As I told you in my intro I'm training my own SD. I've not found anyplace that lists tasks for a SD for Alzheimer's/Dementia. Do any of you have any sites or info? My SDIT is doing well we've visited WalMart and Applebees, without problem. We called ahead both places do to Missouri Law. No problem found.

Just an update. We are working on task training and it is slow but sure. I use a training record form and am documenting her training times. We are making progress. Her behavior in public, when she is working, is very good. When shes not, shes more curious about the world. Thank God for the help on different sites helping my define how to break down into each step teachable steps.

I'm also training my new service dog in the basics and some of the things I learned with my former service dog. When he is out with me in public, I make sure to tell him he's "working." If he does something he might at home like in play, I tell him, " No, you're working." He is quickly learning that working is different than when he's on the "ok" to play scene.

Isn't it amazing how they just know?! I mean, when he's out he lifts his feet higher and methodically and makes the world "look at me" almost. LOL

They are truly amazing. I always tell Fenix she has to go to work. When her vest goes on she knows shes on the job. Right now we're working on "go to the car". She gets it right 1/4 of the time. I do a lot of repetition and praise. It works. Shes not treat oriented so praise is all that works. And she does like praise. Shes having the time in her life. We know that she will only be able to work for a period of time as shes 7 and now has a heart murmur. For a first SD she is very awesome.

Today Caleb brought me my shoes, as he wanted to go out! LOL I hadn't taught him that Just recently I've begun putting my shoes on and taking him out front rather than letting him loose in the fenced back yard.

He also tells me when I've been at the desk or computer too much. He comes, gets "into" my lap (well, he stands on his hind feet and the rest of him in on my lap) and puts his head on the desk and papers, or keyboard. When I went to move him today, he turned his head sideways, covering MORE papers. I finally got the "hint."

He recently learned to close his mouth when told to. When I check his paws each night (as I check him over and massage him) he has a tendency to soft bite or at least open his mouth and show teeth. (He's a labradoodle and has a soft mouth.) So I said that was enough...and closed his mouth and told him to close his mouth. When he did I praised him and gave him a treat. Now, already, when I say close your mouth, he does it. Good dog, sit, stay.

He recently taught himself to check out the house. There was a loud noise in the middle of the night. We "both" sat up in bed and looked at each other. I was relieved when he (the dog) decided to go check things out, the first time he had left me in any cautious situation. [He's still a puppy.] When he didn't bark or growl, I knew things were ok. [Turns out the tilers had pulled on my closet shelving, and it fell in the night with the clothes. I am moderately deaf and couldn't tell where the sound had come from.]

Sorry if I rambled. It's just so exciting to see him mature day by day.

Are you sure you just haven't found a treat she likes?

I am so happy to read these posts. My Mayze is still learning the basics (She's 11 weeks old), but I am trying to throw in commands like "enough" and "too close" (She tries to walk right at my legs and almost trips me - I was ttold by another trainer that that's because *she's* the one looking for support. After I get some of the basics down, I am going to start working on her with interaction with the public. She is excited when she sees adults, but when she sees children, she becomes extremely hyper.

Actually, this weekend, I am moving. I found out that right across the street from me is a trainer of service dogs! I am aware of my limited knowledge of training past the basics, so I am hoping that she can help me (I will pay her, of course).

btw - Nice to "meet" you two

This might prove helpful...

RETRIEVE BASED TASKS

Bring portable phone to any room in house
Bring in groceries - up to ten canvas bags
Unload suitable grocery items from canvas sacks
Fetch a beverage from a refrigerator or cupboard
Fetch food bowl(s)
Pick up dropped items like coins, keys etc., in any location
Bring clothes, shoes, or slippers laid out to assist with dressing
Unload towels, other items from dryer
Retrieve purse from hall, desk, dresser or back of van
Assist to tidy house or yard - pickup, carry, deposit designated items
Fetch basket with medication and/or beverage from cupboard
Seek & find teamwork - direct the dog with hand signals, vocal cues to: retrieve an unfamiliar object out of partner's reach locate TV remote control select one of several VCR tapes atop TV cabinet, other surfaces
Remove VCR tape from machine after eject button pushed
Use target stick to retrieve an indicated item off shelves in stores retrieve one pair of shoes from a dozen in closet
Use laser pointer to target an item to be retrieved
Drag Cane from its customary location to another room
Pick up and return cane if falls off back of wheelchair
Pickup or fetch Canadian crutches from customary location
Drag walker back to partner
Fetch wheelchair when out of reach


