Puppy In Training

Puppy Training Tips

What Commands Do You Teach A Service Dog?

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Have you ever wondered or thought to ask: “Colby, what commands do you teach a service dog?”

As guide dog puppy raisers we teach our puppies 9 basic obedience commands before they start their formal training.

Adelle’s service dog training manual lists 30 commands! That’s right THREE – ZERO!!!

We’ve been raising and training guide dog puppies since 2006 and we have the privilege of working with these puppies from the time they are 8 weeks old until they are 18 months.

What Commands Do You Teach A Service Dog? - Image of a Golden Retriever puppy wearing a maroon dog vest.
What Commands Do You Teach A Service Dog?

During this time we do our best to make sure they are rock solid with a handful of commands.

When our pups move on to guide dog college they learn many more commands as well as advanced skills and intelligent disobedience.

QUICK RECOMMENDATION: Unfortunately, if you’re not a puppy raiser then you likely do not have access to a service dog training manual. However, there are many good puppy training books available. One of our favorite books is Puppies for Dummies. We read Puppies for Dummies several times before we adopted our first puppy, Linus.

What Do We Teach Our Service Dog Puppies In Training?

As a puppy raiser we do not teach our puppies everything. We have three main goals as puppy raisers:

  1. Teach our pups good house manners.
  2. Socialize our puppies.
  3. Teach them basic obedience.

The basics are the same whether you are a guide dog puppy raiser or a service dog puppy raiser. As mentioned earlier the big difference is we have to teach our service dog puppies 30 commands vs only 9 for our guide pups.

That’s right!  Canine Support Teams has a list of 30 commands we are tasked to teach our service dog puppies in training.

In fact, learning how to teach these different commands is one of the main reasons why I was interested in raising a service dog puppy vs. a guide dog puppy.

Training Adelle
Adelle taking a nap during training?!?

Lucky for us our puppy raiser manual gives us a list of commands that we are to teach our puppies including what our pup’s physical response should be, application, and notes.

So, now you’re wondering exactly what commands do you teach a service dog puppy in training?

QUICK NOTE: When we first started training everything was referred to as a command. However, over the years many trainers now refer to “Sit”, “Down” as cues and not commands.

We recognize these two words are very different however, for the purposes of this article we will consider a cue and command synonymous. If you want to read more check out this article: commands vs cue in dog training.

Take a gander at this list:

What Commands Do You Teach A Service Dog?

UPDATE: 5 years ago we followed CST’s standards to teach 30 commands, but guess what? We expanded or list to teach our current puppies even more skills (check out the bonus section). We also included a little more detail about each command.

Our future puppies in training will learn all of these skills. At the moment we are working with Raven, Mother of Puppies (Yep, I watch Game of Thrones) on all 45 commands.

QUICK TIP: For several years we’ve been clicker training our puppies. Stay tuned for more blog posts on how to clicker train your puppy.

0. NAME – to get your puppy’s attention.

  • Your puppy’s name.
  • Surprisingly this wasn’t on the CST list, but possibly one of the most important commands you can teach your puppy.
  • Tips to teach your puppy her name.

1. WATCH ME – your puppy makes eye contact.

  • Important for getting your puppy’s focus away from distractions and on you.

2. SIT – your puppy sits on her rump.

  • She will sit anytime, anywhere on command.
  • Default position. Get your puppy to SIT/STAY when you are in public and not interacting or not in motion.

3. DOWN – your puppy put’s her entire body lying down on the floor.

  • She will down anytime, anywhere on command.

4. STAND – to stand on all 4 legs.

  • Standing is a good time to allow your puppy to be groomed or inspected.

5. COME – to advance to your side and SIT in a heel position

  • Do not confuse with HERE.

6. HERE (CST used the command COME HERE) – to advance to you in no specific position.

  • Puppy is required to come close enough to you, but doesn’t have to sit.

We’re using something we learned as guide dog puppy raisers. The differentiation between COME and HERE is:

  • COME is being used as a formal recall to get into the HEEL position by your side.
  • HERE is more informal and just calling your puppy to come back to you, but not in a specific position.

7. STAY – To freeze in her current position.

  • When the STAY command is given freeze in that position whether it is after SIT, DOWN, STAND, etc.

