At Your Service Dog Training

At Your Service

(978) 633-5335

Help for service dog owner-trainers! (Or those considering it)

by Leave a Comment

Picture of a man sitting on a window ledge outside with a rough-coated collie service dog lying by his feet. Text: "The most important thing you need to train a service dog is... A) the right dog, B) Commitment (obsessive level), C) Money (more than you'd think), D Time (loads of it)There is a lot of conflicting, misleading, and downright bad information online (and even in books) about service dog training. Now service dog owner-trainers who are on a budget or are outside my local training area can get help and accurate answers to their questions!

A week from today, Monday, December 3, 2018, I’m giving a webinar through the Pet Professional Guild that will answer your questions — Service Dog Owner-Training: Is this the path for you?

Training a service dog for yourself or a family member, usually referred to as “owner training,” is quite an undertaking. It can lead to confusion, stress, and many questions. It can be a maze to figure out whether it’s the right path for you, or once you are on the road, the best way to go about it or to get your questions answered. The upcoming webinar has answers.

Best of all, not only is it very affordable and available to anyone with an internet connection, it also offers great flexibility. Once you register, you’ll be able to watch the webinar any time, so if you can’t attend live on Monday, you’ll still have access to all the information. You can watch it more than once or refer back to the slides and handouts if you ever have questions.

Golden retriever puppy lying on floor with red plush bone toy on its front legs. Text: "The first training priority for a future SD puppy is A) Basic obedience (sit, down, heel, come…), B) Short, positive experiences around new people & things, C) Bonding with their future handler, D) House training"

As one of relatively few trainers who specializes in helping people to train their own service dog, I get calls and emails from people all around the country. I often wish I could help more people who are outside of my region. This webinar is your chance to get your questions answered, no matter where you are!

This webinar is for you if you are…

  • Already training a service dog for yourself or a family member
  • Considering getting a dog or training the dog you already own to assist you or a family member
  • A therapist, doctor, or other health care worker who has recommended an ESA or service dog or been approached by clients or patients about getting a service dog or emotional support animal
  • A pet dog trainer who would like to learn more about what is involved with training a service dog

Golden retriever wearing bandanna that says "Future Leader Dog" sits in front of American flag in a park. Text: "What differentiates...? Service dog, Therapy dog, Emotional support animal (ESA), Service-dog-in-training (SDiT)"The webinar covers questions like:

Is it better train your own service dog or apply to a program for a fully trained dog? What are the benefits and drawbacks to each? What is the fastest way to get a service dog? What is the most affordable way to get a service dog?

Which laws apply? What’s the difference between service animals and emotional support animals? Are there laws that effect where I can bring my service-dog-in-training?

What is the training process? Can I start training assistance tasks right away? Should I bring my puppy everywhere to set the stage for public access training? When is the right time to consult with a professional service dog trainer? Answers to your other questions!

At the end, you’ll also get a link and password to numerous handouts, articles, and other resources, including training videos and referrals to other trainers.

Drawing of a woman holding her forehead in her hand with a thought bubble of a puppy above her. Caption says "Hindrance dog???"
Find out what a “hindrance dog” is! (It may not be what you expect)

Topics Covered

Service Dog Definitions, Terminology, and Laws

Challenges of Service Dogs

Pros & Cons of Owner-Training vs a Program Service Dog

The Path (Pyramid) of Owner Training

Finding (the Right) Trainers or Programs

Question and Answer

Pyramid in 7 sections. Bottom section in dark green says "Acquire a dog or puppy who is physically, mentally, and temperamentally sound." Above that in pale green "Socialize puppy or condition dog to be relaxed and confident around hundreds of sights, sounds, smells." Above that in yellow, "Train excellent manners and obedience at home and in class." Above that in pink, "Train excellent manners and obedience in public spaces." Above that in purple, "Train service skills at home." Above that in tan, "Train service skills in public." Top triangle in sky blue says, "SD team!"

