Training Schedule for My Service Dog

This is a loose schedule I have developed for my service dog.  It is subject to change, of course, depending on how quickly the dog progresses and whatever else comes up that I haven’t thought of yet.  I don’t know how long each phase of training will last.  Each obedience class the dog will take is six weeks long, but I don’t know how much time there will be between each class.  Other than the obedience classes and hour-long sessions with our professional trainer, most of the training will take place in short sessions (10 or 15 minutes at a time) several times a day.

Phase One

Basic Obedience Class

Learn sit, down, stay, come with minimal distractions in house and in yard

Good House Manners – not jumping on people, only one or two warning barks if someone comes into the yard, sitting nicely to greet visitors, sitting to wait to be fed, not begging for food when people are eating, chewing only chew toys, not bothering the cats, sit nicely to get leash on

Walking Nicely on Leash

Socialization – get used to multiple visitors at home, riding in car to obedience class and other places, exposure to various noises and objects

Phase Two

Intermediate Obedience Class

Practice sit, down, stay, come with minimal distractions but in various locations including M’s parents’ house, pet store, vet’s office, etc.

Increase length of down stay

Socialization – taking more places including M’s parents’ house, pet store, vet’s office, downtown, outside mall, different parks, etc.

Arrange to spend time around children, elderly people, etc.

Train to eliminate on various surfaces – concrete, gravel, etc.

Phase Three

Advanced Obedience Class

Practice sit, down, stay, come with distractions and in various locations

Increase length of down stay

Practice fetch and leave it

Naming objects, practice finding them, practice going to get Mike

Start using SD gear

Public access training – vet’s office, downtown, outside mall, CVS, post office, outdoor eating areas – short visits only

Phase Four

Review basic commands in various locations with distractions

Increase length of down stay

Continue to review all commands

Practice leave it with more desirable items

Practice recall when off leash, like at dog park

Use SD gear for longer periods of time

Start task training – bring pills, turn on lights, find car

Public access training – slightly longer visits

Work on meal time manners – dinner at M’s parents’ house, outdoor eating areas, having guests for dinner

Phase Five

Increase length of down stay

Continue with task training – bring pills, turn on lights, find car, guard bathroom door, find exit, get Mike, search house

Public access training – slightly longer visits

Continue working on meal time manners

Continue to practice recall when off leash