8. WAIT – To stop moving forward.

  • Not required to stay in current position can move between SIT, DOWN, STAND as long as she doesn’t cross a threshold.
  • The only requirement is that your puppy remains behind the designated boundary.
  • When your puppy is in the car they should be on an automatic WAIT.

9. RELEASE – To be done with work. UPDATE: We used to use “OK”, but because “OK” is such a common word we are using RELEASE instead.

  • Used to let your puppy know she is done working.

10. NO – To get the puppy’s attention and tell her she is not doing the correct thing.

  • Given when puppy does not follow through on the command.
  • With Adelle it was something like this: Give the command “DOWN”… wait a few seconds, no response “NO”… pause repeat command: “DOWN”.

11. DON’T – To refrain from commencing with a bad behavior that is not wanted.

  • Given in anticipation of the puppy doing an inappropriate behavior.

12. OFF – To remove herself from whatever item or object she is on and place all her feet back on the floor.

  • Keep four on the floor.
  • Use when your puppy is jumping up on you.
  • Also often used when your puppy is on something inappropriate.
  • Super mega important! Use OFF not DOWN.

13. LET’S GO – To start to move.

  • The cue to let your puppy know it’s time to start moving forward.

14. HEEL – To be in position on your left side.

  • The puppy is to move from any position into a HEEL on command.
  • The heel of your puppy’s foot should be aligned with your heel.

15. SIDE – To be in position on your right side.

  • The puppy is to move from any position into a SIDE on command.
  • The heel of your puppy’s foot should be aligned with your heel.

16. LEAVE IT – To move her head away from whatever she is touching or about to touch and making eye contact with you.

  • Given before she makes contact with whatever she’s trying to approach, sniff, eat, etc.

17. GET BUSY (CST used the command BETTER GO NOW) – To let your puppy know it’s time to potty.

  • Start using from day 1 when potty training your puppy.
  • BETTER GO NOW was CST’s command for going potty, but we prefer the GDA command GET BUSY.
  • We used GET BUSY (or BETTER GO NOW for Adelle) with all of our puppies even dating back to Linus.

18. SETTLE – To calm down. It’s time to be serious!

19. GO THROUGH – To move ahead of the person turn around and position herself to be able to back up through a narrow doorway or passage.

  • When you move through a doorway along side your puppy, then it is not a “GO THROUGH”. It should be a HEEL or SIDE.

20. BACK – To step backwards.

  • Simple your puppy is doing the moonwalk (did that evoke a mental picture for you?)…seriously just taking steps backwards 🙂

21. FOLLOW – To move behind you as she moves forward through a door or passage.

  • Used when your puppy is tethered to a wheelchair or scooter.

22. GO AROUND – To move around the person or object.

  • On-lead is used when your puppy goes around the opposite side of a pole, tree, wheelchair, etc. and need to come back around to the correct position.

23. MOVE – To physically move her body in any direction.

  • Have your puppy move out of the way of you or someone else.
  • We’ve been working on this one with Raven. For some reason we always want her to move.

24. CLOSER – To move closer to within inches of you.

25. GO TO – To go over to another person.

  • Followed by a person’s name.
  • GO TO MOMMY! Emma knows that one. She’s my 1 year old daughter not a puppy.

26. UNDER (CST used the command GO IN) – To crawl into a space and bring in paws in tail out of the way.

  • Used to get your puppy under and out of the way. Examples: under a chair, table, etc.
Puppy, Adelle learning to got under :)
Hmmm…is this really a proper demonstration of UNDER? I don’t think so…

27. THAT’S ALL – To stop the behavior.

  • Tells the puppy that it is time to stop behaviors that are permitted. Examples: to stop scratching, chewing or licking herself.

28. CAREFUL – Approach carefully.

  • She’s taking something from your hand or touching you.
  • Use a soft, calm, yet firm voice.
  • This was important for Stetson who snaps when taking treats from your hand.

29. GET A DRINK – To get a drink of water.

  • This is a CST command that we are not using with our current puppies.

30. QUIET – Stop barking, whining, howling.

  • When your puppy is barking innappopriately.

Those were the 30 (31 if you include NAME) commands required by CST, but here are 14 BONUS commands we plan to teach all of our future service dog puppies in training.

Service Dog Commands Part II

For all of you overachievers who liked doing the extra credit even after acing the test.

