.
We are available to make recommendations of breeds as well as individual requirements for a dog given the type of service that will be required. We are also available to assist in selecting the specific dog whether from a breeder, animal shelter or private party sale or adoption.
Mobility Assist Service Dog Training
We offer four options for owners with issues involving mobility and balance. Some options are available by themselves (option 1 and 4) whereas others (options 2 and 3) require those other options that preceded them (for instance option 3 requires options 1 and 2 be taught).
The first option is to train a dog to “Brace” on command. This command instructs your dog to stand up beside you and brace him or herself as you apply some of your weight onto their harness to assist you with balance.
1. This first option assumes you will only give this command from a standing position with your dog beside you. This entry level exercise is perfect for someone who has balance issues while standing, but is unlikely to fall down.
2. The second option is for us to teach your dog that on the command “Brace” he or she must run to your side and brace. This enable you to use their body to assist in getting up after you have fallen down. This can be done with and without your dog wearing their harness.
3. The third option is for your dog to perform an ongoing “brace-in-motion” beside you while moving. A dog trained to perform this level of service is typically helping their owner to maintain balance and preventing injuries.
4. For individuals prone to falls our forth option teaches their dog to automatically come to the owner’s side and bark in order to alert other family members of a fall. At any time the owner can instruct the dog to stop barking and “Brace”.
Psychiatric Service Dog Training (PTSD, stress and anxiety disorders and autism)
1. Owners with PTSD often benefit from a dog that will apply pressure therapy on command as well as when they see, hear or sense specific stress-related triggers. This pressure therapy usually changes focus from themselves to their dog. This change in awareness combined by the reassurance of their dog’s physical contact helps to de-escalate what can be a downward-spiral
The benefits of pressure therapy along with constant loving companionship can often make a real difference. That difference is often the willingness to go out into the world rather than avoid it.
2. For stress and anxiety disorders we work with owners to decide on what response will be most useful. These usually include pressure therapy or licking (usually hands). In some cases a large dog gently placing their front legs on the owner’s lap be enough to reverse a downward spiral.
3. The most common request for autism is companionship for children on the spectrum.This usually involves a directed “attend” command that instructs a dog to remain within 2 to 3 feet of the child. As the child moves the dogs gets up and moves with the child. When he or she stops the dogs lies down. This quite presence usually has a grounding affect, and provides a physical buffer or boundary, which often provides reassurance when going out into the world.