Assistance Dog Services

14/03/2023

Reinforcement is an excellent way to reward your dog when they have shown you a behaviour you like or they have shown you something you would like repeated....it is a fast track to learning.......and for some dogs that can be the issue.

Rewarding needs to be done liberally but very....very carefully. Many times treats or pats are used at a time when what is to be reinforced has long passed....or just at the completely wrong time. If a delay in the reward is too late.....such as not having a treat on you and going to the cupboard for a treat/reward...often the association is lost.

Rewarding works....your dog will show you that behaviour again and again....and that IS exactly why many people face unwanted behavioural loops.

Just as confusing for dogs is being treated when they have no clear understanding of WHY they are being rewarded....so they will decide what they think you want.

In the case of a dog pulling on the lead...often people stop and reward when their dog stops pulling...some dogs may make an association to BE rewarded they must pull out on the lead....then stop to be treated....then pull out...then stop..... The unwanted behavioural loop begins.
Another issue with timing is if the reward isn't clear many dogs will "understand" that you WANT them to pull out and strain on the lead and then come back to you....and then pull out and strain again. Treats and rewards haven't been used carefully and now your dog will repeat this very behaviour you don't want.... and these loops can be really difficult to reverse for some people.

A better way to reward your dog to not pull when walking is to get some steps in when they ARE right beside you and NOT pulling, that is a FAR clearer signal for many dogs.

Barking on cue is problematic unless very clear boundaries are understood by both you and your dog. Many dogs that are taught to "speak" will practice exactly what you have taught them again and again and NOT in the circumstances you may like.

So beware of those unwanted behavioural loops.
Take a step back if you start to see them begin and look at how you can reward the little steps in the much bigger picture.

These loops can be unintentional or just bad timing.....sharpen up the timing to ensure you are rewarding what you WANT repeated.

23/12/2022

Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas.
I also want to thank everyone for being so patient this year as I have navigated some family situations which took me away from Assistance Dog Services. We seem to be back on track now, so see you all in the new year.

21/11/2022

18/05/2022

03/05/2022

Are you not sure where to start training your own assistance dog? I can coach you through the process.
Do you have coeliac disease? I can help you train your own gluten detection dog.
I have also coached people to train dogs for diabetes alert, allergen detection, PTSD support, mobility support, and general assistance dog work.
I have vacancies at the moment. If you are interested message me on Facebook or email me at [email protected].

18/04/2022

Celiac disease service dogs may not be as common as the well-known police and guide dogs - but they can help with a range of diseases, from mild to severe.

22/02/2022

20/02/2022

Today's PSA is brought to you on behalf of trainers everywhere who want you to know our choice to avoid the use of punishment isn't based on some rainbow & sunshine outlook on the world. It's based on our commitment to studying what science has learned - and continues to learn - about this incredible species we bring into our world rather than sticking to folklore & the "way it's always been done". When you know better, you do better.

10/02/2022

I have had 10 inquiries since I posted the add on Tuesday. Sadly I only have capacity for 2 new clients. once I have all the applications the hard part of choosing begins. I wish I was able to take everyone, but sadly I cannot.

08/02/2022

I have had 2 lovely clients finish their weekly sessions with me to be fully fledged assistance dogs. So I now have 2 openings in my training schedule. If you are interested I joining me to help you navigate the journey of training your own assistance do please contact me and we can discuss your needs.

07/02/2022

I am very lucky to get to work with some wonderful clients. I receive this lovely gift from Steph today. Thank you so much.

21/11/2021

🙌🏻 This 🙌🏻

04/11/2021

To the best of my knowledge, I am the only one is Australia training gluten detection.

21/10/2021

17/09/2021

Allowing dogs to engage in species-specific behavior is important to them. Sniffing, digging, and chasing are all examples of behaviors that are part of the joy of being a dog, and stufficide is no different. Engaging in these behaviors provides important physical and mental stimulation for our dogs

05/09/2021

This is true for dogs to.

19/07/2021

Lots of times, our dog’s messages get lost in translation. Because we don’t speak the same language, we need to become close observers of our dogs. By learning what they’re trying to communicate we can improve our relationships immensely.

Are any of these “translations” new to you?

www.ignoremydog.com

13/07/2021

Great way to illustrate cumulative effects.

09/06/2021

Whole Dog Journal‘s mission is to provide dog guardians with in-depth information on dog food, training, behavior, health, and more.

31/05/2021

It’s the first day of winter in Australia. Whether you are enjoying a fire in the Australian alps or a swim in the top end have a wonderful day.

15/05/2021

What is The Great Crate Debate? Proponents believe them to be useful tools. Opponents believe that their use is cruel. Who is right?

30/04/2021

Goes for dogs to.