AUTISM ASSISTANCE AND PSYCHIATRIC SERVICE DOG TRAINING

We coach you through the process of training your dog to be a Austism Assistance or Psychiatric Service Dog.

Through Positive Reinforcement, we will teach you everything from new puppy training, to public access training, to task specific training. Our program includes the Public Access test, Task Specific test, and constant support along the way. We work with new puppies and dogs that already have some training. Classes are held throughout San Diego, CA.

Autism is a neurological disability that affects the way the person thinks, processes sensory information and interacts with others. A service dog could help to cope with a difficult situation, dealing with transitions and facilitating social interactions. Getting out with a service dog can also reduce isolation, increase exercise and help with anxiety and depression that often occur in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Service & Therapy Dog Training 2

A psychiatric service dog is a recognized sub-category of service dog trained to assist their handler with a psychiatric disability or a mental disability, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

The training to have your dog become a Service Dog includes everything from new puppy training to task specific Service Dog Training. Our Autism Assistance and Psychiatric Service Dog Training Program are one of the most unique programs in the world, as we coach clients through training their dog to become a Psychiatric Service Dog. The training process can be very therapeutic for our clients because they learn to use positive reinforcement to train their dog, with us coaching, teaching and supporting along the way. We hold weekly sessions around San Diego where your dog will learn to be a Service Dog.

What does the program include?

  • We train YOU how to train your pup to be a Service Dog with individualized training, and weekly lessons

  • We meet once a week in person for an hour at various locations in the community

  • We offer virtual support in between in person sessions

  • We can train as few as 2 tasks or as many as you would like

  • Customized Training plan that takes your puppy from as young as 8 weeks to Service Dog. This includes puppy training, public access training and task specific training

  • Weekly homework and video submissions for you and your pup

  • Access to US throughout entire process

  • Specific Service Dog Task Training depending on your needs

  • Public Access test training sessions with you

  • Public Access Test

  • Service Dog Task Specific Test

  • Continued refresher sessions, support and community with other graduates and current students

Tasks we train

Grounding/Tactile Stimulation

Dogs can be trained to provide deep pressure therapy and tactical stimulation accordingly to the client’s triggers and needs.

 

Alert Tasks

  • Alert family member

  • Alert handler to another person or child crying/calling/yelling

  • Alert for help

  • Alert to alarm

  • Alert to intruder

  • Alert to panic attack

  • Respond to anxious behaviors

  • Routine reminders (remind handler to take medicine, go to bed, etc)

  • Wake up handler

Interruption Tasks

  • Interrupt self-harm

  • Interrupt crying

  • Interrupt dissociation

  • Interrupt flashback

  • Interrupt freezing behavior

  • Interrupt nightmare

  • Interrupt repetitive behaviors

  • Interrupt scratching/skin picking

  • Lick face/hands

  • Interrupt panic attack

Positional Cues

Dogs can be trained to put themself between a client and a trigger in public. This can help client’s gaining exposure to difficult situations

 

Retrieval in Emergency

Dogs can be trained to retrieve a phone, medication, another person, or anything a client needs

Requirements: Letter From a Physician

We require a letter from a licensed physician or psychiatrist prior to training a Service Dog. Please do not inquire about training a Service Dog if you simply want to be able to take your pet dog into places that otherwise would not allow him. This is an ABSOLUTE requirement. Your dog must pass the Public Access Test or equivalent.

Proper dog to do the work

The applicant must have the proper dog to do the work. The dog must not be overly fearful or aggressive to humans or other dogs. If the applicant’s dog does not pass the temperament test, a new dog will be a requirement. At this point, the applicant may choose to either go with an NPO for the purchase of an already trained dog or choose to continue with a donated, rescued, or purchased a dog at his/her discretion.

Public Access Test

Your dog must pass the Public Access Test or equivalent.

Good in Public

The dog must prove to be good in public. It must not be aggressive to dogs or humans, must stay by the owner’s side without being a nuisance, and must follow commands without the need of forceful correction. The dog should be able to navigate through crowds of people, in and out of doorways, and calmly lay down next to or under a table as appropriate.

 

Certified since 2017

 

Book a free phone consultation

 

You can reach us at:
(619)794-9091
Aimee@dogpaniondogtraining.com
or via our contact form.