How our training program works:

If you’re interested in getting a Detection Dog you will start by sending us an email of your interest, then we will send you back an application for training. This will be done with a Google Form link. After completing the application, we will set up a phone consultation with you, to answer any questions you still have and help you understand how the program works. 

 

 If you don't already have a dog, we will begin our search for a puppy together as we find you a reputable breeder in your area. We will work together with the breeder to test the litter for traits desired for service work. After finding a puppy or two in the litter, or if you already have a dog, we will scent test for them for the target odor dog will be trained for to ensure they can be cohesively trained on the target scent. If you are getting a puppy you will pick up your puppy and four days after we will begin our Zoom video training sessions. 

 

We will meet on Zoom one to two days per week for a one-hour session. We will begin scent training, obedience, as well as begin proper socialization and desensitization. I will guide you through how to do everything. Have no fear you are not training alone. We will begin public access work after the puppy is potty trained, has all its vaccines, and has a good start on obedience in the following:

 

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​If you already have a dog after the Zoom consultation, I will also have you take your dog to a dog friendly public environment and record video of you and your dog doing the following:

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• Riding in the car (dog)

• Walking past merchandise

• Walking past food and dog toys

• Walking past another dog

• Reaction to a dropped item

• Exiting the store

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After I have received the videos, we will set up a Zoom call to go over the video and perform the nose work test. If your dog shows an interest and the traits required for service dog work, we will begin training one to two days per week for one-hour sessions, if not we will begin the search for a puppy (see above for details). We will begin scent training, obedience, as well as start proper socialization and desensitization. I will guide you through how to do everything. We will begin public access work once the dog has all its vaccines and has a good start on obedience in the following:

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• Collar grab and leash up

• Sit

• Stand

• Down

• Recall

• Focus

• Crate training

• Settle on place

• Wait at the door

• Wait for the food bowl

• Stand to be examined

• Tuck or under table, chair or legs

 

 

 

Once the dog is imprinted on the target odor, and ready to start public access we will start proofing all skills, in both obedience and scent work, in public in multiple types of environments.

This is a heavy video-based program which will require you to take lots of videos while training in public, then when we are in session we will go over the video and discuss skills you and your dog have learned. This way we can improve your team working relationship or I will work with you on new skills, so you and your dog can work together as a team no matter what you encounter in the public.  In this program you will learn canine body language so you can intervene before your dog becomes stressed or flooded. This program is designed to be fun, stress and fear free, promoting a team relationship between handler and dog.

When the dog is working accurately and confidently in all situations you and your dog will take a scent test and a public access test. Hopefully, you will leave this program with a Diploma for your dog, trust and empowerment for yourself, and a new sense of freedom to live your life to the fullest with the help of your detection dog by your side