My Service Dog and Me

24/06/2024

GET YOUR SPOT INSIDE OUT FREE WORKSHOP CLASSROOM NOW!

Go to the link below and click on any of the webinar/workshop tabs.
Fill out the form, and we'll email you the link to join the workshop classroom!

https://linktr.ee/myservicedogandme

21/06/2024

DID YOU CHECK OUT OUR FUNDAMENTALS WEBINAR YET?

The Webinar is packed with great information to help you get started and feel confident about the fundamentals of service dog training such as:

- Exactly what a super solid foundation consists of
- How to know what to focus on with your dog
- How to train the skills we talk about

There is only a short time left to watch this webinar for FREE!

Go to this link below and sign up for our classroom that includes: Fundamentals Webinar, Socialization 101, and coming soon in July The Heeling Workshop.

https://linktr.ee/myservicedogandme

20/06/2024

WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO BEAT THE HEAT WITH YOUR SDIT?
(Share your tips in the comments below).

On those really hot days enjoy our Webinar Classroom *FREE resources including: Fundamentals Webinar, and Socialization 101.

Our next workshop next workshop starts July 2nd, 2024: Heeling

Go to the link below to sign up:

https://linktr.ee/myservicedogandme

*FREE some resources are available for a limited time.

19/06/2024

➡ The Fundamentals Webinar replay is FREE for a limited time.

All the details are here:
https://linktr.ee/myservicedogandme

18/06/2024

16/06/2024

CALM, CONFIDENT, AND FOCUSED

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gc0gtTsvRw

ALSO

IT’S ALMOST HERE! 🎉🐾

A quick reminder that our FREE live webinar is coming up TOMORROW. Make sure to sign up & save your spot soon.

https://linktr.ee/myservicedogandme

15/06/2024

WHAT ARE: THE MOST IMPORTANT FOUNDATION SKILLS TO FOCUS ON?
(Share you thoughts in the comments below.)

IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE VIDEO SEE THE REPLAY: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gc0gtTsvRw

ALSO

IT’S ALMOST HERE! 🎉🐾

A quick reminder that our FREE live webinar is coming up in just a few days. Make sure to sign up & save your spot soon.

https://linktr.ee/myservicedogandme

14/06/2024

Today on YouTube, we discussed the three most important things we wish owner trainers would focus on with their dogs.
We covered:
→ Why these skills actually lead to future success
→ Why focusing on a list of behaviors is an incomplete view of foundation training
→ Talked about our favorite ways to build each of these skills
Catch the video here:
https://youtu.be/6gc0gtTsvRw

Most of our students come to us facing a challenge in these exact fundamental skills—either with the puppy they’re getting started with OR with an older dog that didn’t get the right foundation training in the beginning.

This is why we are hosting a FREE live webinar Monday—to give you the tools and knowledge you need to actually do foundation training effectively OR to fill in the holes of your dog’s foundation if he’s already been training a while.

In this webinar, we’ll cover things like:

➡️ Exactly what a super solid foundation consists of
➡️ How to know what to focus on with your dog
➡️ How to train the skills we'll be talking about

Don’t miss it!

Date: Monday, June 17th, 2024
Time: 12:00 pm CST (noon)
Location: In the Webinar Classroom Follow this link to sign up:
https://linktr.ee/myservicedogandme

You can find the Fundamentals Webinar, Socialization Webinar, Facebook group, and Heeling Workshop below:https://linktr.ee/myservicedogandme

12/06/2024

The biggest challenge we see for owner-trainers often has to do with rushing.

We sometimes rush the process intentionally or unconsciously because we want our dogs to function like a service dog as soon as possible.

But that’s just not how it works.

Your service dog is still in training. Which means…

They still need your help. They need you to guide and lead the way.

Training a service dog is an ongoing process, and it's all about progress, not perfection, especially in the beginning stages.

Every step forward is a win, and every challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow together.