Get help now

Register for the webinar now. Attend live on December 3 to participate in the Q&A… or watch it any time after! You’ll be sent a link you can access whenever it’s convenient for you.

After the webinar, if you are within driving distance, you can also get additional low-cost service dog training help:

Want your dog to meet with a service dog trainer to get guidance on next steps? Attend my group service dog consultation in Northampton, MA on January 6, 2019.

Wondering how best to find the right dog as a service dog candidate or emotional support animal, attend my group pre-adoption consultation on February 10, 2019, also in Northampton, MA

Would you rather get information live and in person than online? Attend the owner-training workshop at the Athol Public Library on Feb. 2, 2019.

About the Presenter

 

Sharon stands in a hospital treatment room next to a white pitbull wearing a service dog vest lying on the floor. The dog's handler is on a gurney next to them.Sharon Wachsler CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner with more than 25 years of experience in the disability community. Before transitioning to a career as a dog trainer, Sharon was a disability information and referral specialist and service dog owner-trainer, as well as the founder of the Assistance Dog Blog Carnival, a writer for the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners newsletter, and the blogger for the popular service-dog trainer’s blog, After Gadget. Sharon opened At Your Service Dog Training in Wendell, MA, in 2014, offering private training, consulting, and group classes to service dog owner-trainers. Sharon is an experienced presenter and writer on service dog topics and enjoys consulting with and speaking to trainers, owners, and community groups about service dogs and their training.

Fall Basic & Intermediate Dog Manners Classes — New Location!

by Leave a Comment

Sharon Wachsler of At Your Service Dog Training and Steve Drew of Mount Tully Kennels in their new training room

We are excited to announce that At Your Service has a new home in the North Quabbin for our group classes! After wrapping up our last Family Dog Manners & Obedience class at the end of July at Orange Innovation Center, we moved to Mount Tully Kennels.

The new training space has several advantages, including…

  • new rubber floor — easier on dog and human muscles and joints
  • convenience of Mt Tully’s store, easily pick up treats, food, or other dog gear before or after class
  • the store to train “leave it” or loose leash walking with distractions for intermediate and advanced classes

We are offering several classes this fall…

Family Dog Manners & Obedience

  • Thu., Sep. 14 at 5:30 PM
  • Thu., Oct. 26 at 5:30 PM

The basic manners every dog needs to fit in the family. Perfect for adolescents or newly adopted dogs. Leash manners, greeting, focus, down, stay, leave it, drop it, come, touch, and wait. Trained with positive methods for dogs — and humor and clear instruction for owners. Six-week class for only $138. Register your dog for class. (NEW! Choose Better Manners Bundle. Register for both Family Dog & Intermediate and save $27! Register your dog for Better Manners Bundle for only $249.)

Photo courtesy Hero Dogs

Intermediate Manners & Obedience

  • Thu., Sept 21 at 6:45 PM

For graduates of Family Dog. Get reliability with behaviors that make life better for you and your dog: maintain leash manners and focus around distractions, longer and more reliable stays, coming when called from a distance or away from a distraction, and fun training games, too! (1 space left) Six-week class for only $138. Register your dog for class.

Learn more about our group classes.

We are also offering a specialty class on public access training for advanced service dog teams. This class will meet in a variety of different locations in the Pioneer Valley, including stores, restaurants, medical settings, malls, and more. Please get in touch for information about service dog training classes.

Enter the raffle to win the Good Dog Goody Basket

Open House!

Saturday, Sep. 16 from 12-3 PM

  • Meet the trainer
  • Get free pet training tips and handouts
  • Questions about service dog training? We can answer those, too
  • Training demos or bring your friendly dog
  • Enter our raffle to win the “Good Dog Goody Basket” — includes At Your Service towel for training “go to place,” At Your Service clicker, Kurgo car convenience harness and tether, Karen Pryor Clicker Training treat pouch, lump of “coal” feeder toy (for bad dogs that want to learn to be good), and lots of yummy treats and chews!

Stop by! We’d love to see you!