CARRYING BASED TASKS (non retrieval)
Move bucket from one location to another, indoors & outdoors
Lug a basket of items around the house
Transport items downstairs or upstairs to a specific location
Carry item(s) from the partner to a care-giver or family member in another room
Send the dog to obtain food or other item from a care-giver and return with it.
Dog carries a prearranged object to care-giver as a signal help is needed
Carry items following a partner using a walker, other mobility aids
Pay for purchases at high counters
Transfer merchandise in bag from a clerk to a wheelchair user's lap
Carry mail or newspaper into the house


DEPOSIT BASED TASKS
Put trash, junk mail into a wastebasket or garbage can
Deposit empty soda pop can or plastic bottle into recycling bin
Assist partner to load clothing into top loading washing machine
Dirty food bowl [dog's] - put into kitchen sink
Put silverware, non breakable dishes, plastic glasses in sink
Deliver items to "closet" [use a floor marker to indicate drop location]
Deposit dog toys into designated container
Put prescription bag, mail, other items on counter top


TUG BASED TASKS
Open cupboard doors with attached strap
Open drawers via strap
Open refrigerator door with a strap or suction cup device
Open interior doors via a strap with device to turn knob
Answer doorbell and open front door with strap attached to lever handle
Open or close sliding glass door with a strap or other tug devices
Shut restroom door that opens outward via a leash tied to doorknob
Close stall door that opens outward in restroom by delivering end of the leash to partner
Shut interior home, office doors that open outward
Shut motel room exterior door that opens inward
Assist to remove shoes, slippers, sandals
Tug socks off without biting down on foot
Remove slacks, sweater, coat
Drag heavy coat, other items to closet
Drag laundry basket through house with a strap
Drag bedding to the washing machine
Wrestle duffle bag or other objects from the van into the house
Pull a drapery cord to open or close drapes
Assist to close motel room drapes by tugging on edge near bottom of drape, backing up
Operate rope device that lifts blanket and sheet or re-covers disabled person when he or she becomes too hot or cold.
Alternatively, take edge of a blanket and move backwards, tugging to remove it or assist someone to pull the blanket up to their chin if cold


NOSE NUDGE BASED TASKS
Cupboard door or drawers - nudge shut
Dryer door - hard nudge
Stove drawer - push it shut
Dishwasher door - put muzzle under open door, flip to shut
Refrigerator & freezer door - close with nudge
Call 911 on K-9 rescue phone - push the button
Operate button or push plate on electric commercial doors
Turn on light switches
Push floor pedal device to turn on lamp
Turn on metal based lamps with touch-lamp device installed - nudge base
Assist wheelchair user to regain sitting position if slumped over
Help put paralyzed arm back onto the armrest of wheelchair
Return paralyzed foot to the foot board of a wheelchair if it is dislodged


PAWING BASED TASKS (some dogs prefer it to nose nudge)
Cupboard door - shut it with one paw
Dryer door - shut it with one paw
Refrigerator & freezer door - one forepaw or both
Call 911 on K-9 rescue phone - hit button with one paw
Operate light switch on wall - jump up, paw the switch
Depress floor pedal device to turn on appliance(s) or lamp
Jump up to paw elevator button [steady dog if he tries it on slippery tile floor]
Operate push plate on electric commercial doors
Close heavy front door, other doors - jump up, use both forepaws


BRACING BASED TASKS (no harness)
Transfer assistance from wheelchair to bed, toilet, bathtub or van seat - hold Stand Stay position, then brace on command, enabling partner to keep their balance during transfer
Assist to walk step by step, brace between each step, from wheelchair to nearby seat
Position self and brace to help partner catch balance after partner rises from a couch or other seats in a home or public setting
Prevent fall by bracing on command if the partner needs help recovering balance.
Steady partner getting in or out of the bathtub
Assist partner to turn over in bed; have appropriate backup plan
Pull up partner with a strap [tug of war style] from floor to feet on command, then brace till partner catches balance


