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  Jack is a mobility service dog; he has been specially trained to do tasks that would be difficult or impossible for a person that has trouble moving. This is work usually done by much larger breeds.

   
  From a very early age Jack simply insisted upon being helpful. When something was dropped he would rush to get it and if he were able to pick it up he would give it. He then began to search for things to give, things like shoes, toys and magazines. In the kitchen he became determined to close cabinet doors and drawers.

Using a clicker and treats to direct his learning, I encouraged Jack's desire to help me. He quickly learned cues for "push", "pull", "put", "take", "bring", "give" then "left", "right", "up", "down", "out" and "back." With these skills, he could retrieve almost any object or put it into a container or wherever directed. To find out more about what Jack can do and how he was trained, read below.

Click any picture for a larger view.

   
  Jack is a big help on laundry day.
   
 

   
 

   
 

   
  Jack is very handy in the kitchen too. He gets things out of the cabinet for me and he helps to keep the kitchen tidy.
   
 

   
 

 

   
  Jack likes to open and close doors.
   
 

   
  Yard work is so much easier with Jack around. He picks up sticks, garden gloves, tools and anything I direct him to and puts them into the garden cart for me.
   
 

   
 

   
  After a summer storm tree branches litter the yard. Jack helps me clean up by bringing sticks and branches and piling them at the base of a big maple tree.
   
 

   
 

Jack finds and brings the telephone. He can find and bring both of a pair of shoes or put them into the closet. He takes clothes out of the laundry basket and gives each piece "up" so no bending is required. He takes the clothes out of the dryer, puts them into the laundry basket then closes the dryer door. He helps with dressing and undressing by pulling socks off your feet and tugging on clothes to help get them on or off. He can put items into kitchen cabinets or take them out. He helps to make the bed, pulls the pillows off then pulls sheets and blankets in the direction specified. He opens and closes doors and drawers. He returns toys and bones to his toy box and helps clean up the house and yard. 

Jack was only nine months old when he received a service dog license and began the public part of his training. His travels have included trips to all types of retail stores, restaurants, professional and medical offices, hospitals, and hotels. Everywhere he goes, he attracts attention and many people stop to ask about him and his work. We teach people about service animals and how they help people with disabilities and about the Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA.

I bet you are thinking that Jack is a genius. Actually, he is probably no smarter than any other dog. He has been trained using positive reinforcement. This has taught him how to learn and his natural interests and abilities are encouraged.

During Jack's first months of training, I used a clicker to "mark" the behavior I wanted. He came to associate the sound of the click with receiving a food treat as a reward. This is known as "clicker training". If you want to know more about clicker training, visit www.clickertraining.com