Upcoming Webinar: Service dog laws and terms in the US (especially geared to trainers)

by Leave a Comment

Basset hound with chin on the ground, eyes rolled up
Feeling overwhelmed?

More and more trainers are being asked to train a service dog (SD), emotional support animal (ESA), or a personal “therapy dog” for an adult or child with disabilities. The terminology is confusing and everyone says something different:

  • One trainer tells you that a service dog must be trained in three tasks, another says the dog just needs excellent manners to be in public. Who is right?
  • Your client says his emotional support skunk is allowed in the grocery store, but that, well, doesn’t smell right to you…
  • A former client just emailed to say that since he moved to a new state, his chiropractor said his service-dog-in-training is not allowed in the office because that state is not covered by the ADA. Can this be true?

If this sounds familiar, this live webinar is for you!

This Pet Professional Guild webinar, “SD, SDIT, ESA, Alphabet Soup?! What you need to know about US Service Dog Laws & Terms” will guide you with humor and clarity through service dog laws and terminology. Attend the live webinar and have a chance to ask questions in real time: Monday, August 21 at 2 PM Eastern Time. Or register and watch it any time at your convenience!

You’ll learn what all these terms mean and better understand your legal responsibilities as a trainer of a service dog. You’ll get clarity on how the laws for service-dogs-in-training (SDiTs) are different from laws for trained service dogs and how to find the laws in your state.

It can be awkward for trainer and client alike to sort out these terms (“therapy” versus “service” versus “emotional support”) and the legal and training requirements behind each. This presentation will explain the legal meanings and differences between these terms in the United States, the requirements for training each, differences in US state laws for service-dogs-in-training, the standards of behavior and appearance for service dogs, and explain the reality behind the question of “certification.” You’ll also learn how to distinguish between legal requirements and ethical or community standards, and how to apply these concepts to working with clients.

Objectives

This webinar is geared to professional dog trainers in the United States that are new to the complicated world of service dog laws and standards. People who are training a service dog for themselves or a family member, or who are considering training a service dog, are also encouraged to attend and will get a lot of useful information. No previous service dog training experience or knowledge is necessary.

By the end of this webinar, attendees will understand and be able to answer client questions on the following topics:

  • The difference between the terms “service dog,” “service dog in training,” “emotional support animal,” and “therapy dog” and when handlers of each have access to public accommodations
  • Understand the definition of a service animal under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and where a trainer or handler of a service animal is permitted or excluded
  • Understand how laws for service-dogs-in-training (and who is a trainer under the law) vary from state-to-state and how to find out their own state’s laws
  • Understand the community standards for appearance and behavior in service dogs and how these differ from legal requirements
  • Steps trainers and clients can take to protect themselves if access challenges occur

About the Presenter

Sharon Wachsler CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner with more than 25 years of experience in the disability community. Before she began her second career as a dog trainer, Sharon was a disability information and referral specialist and service dog owner-trainer, as well as the founder of the Assistance Dog Blog Carnival, a writer for the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners newsletter, and the blogger for the popular service-dog trainer’s blog, After Gadget. Sharon opened At Your Service Dog Training in Wendell, MA, in 2014, offering private training, consulting, and group classes to service dog owner-trainers. Sharon is an experienced presenter and writer on service dog topics and enjoys consulting with and speaking to trainers, owners, and community groups about service dogs and their training.

Register for the PPG webinar.

Have a question? Get in touch!

Workshop: Service Dog Owner-Training (is it right for you?)

by Leave a Comment

This inexpensive workshop on April 18 is for you if you’re considering a service dog for yourself, a family member, or a client or patient. It is also for you if…

  • You’re wondering whether it would be better to train your own or apply to a program
  • You would like more information about which laws apply and what the service dog training process is
  • You have other questions about service dog training
Jot this down! I need training! (Photo courtesy of Barbara Handelman, used with permission)

Service Dog Owner Training: Is this the path for me?

