Gluten Detection Course for Service Dogs
Course Summary
Welcome to the Gluten Detection Class for Service Dog Training!
In today’s world, gluten sensitivity and celiac disease impact millions, making it essential for individuals to navigate their environments with confidence. This specialized course trains service dogs to detect gluten, empowering handlers to manage gluten exposure effectively and safely.
Throughout this course, we will delve into the fascinating world of scent detection and the specific processes involved in training service dogs to identify gluten.
Course Objectives:
- Understanding Gluten: Learn about gluten, its sources, and the implications for individuals with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
- Canine Scent Detection: Discover the incredible olfactory abilities of dogs, including how they can differentiate between various scents and detect gluten in food products. We will cover the basics of how dogs process scents and how to leverage their natural instincts for gluten detection.
- Scent Work Process:
- Scent Familiarization: We will start with familiarizing the dog with gluten samples in a controlled environment. This involves introducing the dog to various gluten-containing items in a non-threatening way, allowing them to explore and learn the specific scent associated with gluten.
- Targeting the Scent: Once the dog recognizes the gluten scent, we will use positive reinforcement to encourage them to focus on it. This involves teaching the dog to indicate the presence of gluten through specific behaviors, such as sitting, staying, or using their nose to touch the item.
- Discrimination Training: As the dog becomes proficient in identifying gluten, we will introduce distractions and similar scents to ensure they can reliably distinguish gluten from other substances. This step is crucial for real-world scenarios where multiple scents may be present.
- Search Exercises: We’ll practice real-world search exercises, where dogs will be tasked with finding gluten in various settings, such as kitchens, restaurants, or grocery stores. This practical application helps reinforce their training and builds confidence in their abilities.
- Training Techniques: Learn effective training methods emphasizing positive reinforcement, clear communication, and building a strong bond between you and your dog.
- Practical Applications: Prepare for real-life scenarios where your service dog will assist in identifying gluten, enhancing your safety and independence.
- Handler-Dog Partnership: Develop a trusting, collaborative relationship with your service dog, ensuring a seamless partnership in navigating gluten-related challenges.
Whether you're a handler enhancing your service dog’s skills or a trainer expanding your expertise, this course offers valuable insights and hands-on experience. Together, we’ll unlock the potential of our canine companions to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by gluten sensitivities.
Let’s embark on this rewarding journey toward greater awareness and empowerment, ensuring a healthier and happier future for you and your service dog!
Course Curriculum
Casey Buckley
Casey Buckley ( She/Her, They/Them ) is owner, founder of WPCreativepets and has been training dogs of all breeds since 2002 starting with service dogs. She is a CPTD-KA force free fear free trainer. She specializes in reactive and aggressive dogs, those with a lack of socialization, history of trauma, abuse, neglect, or dogs that have been in dog fights and need any form of rehabilitation. Her background is in trauma as a trauma therapist and knowledge of how trauma not only affects the human body/development and the brain has helped in teaching clients how it also impacts social development of dogs, their brains, physiological arousal , animal behavior. Case works with clients on developing new skills/methods to shape changes in behavior as well as creating new neuropathways for sustainable change in a dogs interactions with any environment through positive reinforcement, behavioral modification, and clicker training.
Casey also has an extensive history working with service animals including training medical, psychiatric, & mobility service dogs. Casey has a service dog of her own, Max who is a multipurpose service dog and has worked with a variety of individuals with medical, physical and psychiatric disabilities. She offers a unique perspective on dealing with disability every day and the impact service dogs can have on regaining substantial independence. She offers special rates to veterans in need of service dog training.
Casey has also rescued, fostered and trained shelter dogs, dogs in fostercare, as well as rescuing and fostering some cats. She also works with individuals wishing to work on integrating dogs and cats living together peacefully.
