Advanced Training

Upon completion of the puppy raising phase, the dogs begin their advanced training at our training facility. 

During the dog’s next 8-9 months - while at the training facility - each dog (or dog and partner) will receive another 220 hours of individual instruction. (They will have already received 40 hours during puppy raising). The dog's temperament, intelligence, and sociability are evaluated. Professional trainers build upon the basic obedience training the dogs received as puppies.

More commands are introduced.  The dog demonstrates obedience skills by responding to voice and hand signals.  The dogs are exposed to a variety of mobility devices (wheelchairs, mobility harnesses, canes/braces), new situations and experiences to prepare them for life as a service dog.

Primary abilities (described by the Delta Society 2002) the dog must learn include:

• Proofing:  is the most time consuming part of training a service dog.  Proofing means patiently inoculating a dog against distractions, one distraction at a time.  Proofing is usually started with the dog in a sit, down, or stand-stay position, and then progresses to distractions while heeling and during recalls.  Distractions may start out as mild and progress until the dog will remain oncommand even while other dogs are playing around him or fighting, while a bunny or cat dashes by, while bystanders offer food and call to him, and when his leash is dropped, all at the same time.  A service dog is of limited public access assistance if he cannot be relied upon to resist these typical distractions.
   
• Heeling:  is an abstract concept - to maintain a relative position to the handler, regardless of how the handler might move.  If the handler moves forward, the dog also moves forward, maintaining his position relative to the handler's hip or the wheel of his chair.  When the handler turns, the dog also turns automatically.
   
• Task training:  is fundamental to the development of a service dog.  Task training for mobility service dogs include bracing, locating, retrieving, nudging/prodding, opening/closing, turning switches on/off, depositing, unloading, carrying, tugging, transporting, emergency speed dial and harness based tasks (tow, haul, pull).  In many regards, task training is the test of whether a dog is actually a trained service dog.  While not required by law, the service dog (while in public) should always wear a vest with a logo that identifies this dog as a service animal.

Partner Training

Recipients and their families learn and practice acceptable training techniques and become familiarized with proper service dog etiquette.  The Partner must demonstrate that their dog can perform the requisite tasks under a variety of environments.  To support and establish a positive relationship, the dog will remain with his/her new partner during the evenings.

The recipient is given instructions on how to prepare for life with a service dog, and has time to ready their home.  We help all family members understand and appreciate the role of this service dog and their responsibilities as a family member.  It is crucial that the family understand this is a working dog - not a pet.

The service dog will undergo additional specialized training to mitigate their partner's specific struggles. In essence, this is a type of "fine-tuning".

Several weeks are spent adjusting to the new home and integrating into the family.  This time is crucial for bonding, so socialization takes priority over training.

After this adjustment period, one of our trainers visits the home on a daily basis for about one week - depending on the particular needs and progress.  During this time specific needs are addressed.  The trainer visits all places the dog and partner will need to navigate together (school, job, playgrounds, stores, restaurants).  The dog and partner must pass our public access test before the trainer leaves.

Typically, formally instructed Service Dogs complete their training by the age of 24 months.  MSD actively participates in ongoing support after placement, remaining cognizant of the ongoing challenges facing the disabled.  Specifically, we will provide monthly on-site consultation and training for the three year after placement.  We are always available by telephone.