SERVICE DOG TRAINING! How to hire a qualified trainer.

A good friend asked me for a recommendation for hearing service dog training. Knowing that she already had the “access” training through My Best Friend Obd., and really just needed to start her task training, I sent here to my “go to” zoom person, Joyful Paws! Since the issue is training a hearing dog, zoom isn’t ideal, even though they love Kasey! I referred her to another colleague, Robin Roy, who does more task training than i do out here in Oxnard locally. I could have helped her, but i lack experience in that area. A good dog trainer knows where their expertise lies and will not take clients unless there are super confident in their abilities, unless it is agreed as learning experience for all! Truth be told, i could probably do it, and will probably tag along when possible to further my experience, but i wanted the best for my friend and didn’t want her to be subjected to my learning curve. Any other issue with dogs, I am your gal. Our trainer Michelle is almost finished with her certification with Atlas Assistance dog training and will be ready to help soon!

MY ANSWER:

You need to find a specialized trainer but there is no certification for SERVICE DOG TRAINING. Your trainer is only as good as their experience. Your trainer can be certified by the school from which they received a certification, but it is not necessary. Remember, a school has a vested interest in getting folks to “pass”, graduation rates are important. I am a mentor and have been urged by an organization to pass someone if felt was underqualified a few times, so i know! At the very least, a fresh graduate will not be as experienced as a trainer that has been training service dog for years but are usually priced accordingly. And that is another thing, the most expensive trainer is not necessarily the most qualified! I know plenty of trainers that charge and arm and a leg and i watch their social media public training and laugh to myself at their claims and techniques. Not to be mean, but some are just downright ridiculous! Your trainer could have learned from a mentorship with a service dog trainer, Atlas service dog training, or Bergin college of Canine Studies, to name a few, but it is not necessary to have all of those. Your trainer should at least have a CCPDT certification (independent testing organization for dog trainer skills, not affiliated with a school), or have CDBC or CAAB certifications through IAABC, to name a few. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH WHAT THE CERTIFICATIONS ARE!. Remember that client testimonials can be a product of folks who trained “service dogs” that dont really perform a service. It is a growing trend in our industry because money is money. Dont ask, we do not do that! There are too many dog trainers and not enough work, and the great ones with lots of certifications under their belt, often have waiting lists. That is not to say there are not wonderful trainers without certifications, they just help the consumer level the playing field a bit. Ask WHEN they got their certification and how long they have been working for the public as a trainer before or afterward. Exactly how many service dogs have you trained. Therapy dogs dont count, I train them all day long, as well as the access portion of the service dog work. The task training is more specialized. Some have tons of experience and just don’t want to spend more money on certifications. ASK WHAT TYPE OF TRAINING THEY DO? Positive reinforcement based training using a marker system, like click/yes, has been “approved” by the Veterinary associations as the most science based. SO how do you know? Go to a trusted trainer, Go to ADI, Go to the DOT, look for at least a CCPDT certified trainer, and if not, DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH like my friend did and look up every claim made by the trainer. We want the best for our students even when it isn’t us! Happy Dog Training! We do have referrals for just about everything!

FACTS:

AI quote regarding about the most science based training (my experience for sure):

According to current scientific understanding, the "best" type of dog training is considered positive reinforcement-based training which primarily focuses on rewarding desired behaviors, avoiding punishment, and building a strong relationship with the dog, aligning closely with the principles of operant conditioning. 

Key points about positive reinforcement training:

• Focus on rewards:

  Uses treats, praise, toys, or other positive stimuli to encourage desired behaviors. 

• Avoids punishment:

  Does not rely on aversive methods like shock collars or harsh corrections. 

• Builds trust:

  Prioritizes a positive relationship with the dog, considering their emotional state and individual needs. 

• Based on learning theory:

  Utilizes principles of operant conditioning, like shaping and reinforcement schedules, to effectively teach new behaviors. 

Why is positive reinforcement considered science-based?

• Research support:

  Studies have shown that positive reinforcement methods are generally more effective and less stressful for dogs, leading to better long-term training outcomes. 

• Animal welfare concerns:

  Avoiding punishment aligns with ethical considerations regarding animal welfare. 

• Understanding dog psychology:

  Positive reinforcement training takes into account a dog's natural motivation and rewards system. 

AI quote about ranking service dog training (and it is not wrong)

Due to the lack of standardized certification for service dog trainers, there is no single "rating" system, but when evaluating a service dog trainer, you should look for factors like extensive experience in service dog training, positive reviews from past clients, accreditation from reputable organizations like the Assistance Dogs International (ADI), and a focus on individualized training plans tailored to the specific needs of the handler and dog; essentially, prioritize quality over a simple numerical rating. 

