Step 1
Prepare for Training: 
- Prepare several hundred high reward, small and soft treats (ex: chicken, cheese, bread, tortillas) 
- have small bags of treats prepared ahead of time, these need to be stored where they can me immediately available. 
- Choose a two syllable word that your dog does not hear on a daily basis (ex: hippo, yee Ha!, meow)
- Choose 7 different outdoor locations to do this training at. Start in your yard or an enclosed space. When your dog has it down start doing this in other locations. 

Step 2
Conditioning to Command:
- Say the word you have chosen and when your dog comes to you immediately feed your dog the highest reward treat. Do this as fast as you can, within 1-3 seconds. Repeat 100 times daily for 7 days. Do this conditioning in 7 different locations. 

Step 3
Move training to outdoor spaces:
- At a dog safe off leash location let your dog play and explore. Randomly say your chosen word and reward when your dog comes to you. Repeat 100 times at 7 different locations, do this with your dog at different distances from you. 
- Take advantage of moments when your dog is very interested in something, chasing a squirrel, playing with another dog or is out of sight from you. These are perfect opportunities to practice this recall. 

Step 4
After week 1 repeat on this schedule: 
- Weeks 2-4, repeat daily
- Weeks 5-6, repeat 3 times a week
- Weeks 7-8, repeat 1 time a week
- Weeks 9 and on, refresh 1-2 times a week

TIPS
- Do not overuse this command. It is for emergencies or immediate recall only. 
- Choose a treat that is an almost daily food for you. 
- Keep the treat you trained recall with consistent.
- Always give your dog the same treat you trained recall with. 
- You can use this recall for other unexpected encounters (ex: coyotes, snakes, deer, other dogs) ​

Kennel training a puppy takes time. Be patient and do what is recommended here and in a few weeks your puppy will learn to love their kennel. 

Start with food: 
Start by feeding and watering your puppy in their kennel. Stick with a schedule. Do this two to three times a day. Also give treats in the kennel. The goal here is to have your puppy associate the kennel with good things. Do this for a week. 

Reward the choice to be in the kennel: 
Whenever your puppy decides to be in their kennel reward with treats and praise. Again, you want your puppy to see the kennel as a safe space for them to relax in. 

Start with short amounts of time: 
After your puppy sees the kennel as a safe space, start closing the door for 15 minutes at a time. Do this for a week several times throughout the day. Never force your puppy into the kennel, instead entice your puppy with treats. 

After the first week of kennel time:
After the first week of 15 minute kennel breaks, start gradually increasing the time your puppy is in the kennel by 5 minutes a day. When you have reached 30 minutes start increasing by 10 minutes a day. 

What to do when the puppy cries:
When your puppy cries in the kennel, let her cries or acts out. Your puppy has to learn to self regulate their emotions. Crying and acting out is a way that they do this. Gradually your puppy will learn to stop crying/acting out and will stay calm in the kennel. This process of self regulating helps your puppy to mature into an emotionally regulated dog. 
Do not let your puppy out of the kennel until she has been quiet and calm for at least a minute. This rule teaches your puppy that they will not be let out unless they are calm.
​

​Struggling to potty train your puppy or wanting to know how to encourage your pup to go outside? Here are some tips on how to do this effectively. 

Choose a potty spot outside: 
If an potty accident has happened inside soak a paper towel in the urine and place it in the spot in your yard that you have chosen as the designated potty spot. Doing this will communicate to your puppy that you want them to potty outside. 


Consistently reward your puppy:
Your puppy will benefit from being rewarded each time they go to the bathroom outside. Do this by saying, "YES, potty." Then follow with a treat. Be consistent with this step. It is important that your puppy be rewarded for going potty outside. 

Put your puppy on a regular feeding schedule:
Feeding your puppy at the same time every day will encourage their body to develop a potty schedule. 

Choose when to give your puppy water: 
Pick up your puppies water dish a few hours before bedtime. This will help your puppy not eliminate inside at night. 


Other things to do: 

Keep your puppy on a leash: 
Keeping your puppy on a leash and take him with you when you walk around the home. This will help build a bond with your puppy and will prevent him from going potty in places that you do not want him to go. 

Do not overreact: 
If and when your puppy eliminates inside, do not over react. Instead, calmly take your puppy outside and allow them to finish going potty. After he is done reward with praise and a treat. 

Completely clean the messes up:
Using an enzymatic cleaner, clean any messes up thoroughly. This will remove the smell of urine and feces that tell your puppy to continue eliminating in that spot. Remember to fist soak a paper towel in the urine and place it outside. It can also be helpful to place any feces where you want your dog to go at in your yard. 

Do not punish your puppy: 
Punishing your puppy will do more harm than good. Doing this will make your puppy afraid of you and will prevent them from going potty in your presence. Instead, stay calm and take your puppy outside to the designated potty spot. Then reward when your puppy decides to go potty. 

​
By doing what is recommended in this article your puppy will soon learn where the appropriate place is to potty and your home will be safe from potty accidents. 

