Handbook of Assistance Dog Training E-Book

Katharina Küsters

• Herausgeber: BoD - Books on Demand
• Kategorie: Ratgeber
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Seitenzahl: 110

Beschreibung

In this accessible and informative handbook, you will find detailed instructions and practical advice on how to teach your dog the basic commands and tasks it needs for everyday assistance. Whether you are training a dog to assist with mobility, helping veterans with trauma or supporting people with sensory impairments, this book covers all the essential commands to get you on the right track. Key features: Essential Commands: Learn the most important commands such as "off", "heel", "sit", "wait", "recall" and many more. Each command is explained in detail, with step-by-step instructions to ensure clear understanding and effective training. Specialized Assistance Tasks: Delve into specialized training techniques such as clicker training, target training and free shaping. Master advanced tasks such as retrieving objects, learning names and distinguishing different objects, tailored to the needs of your assistance dog. Tools and Equipment: Gain insight into the best tools and equipment for training your assistance dog. From collars and harnesses

Leseprobe

Contents

A Few Fundamental Words

Chapter 1: Basic Commands

1.1 Out / No

1.2 Heel

1.3 Taking Treats Gently

1.4 Walking Behind the Human

1.5 Run or Go

1.6 Left or Right Around

1.7 Eat Slowly / Eat on Command

1.8 No

1.10 Place (Conditioned relaxation)

1.11 Side Change

1.12 Sit

1.14 Taboo

1.16 Wait

1.17 Recall

1.18 Back Up

Chapter 2: Basic Commands for Specialized Assistance Tasks

2.1 Clicker Training

2.2 Target Training

2.3 Free Shaping

2.4 Retrieving

2.5 Go to… Person, Object, or Place

2.6 Hepp

2.7 Hopp

2.8 Learning Names

2.10 Nose Touch

2.11 Distinguishing

2.12 (Crosswise) Standing

2.13 Paw Touch

Chapter 3: Tools

3.1 Collar

3.2 Harness

3.3 Leash

3.4 Dummy / Treat Bag

3.5 Additional Tools

3.5.1 Clicker

3.5.2 Target Stick

3.5.3 Head Halter / Gentle Leader

3.5.4 Dog Backpack or Carrying Bags

3.5.5 Identification Vest

3.5.6 Wheelchair Leash

3.5.7 Autism Leash and Autism Harness

3.6 Behavior Interrupters

3.7 Animal Welfare Violation "Tools"

Preface to the Third Edition

What I had hoped for but did not expect has happened: my Handbook of Assistance Dog Training Part 1 is going into its second edition.

I am somewhat proud that so many people have incorporated my work into their daily training routines. I have received numerous feedback. Some of the suggestions I have been able to incorporate into this third edition. Some of the feedback was so individual that, unfortunately, I could not consider it.

What also brings me joy is that simultaneously with this second edition, the handbook will also be published in English. Numerous inquiries from English-speaking regions have motivated me to take this step.

I now wish you much pleasure and many inspirations while reading the new edition of the “Handbook of Assistance Dog Tasks, Part 1: Basics and Basic Commands”.

Sincerely, Katharina Küsters

Preface to the First Edition

For a long time, I have been fascinated by dogs that support people, replace a missing sense for them, or guide them safely through daily life and traffic. The training of an assistance dog takes a long time, a very long time. American trainers have calculated that fully trained assistance dogs (wheelchair companions or assistance dogs for veterans with trauma) have completed an average of 6,000 training hours. These training hours include not only the specific assistance tasks but also everyday things like housebreaking, acclimatization to environmental stimuli, unusual places and situations, and basic commands. Many people wish for an assistance dog by their side but do not have the financial means to afford such comprehensive training. This handbook is intended for these people and all other interested parties. Many times, clients and interested individuals have asked me for a foundational work. A handbook in which the most important basic commands are described and that can support self-training to become an assistance dog team.

Here it is, the Handbook of Assistance Dog Tasks Volume 1.

I wish you much joy and success on the path to becoming an assistance dog team!