Or for those who wanted to get better than a 4.0 in high school (yes, I’m talking to you, Mrs. 5.0 GPA). Read on…

  1. BED – go to the bed and lie down.
  2. CAR – jump into the car.
  3. DRESS – step into your harness/jacket.
  4. DROP – release the toy (or other object) from your mouth.
  5. HURRY – pick up the pace puppy.
  6. KENNEL – go into your crate.
  7. LAP – two paws on lap.
  8. MAT – go to the mat laid out on the floor and lay down
  9. ROLL – roll onto her side. Good for giving belly rubs!
  10. ROLL OVER – roll from one side to the other.
  11. SHAKE – puts paw to your extended hand.
  12. SPEAK – signal for appropriate barking…if that’s such a thing 🙂
  13. TOUCH – put your nose on the two fingers.
  14. UP – get her full body up on something. Example: up onto a platform, stage, couch (if you allow that), etc.

QUICK TIP: We use treats and positive reinforcement when working with our puppies. Zuke’s Mini Naturals and Happy Howie’s Rolls are some of our favorite training treats. We also highly recommend the PetSafe Treat Pouch.

Service Dog Commands Part III

Every Service Dog Organization has their own specific set of commands or cues they teach their dogs. We’ve worked with five different service dog schools over the years.

Recently we started working with a new puppy and we were given a list of cues to work on. I decided this post would be a good place to share the list so you guys would have it in your back pocket.

Our new list had 32 total cues. There were a lot of duplicate from the above list so I only included the new cues on the list below.

Here’s what we’re working on with our new puppy:

  1. Go Now – It seems every organization has a different cue for telling your puppy to go potty. We’ve used “Get Busy”, “Better Go Now”, and now plain ole “Go Now”
  2. Crate – You may have already guessed that this is basically the same as the above command, “Kennel”. You puppy enters the crate and will remain settled until “Released”.
  3. Give – Your puppy places object on your hand open palm when given cue.
  4. Get it – your puppy picks up object with mouth when given cue.
  5. Go Play – Your puppy is free to go play when given cue.
  6. Jump On – Your puppy jumps onto a surface with all four paws when given cue.
  7. Car – Similar to “Jump On” except your cueing to jump in the car on cue.
  8. Bring – Your puppy brings object to you when given cue.
  9. Leash – Your puppy picks up dropped leash and returns to you when given cue.
  10. Fix – Your puppy picks leg up in order to disentangle leash when given cue.
  11. Leash Guidance – Your puppy moves with the direction of the leash without being cued.
  12. Auto-Settle – This one is new. Your puppy will default into a down-stay at your feet without being cued when you ignore your puppy.
  13. Auto-Eye Contact – Your puppy consistently offers attention to you without being cued.
  14. Auto-Leave It – Your puppy makes eye contact with you in the presence of distractions without being cued.

Part III introduces 14 new cues. The other 18 cues on our list were duplicate. It goes to show you that every service dog organization shares a lot of the same terminology which is definitely helpful.

“Sit”, “Down”, and “Stay” are the same whether you are training at Guide Dogs of America, Canine Support Teams, or Cascade Service Dogs.

That’s it! That’s a whole heckuvalotta (it’s a real word) stuff!

Not too bad eh?

What am I Canadian? Well, I do love watching and playing ice hockey.

Adelle is 5 months old and we’ve touched on many of these commands already.

We are very good at some, okay at others, and some we’re not too sure how to teach yet.

The good news is we will be attending special classes with Canine Support Team trainers where we’ll learn exactly the things we need to work on.

Of course that’s not all the commands we will teach our puppies.

When Adelle leaves my home she will move forward to the Prison Pup Program where she’ll learn advanced skills and commands.

I’m super excited to move forward with Adelle’s training! And as you can see in the above pic so is Adelle 🙂

I’ll talk to you more about the different commands we are working on in the coming weeks.

How about you guys?

Are you teaching your puppies anything interesting or fun?

Tell us about it in the comment section below.

QUICK RECOMMENDATION: If you’re just starting to teach your puppy the basics then as mentioned earlier check out Puppies for Dummies. It’s a great introductory book on raising and training your puppy.

UPDATE: Adelle made it as a mobility service dog and is working in California with her new partner.

What Commands Do You Teach A Service Dog? - English Cream Golden Retriever puppy wearing a maroon service dog jacket
What Commands Do You Teach A Service Dog Puppy In Training?