Date: April 13

Time: 6-8 PM

Location: Animal Alliances, 137-E Damon Rd., Northampton, MA 01060 

Cost: $10

What You Will Learn

Topics we’ll cover include…

  • Service dog laws, definitions, terminology, and standards
  • Owner training versus programs — pros and cons of each
  • The path of owner training: The steps in training a service dog
  • Finding the right trainers and programs
  • Question and answer

The Presenter

Sharon Wachsler is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP), and owner of At Your Service Dog Training in Wendell, MA. A former disability information specialist and service dog owner-trainer, Sharon offers private and group classes, pre-adoption consulting and assessment to service dog owner-trainers. She consults and speaks on service dog training to trainers, owners, and community groups.

Who Should Attend

This workshop is open to the public — all are welcome! The material is geared to be especially helpful to…

  • People with disabilities (of any type) that are considering obtaining or training a service dog for themselves
  • Friends and family members of disabled people who are considering obtaining or training a service dog for their loved one
  • Those already training a service dog who have questions about the process
  • Therapists, physicians, and other healthcare providers who prescribe service or emotional support animals to clients or patients
  • Pet professionals (e.g., veterinary staff, dog trainers, kennel or dog daycare staff) who would like to know more about service dogs
  • Members of the disability community who would like to know more about service dog handler rights and responsibilities and the lifestyle and work involved with handling or training a service dog
Mastiff puppy curled on floor on a woman's feet under a table, wearing a red and black service dog vest.
Photo courtesy of Tamar Paltin, used with permission

Note: This workshop is for humans. Please leave your pet dog at home. If your service dog or service-dog-in-training accompanies you, it will need to be able to settle quietly for two hours around many people.

Gentle Leader Workshop

by Leave a Comment

Head and shoulders of a Golden Retriever wearing a sky blue Gentle Leader -- thin nylon webbing over muzzle and under chin -- with a tennis ball in its mouth

  • Are you afraid to walk your dog on leash — especially on snow or ice?
  • Do you have a big, strong dog?
  • Are you petite, elderly, or disabled?
  • Have you trained your dog to walk nicely on leash, but they still sometimes pull or lunge unpredictably?
  • Are you training your dog as a service dog who must be under control at all times?

If you answered “yes” to one or more of these questions, this workshop is for you.

Tuesday, March 21

7:15 – 8:30 PM

Orange Innovation Center (131 West Main St., Orange, MA 01364)

This one-time workshop is an introduction to the Gentle Leader, a head halter that allows you to have greater control on leash  — without inflicting pain or being punitive. You might have heard of or tried the Gentle Leader or a similar head halter, but if you didn’t introduce it properly — very slowly and positively — your dog may have hated it and refused to walk with it on! Unlike many other pieces of training equipment that you can just put on your dog and go, the Gentle Leader requires careful introduction and proper fitting. However, for many people, it is very well worth doing since it may mean the difference between being able to safely walk their dog or not!

This one-hour workshop will cover

  • Benefits of the Gentle Leader
  • How to teach your dog to wear it happily
  • Fitting tips
  • How to train loose leash walking using the Gentle Leader
  • Written training tips to take home on conditioning your dog to a Gentle Leader

There are two ways to sign up…

You may attend without your dog. You do not have to register, but I’d love to know you’re coming. Drop me a line with the form below, and I’ll send you a reminder a couple of days before the workshop. If you can’t get in touch, that’s OK — just show up!

If you’d like to attend with your dog. We have two working slots available for people who want to practice conditioning their dog to the Gentle Leader with professional assistance. Dogs should be comfortable and friendly with people and other dogs and have been in a group training situation before. You must register in advance for the working slots.

Cost: $10 without a dog; $15 for working spots

Questions? Get in touch!

Yes, I’d like to learn how to use the Gentle Leader with my dog. Please send me a reminder notice.

What Our Clients Are Saying…

TJ Legg
Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner
"It’s just brought so much pure joy! My dog and I like each other a lot more now." -- Sam Legg with TJ
APDT Professional Member
"She has worked miracles with my dog!" -- Gail Mason with Dazzle

Social

Certified Professional Dog Trainer