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Service dogs are evolving, there are more
and more service dogs all the time, roles that they can fulfill to improve the lives
of humans. I've been a trainer of Paws'itive Teams since 1997, but probably since 1995
with other organizations. Paws'itive Teams uses operative conditioning.
We essentially reward the dog for, we encourage the dog to be creative in its thinking process,
to be engaged and reward them for stumbling on to the right behavior rather than punishing
them for stumbling on to the wrong behavior. So we get them enthused about the process
and reward them in small increments as they get closer and closer to the end goal.
On the other hand, not every dog is going to be a good service dog. It s really
what we call work ethic. They ve got to have a work ethic, they ve got to enjoy doing these
things for you. In order for a dog to perform well, it s got to have
a balanced life and that includes playtime and exercise and all its needs have to be
met. You can have a very well trained dog that will cease to perform if its life is
not balanced. Everything they learn is a game. We teach them that learning is
fun, it s a game, so life itself is a game. And we teach our graduates how to continue
play games. You continue teaching new things whether you need that task or not, it s a
part of keeping the dog active and keeping it engaged. Our trainers
spend two years working with our dogs and the trainer of the dog is the lead instructor
for the transition, so once we have designated a partner for the dog, that trainer works
with that person two to three times a week over a five month period of time.
The trainer of the dog is teaching that person everything there
is to know about that dog, is encouraging the bond, is watching the bond form
You know, it s a bittersweet thing, but you separate yourself emotionally and
you see the impact that dog has on that person's life.
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