How do I Train Special Dogs for the Disabled in Tennessee?

Training a service dog is much more complicated than training your average puppy. Assistance dogs provide a variety of services for the disabled. They fetch items, guide owners around and can alert others if a medical crisis occurs. Because of this, their training is very specialized and dramatically different from the training a normal pet receives. To train a service dog for the disabled, nationally as well as in Tennessee, a person has to follow strict training methods under the supervision of the organization that will place the dog into a home.

Things You'll Need

• Kennel or crate
• Fenced-in yard

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Instructions

• 1

  Find and contact an assistance dog organization in Tennessee. There are only a few assistance dog organizations across the state, such as Partners for Independence and Retrieving Independence Assistance Dogs (see Resources). Some train dogs while others simply place them into homes with disabled applicants. Ask for referrals to trainers that work with dogs for the disabled or other agencies that might be new or seeking volunteer trainers.

• 2

  Volunteer your services. The organizations that train and place assistance dogs with the disabled are often nonprofit groups in need of volunteer assistance. Start volunteering through simple tasks, such as cleaning kennels or manning booths at fundraisers to get a feel of whether or not you're a good fit with the group's goals and policies. Many organizations simply need people willing to foster and socialize puppies before their training begins.

• 3

  Ask to observe training techniques to determine if you could follow the group's training guidelines and commit to the timeline required for training a service dog. In most cases, full training of a service dog will take between six months to a year to complete. If your schedule allows for this, assist an experienced trainer before taking a dog to train on your own. You will need to study and learn specific techniques, guidelines and training methods as established by the organization prior to becoming a full-fledged trainer.