HARNESS BASED TASKS - Mobility Assistance
(Only appropriate for large sturdy adult dogs with sound joints, proper training)
Assist moving wheelchair on flat [partner holds onto harness pull strap] avoiding obstacles
Work cooperatively with partner to get the wheelchair up a curb cut or mild incline; handler does as much of the work as possible, never asking the dog to attempt an incline unaided
Haul open heavy door, holding it ajar using six foot lead attached to back of harness, other end of lead attached to door handle or to a suction cup device on a glass door
Tow ambulatory partner up inclines [harness with rigid handle or pull strap may be used]
Brace on command to prevent ambulatory partner from stumbling [rigid handle]
Help ambulatory partner to climb stairs, pulling then bracing on each step [rigid handle or harness with pull strap may be used to assist partner to mount a step or catch balance]
Pull partner out of aisle seat on plane, then brace until partner catches balance [harness with a rigid handle and a pull strap, or pull strap only]
Brace, counter balance work too, assisting ambulatory partner to walk; the partner pushes down on the rigid handle as if it were a cane, after giving warning command, when needed
Help ambulatory partner to walk short distance, brace between each step [rigid handle]
Transport textbooks, business supplies or other items up to 50 lbs in a wagon or collapsible cart, weight limit depends on dog's size, physical fitness, type of cart, kind of terrain
Backpacking - customary weight limit is 15% of the dog's total body weight;10% if a dog performing another task, such as wheelchair pulling in addition to backpacking; total weight includes harness (average 3 - 4 lbs.). Load must be evenly distributed to prevent chafing.


OTHER KINDS OF ASSISTANCE IN CRISIS
Bark for help on command
Find the care-giver on command, lead back to location of disabled partner
Put forepaws in lap of wheelchair user, hold that upright position so wheelchair user can access medication or cell phone or other items in the backpack
Wake up partner if smoke alarm goes off, assist to nearest exit


MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TASKS (Sample)
Operate push button device to call 911, an ambulance service or another person to help in a crisis; let emergency personnel into home and lead to partner's location
Fetch insulin kit, respiratory assist device or medication from customary place during a medical crisis
Lie down on partner's chest to produce a cough, enabling patient to breath, when suction machine and/or care-giver unavailable

We're training the Chihuahuas to signal us to certain sounds, phone, someone at door, buzzers (alarm clocks, bread machine, timer, dryer, etc.) and while they do well with those, what else can I teach them that would be helpful for a dog under 6# to do? I want to teach them as much as possible but we mainly need them for hearing.

I'm newer to the board here and was reading these posts. Being I didn't see anybody respond to you I like to add besides hearing to sounds such as door, bells, alarms, people. You may want to teach your dog to alert to dropped items. Sometimes something drops and one doesn't realize it dropped because of walking away. I mention alert because some dogs will just auto pick up and that could be dangerous to them. So alerting first and then tell them to pick up if it's feasable! Just a thought.

I started training my service dog when he was 9 months old. I was in an electric wheelchair at the time and I could barley transfer and could only ambulate sidways. Both of my hands have limits and my right hand is also injured so self training was a chellenge but yet sooo rewarding. I started Hoss so young because he could medical alert me at 9 months and also suffered from seperation anxity. His previous owner was gone for many hours and he was left in a kennel. So I got permission from Physical Therapy to bring him there and explained that he was very young and in training. Today he is 3 years old and knows 110 commands. He not only can medical alert me, has saved others including my husband. He opens/closes doors, dresses/undress me and himself lol. He can retrieve anything dropped or laser light target, he makes beds, does laundry, monuvers with a wheelchair and mobility assists me (I got out of the wheelchair March 2007); Although have to have my heart worked on April 2008, hope I don't get put back in the chair. With Hoss' help we walk pretty good now. Hoss is so unbelievable he does anything I ask and knows exactly when it is time to work. Even when he is off work and on release he always checks in to see how I am doing. I don't know how I ever got along without him. I have been disabled for over 11 years and to this day I don't know how I did it with out this guy. He is my best friend and above eles he is my PARTNER. My husband has been soo supportive of me and Hoss. I don't know if any of you have noticed when you self train your dog information and supplies are very difficult to come by. My husband started this business because I was having a very hard time getting service dog supplies. This website also has a service dog forum and a service dog photo gallery page. You can also email questions regarding service dogs or supplies and we will get the answers for you the best that we can. He is the Yellow Lab on the top of the site opening the big locker room door at Physical Therapy. He is also on the service dog photo gallery. Well it is very late I must go. Everybody hug and kiss your service dog partners and have a great evening.
Lindecker01