Gluten Detection Dog Training
Owner Training Program
Kari Bastyr, MS, CPCN, CDBC
Virtual Gluten Detection Training
This is an online, owner-training program for you and your service dog prospect. I will meet with you on Zoom twice a week, and work with you and your puppy virtually. This is how I taught my service dogs, and often teach in my private practice. It’s a convenient and fun way to learn, it allows me to see you in real-time and guide you, and provides an alternative to in-person training when there is too much distance between us. I was doing online training way before Covid lockdown, and have really mastered the most beneficial ways to teach this way. I am lucky to have been mentored by Dawn Scheu, of Willow Service Dogs. She trained the first gluten detection dog, Willow. I learned from the best in the business!
Gluten Detection Dog Program Information:
In between our lessons, you can send me short videos of your daily practice sessions so if anything pops up that is a concern, we can go troubleshoot. Or we can watch the videos together to see your progress.
Training on Zoom is live, dynamic, always changing (just like a puppy class), and done safely in your living room or office to decrease the chances of your puppy getting spooked or distracted.
In order to start my program, I will do a basic temperament test with your puppy, and have you provide videos. Better yet, let me help you choose the right breed and puppy for the best service dog prospect. If you have an older puppy, I will do a temperament and odor test before we start. I only want to make sure they have the personality, drive, and intelligence to complete the program. With my background in anxiety and fear, it will be easy for me to determine if your dog is a good fit for service dog work. I do not recommend starting with an older dog over the age of 2.
Service Dog Training Approach:
Ideally, you’ll need a basic background in dog training and dog behavior. This is also a HUGE time commitment, so you’ll need at least an hour or two per day, sometimes more, to devote to your dog. It’s like another full-time job, but obviously one that will eventually be a life-saver.
All dogs will be taught with positive reinforcement only. No choke, prong or shock collars are used in my program. If you've always used a shock or prong collar, it's okay. You have come to the right place! The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior discourages the use of shock, prong, and choke collars for training because they increase anxiety and fear. In my program, I will teach you all about the wonderful benefits of positive reinforcement training and how to train your dog using this method.
Service dog training is not for everyone. If you think you want one and have what it takes, check out our great courses to get you started.
How much does it cost to train a gluten detection dog?
One Lesson: $125
Four Lessons: $300/month (once a week for 50-60 minutes)
Eight Lessons: $500/month (twice a week for 50-60 minutes)
Dog Training Sessions:
I highly recommend doing two lessons a week to get the most out of training. Once a week will take your dog longer to finish. I’ve done both, and I can definitely say I got way more work done with 2-lessons a week because of the accountability.
Before You do Anything:
My main goal is to help you be successful and graduate with a finished service dog. This means making sure you go through the entire process of finding a breeder, working with your breeder, testing the puppies to find the best candidate (both temperament and odor), and helping you pick the best candidate for gluten detection. There are steps that need to be checked off, in order, that will help you have the best chances of success. Testing for service dogs is done at 7 weeks old. It will be completed by me, with the help of the breeder and a neutral person the puppies have never met, over Zoom. Temperament testing IS NOT done solely by the breeder. It is not done any earlier than 7 weeks old. I use a puppy temperament test that is geared toward choosing a puppy that will excel in service dog work. I do not recommend picking any puppy because they are cute, or because you love a breed, or you had a certain dog when you were young. Your service dog is going to be a medical device for you, and help save your life. I want to guide you, and be a part of, the process for the entire journey.
If you are interested in training a gluten detection service dog, please fill out our Contact Form and we will set up an informational call to see if we are a good fit for each other.
I look forward to hearing from you!
