If you’re wondering how can I train my own service dog, it’s actually pretty simple once you’ve established the right dog training plan. The first step is learning what type of dog training your dog needs in order to serve you and your family safely. Once you know that, you’ll be ready to establish dog training techniques to suit your needs. Here are some dog training tips to get you started.
Begin by Learning the Disability: A service or disability dog must be trained and certified according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To be trained and certified under the law, your dog must be able to perform the same tasks that the average person can. For example, if you have a dog that is blind, it isn’t enough to let it sit on the couch; it has to be trained to stand on its own, respond to commands, and to use a handicap bathtub.
Develop Your Service Dog’s Temperament: When a dog is properly trained, he will exhibit good behavior. Unfortunately, many service dogs are not well-trained. They are either poorly behaved, confused, or over-excited. This can lead to accidents, injuries, and even disease or death. So, to avoid these problems, learn how to properly train your dog based on his temperament.
Be Prepared for the Limitations: There are some service dogs that aren’t as trained as others, and they don’t always do their jobs as well. If your dog isn’t properly trained, it may not be able to meet the needs of your family or home. Because of this, they can become bored, irritated, and frustrated with the activities in your home. When this happens, they may become less willing to do their jobs, which can result in accidents, injuries, and even depression in the dog. Make sure that you develop your dog’s temperament so that he can be successfully integrated into your family. It’s important to work through any psychological issues with him first, before he is trained to perform specific tasks.
Do “Close Door” Tasks: Certain tasks, such as getting dressed or going to the bathroom, can be performed by the dog when you aren’t around. To make these tasks easier for him, get him an activity crate and teach him how to stay there. The dog needs to learn that if he stays in his crate, he will be given attention, and that it is his responsibility to clean up. Keep in mind that your service dog training will need to include these types of tasks, as some dogs have problems performing these tasks while you’re not around. As long as you make it easy for him, he will love performing them.
Teach “Sit” and “Stay” Commands: Most people have difficulty teaching their pets the basic sit and stay commands. This can be difficult for both you and your dog, but it can be done. The first thing you need to teach your dog is how to sit, at which time you should place your palm flat on the ground and then place one hand under your dog’s chin so he is sitting down. You want to gently lean forward until your dog is relaxed, then say the command slowly and firmly. You can also use a hand motion instead of a voice, which can be much more effective.
Teach “Fetch” or “Hand Shake”: Dogs are naturally excellent at retrieving things that they find on the floor, but many other animals are not. If you have other pets, such as cats or another dog or an older dog, it can be difficult to teach your dog how to fetch. Before you begin your dog training, you may wish to introduce it to a number of different objects so that its instinct can be tested, and you can gauge how well it performs with the items. You can also choose to keep a book of the items that you can leave out for your canine to search, making it an enjoyable game for both you and your dog to play. When you begin your service dog training, you will want to keep in mind that your dog will not always fetch the item, and sometimes it will not seem to be able to do so, which can be frustrating.
As can be seen, there are many challenges involved in training, but a lot of people are able to successfully train their dogs, providing that they have the right training materials and that they put in the necessary time and effort. The most important thing is that you take the time to train, and you have an open mind and willing to learn as you go. As long as you can overcome the obstacles standing in your way, then you can learn how to properly care for your service dogs and enjoy the companionship you receive from them.