Sincerely, Katharina Küsters

A FEW FUNDAMENTAL WORDS

Let’s get one thing straight: The training of an assistance dog begins with a fundamental understanding of how dogs learn, how the principle of reward works, and which training tools are effective and when. An assistance dog must also learn the most basic commands such as sit, lie down, and wait. These basic commands not only make daily life easier and are often tested in many assistance dog team exams, but they also form the foundation for more advanced tasks and specialized assistance skills.

The training of an assistance dog, like any dog training, involves more than just responding to specific commands. For an assistance dog to work long-term, stay healthy, and perform joyfully, its needs must be met. Additionally, the handler must have knowledge of canine communication, the dog's needs, and how a dog learns. In short, they need a basic understanding of canine psychology.

Before delving deeply into the training of the assistance dog, I would like to address a few fundamental aspects regarding how dogs communicate and which commands make sense from a canine perspective.

Dogs primarily communicate with each other through body language, positions, and presence, often referred to as "energy." For a calm canine life within a pack, whether that pack consists of humans or dogs, adherence to four commands — or better termed, four rules — is sufficient:

Come here or stay with the group! In human language: recall and heel.

Give it up! In human language: drop it, fetch, off-limits, and also "no."

Stop that! In human language: stop and no. These two commands are often used interchangeably.

Be calm! In human language: settle and wait, take a break / place.

Additionally, it is beneficial to remember: a dog initially perceives its world primarily through smell from birth, followed by the opening of the eyes and, later, the ears. Being mindful of this in everyday life and training facilitates harmonious cohabitation with any dog. If a dog, for example, favors sight over scent, it may impulsively react to visual stimuli: chasing cars or wildlife, pursuing wild birds, or halting running children by nipping, are potential consequences. Conversely, a dog solely focused on sniffing may forget about its human through intense scenting.

Addressing these points comprehensively would exceed the scope of this manual. Therefore, I refer to our seminar offerings and books by my colleagues in "conventional" dog training with a focus on canine psychology.

I have received criticism after the first two editions for frequently recommending assistance from a (assistance) dog trainer when encountering potential difficulties. Yes, this is true, and I will continue this approach in this book as well. Some challenges can be overcome with a thought-provoking book or video. Some challenging behaviors may be resolved with an outside perspective from an experienced dog person. However, some behaviors of the dog may potentially harm itself, its human, or its environment. To intervene directly in such situations, preventing a situation or behavior from escalating, I strongly recommend involving an experienced (assistance) dog trainer from the very beginning of basic training.

Assistance Dogs and Commands

Beyond these four canine commands / rules, assistance dogs, in particular, learn many tasks that enable them to help their human or even save lives. Many of these assistance tasks stem from the four "canine commands." Assistance dogs enjoy working with their human, want to do something to make them happy, and emotionally thrive when praised. Assistance dogs are specially selected dogs that possess these qualities, among others: enjoy working, enjoy doing things together with humans, grow emotionally through praise, and visibly appreciate praise without becoming overexcited. With a dog exhibiting these traits, patient and positively reinforced training, loving consistency, ample patience, and an understanding of how the dog learns, thinks, and behaves naturally, assistance dogs can accomplish remarkable feats joyfully.

How does the dog learn?

Many dog experts and numerous textbooks delve into this question. Therefore, this manual will not detail how dogs specifically learn. Addressing this important topic would exceed the scope of this "Assistance Performance Handbook."

Important for the training of the assistance dog is:

The suitable dog, whether a puppy, adolescent, or adult, is trained lovingly, consistently, with much patience, considering individual reward possibilities, at their individual pace and according to their abilities and future requirements.

A stressed dog cannot learn. A dog that is afraid cannot learn either. Hunger, under-stimulation, or lack of physical exercise can also negatively affect a dog's behavior, making it unable to concentrate. With the right pace, suitable training methods, and good motivation, especially assistance dogs can accomplish astonishing feats. For a well-trained and eager-to-work assistance dog, twenty-five or even thirty commands are not a problem. Such a well-trained assistance dog also enjoys working for many years.

What can motivate a dog to work with and for its Human?

