This post contains affiliate links. Sites like Amazon and Chewy give us a small amount of $ if you purchase something using a link from us (at no extra cost to you).
We also run advertisements on the site. Please understand that the ads are randomly generated and we do not control which ads you see when.
In this episode of Pandemic Puppy, Kayla and Matthias Lenz discuss raising Service Dog puppies. They cover the lessons you can learn from how service dog puppy raisers work with their puppies.
What is helpful when raising and training guide dog puppies that other puppies may be missing?
- The typical service dog makes an ideal pet
- Breed is often important; labrador retrievers are used for a reason
- Start early on with impulse control exercises
Turning Distractions into Reward
- Set your dog up for success, make the training easy
- Reward your dog for not responding to distractions
- Turn distractions into an opportunity for reward
- Engage Disengage game
- Creating Desirable Behavior Around Distractions
Settling tips and tricks:
- Settling is an important skill for a service dog, or a pet dog
- It is important not to be too enthusiastic with your rewards
- Give a treat slowly, don’t make eye direct contact, be calm
- Reward baby steps to slowly shape it into a full settle
- Sit on the Dog Exercise
- Using a lower value reinforcer is helpful
- Karen Overall’s Relaxation Protocol
How much sleep do puppies need? What happens if they don’t get enough?:
- If they are biting a lot more than considered normal, it might mean they need more sleep
Leash Frustration:
- Be empathetic to the dog; leashing is so unnatural for them and it’s understandable that they will get frustrated
- Teach your dog about leash pressure and what it means along with rewarding loose leash walking
- Silky Leash
- Dr. Sophia Lin – Leave it
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
- Engage Disengage game
- Creating Desirable Behavior Around Distractions
- Sit on the Dog Exercise
- Karen Overall’s Relaxation Protocol
- Silky Leash
Where you can find Matthias Lenz:
BC & Alberta Guide Dogs
IAABC Working Animals Division
You can support the Pandemic Puppy Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/pandemicpuppy.
Get extra help with your puppy through Journey Dog Training’s Puppy Raising Blueprint Course.
Join the free Pandemic Puppy Raising Support Group on Facebook.
Kayla founded Journey Dog Training in 2013 to provide high-quality and affordable dog behavior advice. She is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant who’s worked with hundreds of private clients, thousands of shelter dogs, and dozens of working detection dogs. Kayla’s dog and cat behavior advice has been featured in NPR, the Chicago Tribune, and Pet MD. She’s an avid adventurer who is currently doing #vanlife on the Pan-American Highway with her two border collies and a cat. Aside from running Journey Dog Training, Kayla also runs the nonprofit K9 Conservationists, where she and the dogs work as conservation detection dog teams. You can get 1:1 advice with a Journey Dog Training team member here.