UPDATE: This post was originally published October 15, 2013. We made some updates and left some of the content the same. We’ve learned a lot over the past 7 years and it reflects in the new information.

Where Or How Do I Go About Getting A Service Dog?

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“Can someone please tell me how to get a service dog?!?”

I guess I should expect people to ask me questions about how to get a service or guide dog.  After all this is a blog about raising guide and service dog puppies!

As puppy raisers we raise and train our puppies from around 7 weeks old until they are about 18 months of age. Our puppies then head off to what we call guide or service dog college for another 6 months of advanced/formal training. After advanced training our pups are matched with their forever partners during a 2-4 week team training. However, as a guide/service dog puppy raiser we are not involved with matching puppies with their forever partners.

So the questions remain:

How can I get a service dog? Where can I get a service dog?

Derby Guide Dog Puppy In Training
Derby Guide Dog Puppy In Training

One of our readers recently sent me an email asking this very question:

Question:

Where or how do I go about getting a Service Dog? My grandson is only 2 years old and was diagnosed with Emanuel Syndrome (ES). It’s hard to see what these kids endure. Usually they don’t talk, walk with a walker at age 5, among many other difficulties. We live in Minnesota could you possibly point me in the right direction. It may be a year or so but would like to get all information I can.

Answer:

There are many assistance dog organizations providing working assistance dogs around the world.  Some charge a fee while others provide these working dogs at no charge to the end user (which is awesome as some of these dogs cost up to $42,000).

When I first started raising guide dog puppies for the blind I mainly looked at puppy raising programs in California.  While this isn’t the same as getting a service dog, the process for finding an organization that provides service dogs is similar.  I applied as puppy raisers to several programs including:

These four organizations were the first I found through the OC Pet Expo, Super Pet Adoption, Home for the Holidays Adoption event, online search, friends, and family.  However, after many years of puppy raising I’ve found there are many wonderful assistance dog organizations located throughout California and the world.

So enough babbling…about my experience.

Where would I recommend you start if you want to get a service dog?

Get started at the Assistance Dogs International (ADI) website.  Why do I recommends starting here?

  • ADI has a comprehensive accreditation system and members have to be regularly assessed to ensure they meet the high standards expected of assistance dog programs.
  • Browse a list of accredited organizations on the ADI website when you visit their program page.  You can find ADI accredited programs are located across the world
  • At the time of this writing there are 101 accredited programs listed in the North America region alone.

What Is Assistance Dogs International (ADI)?

From the ADI website:

Assistance Dogs International (ADI) is a coalition of not for profit assistance dog organizations. The purpose of ADI is to improve the areas of training, placement, and utilization of assistance dogs, staff and volunteer education, as well as educating the public about assistance dogs, and advocating for the legal rights of people with disabilities partnered with assistance dogs.

While there are many assistance dog programs around the world ADI provides an accreditation that gives credibility to programs that have to meet their rigorous standards.  Regular assessments also ensures that these programs stick to a higher level of standard.

ADI is the place to start, but off the top of my head here are a few other tidbits when your looking to get a service dog and researching different programs:

  • Get started on your search for a service dog early.  It can take 2+ years to get a service dog from some of these organizations.
  • Not every state will have a assistance dog program however some programs will offer dogs to people from out of state (even out of country).  If you can’t find an ADI accredited organization nearby try contacting some of the organizations to see if they offer their services outside their local area.
  • If you still are having problems finding an ADI accredited organization you might find a great and reputable non-accredited organization in your area by doing a local search in Google by searching something like “service dog programs minnesota”.
  • Whether a school is accredited or not make sure and do your due diligence and find out as much information as possible about all of your prospective organizations.
  • While Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers are most common in the Assistance dog world if you’re looking for a dog that sheds less you might look for organizations that specialize in Poodles, Labradoodles, and Golden Doodles.

Maybe someday I’ll evolve from puppy raiser into a full fledged service dog program, but until then if you ask me how to get a service dog the above description is the path I would take.  I’m sure some of our readers have different experiences getting service dogs.  If you’ve received a service or guide dog please tell us how you went about starting your search for a credible assistance dog program.  Leave us your questions…and answers 🙂 in the comment section below.

Dog’s Perform The Ultimate Down-Stay!

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Stetson and Adelle Down Stay
Good down-stay!

