In our qualitative research participants shared that their SDs made a huge contribution to their overall functional status and well-being. However, many experienced a great deal of community misunderstanding of SDs and their role.
Whether program training or owner-training, the end goal is the same: to produce a finished dog that will perform tasks to aid their disabled handler and behave appropriately in public. This can cost a lot of money! Read on Sierra Canine for more information.
Many people opt to get a service dog from an organization that will train both the person and the dog. Others choose to find their own dogs and train them themselves. Both approaches have their merits, but the end goal is the same: a trained dog that performs tasks to aid their disabled handler and behaves appropriately in public.
Basic obedience and socialization training is a must for service dogs. A good trainer will teach them to ignore distractions, keep their focus on their handler, and respond immediately to commands. They also train the dog to pass what’s called the Public Access Test, a requirement that ensures the dog can be around people and other animals in a variety of public places without reacting inappropriately.
The type of tasks a service dog is trained to perform will determine the length and intensity of their training. For example, a dog trained to assist someone with mobility issues will go through extensive balance and brace training, as well as teaching the dog to open doors and cupboards, alert to sounds (for hearing impairments), and guide work. They will also learn to fetch rescue medication and assist with getting dressed and undressed. Other services dogs can include PTSD dogs that perform anxiety alerts, nightmare interruptions and deep pressure therapy.
Depending on your disability, you may need to undergo a lengthy process of evaluation before you are accepted into a program or are permitted to train your own dog. This includes meeting ADA guidelines for being considered disabled, providing proof of your condition from a doctor and completing a training plan for you and your dog.
The training process can take a year or more. It’s important to think about this before you decide to proceed. The dog will be part of your family, and you will need to be willing to give them the time and attention they need in order for them to complete their training. You will need to be able to train them daily, as well as spend time in public with them. It’s not a good idea to try to raise a service dog while going through high school or college, as it will be too much of a strain on you and your dog.
Health Issues
The training process is physically demanding, especially if you are working on a task that requires a lot of focus for hours at a time. Your dog will need to be healthy, able to cope with stress and have the stamina to work all day as you go about your life.
Reputable service dog trainers will be transparent about the costs and expectations of their training programs. This includes the cost of food, health and veterinary care for the dog as well as special equipment and gear like harnesses and vests. They should also be able to provide information on grants and other funding options.
While many people assume that all dogs can be service animals, this is not the case. The Americans with Disabilities Act defines a service animal as one who has been trained to do specific tasks related to an individual’s disability. This can include guiding a blind person, pulling a wheelchair, alerting diabetics to dangerous blood sugar highs or lows, calling 911 on an emergency K-9 phone for a deaf handler, reminding a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTS) to take their medication and calming a person during a panic attack.
In addition to specialized tasks, service dogs must be able to handle distractions and public interaction in order to do their jobs. This can be a major challenge for some handlers. A good trainer will help train a dog to ignore the distractions around them and stay focused on their job at hand.
A final consideration is that you will need to be stable enough to rely on your service dog, even in an emergency. If you rely too much on your service dog, you may not be able to function without them. You will need to have other coping/management strategies in place so that you can continue your normal life, if needed.
If you do not have other coping strategies in place, it can be extremely challenging to adjust to life without your service dog after they retire or are taken ill. There are many stories on the subreddit of people who regret becoming too reliant on their service dog and not finding other ways to manage their disabilities, particularly those with psychiatric disorders.
Time
For service dogs to be trained for specific disabilities, they need extensive training. They must be able to assess different situations and act in the best interest of their handler. This type of training is very time-consuming, even for professional trainers. For this reason, it’s important for potential handlers to consider the amount of time they will be able to commit to training their service dog.
The average program trained service dog takes about two years to complete training. The same is true for owner-trained service dogs. The training period can be extended if there are health issues or other complications that arise during the training process. However, once the training is completed, the dog will be ready to work with its handler in all environments and situations.
Many people are tempted to train their own service dog. This can be very risky, and it’s important to know what you’re getting into before starting the training. It’s very easy for a service dog to wash out of their work because of fear or other behavioral issues. This could lead to the handler having to start training all over again with a new dog.
When it comes to training a service dog, it’s best to choose a puppy with a good temperament. Puppies between 10 weeks and three years old are ideal for this type of training. The younger the pup, the easier it will be to bond with and establish a solid working relationship. Additionally, puppies are able to learn faster and more efficiently at this age.
It’s also best to train a service dog with a focus on the handler’s specific needs. For example, if someone has PTSD, they should focus on training their service dog to perform anxiety alerts, nightmare interruption, and deep pressure therapy. This will ensure that their dog is able to assist them in public access, where they may need to be around strangers and other stressors.
It’s also essential to train the dog in a safe and positive environment. This will help to reduce the stress and risk of accidents and negative behaviors. Avoid training your service dog in places that are too busy, loud, or crowded. If a dog is spooked or distracted by the noise, it will lose focus and be less able to help their handler.
Money
For many disabled individuals, service dogs are more than companions—they’re lifelines. These highly trained animals help their handlers perform daily tasks and assist with medical conditions like seizures or PTSD. However, a properly-trained service dog requires a significant financial investment that can be difficult to cover. Luckily, there are many funding options available to those seeking service dog training. Here are some of the most common costs involved and how they vary based on type of dog and training.
Training Costs
A professional service dog trainer charges between $150 and $250 per hour. While this may seem high, it’s crucial that a prospective service dog owner is aware of these costs before they decide to train their own pet for service work. In fact, many service dog trainers offer packages to help ease the financial burden. These packages typically include professional training, certification and a set of service dog supplies to get the ball rolling.
Re-certification and ongoing education also require a significant amount of money. The re-certification fees usually depend on the specific tasks that the dog is trained to perform, but they can range from $100 to $800 a year. Continuing education can include refresher classes or workshops, as well as re-training for new tasks the dog may need to perform in order to remain certified.
Other unforeseen expenses that can add up include supplies like leashes, collars and vests, food and water bowls, toys and beds. Also, veterinary care, vaccinations and possible emergency visits can add up quickly, as well.
Fortunately, there are several ways to help pay for a service dog, including grants, scholarships, fundraising and community support. Additionally, some service dog programs offer financial assistance and provide dogs free of charge for qualified handlers. For example, a number of veterans’ organizations specialize in providing service dogs for those with PTSD and other disabilities. Other organizations provide service dogs to those with psychiatric disorders such as PTSD and chronic pain conditions like CRPS/RSD. These dogs are specially trained to provide tactile stimulation and calming clerical duties that can reduce the symptoms of these illnesses.