Service Dogs: Why Lifetime Training is Critical

Service dogs have been trained to perform specific tasks for their handlers depending on the human’s disability. But training doesn’t stop there!

A Young Service Dog in Training

Service Dogs: Their Mission

The service dog was created to help people with disabilities live a better quality of life with freedom despite their physical or mental challenges. Guide dogs were the first service dogs of their kind; but during the 1960s, service dogs began to help even more people with physical and mental hardships in navigating their world. Today, service dogs are an invaluable tool for people with disabilities around the world!

A Man in a Wheelchair with a Poodle Service Dog

Training the Service Dog

Service dogs must have a strong initial foundation of training that includes extensive socialization and basic skill/obedience training before being trained for the tasks for a specific disability. Service dogs, in particular, must be able to handle all types of social situations, distractions, animals and people calmly without being inappropriately reactive for the safety of their handler. Temperament is most important!

Once the basic foundation is set, the future service dog learns:

• Dedicated attentiveness and responsiveness to their handler.

• Reliable off-leash behavior and recall.

• The specific tasks required for their handler.

In general, training a service dog can typically take anywhere from one to two years, depending on the:

• Dog.

• Handler.

• Trainer; and

• Specific tasks the dog needs to master.

But it’s important to understand that service dog training is never truly “done.”

Even after basic skills, behavior and the required tasks have been mastered and the service dog has passed a public access test, service dogs need ongoing training to maintain their high level of competence. (This is also true for all dogs actually, not just service dogs.)

Learn More About Service Dogs and Their Specialized Jobs!

The Service Dog and Lifetime Training

Founder, Janie Heinrich, With Her Service Dog

One of the most important reasons behind initial dog training is to build the overall bond and trust between dog and human. This is true for any dog, but it’s particularly critical for service dogs!

Nurturing trust and a strong bond are a lifetime process just like it is in human relationships. As the service dog and their handler grow and experience the world together, it’s vital to continue to nurture and enhance their shared bond and loyalty.

Remember too, training should be FUN! Even play between the human and service dog can strengthen their inherent bond! Even service dogs look to their handlers for their needs and quality of life. Both training and fun should be a huge part of fulfilling their needs!

Even refresher training on basic or obedience skills should be fun and presented in new ways to reinforce those skills! Keep the joy of learning in everything you do with your service dog, including training.

3 Poodle Service Dogs Taking a Break with Toys

Besides building a strong and positive relationship, ongoing dog training also strengthens the communication between the service dog and his handler making life easier for both.

Remember, training doesn’t always mean learning how to “sit” or “come.”

Have you thought about training your dog fun, new tricks to keep their mind and body sharp? Enrichment games also challenge the K9 brain with fun and tasty rewards. Or switch up your walking routine for new sights, sounds and smells to engage your dog’s mind and reinforce his ability to “leave it.”

Get some additional ideas at JourneyDogTraining.com!

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