Our service dog puppies are not ordinary…they are extraordinary!  They learn some amazing things and go on to help others as working dogs.  Dublin has become the eyes for his partner and helps guide her around town her out of harms way.  Apache helps his partner, a wounded warrior with PTSD live a more independent life.

These pups we raise and train start off with us as helpless 7 week old puppies, but leave us working and helping others live their lives to the fullest.  It’s a beautiful thing!  Our puppies in training are truly extraordinary!

One of the many commands we teach our guide dog puppies is a down-stay.  We work for months on perfecting down-stays by slowly increasing the duration and difficulty.

Just the other day I was browsing the internet and came across these two dogs performing the ultimate down-stay!

The Ultimate Down-Stay

Do you think your pups can perform a down-stay as good as the two dogs in this video?  Check it out and put your pups to the test!

It looks like a Doxie and a Puggle.  Seriously, they are so still you almost don’t even notice them the first time through the video.  4 minute and 25 second down-stay!  Good job you two!  And I’m sure you could have extended that down-stay another 10 minutes.

Maybe they’re just stuffed toys 🙂

Oh and by the way, the Michael Jackson – The Way You Make Me Feel cover wasn’t too shabby as well!

Love that video!  I wish I had as much talent as she does in her little pinky…EXTRAORDINARY!!!

Mahalo!

Puppy In Training TV – Ep21 – Working Guide Dog

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WOWZERS!!! Can you believe it’s been well over a year since Dublin graduated from Guide Dog College!? Last we saw Dublin just started his career as a working Guide Dog. If you missed Dublin’s graduation episode head on over to this page and you can see him graduating from Guide Dogs of America(GDA).

Today, he’s a veteran with over a years experience working together with his new partner, Liz in Arizona. We even heard he’s an international traveler and has flown several times on airplanes (probably more than me over the past year). Lucky for us while we were on a little trip to Arizona we got to visit our pal Dublin and hang out with his wonderful family for the day.

So guess what…that means one final episode of Puppy In Training TV!

Episode 21 – Working Guide Dog

PRETTY DARN COOL! Dublin’s family is awesome. It’s incredible to see him working and seeing him and Liz as a guide dog team. As I said in the video when people ask how I can give up my puppy…just take a look at this video and see how Dublin and other guide dogs bring independence back to their partners. By the way, if you haven’t already check out the entire Puppy In Training TV series.

Transcription of Ep21 – Working Guide Dog

PuppyInTraining.com Logo and Website Address

We recently got back from a trip to Arizona You guys know who lives in Arizona??? DUBLIN!!! Welcome to todays episode of puppy in training tv.

Guide Dog Puppy Training Starring DUBLIN
With Linus Aussie Shepherd Rescue
Also Colby The Human
And Stetson Career Changed Guide Dog

We hopped in the car and made the 6 hour trek to Arizona to play some hockey and meet up with some old friends 🙂

On our way to my hockey game we passed this sign…I sign of things to come…

Look who stopped by to see my game…Dublin!

We went to many hockey games together so I guess the sights, smells, and sounds were old news for him.

After the game Liz, Dublin, and the rest of the gang headed out to meet up with me…we worked hard teaching Dublin about stairs and different surfaces and it looks like it paid off.

I was so excited to see my pal again…I walked up and I was kind of wondering if Dublin would remember me…yep he remembered me. Look at that tail go!!! It kind of reminded me of graduation. I did my best not to encourage him and let Liz calm him down before I gave him any attention. Actually Dublin was so excited I decided to wait until he was out of harness and not working before giving him attention.

Liz, Lance, and the kids invited us over to their home and I got to play with Dublin. It’s not all work for Guide Dogs. Dublin also gets a chance to run around and play when he’s not working!

It’s hot in Arizona so Dublin wears booties in the summer to keep the pads of his feet from burning. He sure is a good boy while Liz puts on those booties!

It was about 100 degrees in Arizona that day so Dublin was definitely making good use of his little booties. Liz and Lance took us out to lunch and we got a chance to see Dublin do a little bit of guide dog work. Dublin maneuvered Liz between the two parked cars and notice how he stops at the curb so Liz doesn’t trip. He gives her a chance to find the curb with her foot before moving forward…Pretty Darn Cool!

After lunch I got a chance to go back to the house and play with Dublin a little more before heading out.