Down2Earth Dog Training recommends poodles for allergens and other scent alert service dog work. Poodles are bright and intelligent, they are also easy to train and to teach new things. Poodles make great service dogs for first time handlers. ​

These smaller dogs are great for individuals who need mental health support and companionship. Down2Earth Dog Training recommends this breed for most mental health conditions. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a cuddly and loving dog. ​

Golden retrievers are like labs in many ways. They are sociable and have a high drive to please. They don't get upset and do not easily startle. Golden retrievers are easy to train and usually want to live life next to  their handlers. ​

Collies are beautiful dogs. They are used by Down2Earth to help detect and alert to clients oncoming seizures. Collies are also recommended for PTSD and other psychiatric conditions. Collies have a friendly temperament and are great for working with children. ​

The smallest dog on this list, Pomeranian's are adept at service dog work. Pomeranians are very versatile working dogs. Down2Earth Dog Training suggests Pomeranian's for diabetes and asthma attacks. They also work when a small dog is needed. ​

Bernese mountain dogs are well suited for almost any situation and service dog or psychiatric service dog training. Down2Earth Dog training recommends Bernese Mountain Dogs for those who use wheelchairs or who need help getting up from sitting or laying positions. ​

FRIENDLY STRANGER
Your dog must sit next to you while the evaluator approaches you. The evaluator will then shake your hand, introduce themself and have a short conversation with you. While this is happening your dog must stay neutral and not show aggression, shyness or fear.

SITTING POLITELY FOR PETTING
The evaluator will bend down or over your dog and will then begin to pet your dogs head and body, gradually making their way from head to tail. Your dog must not show any dislike, disdain, shyness or aggression. You are able to reassure your dog during this portion of the test. 

APPEARANCE AND GROOMING
This part of the test looks at if your dog is healthy and well taken care of. The evaluator will look to see if your dog is pleasing to the eye and clean. This test evaluates both the health and physical appearance of your dog, ensuring that your dog is appropriate for hospitals and restaurants. This test also evaluates your dogs neutrality to being groomed. 
During this portion of the test the evaluator will examine your dogs ears, paws and gums. The evaluator will then comb your dogs fur. 

WALKING ON A LOOSE LEASH
This test demonstrates that you are in control of your dog while walking them on a loose leash. 
The dog may be on either side of the handler. The dog’s position should leave no doubt that the dog is attentive to the handler and is responding to the handler’s movements and changes of direction. The dog need not be perfectly aligned with the handler and need not sit when the handler stops. The evaluator may use a pre-plotted course or may direct the handler/dog team by issuing instructions or commands. In either case, there should be a right turn, left turn, and an about turn with at least one stop in between and another at the end. The handler may talk to the dog along the way, praise the dog, or give commands in a normal tone of voice. The handler may sit the dog at the halts if desired.

WALKING THROUGH A CROWD
This portion of the test shows that your dog can walk through a crowd in a polite and controlled manner. 
The dog and handler walk around and pass close to several people (at least three). The dog may show some interest in the strangers but should continue to walk with the handler, without evidence of over-exuberance, shyness or resentment. The handler may talk to the dog and encourage or praise the dog throughout the test. The dog should not jump on people in the crowd or strain on the leash.

SIT, DOWN AND STAY ON COMMAND
During this part to the AKC test you and your dog will demonstrate that your dog can stay in a sit and down position.
The dog must do sit AND down when cued by the handler, then the owner chooses the position for leaving the dog in the stay. Prior to this test, the dog’s leash is replaced with a line 20 feet long. The handler may take a reasonable amount of time and use more than one cue to get the dog to sit and then down. The evaluator must determine if the dog has responded to the handler’s cues. The handler may not force the dog into position but may touch the dog to offer gentle guidance. When instructed by the evaluator, the handler tells the dog to stay and walks forward the length of the line, turns, and returns to the dog at a natural pace. The dog must remain in the place in which it was left (it may change position) until the evaluator instructs the handler to release the dog. The dog may be released from the front or the side.

RECALL
This portion of the test shows that your dog will come to you when called. 
​With the dog still on the 20 ft. line from Test #6, the handler will walk 10 feet from the dog, turn to face the dog, and call the dog. The handler may use encouragement to get the dog to come. Handlers may choose to tell dogs to “stay” or “wait” or they may simply walk away, giving no instructions to the dog.

REACTION TO ANOTHER DOG
This test shows that your dog is polite and under control in the presence of another dog(s). 
Two handlers and their dogs approach each other from a distance of about 20 feet, stop, pretend to shake hands (hands do not touch) and exchange pleasantries, and continue on for about 10 feet. The dogs should show no more than casual interest in each other. Neither dog should go to the other dog or its handler.

REACTION TO DISTRACTION
This test shows that your dog is confident when faced with a loud or unsettling distraction. 
​The evaluator will select and present two distractions. Examples of distractions include dropping a chair, rolling a crate dolly past the dog, having a jogger run in front of the dog, or dropping a crutch or cane. The dog may express natural interest and curiosity and/or may appear slightly startled but should not panic, try to run away, show aggressiveness, or bark. The handler may talk to the dog and encourage or praise it throughout the exercise.

