About Helfen Schutz Canine Training
Helfen Schutz Canine Training currently has a team of three trainers. Lead Trainer Sienna and Co-Trainers Grace and Kalyn. These trainers have many combined years of experience in dog training and they specialize in training psychiatric service dogs. While they also work with protection dogs and pet dogs, the HSCT trainers mainly focus on service dog training, including basic obedience, task training, and public access skills and manners. Helfen Schutz Canine Training is located right outside of Toledo, OH, but the trainers are willing to travel to nearby states situationally. When dogs are available is very dependent on what litters Just Wright Canids has and what pups they are able to donate to Helfen Schutz Canine Training. There is a waitlist available, which is especially useful for individuals who are picky on the size or breed of dog that they will be matched with through the lodge and train program.
Helfen Schutz Canine Training was created to provide reasonably attainable service dogs in training for those incapable of fully owner training or affording a fully trained service dog. Fully trained service dogs typically range anywhere from ten to thirty thousand dollars, which is unreasonable for most disabled individuals. Helfen Schutz Canine Training aims to provide a reasonably priced alternative so that disabled individuals are not left without medical equipment that could greatly improve their daily lives.
How to get a SD?
To be eligible for a service dog, you must be disabled as defined by the Americans With Disabilities Act. To be disabled under ADA law, you must have a severe mental or physical impairment that severely limits a major life activity. We do not require doctor’s notes for our particular program as they can be hard for some individuals to get. Instead, we will discuss with you how your conditions affect you, and if they are indeed disabling, we will discuss how a service dog can assist you.
Protection dog training
We train both fully and partially trained protection dogs. While bitework is important for this kind of work, the dog learns other essential skills to be a reliable protection dog such as focused heeling, barking on command, and a consistent out. What the dog learns depends on the individual dog and the handler’s expectations. For example, some dogs stay only a few months to learn the basics of everything while other dogs can stay around ten months to a year and receive much more advanced training. Contact us for more information regarding pricing.
Lodge & Train Program
The Lodge and Train Program is a six month program that trains dogs as service dogs in training. The dogs are donated by breeders (typically Just Wright Canids). We temperament test the dogs at around 6-8 weeks of age and choose those who pass temperament testing to join the program. Once the dogs join the program, they begin learning the basics right away. This includes potty training and crate training. All dogs in the program learn basic obedience such as sit, down, stay, and come as well as public access skills and at least one task. The dogs go home at around eight months of age, and from there we offer private lessons in person and through skype to help assist the handlers with their new dog.
HSCT FAQ
What is the lodge and train program?
The lodge and train program is where we at HSCT train a dog donated to the program by a breeder (typically Just Wright Canids). We train the dog as a service dog in training. The dog stays with us for six months to learn the skills it needs to succeed as a service dog in training. For example, the dog goes home with basic obedience (sit, down, stay, etc.) as well as public access skills and manners and at least one task to mitigate the handler’s individual disability. The program covers the cost of supplies, grooming, food, and vet expenses.
How much does the program cost?
The Lodge and Train Program costs a total of $4000. This covers all supplies, food, grooming, training, and vet expenses (including emergency vet expenses).
When is the money due?
The money is due by the dog’s graduation date. However, a minimum monthly payment of $500 is due each month unless an alternative plan is discussed and agreed upon between the trainer and client.
How long does the dog stay with the trainer?
The dog stays with the trainer for about six months.
What does the dog learn with the trainer?
The dog learns basic obedience such as sit, down, stay, come, and place. The dog also learns public access skills and manners as well as at least one task to mitigate the client’s individual disability.
What disabilities does HSCT train service dogs for?
We can train dogs for most disabilities, but the age of the dogs does limit some task training such as mobility tasks like guide work and counterbalance. The dogs can be taught to tolerate wearing harnesses and having handles held, but they cannot have actual weight put into those handles until they are around two years old or are cleared by a vet. Our main focus here at Helfen Schutz is psychiatric service dogs. This is because most other programs will not train psychiatric service dogs. Psychiatric service dogs can be absolutely life changing. They can respond to panic attacks, interrupt unhealthy behaviors, and provide deep pressure therapy to alleviate psychiatric symptoms like anxiety and depression.
Can you take a dog I already own and train it in service work?
Unfortunately no. We only work with dogs donated to the program.
What breeds do you work with?
Mostly mixed breeds. We often train poodle mixes, but the breeder also produces other breeds in their service dog lines that make good working service dogs.
Can I donate a dog to the program?
This is very dependent of multiple factors. We typically only work with Just Wright Canids, but we are open to other breeders if they do genetic health testing and have working service dogs in their line. We cannot accept any dogs from breeders or individuals that have not been genetically health tested or are over the age of ten weeks.
Where are you located?
The Toledo, OH area.
What training methods do you use?
Here at HSCT, we use balanced training methods.
Can I meet the dog I am matched with before its graduation date?
As long as you live in the nearby area or are willing to travel, then yes. Most clients meet their dog at least a few times before it graduates. For those that live too far away, videos of the dogs and its progress can be sent to them.
Do I get to choose which dog I want?
You may be able to choose from a group of dogs that passed their temperament testing, but this is never a guarantee. Often the trainer will match you with a specific dog based on your individual needs.
Can I get a dog from the program if I already own a dog?
Yes. Unlike other programs, we do not deny individuals based on the pets they already own.
What does the dog go home with?
The dog goes home with a vest (or harness and cape), a training log, a prong collar, an ecollar, a hands free leash, and more. We aim to send you home with everything you will need to succeed with your new dog.
What does the dog go home with?
The dog goes home with a vest (or harness and cape), a training log, a prong collar, an ecollar, a hands free leash, and more. We aim to send you home with everything you will need to succeed with your new dog.
Is the dog a fully trained service dog when it goes home?
The dog will meet the legal minimum requirements of service dogs per federal law. Because of this, the dog will legally be able to accompany its handler in public and will meet all housing requirements necessary to be able to live with the handler. However, the dog is still not fully trained as it will have more commands and tasks to learn. Because of this, we label the dogs as service dogs in training.
How do I continue my dog’s training once it comes home?
We offer private in person and video sessions to help continue your dogs training. If you live too far to travel for private lessons but are not comfortable with video sessions, we will recommend a trainer local from your area for you.