There are basically two populations of people with what is often called ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder): Continue reading

Four Sections: Food and water Health Grooming Equipment Behavior Continue reading

When at home, is the service dog to be treated just like any other pet?  No, and here are some guidelines (as opposed to laws). We will go over everything with you, too. Continue reading

Pawsitivity trains service dogs for people who are deaf and also for people with hearing processing disorders. The #1 task that a service dog for the deaf is trained to do is almost always to alert the handler to specific sounds (such as smoke alarms) or to alert the handler to someone coming up from behind them. The #1 side benefit reported is that the dogs serve as a "social bridge" to help people with deafness relate to others in their community. Almost 100% of the handlers said that they made more friends and were more social as a result of their service dog (this is an incredibly high result). Continue reading

During the six to twelve months of service dog training, we train the handler and/or family as well as the dog. If possible, we set up monthly meetings so we can teach the handler how to give cues correctly and handle the dog in public places. If we’re not able to set up monthly meetings with the handler because a) you’re not local, and your schedule doesn’t allow it, or b) you aren’t local, and their disability prevents you from traveling, we have occasionally made exceptions where we travel to the handler. Continue reading

Traveling with a service dog can be very manageable, but it helps to plan ahead. The rules are different for planes, public transit, and cars, and the practical experience is different too. In general, the goal is not just to get from one place to another. The goal is to make the trip as low-stress and safe as possible for both the handler and the dog. Continue reading

At Pawsitivity, we use the same method that both the U.S. Army working dog program (above) and Guide Dogs for the Blind uses: "All of the dog training is based on positive reward or feedback" -- U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command.[1]   Continue reading

Beginner A service animal under the Americans with Disabilities Act is usually a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.[1][2] To qualify under the ADA, the handler must have a disability, and the dog must be trained to perform at least one task related to that disability.[1][2] Service animals are allowed in most places where the public is normally allowed to go, as long as the dog is under control and housebroken.[1][2] If it is not obvious that the dog is a service animal, staff may ask only two questions: Is the dog required because of a disability? What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?[1][3] These short points are simplified. The more detailed explanation is below. Continue reading