Key points to consider when evaluating a service dog trainer:

• Experience: Check how long the trainer has been specifically training service dogs. 

• Certifications: While not mandatory, look for certifications from organizations like the Assistance Dogs International (ADI) or the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). 

• Training methods: Ensure the trainer utilizes positive reinforcement techniques. 

• Client testimonials: Read reviews from past clients to gauge their satisfaction with the training process and the quality of the service dog. 

• Focus on individual needs: A good trainer will assess the handler's specific needs and tailor the training program accordingly. 

Mystery Dog Illness and Steps for Prevention

The “mystery” illness is believed to be a “funky bacteria”. Dogs affected have signs of upper respiratory disease, like kennel cough, but don’t test positive for known diseases. The disease is resistant to standard treatments, but one account says that Doxycycline may be effective. Experts and veterinarians say in a nutshell, “now is not to WORRY, but to be CAUTIOUS. Fatality is not common. Only a rare few have developed acute fatal pneumonia after dealing with the illness for a long time, largely due to secondary bacteria.”

If you are interested in doing your own research, I have listed the articles I referenced below.

Reducing contact with unknown dogs is the general rule at this time. We are asking the owners of all dogs coming into class to please not to go to dog parks, allow your dog to share water, or let your dogs greet others on the street, while enrolled in class. Symptoms usually get serious within 2-3 days. We are discouraging contact with the other dogs in class, they are in the same space training, not visiting. If it is determined to be better for us to meet outside at the park, we can discuss it. At this time, it seems safer to be in our disinfected room, we can leave the door open for air flow. Pawparazzi has assured us that we are on a different HVAC system from the daycare/kennel itself. We enter through a separate entrance. Equipment and floors are vacuumed and disinfected between classes. The veterinarians involved in the study of the outbreak on the east and west coast, both having symptoms similar to Kennel Cough, are testing now to see if they are related.

(from CNN) What can dog owners do?

While the news may be concerning, “We suggest caution rather than worry,” the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association’s website says.

While this particular disease is unusual, “Periodic outbreaks of Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC) can occur in a dog population. At least nine different bacteria and viruses have been linked as causes of CIRDC, which is transmitted by respiratory droplets,” the association said.

“Infection with more than one bacterial or viral agent is common. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, nasal and/or eye discharge, and lethargy. If your dog shows these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.”

Dog owners should help keep their pets healthy by making sure they’re up-to-date on all vaccines, such as those for canine influenza, Bordetella and parainfluenza, the association said. Other tips include:

• Reducing contact with large numbers of unknown dogs. Just like with other respiratory pathogens, the more contacts your dog has, the greater the risk of encountering a dog that’s infectious.
• Reducing contact with sick dogs. This can be harder to determine but if a dog looks sick (coughing, runny nose, runny eyes), keep your dog away from it.
• Keep sick dogs at home and seek veterinary care.
• Avoid communal water bowls shared by multiple dogs.

https://www.curbed.com/article/mysterious-dog-illness-veterinarian-kennel-cough.html (this one is pretty comprehensive, thanks PAM B)

https://www.goodrx.com/pet-health/dog/mystery-respiratory-illness

https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2023/11/24/respiratory-illness-in-dogs-being-investigated-locally/71664596007/

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/11/23/1214951367/could-a-funky-pathogen-be-sickening-dogs-scientists-search-for-clues

https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/20/us/mystery-dog-illness-spreading/index.html

https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/uc-davis-school-of-veterinary-medicine-weighs-in-on-mystery-dog-disease/

As always, i would love to hear your input, please email Karent@mybestfriendobedience.com

Importance of Socialization and What is it?

Pups and adult dogs require knowledge of their surroundings, surroundings they will be in potentially, people they will be asked to welcome, dogs, and lots of other unforeseen things.

For example:

Can you clip your pups nails? Brush them or get a sticker out of a paw without drama? How about take their temperature or express their anal glands or brush their teeth?

What happens when aunt Susie wants to come over and bring her dog? If your dog has never had another dog inside the house, they may be territorial over the home, you, their bowls, bones, bed or their toys. What happens when you are single, sharing your bed with a dog and get a new significant other who will stay the night? What about nieces nephews or a grandchild? What if you are incapacitated and need assistance? It is easy to justify a protective dogs behavior, but what about when it is unwanted? What if grandma is fearful of dogs and your dog wants to jump up, or worse, senses her fear and wants to be aggressive?

What happens when you are off to a cafe with friends, and have your dog along? Can you join them? Can your pup settle in public, not bark at or jump on the server approaching the table, or not beg from friends?

What happens when you are off leash at the beach and someone comes by with a leashed but aggressive dog? There is a leash law and the leashed aggressive dog has every right to be there if under its owners control, but now your pup is running up on it to play… what can you do?

