How to Train an Assistant Dog Without the Help of a Professional Trainer

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 10:50

A properly trained assistant dog is a valuable asset to someone with a disability. An assistant dog accompanies its owner wherever the owner goes, including to public places that dogs would normally not allow, such as shopping areas, libraries, museums, theaters, hospitals, and cinemas. Unfortunately, because an assistant dog is so helpful and important, the queue for an assistant dog is very long. If you need an assistant dog and can't wait any longer, you can train your own dog to become an assistant dog.

Step

Part 1 of 2: Recognizing a Potential Dog Assistant

Step 1. Find a dog with a productive age

It's hard to know if a puppy under 6 months old has the intelligence and focus to make a potential assistant dog. Social institutions that train assistant dogs even have a high failure rate despite having the knowledge to select the right assistant dog candidates.

Buying a puppy with the intention of turning it into an assistant dog is like gambling. It is better to look for a puppy that has been properly trained and has developed a personality

Train Your Service Dog Without a Professional Trainer Step 2

Step 2. Know the dog's health condition

Your assistant dog must be in excellent health in order to meet the requirements for his duties. For example, if a dog has arthritis and has difficulty moving around, it would be unfair for the dog to be burdened with a great deal of responsibility. Also, some dogs with certain diseases, such as diabetes, require special attention and as assistants will not be able to perform well.

You have to invest a lot of time in training your dog, so you need to make sure that your dog is in optimal health condition. This means that you should take your dog to the vet twice a year to be examined and weighed, undergo immunization procedures, and receive proper care to prevent parasitic disorders. This includes treatment for ticks and mites, to the prevention of intestinal worms, all of which depend on the regulations in force in the area where you live

Train Your Service Dog Without a Professional Trainer Step 3

Step 3. Find out if the dog is smart and loves to serve

This is the main advantage of a trainable dog, which makes training easier and more enjoyable. Look for a young dog who approaches you calmly without fear. The dog's body language will show confidence, such as its tail going up, moving left and right, its body walking directly toward you (not circling around the room), and its head held high (not looking down or looking scared).

The best assistant dogs are usually smart and love to serve, so their size is not an issue at all. The very small Chihuahua to the very large Great Dane are all potential dogs for this role, provided the temperament characteristics are right

Step 4. Inquire from the dog's owner about the training the dog has undergone

If the dog has completed basic training with good results, ask the dog to sit down and be still. Notice if the dog is agitated and looking around (easy to get distracted) or if he keeps looking at you (wanting to serve you). Whether the dog has a fast response or tends to react slowly (the dog is not ideal if it reacts slowly when needed).

Train Your Service Dog Without a Professional Trainer Step 5

Step 5. Find out if the dog is sociable and shows confidence in social situations

The dog must be confident in any situation and towards anyone. If the dog is agitated or frightened in certain situations, this can be dangerous for you. A frightened dog exhibits closed body language, such as crouching, unfocused eyes, crawling, or a tail tucked between its hind legs.

A frightened dog will often lick his lips, and if forced out of his comfort zone will growl. However, a confident dog will approach a human with its tail standing up and wagging, as if to ask for a caress

Step 6. Find out if the dog is docile and not overprotective

Dogs that are aggressive, overly territorial or overprotective are also not suitable dogs to be assistant dogs. You will spend more time watching the dog than getting help from it.

Aggressive dogs like to growl or raise their lips. The neck feathers (feathers on the back) will stand up. The dog will look at you defiantly and growl.
However, a docile dog will always want to come closer and put his head in your hand, without showing a growl.

Part 2 of 2: Training Your Dog to Be an Assistant Dog

Step 1. Sterilize or neuter your dog, if that hasn't already been done

All assistant dogs are neutered. Female dogs cannot work during their period (you will be followed by male dogs who want to mate) and male dogs can be easily distracted by territorial issues. In addition, neutered dogs tend to be less aggressive, which is an important condition in an assistant dog.