I sure can tell Dublin is enjoying his new family and his life as a working guide dog, but it’s still always hard to say goodbye.

We started this journey over 3 years ago and we are so proud of all Dublin has accomplished. When people ask me how you can give up your puppy. I tell them about Dublin and other working guide dogs and how they are able to bring independence back to a person’s life. Thanks everyone for joining us on Dublin’s journey to become a guide dog. And guess what…look who joined our household…stay tuned for more videos about our latest Puppy In Training.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and our Blog, PuppyInTraining.com

Is This The End? Of Course Not, It’s Only The Beginning

Dublin On Break
Dublin On Break

If you watched the entire video then you saw Adelle our latest Puppy In Training. We’re training Adelle for a different school called Canine Support Teams (CST).

CST Service dogs are placed with people who use wheelchairs, walkers, crutches or canes, have Autism, Epilepsy, Seizures, Diabetes, Combat Veterans with PTSD and more. Raising and training a Canine Support Teams puppy is a little bit different then Guide Dogs of America (GDA).

However, our goal remains the same: We strive to best prepare our puppy to help others as a working assistance dog. Stay tuned for upcoming adventures of our latest Puppy In Training, Adelle and her journey to become a working Service Dog.

Apache Is Working Hard On His Service Dog Training

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We recently got an email and to quote a part of it: “…I would say he is going to be a Great Service Dog…”  We certainly hope this will be true.

In case you don’t remember Apache was my last guide dog puppy in training.  After spending a month at guide dog college he was career changed due to a medical condition.  However, the good news is he was career changed to a service dog organization called Canine Support Teams (CST).

Today Apache is in the Prison Pup Program with CST working on his service dog training with an inmate trainer at Chino Institute for Women.

Apache, A Great Service Dog…We Certainly Hope So!

Sorry, they don’t allow picture of Apache while he’s in the Prison Pup Program 🙁  I would have loved to have seen him in his dog Halloween Costume.  Since no updated picture here’s one of him as a puppy:

Apache, Fetch!
Apache, Fetch!

So without further adieu here’s the latest update we received about our buddy, Apache:

I got to spend time with Apache last night. I have to tell you he won first place in the Halloween Costume contest he was dressed like an Indian featuring a feathered headress and a loin cloth, he enjoyed every minute of the attention. His sister Asha was Pocahontas..very cute together.

Apache is doing very well, in last nights class we had a 2 part class the first part was the Primary Trainers taking the dogs through obedience commands with their hands behind their backs using no treats or hand gestures. I can tell you Apache did very well. He kept his eyes on his Trainer and stayed right by her side, even with the distraction of other dogs. The reason this is important and is practiced is not every client will have the ability to hold a leash and give gestures. We want the dogs to maintain eye contact and do what ever they are asked to do. He did a great job…

The second part of the class was a babysitter or secondary trainer who has never worked with the dog to do the same thing. Apache still did well with this but like all the other dogs was not totally focused on the new person. So it was good for the entire class to see that all dogs need to work for whoever asks them to do the command. We did let them bring out treats and all the dogs responded better to the new people and we had lots of wagging tails. Overall it was a Great class.

I spent some time talking with his trainer and asking about progress, any issues etc. She said he is doing well at all his obedience, directional, and working on task. He loves, loves, loves to retrieve. He started with the basic dropped items off the floor, keys, pens, glasses. He has progressed to retrieving items off counters, he is tall enough to retrieve out of the sink. He has such a gentle mouth he has moved on to mail and single sheets of paper. He can also now turn lights on and off with the commands Light & Switch.

I would say he is going to be a Great Service Dog. The next Team Training is in March…client files are being reviewed and if there is a good match for him he may be in that Team Training.

I’m happy to hear that Apache did so well with his secondary trainer.  He must be maturing!  Maybe it’s because his second birthday is right around the corner.  Does that mean he’s almost an adult!?  Probably not till he’s closer to three years old.

I’m so proud of Apache.  I hope he truly does become a great service dog for someone.  My fingers are crossed that he makes the next team training this March.  GO APACHE!!!

Do you have a dog in formal guide or service dog training?  How’s your puppy doing?   Tell us about your experiences in the comment section below.

When I Grow Up I Want To Be A Service Dog! –by Apache

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Apache started his journey as a guide dog puppy in training, but now he’s in a service dog training program.  It’s tough choosing a career just ask all of those kids currently attending college.  Heck I’m still not sure what I want to be when I grow up!