Remember: good things take time, and the more time you put into training, the better the outcome & stronger the bond. 👏

TIPS FOR IMPROVING YOUR PUBLIC ACCESS TRAINING
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNJBvwx0oPc&list=RDCMUCIwFo1w3H82sCeHEijsHx7g&start_radio=1

10/06/2024

WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THE "TIPS FOR IMPROVING YOUR PUBLIC ACCESS TRAINING" VIDEO.

If you missed this informative video, here is the link for "Tips for improving your public access training"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNJBvwx0oPc

05/06/2024

SO LETS GET THESE FAQ'S ANSWERED!

"Why we toss treats during training (and let our dogs eat them)."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M1GExdHTIY

03/06/2024

Can you imagine WHY we toss treats during training? (And let the dog eat them?)
Answer our short quiz and then watch our new Youtube Video to see the answers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M1GExdHTIY

24/05/2024

Tips for house training your service dog fast.

Before our puppies can grow up to be service dogs, they have to get through the puppy phase, a phase that can be quite challenging for owner-trainers. So this video is all our best tips for house training your puppy fast!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APJPlDwLl48

(Image: yellow lab puppy with red collar sitting on blacktop looking up at person.)

21/05/2024

Because service dog training is a marathon not a sprint, days off are important.
What do you do, (with your SDIT/SD), on your days off?

(Image: Redish medium length haired dog with white on chest, standing and holding on end of tug toy with person in jeans and dark shirt, short hair, who is holding other end of tug toy, both on grass.)

20/05/2024

EFFECTIVE SERVICE DOG TRAINING

Training a service dog takes long enough without bogging down our training with sloppy training sessions. In this video I'm talking about a concept called "loopy training", which took my own training to a whole new level efficiency, letting me get more done faster with our service dogs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekVhqnDD7pw&t=151s

(IMAGE: Yellow lab with red vest sitting in front of, and looking up at person in blue jeans, blue jacket, and hat, in front of white slat board building with ice cream cone on it.)

17/05/2024

Training a service dog requires a lot of time, and a lot of training. So one of the top questions we get, is how long should your training sessions be? So let's talk about it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eKSdU8tJcc

(Image: Yellow lab with red vest sitting in grass looking up at person in blue jeans, dark top holding the dogs leash.)

15/05/2024

HOW DO YOU ADJUST YOUR TRAINING TO BEAT THE SUMMER HEAT?

Check out our free youtube channel: My Service Dog and Me. https://www.youtube.com//featured

(Image: Yellow Lab With Blue Harness Laying On Green Grass, In The Shade, Tongue Hanging Out.)

10/05/2024

HOW TO CREATE WEEKLY TRAINING PLANS FOR YOUR SERVICE DOG IN TRAINING.
Want to see how I make my weekly training plans? That's what we're going through, step-by-step, in this video! See, I LOVE weekly training plans because they allow me to make, and stick to, a plan (which is really important for long term success) in a way that works for me without being too overwhelming!

Want to see how I make my weekly training plans? That's what we're going through, step-by-step, in this video! See, I LOVE weekly training plans because they allow me to make, and stick to, a plan (which is really important for long term success) in a way that works for me without being too overwhelming!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp6ayNblWYE

08/05/2024

WHY LABELS HURT YOUR TRAINING, AND WHAT YOU SHOULD DO INSTEAD.

We often label our dogs without even thinking about it. That's what humans do, we label things so that we can categorize them. The dog is "stubborn" or "difficult" or "reactive." Sometimes these labels help us save time, but only if everyone really understands what the labels mean.

In this video I'm talking about why using label can hurt and slow down your service dog's training. I'm also talking about what you can do instead.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsDksVkBDPs&t=1s

06/05/2024

Let's talk about why trick training is one the best things you can do to prepare your service dog, and yourself, for task training!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHbfpMNncbQ&t=8s

(Image: Red long haired dog with white streak down the face and body, sitting on the ground, with mouth open, looking up at camera.)

26/04/2024

WHAT IS TRIGGER STACKING?

