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OWNER TRAINER SERVICE DOG TRAINING PROGRAMS
Training Loyal Companions Academy is thrilled to announce OWNER TRAINER SERVICE DOG programs specializing in anxiety and PTSD service task training.
Our newly designed OWNER TRAINER SERVICE DOG programs requires full training commitment and investment of time, promise of training and all-embracing energy. These programs are incredibly rewarding and immensely therapeutic providing a well trained canine companion to help create a more fulfilling life.
What is a Service Dog?
A Service Dog is defined as any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Service dogs perform specific tasks or behaviors to help people with visible and non-visible disabilities such as epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder or anxiety, diabetes or mobility limitations.
Service dog tasks are trained behaviors by the handler to help assist in their everyday life. These tasks can help by alerting to a door bell or fire alarm, retrieving medication or water, opening or closing a kitchen door or drawer or anxiety alert.
Statistic Canada Reference – ‘Persons with disabilities represent a diverse and significant portion of the Canadian population. In 2017, one in five people in Canada aged 15 years and over―or about 6.2 million people or 22% - had at least one disability. There are different types of disabilities, and they can range from mild to very severe’.
Service Dog tasks are client led to their each and individual needs, creating a training program and task training program to suit each disability flexible to adjust at any time if required while taking change into consideration.
Service Dogs require the same training, socialization and exposure that every other young puppy requires. They require the same training in basic cues such as knowing their name, sit down stand body positions, sit and stay with duration and distance and recall come when called training. Service dogs typically retire between the ages of 8 and 10 years.
What is mobility task service dog training?
A mobility assistance dog empowers their handler to be more independent whether they use or find helpful in their every day life a wheelchair, walker, cane, crutches or any other mobility aide. These dogs allow their handler to be more independent in day-to-day life. TLCA will help guide and train mobility assistance dogs for bother adults and children.
Mobility assistance dog can be trained to retrieve to hand specific items, turn on and off lights, open and close drawers, carry items in their mouth, push to open buttons for doors or elevator doors.
What is anxiety and PTSD service dog training?
Training a dog to alert their handler to these signs by pawing or poking their leg to interrupt the despairing behavior of the handler or turning on a light to interrupt a nightmare. Deep Pressure Therapy to help alleviate anxiety in handlers or owners by placing the pressure of the dog’s weight on their handlers lap to physically transferring to mentally induce a sense of calm.
Here are some options and training techniques for Service Dog task training:
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Service Dog Retrieve – This is an excellent service task for those with mobility concerns, to retrieve items such as a water bottle, keys, a remove control or any item of use to the person with a disability.
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Chin Rest – A chin rest is when we teach our dogs to rest their chin in our hand. This is an excellent training technique to help dogs remain still and relaxed for grooming, nail trims or injections during a Veterinary visit.
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Anxiety Alert – We will teach your dog to alert the owner or handler with a nose tap or paw to leg when the owner expresses and indicates body language revealing anxiety.
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Deep Pressure Therapy – Teaching the dog to lie across the persons legs for a period of time.
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Nightmare Interruption – Interruption with an identifable body language cue from the owner during sleep.
OWNER TRAINER SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAMS
Our training programs are designed to meet approximately once a week in both class room settings and public places. Each training session will provide specific in-home training and assignments to be accomplished.
These comprehensive training programs are in-depth programs designed to shape and train your dog to become a Service Dog or tweak your current Service Dog skills and connection. With life skills training such as recall and leash manners training to connection work and stay, public access training including parking lot and traffic training, walking through a store and passing merchandise including food related items, training involving elevators and escalators, public transportation and restaurant etiquette.
ELITE TRAINING PROGRAM
This course duration is approximately 10 months in length with 30 training sessions (training sessions three times a month).
Twenty in home private training sessions (twice a month) at one hour in length specific to task training designed to each handler specific and requested needs.
Course size is limited to 4 dogs with owner/trainer.
ADVANCED TRAINING PROGRAM
This course duration is approximately 8 months in length with 24 training sessions (training sessions three times a month).
Sixteen in home private training sessions (twice a month) at one hour in length specific to task training designed to each handler specific and requested needs.
Course size is limited to 4 dogs with owner/trainer.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM
This course duration is approximately 6 months in length with 18 training sessions (training sessions three times a month).