Anyways, Apache has been on a bit of a roller coaster ride, but it sounds like he’s doing great in his service dog training with Canine Support Teams.  Every time I get an email about Apache I’m excited to hear about all of his new accomplishments and adventures.

Just in case you missed out on the adventures of Apache here’s a short timeline:

  • Dec. 22nd, 2010 – a little fuzzy Golden Retriever named Apache is born
  • Feb. 2011 – Apache goes home with his puppy raiser, Mary
  • Dec. 5th, 2011 – Apache is re-homed with me after getting too big for Mary to handle
  • Jul. 14th, 2012 – Apache starts his formal guide dog training
  • Aug. 2012 – Apache is career changed moving from Guide Dogs of America to Canine Support Teams

And here’s a link to our first update of Apache’s journey to become a service dog: Apache Is Starting His Service Dog Training In The Prison Pup Program.

Apache Wants To Be A Service Dog!

Apache golden retriever puppy
Apache loves to play with his buddies!

A few days ago we got our second email update on Apache’s progress!  It’s so exciting!  No more chatter check it out…

FIRST PART OF THE LETTER

I saw Apache on Tuesday evening. He is doing very well. He is working on Directional which means placement. GDA dogs only learn heal in Canine Support Teams he will learn several commands here are a few of them: side, go around, go through, behind, go in, my lap, jump on, up, etc. When he first started his training it was very apparent how conditioned he was by his Guide dog training. He would not take a treat with someone saying “okay” nor would he jump up on anything.

He is now learning that the sound of the clicker means he did something to be rewarded for. He will do most things for just a lot of praise, some of the things that have been harder for him to learn he gets a reward for doing.

He goes to work everyday with his trainer and is exposed to lots of different situations and sounds. He is doing very well and looks great. He has only tried to jump on his trainer a few times. They anticipate that are able to stop him before he gets to that point.

In Canine Support Teams he only gets positive reinforcement there are no training collars or heavy corrections. He is getting use to wearing a head collar / halti which helps with his pulling but when I saw him on Tuesday he was walking like a perfect gentleman. The ladies LOVE him and he is responding so positively to this training.

SECOND PART OF THE LETTER

I just wanted to give you a little more detail on Apache and his progress. Like I said below his GDA training became very apparent when it came to rewards….He was much better this week than he was the week before about taking a treat without an “okay” command…A week ago he would just stare at the treat and he would not take it without the okay…..I have given the instruction that if they click they treat, just give it to him don’t wait for him to take it, that seems to be working better.

A week ago he would not pick his feet for any commands like my lap, place, jump on, up, etc. Again his four on the floor GDA training is very apparent. They finally got him to jump on and really through a big party so to speak when he did it….Big Praise, Jackpot treats….he was so proud of himself, they said he was like I get praise for that…woohooo let me get down and do it again. As you know CST is all about positive rewards for learning new commands we want him to think he has hit the jackpot when he figures it out. It is so rewarding to watch his growth week after week.

His Trainer works with the Forestry Service, so his visit to the Fire Station came in handy. They where surprised that he did not have any issues with the Fire Trucks. He did however, shy away from someone who had work gloves on. He did after investigating the gloves accept a pet from a gloved hand. You really don’t think about what dogs can become shy about.

He is continuing to work on directional work, he will move onto Task work later in his training. Right now he still needs encouragement to come up off the floor with some of his other commands. He is such a sweet boy, he is really being good about not jumping up on anyone. He has done it twice to the secondary trainer who was anticipating it and stopped him before he could actually get all the way up. He is learning to wear the halti/head collar and that helps with the loose leash walking. The Ladies love him, he walks around so proud..

They keep him beautifully groomed and he looks great. He is responding so positively to this training…he is going to make an awesome service dog. It’s wonderful to see him and hear from his trainers the progress he makes each week.

So awesome!  I’m glad Apache is doing so well and it seems like he’s really enjoying the positive reinforcement training they use at CST.  I knew everyone would love him because he really is the sweetest dog and he’s probably just loving all of the attention.

I’m so excited for Apache!  I can’t wait to get my next letter on his progress.

How about you other puppy raisers out there?  What’s the word on your pups that have started their formal service dog training?  Tell us about it in the comment section below.

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