Service dogs are highly trained canines that can help people who have disabilities. Some common types of service dogs include mobility assistance dogs, seizure response dogs, therapy dogs, psychiatric service dogs, and seeing-eye dogs. Of course, these dogs are not born will the skills to be a service dog--they must go through extensive training. Whether you are interested in having a service dog for yourself or a family member or you are interested in training a dog who will then become the companion of a stranger, having your dog attend service dog training school is a must. Continue reading to learn more about what you can expect during service dog school:
Training Begins When Dogs Are Puppies
If you are interested in training your own service dog or preparing a dog to be a service dog for someone else, it is important to know that training typically begins during puppyhood. Puppies are extremely responsive to training and can usually pick up commands much easier than older dogs. Thus, you need to be prepared to work with a puppy extensively in order to give him or her the skills to become a qualified service dog. A puppy will begin by learning basic obedience, crate training, and house manners. It is important for a puppy to master the basics before being trained in more advanced commands.
Make a Commitment
While puppies can usually learn basic obedience and house manners in a short amount of time, a service dog will need a lot more training than a regular canine pet. If you are training your own service dog or a service dog who will assist someone else, you need to make a commitment to complete the training. When your dog is in service dog training school, he or she will need to complete several months of regular training sessions. It is important for you to bring your dog to every scheduled service dog training lesson to help ensure that he or she stays on track and learns advanced commands.
Work with Your Service Dog Outside of Service Dog School
Training a service dog doesn't end when a training session at the service dog school is over. In order for your dog to excel and master all of his or her needed commands, you will need to work with your dog on a daily basis at home. The more time you spend training your service dog, the better he or she will do. The instructor at the service dog training school will provide you with information about how you can effectively work with your dog at home between sessions at the service dog school.
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