What about trash truck noises and stuff blowing in the wind that might spook your pup?

What about inside the car behavior, sitting still while driving, not getting car sick? Behaving at the vet for exam or groomer for services?

Fireworks? What will you do? New baby coming?

This is what all the “hub bub” is regarding socialization and preparation, it is much easier done when the pup doesn’t have baggage already. It is great if you can start at 3 months old! It can still be done once they are grown, but is much easier if you lay the ground work as soon as possible! Fear imprint periods are in play with pups and what is horribly scary one minute will be no big deal the next, you just need to work through it.

Some dogs are genetically bold and bullet proof, others fearful and nervous, all personalities in between.. .that is the way the approach the world but you can help them be more confident, or defer to you when needed, or just be in your control for the super outgoing… it is all about training and timing. Please don’t go out on your own and try to do to much at once, you’ll send pup opposite the direction you intend! Little by little!

While of course you can train your own dog, people have had dogs for hundreds and years, my parents never needed help training… blah, blah, blah… we say the same about children. But, is that the best you can do? Would you be happy with the best you can do on your own with your kids education? I want a better relationship and ability to understand, bond and go places with my dog! I want her to be flexible with my life choices for family, kids, guests and change! How about you! Let’s get started… call us at 818 996 3647!

A potential student asked, "What sets us apart from other trainers"?

Of course what sets us apart is a hard question! I know a number of amazing trainers! I am not one to brag, although I will about my dog or our trainers, or their dogs, or our clients dogs for that matter! I find it really hard to make posts on social media about how superior we are at My Best Friend.. I know lots of trainers do, but it feels weird to me! I think there are a load of great trainers out there! Saying we are better at “everything,” even if it were true, how would I know? I don’t use all the other trainers out there, but some I do, and they are great, obviously, or I wouldn’t use them! Also, I dont know what other trainers “do,” so I would need more information to really properly answer that question.

What I can say is that we are “old school” in that we don’t do endless gobs of YouTubes, Reels and TikTok videos, or Podcasts and we actually answer, and are available to talk, on the phone. We use up to date techniques based in science. We constantly reeducate! Our trainers are predominantly independently certified trainers (like a board certified doctor) that must earn CEU's, or retest to maintain certifications. If there are new techniques out there we aren’t using we will learn them, or find someone who knows them to bring on and enlighten us! We will not, however, use anything more than a mild aversive (like a body block or pulling the leash back) to stop an unwanted behavior, so you won’t see our students with choke chains, pinch or shock collars (if we can help it). We are all about fostering a great relationship between the dog and their human. Of course we want you dog to listen to you, but we also want you to listen to your dog! It is about mutual respect. Like your human relationships should be! Some folks are quite insistent, so you may see them start class with a not recommended training device, but we are always hopeful to bring them away from the “dark side” of dog training. If you wouldn’t do it to your kid or your friend, we dont want you to do it to your dog! We do use marker words for correct behavior and incorrect behavior (not all positive trainers do the “cold” side of the hot and cold game). We do not check email constantly (mostly daily), but do respond to text or a phone call within hours if possible! We will tell you our SECRETS, because great trainers want to get together with other trainers and collaborate, or discuss different approaches in an effort to be the best! No, we cannot tell you ALL that we are going to do in a session before we do one, because it takes time to cover ALL the information properly (thus requiring a “session,” even if it is on Zoom), but we can give you an idea of what we will do. Most of us know that there is a lot of information, and disinformation, out there. It is super difficult to sort it out for the layman (and us professionals too actually), so we will take time to help you understand and separate the good, from the outdated or just down right wrong advise! There are a variety of ways we reinforce behavior from your dog, from taking a walk to a treat or their dinner, it is not all about rewards, but often starts that way and then we progress from there. Yes, we will say NO even if we are positive reinforcement trainers. Shock collars were first used in the 1960s, but no one asked the dogs for their opinions. FYI - Electronic shock (e-collars) collars are banned in Germany, Austria, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Slovenia, Switzerland, Wales, the province of Quebec in Canada, and some states in Australia. A “vibration” collar, as some say they use, should be something you can put on yourself, and feels like when your phone vibrates… Not electric stimulation. When “vibration” is used, like you would to train a deaf dog that cannot hear you call them, you have to slowly acclimate them to it. Even a vibration can startle them and cause a fear response. Anything that causes anxiety or fear during training is not helping you get a better result… even an extremely overstimulating reward can make pup’s brain fall out!

I hope this helps you know what sets us apart and helps you sort out the differences between dog trainers… You definitely need to ask about experience, education, technique and devices, not just pricing!