Assistance dog training is primarily based on the principle of positive reinforcement through treats / food or toys.

Reinforcements / Rewards

In this book, reinforcement and reward are used interchangeably. It always means something the dog wants more or prefers to do in that moment compared to what it currently has or is doing. A reward must always be of higher value. Herein lies a problem: the human must recognize what the dog wants in that moment or what motivates it and must know the dog well enough to offer a higher-value alternative.

An Example

The dog would rather greet its dog friend than neutrally walk past it with its human. One option is to maintain a distance from the other dog so that the own dog can focus on its human, and if the own dog calmly walks past with its human, both dogs can be released off-leash / with a long line on command.

Another Example

The dog carries around a shoe. If this is not its task at the moment, the human can call the dog over and exchange the shoe for a treat. But CAUTION: some dogs, after a few repetitions, carry around anything and everything so that their human calls them over and they receive a treat. In this case, please train the dog to pick up something only on command.

A second problem may arise if the dog quickly changes its motivation object. While the food pouch was the best reward last time, the next time it could be interacting with another dog. Therefore, it is important to observe and weigh precisely during training what motivates the dog in different situations and act accordingly.

A third common problem is dogs that are not very interested in food. Yes, there are picky eaters for whom food is not a motivator but a necessity to survive. These dogs are often hardly motivated by treats. With these dogs, the human often has to patiently discover what motivates them. Many of these dogs can be motivated with a short play session or even a small cuddle.

And then there are the very special dogs that cannot be motivated by food, stroking, or toys. With these dogs, an experienced trainer must carefully weigh whether they are truly suitable for the job as an assistance dog. A special characteristic of a good assistance dog is their ease of motivation and that they visibly grow with the praise of the human, appearing proud of having done something well.

VERY IMPORTANT:

The tips, hints, and instructions in this book have been checked and noted to the best of my knowledge and belief. However, an assistance dog is also a living being with an individual character and sometimes very unique ideas. In case of questions or problems, an experienced assistance dog trainer should be consulted immediately. In case of health complaints or problems, the advice of a veterinarian should be sought immediately.

Liability, regardless of direction, by the author is explicitly excluded. The implementation of the exercises mentioned here is at the risk of the dog owner.

Rewards : What, When, How Much

A challenging topic that often sparks debate: rewarding dogs. Advocates ("YOU don't work for free either!") meet opponents ("For the dog, being able to do something for me is reward enough"). Whether there is one truth is difficult to ascertain. If so, it probably lies somewhere in the middle of these very contrasting opinions.

Before delving into the topic of rewarding the dog, let's explore some theory for better understanding. Originally, reward meant the "payment of wages" or "compensation, recognition, or honor" (Wikipedia, as of April 2019). In psychology, the term "reward" is now also used to describe a "reinforcer" (Wikipedia, as of June 2019). Against this backdrop, the theory emerges: "My dog shouldn't work for nothing, of course, he gets something for his effort." For many people, who also receive financial/material compensation (= reward) for their work (= effort), this is the only understandable approach.

In practice, there are people who naturally give their dog a reward (dog biscuit / treat) for every minor task accomplished, and those who only reward exceptional achievements (e.g., immediate recall) and plenty of variations in between.

A Look at the Two Extremes

The "always-for-everything-rewarder" and the "reward-only-for-special-achievements" person.

The "always-for-everything-rewarder" always carries treats and rewards every minor task, naturally and immediately (3-second rule). It's almost irrelevant whether the dog has accomplished a major task (e.g., coming when called from playing with its favorite dog buddy to the human) or something seemingly simple like a "sit".

A common problem is that many dogs, usually in adolescence, carefully weigh whether the reward from the human is better than what they are currently doing or have (want). Suddenly, the previously favorite treat is rejected because playing with the other dog seems more enticing. Next time, a "better" treat is brought out: sausage, cheese, or fish. But even this, from the dog's perspective, eventually loses its appeal to interrupt a nice game. What comes next? The Black Angus steak? The $100 fish? Eventually, it becomes difficult to always offer a "better" treat.