Medical alert dog training programs are specifically designed to teach dogs to detect and alert their owners to specific medical conditions, such as diabetes, seizures, or allergies.
These programs typically involve a combination of obedience training, scent training, and alerting training to help the dog understand its role and respond accordingly.
The goal of these programs is to create a strong bond between the dog and its owner, while also providing the owner with a reliable and consistent alert system.
By following a structured training program, owners can teach their dogs to detect specific scents, sounds, or other cues associated with their medical condition.
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Training Options
At Buckeye K9, training options are tailored to meet your unique needs and wants. The first option is purchasing a new service dog, which involves an interview to determine the best dog for you and your home.
You'll work with a team to hand-select a dog that matches your needs, and then train that dog to your specifications. Training includes on-leash obedience and all the service dog commands you need.
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Training can last up to 4 months, depending on the specific scenarios you require. The cost includes the purchase of the dog, all training before placement, and placement training with you and the dog.
Placement training can be done in a group setting or one-on-one private lessons, depending on your situation.
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Our Service Program
Our Service Program is designed to support individuals with various medical needs, from diabetes to epilepsy, and mental health challenges. We offer a range of training programs to match each handler's unique requirements.
We have developed an OWNER-TRAINING PROGRAM that serves as a middle ground between receiving a fully-trained service dog from a large organization, or doing it all yourself. This program builds upon our existing Partnership Training philosophy, incorporating the training of individual tasks that mitigate a handler's disability, as well as critical public access training.
Our training programs address four critical components of a well-trained service dog team: Foundation Obedience Training, Service Dog Task Training, Public Access Training, and Handler Education on service dog rights and laws. These components are essential for a successful partnership between the handler and their service dog.
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Our training programs can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each handler, taking into account the dog's age and the handler's learning style and pace. We offer a range of training options, including Board & Train, Private Lessons, and a combination of both.
Here's a breakdown of our training programs:
- Foundation Obedience Training: 2 weeks, $1,800
- Advanced Training (PA Prep): 2 weeks, $2,000
- Task Training: varies, $1,800-$5,400
- Public Access Training: 4 weeks, $4,000
We also offer a Service Dog Puppy Jump Start program, which is a 2-week intensive training program for puppies, costing $1,400. Additionally, we have a range of training gear available, including leashes, collars, vests, harnesses, and more, costing between $250-$500.
Our service dog training programs are designed to provide a powerful partnership between the handler and their service dog, transforming their life and providing invaluable assistance and support.
Types of Assistance
Medical alert dogs are trained to assist individuals with various medical conditions. They can detect changes in blood sugar levels, anticipate seizures, and provide emotional support.
We specialize in training diabetic alert dogs, seizure alert dogs, and psychiatric service dogs. These dogs are expertly trained to detect changes in their handler's condition and respond accordingly.
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Diabetic alert dogs can detect changes in blood sugar levels, providing invaluable assistance and support to individuals managing diabetes. They can also alert their handlers to impending medical crises.
Seizure alert dogs demonstrate an extraordinary ability to anticipate and respond to seizures, offering crucial assistance and comfort to individuals with epilepsy. They can also assist their handlers in recovering from a seizure.
Psychiatric service dogs are dedicated and specially trained companions that offer vital support to individuals facing mental health challenges. They can provide comfort, emotional assistance, and facilitate a sense of security and well-being.
Some common tasks that psychiatric service dogs are trained to perform include creating space for their handler in crowds, watching behind their handler for strangers approaching, and alerting their handler to impending medical crises.
Here are some specific tasks that psychiatric service dogs are trained to perform:
- Create space for handler in crowds (Blocking / orbiting)
- Watch behind handler for strangers approaching
- Alert handler to impending medical crisis (panic attack, flashback, meltdown, etc.)
- Deep Pressure Therapy to calm handler after medical crisis or to reduce length/severity of medical episode
- Alert to/interrupt maladaptive behavior (i.e. skin or nail picking)
- Interrupt meltdowns/crying
- Turn on lights in dark room/perform room searches
- Provide tactile grounding (physical contact on cue, head in lap for petting, persistent/soothing licking)
- Find Help in case of medical emergency (parent, family member, even a stranger)
- Help prevent bolting
While every dog is unique, our training approach centers on kindness and ethical training, avoiding harmful tools while building confidence and trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do service dogs know when to alert?
Service dogs alert by detecting subtle changes in human behavior or through their heightened sense of smell, which can indicate an oncoming seizure. While the exact mechanism is still debated, research suggests that these dogs are highly attuned to their owners' needs.
How do I teach my dog to alert me?
Teach your dog a precise alert behavior on cue, such as a paw touch or nose nudge, by training it to respond to both visual and verbal commands. With patience and practice, you can help your dog become a reliable alerting partner
Is a medical alert dog the same as a service dog?
A Medical Alert Dog is a type of service dog that is specifically trained to detect and alert its handler to an impending medical crisis. While all Medical Alert Dogs are service dogs, not all service dogs are Medical Alert Dogs.
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