Owner-Trained Assistance Dogs: The Benefits of Training Your Own
By Becki Gude – Trustee of the Assistance Dog Assessment Association (ADAA)
Assistance dogs are remarkable companions that empower individuals with disabilities to lead more independent lives. These specially trained dogs provide invaluable support for a wide range of needs, including mobility challenges, mental health conditions, autism, and medical detection for alerting in advance of medical episodes.
Whilst many choose to get a pre-trained dog, training your own assistance dog comes with some pretty special benefits. As an assistance dog trainer who specialises in owner-training these dogs, I have seen some truly unique benefits to training your own dog in this way. It’s not just about teaching your dog to do things to help; it’s about creating and cementing that special bond and a unique partnership. Here are some of my favourite unique benefits you will experience if you decide to train your own assistance dog.
1. Building an Unbreakable Bond – from the get go!
Training your dog yourself means you have the benefit of starting this partnership during your dog’s puppyhood or younger months. Spending quality time together from day 1 whilst your puppy is still learning to understand the world creates an unbreakable bond. The relationship that develops during puppyhood can tune your dog into your needs, often knowing what you need before you even ask!
2. Avoiding the waiting lists
Whilst there are some incredible charities training assistance dogs in house to hand over to people in need later on, some of these charities have waiting lists of up to five years long! By selecting a puppy and training them yourself to become your assistance dog, you can start work right away without any waiting for your new best friend.
3. Personalised Training Just for You
When you train your own assistance dog, you get to customise their skills to fit your life perfectly. Need help grabbing items off the shelf? No problem. Want them to alert you to a specific sound or task? You’ve got it. By focusing on what you really need, you can train your dog to become perfectly tuned in to your day-to-day routines.
Assistance dog-in-training Humphrey (pictured) is making excellent progress on his journey to become a dedicated support companion for his young handler, 14-year-old Imogene. Now moving through his adolescence, Humphrey will soon begin learning specialised mobility assistance tasks tailored to Imogene’s unique needs. Having been by her side since he was just 8 weeks old, his training has been a rewarding experience for the entire family, strengthening their bond every step of the way!
4. Choose their food
Feeding good food is a key part of giving your dog the best chance of success. Their support deserves to be rewarded with quality food that supports healthy bone, brain and muscle development. Ideally with food that satisfies their instinctive desire for meat and fuels their energy. Make sure you follow recommended feeding guidelines as your pup becomes an adult and then a senior dog as their needs will change over time. Treats should be age appropriate and given in moderation and should represent 10% or less of your dog’s daily food intake. The rest should come from a nutritionally complete food. When using treats frequently, during training exercises, try to use small pieces.
5. Train at Your Own Pace
One of the best things about training your own dog is the flexibility. You set the pace, so if you need to take things slow, that’s completely fine! Around 50% of pre-trained assistance dogs coming through various charities don’t make the cut, and a lot of this is down to them not meeting certain milestones at certain points of the puppys life. With a slower pace of training, your dog is more likely to succeed. Plus, you get to choose the training methods that work best for you and your dog. It’s all about making the process as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
6. Save Some Money
Getting a fully trained assistance dog can be pricey, whether that is purchasing a dog through an organisation or having to donate a considerable amount to a charity. Training your own dog can save you a lot of money. While there are still costs involved, like classes and gear, it’s generally more budget-friendly than paying for a pre-trained dog. And if you already have a dog with potential, you’re even further ahead!
7. Feel-Good Factor
There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of teaching your dog to do something that makes your life easier. The sense of accomplishment is huge, and it’s empowering to know you’ve taken an active role in your own support. Plus, the training process can be a great way to stay focused and positive. I have seen many of my own clients grow in confidence as a result of training their own dogs, it is one of the best things about the process!
8. Long-Lasting Partnership
When you train your own dog, you’re setting up a long-term partnership. As your needs change over time, you can continue to teach your dog new tasks, keeping them a valuable part of your life for years to come. This adaptability is a big plus and ensures your dog is always there to support you. You also have the security that your dog belongs to you, not an organisation or charity, and they will be able to stay with you for their whole life.
9. Qualifying for Public Access and Aviation
While there is no official register for assistance dogs in the UK, many individuals choose to have their dogs professionally assessed through recognised organisations. The Assistance Dog Association (ADAA) a UK based charity, offers independent assessments for assistance dog partnerships, providing valuable peace of mind and ongoing support for those in need.
Our mission is to include individuals with disabilities who may not meet the criteria of existing ADUK charities or who are unable to access their services. The sense of achievement our teams experience when they qualify is truly inspiring. The hard work and dedication that go into this process are immense, and we couldn’t be prouder of our clients’ accomplishments.
In a nutshell
Training your own assistance dog is a fun, rewarding, and incredibly beneficial experience. From creating a dog that’s perfectly suited to your needs to saving money and making new friends, the perks are endless. If you’re up for the challenge, the bond and partnership you’ll build with your dog will be well worth the effort.