SUPERVISED SEPERATION
This test shows that your dog continues the behaviors tested previously, but in the presence of a stranger and not you. 
​Evaluators are encouraged to say something like, “Would you like me to watch your dog?” and then take hold of the dog’s leash. The owner will go out of sight for three minutes. The dog does not have to stay in position but should not continually bark, whine, or pace unnecessarily, or show anything stronger than mild agitation or nervousness. Evaluators may talk to the dog but should not engage in excessive talking, petting, or management attempts (e.g., “there, there, it’s alright”).

​ALLERGEN ALERT
These service dogs are trained to alert their handler to allergens that may be present in food and spaces.

SEEING EYE SERVICE DOG
Seeing Eye Service Dogs help blind or hard of sight handlers navigate the world they live in.

SEIZURE ALERT SERVICE DOG
Seizure alert service dogs alert individuals with seizure disorders to oncoming seizures

E.S.A AND THERAPY DOGS
Emotional support and therapy dogs help individuals with mental health conditions, in home only. 

DIABETIC ALERT
Diabetic Alert service dogs alert their handlers to high and low blood sugars.

HEARING ASSISTANT DOG
Hearing Assistant Dogs help alert deaf and hard of hearing individuals to sounds or dangerous situations.  

SEIZURE RESPONCE DOG
Seizure response service dogs help keep individuals safe, before, during and after a seizure. 

PSYCHIATRIC SERVICE DOG
Psychiatric service dogs are trained to help with mental health conditions, in both public and at home.

P.T.S.D SERVICE DOG
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Service Dog offer their handlers  opportunities to cope and heal.

MOBILITY ASSISTANCE DOG
Mobility assistance dogs help individuals who are wheel chair or bed bound to receive what they need.

AUTISM SUPPORT DOG
Autism support dogs help individuals with autism to cope with their world and the stimuli in it. 

MEDICAL ALERT SERVICE DOG
Medical alert dogs are trained to alert an individual to a specific health condition. 

CLICKER TRAINING
Clicker training is when a handheld clicker and treats are used to encourage a dog to do certain behaviors. This type of training begins with priming, which is a repetitive click and reward technique that hypnotizes the dog to see the clicker noise as a positive reward. This type of positive reinforcement training can be used to train your dog to do almost anything. 

SOCIALIZATION TRAINING
Socialization training is a method of training that slowly allows your dog to be exposed to the world and everything in it. These situations could be meeting new people, other dogs, children, stores, new sounds and scents. This type of training is always an adventure. 

REWARD BASED TRAINING
Reward based training focuses on the different ways dogs are motivated. These motivations are: affection, food, praise and/or toys. These areas of motivation are focused on and reinforced through repetition.

BUILDING A BOND
Through day to day positive reinforcement you and your dog build a positive and lasting bond. This bond allows the two of you to create a team mindset. The mindset created is based in trust and understanding, your dog knowing that they can trust you because you have shown your trustworthiness through positive training, encouragement and reinforcement. 

MIRROR TRAINING
Mirror training is when a model dog, a dog trained to assist in training sessions, is used to help your dog know what to do. A model dog session is taught in a "monkey see, monkey do," way. This helps your dog see and do what is needed to be successful in their goals.  

GAME BASED TRAINING
In game based training toys and games are used to teach a dog how to behave and act. Just like treats, toys and games can be used as a reward. Instead of giving a treat a ball can be thrown or a tug toy can be used. 

​SPOT
Teaches a dog to balance on an object. The record so far has been on a penny. 

TRADE
Service dogs need to know how to trade objects for rewards. Such as a medicine bottle for a ball. 

HUSH/BARK
These two commands ensure that you have control of how and when your dog barks.

KENNEL
Kennels offer service dogs structure and safety. This command helps to reinforce these feelings.

HERE NOW
Having an emergency command that calls your dog to you immediately can save your dogs life.

SIT
Teaches a dog to sit on command. It is important to do this in several places.

DROP
This command gets your stuff back when your dog is naughty and stealing it from your closet. 

IGNORE
Sometimes it is hard for even a service dog to stay focused. This command is a reminder. 

COME
Come is a command that is celebrated because the way to teach it is through relationship building.

FREEDOM
This command lets your service dog know when it is appropriate to act and play like a normal dog. 

STAY
All dogs need to know how to stay in place for any certain amount of time. 

DOWN
Teaching down ensures that your dog knows how to respect the human body, counters, etc. 

GO-TO
"Go-to" tells a dog that they are temporarily being passed to a new hand. Done with a leash. 

OFF
This command can be used when your service dog decides that muddy paws belong on the couch. 

GO POTTY
An easy to teach command that lets your service dog know when it is time to take a break and go potty.

LAY
Service dogs need to know how, when and where to lay down. 

HEEL
This command teaches your service dog to walk, sit and/or lay down within a foot of your side. 

WAIT
This command teaches three very important service dog skills, restraint, patience and trust. 

LEAVE IT
Used when a temptation is tempting your service dog (like your daughter with a chicken nugget).

UNDER
Service dogs are brought into many situations where the only place to put them is under a chair or table.