Neuter or neuter your dog when he is four to six months old, which is before the female dog has her period and the male turns his attention to the female dog. This is a good general guide to follow and not difficult to follow.
If you are experienced and able to ensure that the dog is never in close contact with an unsterilized dog (don't underestimate any short duration in this case), this "seclusion" period should ideally be between one and two years, depending on completion. full growth of your dog's bone plate (usually faster in small dogs and longer in large dogs). This makes the dog's bones strong, and this is especially important for assistant dogs who perform strenuous physical tasks for the benefit of their owners (such as assistant dogs helping their owner's mobility).
Depending on your dog's weight, neutering costs between IDR 750,000-1,500,000 at most veterinary clinics.

Train Your Service Dog Without a Professional Trainer Step 8

Step 2. Teach your dog basic commands

An assistant dog must be able to obey commands to sit, be still, lie down, and come closer. The dog should also be able to walk by the owner's side in a controlled manner at all times. This is necessary so that you always have complete control over your dog.

You can use verbal instructions or hand signals as a form of command. This is done by holding a dog treat in front of the dog's nose. Then, lift the treat in a circular motion toward the back of the dog's head. The dog is about to sit up when his eyes look and his head turns to follow the treat. Snap your finger, then give the command “sit” and give the treat as a reward.
Reminding a dog of commands is difficult if the dog isn't focused, so teach the commands in a room away from other animals, or in a fenced-in backyard. Call the dog toward you, then when he comes, snap your finger, repeat the command word (for example, “here”), and give the reward. If the dog fails to follow commands by refusing or slowing down to approach you, never yell or yell at the dog. This will discourage him from studying in the future.
Assistant dog training institutes teach regular dogs good manners and basic discipline, unless you want to go further. Teach your dog how important it is to take care of you, and if you have no experience training dogs, seek help from a professional assistant dog trainer, so you don't mistrain your dog and develop bad habits.

Train Your Service Dog Without a Professional Trainer Step 9

Step 3. Consider larva training for your dog

The principle of larva training is to use a snapping sound ("click") to signal the dog's current good behavior, then reward him with a reward. Dogs will learn to associate the snapping sound with the reward of a treat, and are excited to get a treat when they hear the sound.

This method supports rewarding good behavior, so the dog will remember and want to repeat the behavior for a reward. Punishing your dog will only "teach" him to fear you and other trainers, and won't support your goal of training the dog to be an assistant dog

Train Your Service Dog Without a Professional Trainer Step 10

Step 4. Teach the dog to behave properly, both on and off the leash

Your dog should be completely obedient, whether or not being led on a leash.

Train Your Service Dog Without a Professional Trainer Step 11

Step 5. Teach your dog not to greet other people

The assistant dog should focus only on you, and no one else. This is a very important step because you may need the dog's help right away, and if the dog approaches someone else to greet them, the dog may become careless and fail to help you quickly.

To practice this on your dog, ask a friend for help, and ask them to slowly approach you. Call your dog to sit by your side and look at you. If the dog sees a stranger approaching you, your friend should stop immediately (ignoring the dog). When the dog's attention returns to you, snap your finger and reward him.
Repeat this training session over and over and over and over again, and gradually the dog will learn that paying attention to other people won't earn him a reward (so it's useless doing it), whereas focusing on you will earn him a delicious reward.
Also, teach your dog to ignore cats or food that happens to be on the street, strangers talking to him. or vehicles (especially moving vehicles). The only focus your dog should pay attention to and care about is “you” only.

Train Your Service Dog Without a Professional Trainer Step 12

Step 6. Teach your dog the hint that he is off duty

In certain situations, your dog can play. Teach your dog a hint to make him understand the situation that he is off duty.

To do this, perhaps you can invite a friend to come visit. Have your friend bring a stuffed dog, and when the dog looks at him, snap your fingers, use the command word “play” and reward him. This is a sign to the dog that he may continue to approach the stuffed dog

Step 7. Teach your dog other special abilities

The specific tasks you need to teach your dog depend on the things you are not capable of doing. If you are deaf, teach your dog to notify you when the doorbell, telephone, or fire/security alarm goes off. If you have problems with movement, you may need to teach your dog to pick up objects that have fallen on the floor, such as keys, remote controllers, or telephones.

