This is the continuation of Service Dogs: The Inside Scoop by Jillian Gartner. Due to the length of Part 1, we have decided to break Part 2 into multiple sections. This is Part 2a – a focus on proven teaching philosophies for the future Service Dog.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
Service dogs are trained to assist people who have trouble doing certain tasks by themselves. A service dog should make life easier for the person, not more difficult because the dog needs a lot of encouragement to take action or takes a long time to follow through. This means that even after a dog with a generally good temperament (willing to please, “soft,” and without fear) has been selected, the methods of teaching need to be appropriate as well. 
Service dogs should have a low level of initiative (so they don’t second-guess their owner), but they also shouldn’t give up if a task seems too difficult. If the keys need to be retrieved, it probably can’t be left until later. To get these results, the dog should be “taught” rather than “trained.” The method should encourage the dog to enjoy working and solving problems without stressing. Methods also should not include physical corrections or much manipulation which can make a dog less likely to work for someone who can’t administer corrections. Each dog should be raised as if they would be placed with a person who has a very high level of disability – someone who has almost no movement and a very weak voice. Getting each dog ready for this level will assure that the best selection will be made by personality (more on this below) rather than only having a couple of dogs with the needed skill level.
TEACHING METHODS
A combination of luring with food and using a clicker (or similar marker) is generally all that is needed. The leash can be used to give “cues” (gently tightening a couple of times to get the dog’s attention) but is otherwise slack at all times. The trainer’s voice is the main tool, but clapping hands or tapping a surface are used to target a certain response (generally getting the dog to focus on the area with eyes, or to use a paw or nose). Eye contact is not needed but encouraged if the dog offers it without any adverse side effects (such as bumping into the wheelchair) – the dog should be aware of his surroundings but not interested in investigating everything, easily focusing back on the handler.
Another very useful training tool is synchronization. Dogs are social beings, and as such they respond readily to even the subtlest cues we give. A dog trainer can use her emotions and body posture to illicit various responses from the dog and to even have the dog understand the mood in which it is intended – not just to follow through with the motions! The following are short examples of how synchronization can be used:
#1 Mavis wants to purchase a special vase at the china shop, but her service dog Jolly sometimes has trouble keeping her tail under control. Mavis assumes a worried look, and using a suspenseful voice tells Jolly to be “Careful.” Jolly lowers her tail and moves slowly, keeping a low profile from whatever dangerous stimulus might be lurking in the store . . . she is not fearful, but she will be cautious.
#2 It’s early morning, the birds are singing, and Tom is getting ready to leave for work. His service dog Lively is so excited that he can’t sit still enough for Tom to put his collar and service cape on. Tom relaxes back in his chair and calmly tells Lively to “Settle,” lowering his voice on the second syllable. Lively responds by sitting next to Tom and giving a big yawn . . . he has calmed down and is now ready to get dressed (in collar and cape) and go out.
#3 It’s been a long day and both Jason and his service dog Honey are tired. They are on their way home, but decide to catch an earlier bus than usual to get out of the summer humidity. As they cross to the final stretch, Jason sees a bus in the distance and is unsure if it is for them. Just in case, he gathers his energy and animatedly tells Honey “Quick, Quick!” and they speed to the bus stop arriving just in time. Honey understood that even though she was hot and tired, it was time to pick up the pace.
CORRECTIONS
Service dogs should be trained without the use of much physical correction, because their future partner may not be able to follow through with the correction like the dog’s trainer. A dog raised with physical corrections will be somewhat immune, needing stronger corrections over time to get through to him. In addition, some client’s will have spasms and the dog will have an easier time accepting jerks as accidents if there isn’t a history that these physical “corrections” are for doing something wrong.
Once the dog fully understands his tasks, corrections may be needed to let him know that an inappropriate behavior is not an option. For example, a service dog can’t pull on the leash when he should be heeling: if an 18-month-old dog is still pulling occasionally, the trainer can “draw the line” with their hand, showing the dog that they are not to cross in front of the knee. If a dog that age does forge, the trainer can “bump” any part of the dog’s body that crosses the line. If a dog is unresponsive to this type of correction, they may not have a soft enough personality for service work. If the client has dog training experience, it could work; however, unless they have compatible personalities, it won’t be a great relationship.