Twelve in home private training sessions (twice a month) at one hour in length specific to task training designed to each handler specific and requested needs.
Course size is limited to 4 dogs with owner/trainer.
ADDITIONAL PROGRAM INFORMATION
The ELITE TRAINING PROGRAM includes a SERVICE DOG IN TRAINING vest to use through the entire training program. FIRST outing with yourself and your Service Dog in training dog will be accompanied with myself for ease of comfort. This program includes a wide variety of real life training sessions such as events at the Red River Exhibition grounds, RBC Convention Centre and the snow or corn maze.
Service Dog training classes occur at the St Norbert Community Center or a park setting such as St Vital Park or Kildonan Park. Public Access training takes place in group classes at a wide variety of different locations such as Canadian Tire, Home Depo, Rona, greenhouses, coffee shops, mall settings such as St Vital Mall and Polo Park Mall.
Consistent and ongoing behavior assessments will be required especially for young dogs growing through the adolescent stages of development.
TLCA training program requires a minimum participation of 85%. Training sessions are available to ‘make up’ classes if required at no extra cost for increment weather and stat holidays.
Step One- INITIAL APPLICATION AND PROSPECT ASSESSMENT
Request the INITIAL APPLICATION for review by your certified dog trainer and service dog coach via email. This application covers a wide variety of generalized questions about you and your dog such as eating, drinking, sleeping, behavior concerns, Veterinary information, age and friendliness toward strangers, children and other dogs along with previous training invested and types of training techniques.
If you are looking for a service dog potential, this can be discussed at this assessment.
Cost is $25.00 plus GST = $26.25
Step Two - MEET AND GREET ASSESSMENT
Upon review of your application, your dog will be assessed by your certified dog trainer and service dog coach. This will determine the suitability for service dog work. The meet and greet assessment require: 1. ONE in home private training session at one hour in length and 2. ONE hour of public access observation at a dog friendly location.
If required, additional temperament evaluation assessments may be required to assess compatibility for the OWNER TRAINER SERVICE DOG TRAINING program.
Cost is $300.00 plus GST = $315.00
STEP THREE - Acceptance into the program
Acceptance into the program is PASSING the initial application and meet and greet assessment.
If your dog is not quite ready for the OWNER TRAINER SERVICE DOG TRAINING PROGRAM, your service dog coach might advise in home private training or additional group dog training classes for behavior training.
Some dogs may not be ready for public access service dog training but fit very will into at home service task dog training.
Cost: Please email us for cost details and payment program options.
owner trainer service dog training programs accepting applications for starting May and September 2024.
Owner Trainer Service Dogs Programs FAQ's
This depends on the service task being trained. Evaluations can start around the age of 8 months and task training can begin when the dog is mature from 8 months to 1 year of age. This provides the dogs opportunity for developmental growth. There is quite a bit of training, exposure and socialization that will occur with the puppy before service dog task training commences.
Public Access training takes a minimum of two years with a young puppy and one year with an adult dog.
Absolutely! If your dog is not suited for Public Access due to behavior concerns, your dog can be an excellent candidate for an at home Service Dog.
Absolutely! We can help guide you in the right direction for a potential service dog based on budget, age and breed as well as many other factors that can play into the decision making.
A Service Dog is not an emotional support dog. Emotional support dogs are dogs who are well trained, provide comfort through their presence. To be eligible an emotional support dog in Canada, you require an emotional support letter issued by a licensed mental health professional. This letter will disclose all the information about you as the owner and why you need an emotional support dog. Emotional support dogs are not trained service task dogs and do not have public access.
There is no guarantee that any dog will successfully complete this training course. Service dogs can not show any fear or aggression and must show a desire to work. They also require to be healthy in body and mind.
Yes! This is on the horizon as an option.
Yes! This can be discussed during the inital assessments.
We can set up a FREE 15 minutes assessment via phone, FaceTime or ZOOM to discuss our options together!
TLCA uses positive reinforcement training techniques including bond based training between owner/trainer and canine companions.
St Norbert Community Centre
Group Dog Training Classes will be held at the St Norbert Community Centre.
The Hall is a 2800 SQFT room with direct access to washrooms, with outdoor training space
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