Train Your Service Dog Without a Professional Trainer Step 13

Do all these exercises gradually. To get your dog to get the key, you need to introduce the key to your dog, toss the key, then tell him to get the key and give it to you. To teach your dog about locks, place a set of keys on the floor so the dog can see them clearly. When the dog approaches the lock and sniffs to investigate the lock, snap your fingers, say the word “key”, and give the reward. Each time the dog approaches the locks, repeat the same routine. You will notice that the dog becomes proactive in approaching the lock, and when this happens, say the word “lock” and if the dog continues to approach the lock, snap your fingers.
Now, you need to teach him to pick up the key. You may need ball-shaped keychains for your keys, so your dog can pick them up without breaking his teeth. Put the keychain on his teeth, snap your fingers, say the word “hold”, and give him the reward. Repeat this for a few days. Then, place the keys a little further apart, and have your dog pick them up by saying the word “key”, then when the dog picks up the keys, say the word “hold”. Next, use your command to get him to come closer to you so that the dog returns with the keys. When your dog returns the key, have the dog sit down and drop the key from his mouth. Perhaps you can provide extra treats, since the dog has carried out your commands well. Snap a finger, say the word “give”, and give the reward.
Keep training sessions short, about 5-10 minutes at a time, but do them twice a day. Combine this training with other training and create a fun atmosphere, so your dog doesn't get bored easily.

Step 8.

Train your dog to use/access public facilities.

Good behavior is important so that others can accept your dog and wait for you to come back or another team of assistant dogs to come back. This includes:

Train Your Service Dog Without a Professional Trainer Step 14

urinate and defecate only on orders
ignoring interesting objects or food odors (this is important, especially when in a store)
walk calmly following your lead as the owner, at all times (unless the owner does not guide the dog, due to the owner's limitations)
never show aggressive reactions as if to attack other people or other assistant dogs in public places.

Certified your assistant dog. While it's not a legal requirement to have a certification certifying that your dog is an assistant dog, this certification can reduce problems if the dog accompanies you to places that dogs are not allowed to enter.

Train Your Service Dog Without a Professional Trainer Step 15

Get to know the specific institutions that are appropriate for the function of the assistant dog (for example, the agency that handles the certification of assistant dogs for the deaf, or the certification of assistant dogs to guide the blind) and ask the staff if there is a team of experts who can assess abilities and develop permit/certificate for your dog.
Obtain a form of certificate stating or confirming your need for an assistant dog. This may be a doctor's letter explaining your disability and how much you need an assistant dog.
Have your dog checked out at the veterinary clinic and get a certificate of health and good behavior certifying that the dog is in good health and has been properly trained.
Submit all of these required documents to produce an assistant dog license/certificate to the appropriate agency, and await further instructions from that agency.

Tips

It's possible that a family member or close friend of yours is a dog lover who can help you train the dog, but you still have to be careful that the dog doesn't depend on the trainer and not on you.
Contact an assistant dog training agency or organization if they cannot provide you with an assistant dog or training. These agencies/organizations may be able to provide you with advice by phone or email if you have problems training your own dog.
“The International Association of Assistance Dog Partners” in the US publishes comprehensive information on assistant dog training, including behavioral training and specific tasks for the dog to perform, which can help you with any disability. vary. In addition, this organization also provides legal information and assistance related to assistant dogs, services for selecting assistant dog candidates, finding assistant dog organizations, and much more.

Warning

Raising a dog requires a long-term commitment. Be prepared to care for the dog until he is about 20 years old.
Be realistic. If your disability prevents you from being able to do dog training, don't do it, as it takes a lot of time and effort to train a dog to become an assistant dog at a decent level of functional ability.
Seek help from a professional assistant dog trainer, unless you are experienced. If you know how to teach a dog about behavior without the help of others, you should have no problem training your own dog.