Sam is doing an awesome job maintaining a down stay around carts and pedestrian traffic. Shopping carts, canes, wheel chairs, kids, and more go by and the SDiT should be able to maintain his position. It's the handler's job to be aware and make sure he is safe and does not get harmed.
Handlers can travel by air to their destinations. This is the first flight for Max. Many people wonder if the dog will fit under the seat. Yep, and with a medium size backpack next to him. Flying with a SD is an active process during take off and landing, but the flight should be relaxing for you both!
The training around suitcases, people walking by, overhead intercoms in stores, and maintaining a down stay around distractions has well prepared Max for the airport and his first flight!
SDiT's get trained in restaurants. They should be able to politely maintain a down stay in a restaurant under a table or booth and not beg for food or attempt, engage with diners, or attempt to get food from tables. When properly behaved, diners should be surprised a dog was in the restaurant.
Training around traffic begins in slower neighborhoods and gradually increases to main streets. The energy, speed, and noise of vehicles can be startling. Little by little the training dogs get exposed to traffic. Slow and steady builds confidence.
Sam is doing some down stay training around a lot of people walking by and commenting on how handsome he is at an arts festival. Job well done.
A service dog must learn to relax next to the handler. People often go in and out of the room, birds squawking, tv noises, and children playing are things that the SDiT muct get used to. They need to learn this valuable skill so that they can stay close to their handler and jump in to perform a trained task when needed.
Shopping carts aren't only inside of stores, they are also used in parking lots. Training sessions occur both inside and outside of stores. There are a lot of distractions, noises, and movements that a SD must handle, so we practice!
Kids play ball so naturally we train around bouncy balls. We want the SDiT to not be afraid of the ball, chase it, or get overly excited around it.
Sometimes objects in public make strange noises. They can sometimes be scary, can cause a dog to be curious, and can also excite a dog. A lot of public access training is helping the SDiT get used to sounds.
Objects often move and roll around service dogs. In order to prepare the SD to feel comfortable around the object and trust they won't be harmed, we practice and reward.
Many people travel with their SD's, so having a SD feel comfortable while walking next to a suitcase is quite helpful.
Vics is doing a fabulous job maintaining her stay next to her handler as people and carts go by her. Just another day training in Walmart.
Training around toddlers and toys is important or service dogs. Jack is maintaining a down stay on a dog bed making the excellent choice not to interfere with the toddler's actions or toys. Even though the Jack is doing fabulous, adult supervision is always needed. He is still a dog.
Service dogs must learn to respect and follow cues given by children. Comfort, trust, and adult supervision is very critical.
Sometimes objects in public make strange noises. They can sometimes be scary, can cause a dog to be curious, and can also excite a dog. A lot of public access training is helping the SDiT get used to sounds.
Welcome to the "City" themed littler of black Labradors! They will be raised in a service dog prep program. Wonder which ones will be called to do such a wonderful job!
Rox is getting exposed to a large bouncy house and kids bouncing. He maintains his sit stay like a very good boy!
Jack maintaining a down stay while trainer is cleaning and working. He even does a scent alert. Real life training. Excuse trainer weekend morning attire. :)
CJ is doing a wonderful job walking appropriately through a parking lot.
Oreo is building confidence in public by hopping on and riding on a cart while it is motion.
Service dogs in training get training on various automobiles. This is practice on the tram at the airport. Provide verbal comfort and praise if needed. Treats can be given if the dog is ready to take them. Initially dogs may be nervous, that is normal. Dogs are not normally on a tram, so of course they must learn that it is not scary. Slow and steady.
Pups need to get used to many sounds. Pairing new sounds with praise, treats, and happy energy makes the sounds not scary.
Our world has some weird things in it. To a dog this waving inflatable tube can be a bit scary, especially since the blower to keep it moving is so very loud. A service dog has a lot to get used to, so we train around as much as we can!
When a service dog is being trained for a young child, we of course practice with kids. The dog should learn to nudge or paw as an alert rather than jumping on or nipping the child. This is a video showing a practice scent alert session in a public store on a child.
Scout and Magic maintaining a down-stay with people and rolling suitcases, a wheelchair and children going by them. They did a great job.
These pups are exploring new items in their play area. From birth we help these pups gain confidence in their world, assist them in learning that people are good and can be trusted, that the world is a safe place, and get started on the right paw. A couple of these special pups may be selected to enter into a diabetic alert service dog program.
This new SDiT is beginning to feel comfortable enough with his new handler to begin to alert her in public while training.
It can be difficult for a puppy to control his impulse to move but "stay" instead. This is especially true when in exciting places to explore.
Service dogs must learn how to maintain appropriate behavior while on an elevator. This SDiT is learning that riding on an elevator is not something to fear. The service dog will learn that maintaining appropriate behavior will earn them rewards, petting, and praise.
This new service dog in training is working on following his handler in a store. He is learning that it is rewarding to follow his handler even though the leash is not being held.
Service dogs need to get accustomed to hearing many sounds while in public. The SDiT's train around many sounds. In this video Mickey trains around a bouncing ball. He should not get up to get the ball or run from the sound.
A service dog must be comfortable and learn to walk appropriately next to a shopping cart. This sdit is doing a very good job!
Scout is practicing his skills while on a shopping trip with his handler. He enjoys his trips out.
Magic is practicing some of the skills that he has learned inside of a medical building.
One of the best ways to get your dog to behave and respect tiny humans is get the tiny human involved in the training. Your dog can see them as a leader too. Be sure to always supervise and assist with training.
Scent alert practice with Jet and a 5 year old. Since Jet is going to a young child, her nudge and paw alerts.have to be both on the adult and if possible on the child. Jet must be very gentle with alerting the child as to not scare or hurt him.
Ericka demonstrates a paw alert at Peter Piper Pizza. Although we train the dogs to nudge for an alert, sometimes the dogs are more comfortable alerting in a different manner. Since Ericka prefers the paw alert, we don’t work against her.
Chuckles is at the Maricopa County Home Show. He is maintaining his down stay as shoppers pass by him. People of all ages passed him with wheelchairs, wagons, strollers, swinging bags and more. Just another day of public access training.
Moxie is maintaining a down stay while his handler checks out at a store. A service dog should not be sniffing around, interacting with shoppers, or being being disruptive in any manner. This was video was captured during their new handler training.
Jet is learning to maintain a down stay while a wheelchair is going around her. Service dogs should view wheelchairs as non-threatening and should be comfortable working around them. Jet is in the process of learning how to maneuver around next to the wheelchair as well as with the wheelchair maneuvering around her without the worry it running over her paws.
It is important for service dogs to know how to safely ascend and descend stairs next to their handler. They will learn to ascend, descend, stop, and turn around next to their handler.
Sherman is practicing loading up and exiting the vehicle in a safe and controlled manner. He is such a good boy waiting politely until cued to exit the vehicle!
Magic is new to the program and is practicing his the newly learned "sit" cue. Isn't he so adorable! He is so eager to please!
Service dogs must learn to walk appropriately next to their handler. Treats and positive praise are provided to this service dog in training when he is in the desired position. He will quickly learn where to be to get treats!