Service Dog Training - Page 2

Looks like training is going well/may be successful. The human had a confirmed episode of afib and the dog alerted using the taught signal.

I know that Dog Training Institute offers service dog training- but I believe its a long and tedious process. I dont know much about it, and I dont know if they could help you with this, but maybe worth a phone call?

Thank you, DebutShepherds.

That's awesome! I really didn't think this was do-able!

Debutshepherds, some of the books I've read by organizations that train service dogs don't take into account how very smart GSDs are.

I read one that says you have to repeat something over 100x before you can be sure the dog REALLY gets it.

When I was training Ranger to be my service dog, I needed the help of a trainer to teach him to respond to the door, as I couldn't be in two places at one. It took him 15 minutes, and he was responding reliably to either a knock or someone ringing the bell.

The trainer then said, "You've paid me for a whole hour. What else would you like to work on? How about the kitchen timer?"

We did two reps with the timer. I'd hold a treat in my hand, and when the timer went off, Ranger had to nudge me to get the treat. Then I said, "You know, I use this timer maybe once every 6 months. Let's make sure he's proofed on the important stuff, like the alarm clock and smoke detector."

A couple of months later, I had the timer sitting beside me while I timed something I was baking. As soon as it went off, Ranger came over and nudged my elbow!

I'd totally forgotten about the trainer doing those two sessions, and at first I thought he was generalizing between the beep of the timer and the beep of the alarm clock or smoke alarm. It took me awhile to remember she had done this with him.

They really are amazing dogs!

They remember stuff better than we do LOL

OP, can you describe exactly how this dog is being trained to alert on afib?

Happy to help with this. Send me a PM and I'll give you my phone number.

I'd just like to know how you set up an afib episode to teach the dog what to respond to.

I would be interested to hear the answer to that question too, please.

Me three!