Let's talk about trigger stacking, something I find most owner-trainers haven't heard of, but everyone needs to understand, especially for public access training.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC_kiUd2tvY&t=3s

(Image: Young yellow lab puppy in green and black harness, sitting on concrete, head tilted to one side, looking up at camera.)

24/04/2024

TEACHING YOUR PUPPY TO HEEL. MY TOP THREE TIPS.

When it comes to teaching your service dog to heel, there are a few things you need to do regardless of the method you're using. So, here are my top three tips for teaching your puppy to heel!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQP_IAAhqa4&t=11s

(Image: Small yellow lab on leash, looking up at person in blue jeans holding leash, on wooden walkway with grey railing.)

19/04/2024

WE'RE CURIOUS, HOW OLD IS YOUR SDIT/SD?

CHECK OUT OUR link tree that gives you links to great My Service Dog and Me resources.
https://linktr.ee/myservicedogandme

(IMAGE: Your golden retriever on grass looking up.)

17/04/2024

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO TRAIN A SERVICE DOG?

You must be willing to spend two years training your dog.

I often hear people say they chose to owner-train because wait lists for program trained dog were too long. But here’s the deal: If the program wait list is two years or less, training your own service dog won’t be faster. Yes, he may be able to perform some tasks at home sooner than that. But it takes two years to train a service dog.
Two full years. That is what it takes.

This means that during that time, you don’t have a service dog. You have a service dog in training. And service dogs in training should not be treated as fully trained service dogs (see our position statement on public access training).
During these two years you’ll need to balance your health with your dog’s training. You’ll have to work through puppyhood and adolescence (depending on the age of the dog you bring into your home).
You’ll need to spend time training regularly in public OUTSIDE of your normal errands and appointments. You’ll need to set up training sessions to address whatever challenges your dog runs into. You’ll need to spend time proofing all your dog’s behaviors around all kinds of distractions.
Two years of finding accommodations for your dog if you go on vacation or must be in a hospital setting for any length of time.
This is what it means to have a service dog in training. Two years of in training, not working, in public.

(IMAGE: Fluffy white adult dog with red vest with patch that says "service dog" on black leash.)

12/04/2024

Wether it's raining or sunny, cold or hot, our free youtube channel is full of great owner/trainer resources for inside and out.

My Service Dog and Me Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com//featured

(Text: What are your plans for the weekend?
Image: Upper left, small yellow lab puppy sitting on wood bridge, attached to leash looking up at person. Upper right, grey terrier playing tug with red toy with person in jeans and jacket on grass. Lower full, redwood fence on grass; red medium size dog with blue vest sitting in front of person in jeans and jacket.)

10/04/2024

THE BEST TREATS FOR TRAINING YOUR SERVICE DOG

What treats I use, why I use them, and how I choose which ones to use.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im5RgSv-NHQ

(Type: What type of treats do you use in your training? A.) Their Food B.) Packaged C.) Fresh D.) Other)
(Image: Small lab puppy with red collar siting, (outside), before person in jeans shirt and sandals who is giving puppy a treat. )

08/04/2024

HOW TO CHARGE AND USE A MARKER WITH YOUR SERVICE DOG

This video is all about why you should be using a marker in your training (whether that be a clicker or a word), how to introduce one, and the most important things to know about using a marker.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeBCi7bQbyE&t=10s

(Type: Do you use a marker with your SDIT? 1.) I use a clicker 2.) I use a word 3.) What's a marker?)
(Image: Yellow lab with red vest with collar and leasy siting in front of person in winter cap, jacket and jeans.)

05/04/2024

CAN MY SERVICE DOG IN TRAINING PLAY WITH OTHER DOGS?

Should I take him to the dog park or doggie day care for socialization? How can I make sure he's both social with other dogs and can ignore them while he's working?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLe_7GA5FOM&t=2s

(Image) Two long haired dogs, one golden one reddish, playing on grass).
(Type) Does your sdit have play mates? If so where? A.) Home B.) Friends homes C.) Meet ups.