FAQs
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
I started training dogs at 15 years old, when it was decided I would need a medical alert service dog. Unfortunately, trained service dogs go for tens of thousands of dollars. However, here in the US, handlers can train their own service dogs, so 15 year-old me decided, "Well, I can do that." Turns out, I could. Through working with my Stella Blue, I've gained an incredible passion for working with dogs. By the time I was 17, I knew that this was what was I wanted to do with my life, and now, here I am striving for it.
- What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Look for a trainer who is positive-based, and primary trains by training you rather than your dog.
- What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?
"What issues are we having?" "Could my dog have any medical issues?" "Is my dog getting enough exercise?" "Are there any triggers (i.e. barking at cars, barking at the door, lunging at squirrels, etc.) that can be identified?"