The Actions that speak louder then words.

Looking at the tasks and behaviours I and other Assistance Dogs do to help our handlers day to day lives.

"A Task is a trained or refined behaviour that we dogs do that can aid a disabled handler, it could be picking up an item, helping with clothing, opening or closing doors, deep pressure therapy or nudging to help ground someone during a mental health crisis. These are but a few helpful things we can do."

As with every Job there are things you have to do to accomplish it. For an Assistance Dog like me I have to help My handler with things that they otherwise would struggle with. Some of these are passive like my presence and warmth can reassure them when things worried them, but others have to be taught. An example as shown in the photo about is me pushing the Open Door Button on an automatic door for my handler. Between sight issues and mobility some days my handler doesn't have enough hands (paws?), So instead of struggling they showed me that when that button was pressed (and ones like it) the door would magically open. After a few tries and positive reinforcement I started to do it and get use to the noise and motions. Then all that Alison had to do was attach it so a verbal command. Then, the next time they came to a door like this and needed help open it I know what to do when I was asked to do it.

Another example of a task I was trained to do was, is my mobility work, I help Alison navigate objects like stairs and curbs in the pavement. I help by keeping pace and even making sure they can find support like handrails. I will also pick up dropped items, pull tabs and even assist with clothing. I mean what dogs doesn't love socks right? These where all behaviours that mostly naturally occur or can be invited, then either a trainer, or handler can encourage and mould them to fit a purpose. There are many training routes and we prefer force free routes and positive reinforcement when it comes to training. The best way is to understand that at the end of the day if we dogs are worried or really don't want to do it we wont. We can learn to tolerate things, like baths and nail trimming but we work our best when tasks are made into games and fun.

I heard world famous Dog trainer Susan Garrett say; "Dog training isn't easy, But it should be simple"

A good example of tasking can be seen with medical alert, now some of us dogs know by nature that something is off with a person due to changes in smell of behaviour, I cant detect Alison's seizures. Another example is with that good boy Frenchie Giles who has in 6 short months learnt how to detect and early warn his handler of an oncoming asthma attack, he can let them know that they need to take preventive measures before things get out of hand or even fetch the meds himself. He started noticing the changes in breathing behaviour and potential even the changes in gas levels like the smell of CO2, or even the increase in stress hormones like cortisol (science is still arguing it out). But we are super in tune with our handlers and as time goes by these subtle changes mean that we can learn to alert as early as possible to an episode to make sure our handlers can manage their condition or seek help. And if all fails we can get the help to them. In future blogs we hope to share more on the job tasks on our travels, so make sure to subscribe not to miss a post.