Service Dogs for P.t.s.d, Anxiety and Depression

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· Proper Leash Edict: This teaches your dog that you are the leader not them and that it is imperative they respect you and your pace while walking. Proper education on leach will prevent your dog from pulling you when it sees other people, animals, cars etc. and keeps you and them safe. It also teaches the dog to remain on your left side, stop when you stop, allow you to lead etc.

· Ask for permission/ "watch" command: Teaches your puppy to look at you for permission to do things as well as programs him to always watch for your next command. This behavior also promotes respect and your dominance making not only future training but daily life easier. This command is helpful when asking the animal to perform more complicated or rarely used commands. Animals are visual animals and when committing with people are largely dependent upon body language, tone and hand signals accompanying vocal commands. The watch command is a trigger word allowing you to immediately request your dogs undivided attention and turn any situation into a work situation. 

· Quiet Command: Teaches your dog it is okay to bark once or twice to alert you to danger or to signal to others a warning as protection for you but once given the command to quite the barking will stop and will not restart unless situation changes or signaled to do so. These animals are trained significantly different from our personal protection dogs so will not be allowed at any time during training to show marked aggression towards a strange, outside of the home setting. German Shepherds tend to have a natural protective quality about them and will most likely protect you in the event of an attack/emergency but for purpose of service training they will be specifically taught to show no aggression out side of several warning barks or growl when feeling threatened. And are not guaranteed in any way to serve as a means of protection. 

· Proper Vehicle Edict /Getting in and out of vehicle: This is an extremely important behavior to teach because even if your puppy will not go on to being a service dog or travel with you often it is imperative they behave well in a vehicle for your safety and theirs, even if it is just once a year to the vet. This teaches your dog to await your command before entering or exiting a vehicle, laying down or sitting quietly in one spot while within the vehicle. To remain quiet the entirety of the trip even if someone approaches your vehicle. 

o Load up:This command gives your dog permission to enter your vehicle and remain there until commanded otherwise. 

o Out:This command gives your dog permission to exit the vehicle. During training apart of vehicle obedience, the dog is taught to never exit the vehicle without permission to avoid safety issues. Despite all vehicle doors being opened even for a prolonged period of time the dog is taught to remain inside the vehicle and in his designated place. 

· Open Door Policy:This refers to teaching your puppy to await your approval/ command before entering or exiting an open door. This prevents your animal from pushing passed you to exit a home possibly causing injury, more control and safety when answering the door for company as well as preventing safety issues for your dog. 

· Polite Feeding:This teaches your puppy to wait for permission before starting to eat his food. Teaching your dog to await your command before eating reinforces that alfa / submissive dynamic that shepherds require. It establishes that you’re in change and you are allowing them to eat. It also curbs food aggression and “stealing food” from counters, tables etc. Most of all it creates a controlled safe environment while feeding. Your dog is not jumping, pushing or knocking food from your hands as you attempt to feed him. Even after food is placed in front of the dog he is taught not to eat until given an okay by you. 

· Kennel Command:This teaches your dog to enter his kennel and remain there until the next command. Teaching this allows individuals to confine their dog whether it be to leave the house or go to bed without a struggle. When you say “kennel” your dog will immediately go to its kennel and remain in there until you direct otherwise. 

· Place Command:Similar to that of the Kennel command this command prompts the dog to immediately go to his designated “place” and remain there until given further instruction. This will be a separate place from the kennel and its used for a shorter duration. Typically, this command is used when the dog is required to be out of its owner’s way for a relatively short amount of time. For example if someone new comes into your home, you need to keep the door open to bring in groceries and do not want the dog under foot or even something as simple as your moping the floor and do not want the dog to walk on it for a few minutes. This command also doubles as a “time out Spot”. Not to be confused as a negative reprimand but if you see the dog is getting worked up / excited you can send them to their place until the anxiety level decreases and demeanor changes. 

· Stay: I know this one sounds like I through it in here to fluff up the content, but this command is different than your typical puppy basic obedience type stay. This command can be used for any amount of time. It holds components of the “place command” but is not associated with one specified/ set place. Another difference is that this command will be primarily used outside of the physical home. The command “Stay” can be used in service dogs when your dog is required to stay in one spot for an undesignated amount of time and is no longer able to see you. For example, if you are shopping and need to go into the next isle but do not wish for the dog to follow. This will cue the dog to stay in its exact spot even though it can no longer see you and it will remain in that position until commanded by you to move. After training the dog will be able to perform this task regardless of distractions from environment or length of time. 

· Back:This command is exactly as it sounds but is not a typical part of basic obedience training (although it should be). This command is especially useful for service dogs when navigating tight quarters and populated areas such as busy stores, farmers markets etc. It signals the dog to either move backwards or turn around and go the other way dependent upon individual situation. The command Back can also be used in everyday life and allows you more direct and controlled movements of your dog. 

· Come/Here:This command also seems very basic and mundane but truly it is one of the most important fundamentals.  This command is the very first command a puppy is taught especially when introducing it to its given name. Even though it is the most basic it is one of the most challenging to master but is a fundamental requirement for all other training. The Come command prompts your dog to return to your side and await a second command. This behavior is expected from our trained dogs regardless of distance from owner, on or off leash as well as the presence or lack there of distractions. This command ensures safety in all facets. It allows you to remain in control of your dog despite environmental changes or factors.