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

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!

Monday 12/3 – Webinar on service dog owner-training
Sunday 1/6 – Group service dog training consult in Northampton, MA
Saturday 2/2 – Workshop on service dog owner-training in Athol, MA
Sunday 2/10 – Group pre-adoption consult for finding the right ESA or SDiT candidate

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

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

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.