Train your own Helper Dog! We can help!

Train your own HELPER DOG AKA in-home skilled companion DOG! We can help!

• Could you benefit from a service dog at home, but your current dog struggles with public spaces?
• Could you use a skilled companion dog or a task-trained ESA that supports a child or adult with no plan to train for public access?
• Are you a therapist, social worker, school counselor, occupational therapist, etc., who would like to train your dogs to help your clients/patients?
• For those who do not leave their home much or have assistance from others when they do, an in-home skilled companion dog is a great option.
• For those who live alone, an in-home skilled companion dog can provide your family peace of mind that you are supported at home.

We may have a program for you! A Helper Dog or an in-home skilled companion dog can perform many of the same tasks as public-access service dogs but in a home setting. Transform your dog into a skilled companion who can:

• Open doors, cabinets, and refrigerators
• Help with dressing and undressing
• Retrieve dropped items
• Provide calming support and anxiety relief
• Alert you to important sounds and alarms
• Assist with medication reminders
• Help with physical therapy exercises
• And much more!

Our goal is to help individuals live safely and independently. At-home tasks can reduce the need for personal care assistance and significantly improve quality of life. However, at-home-only service dog training isn’t for every dog or their owner, and there are essential factors to consider:

Are you committed to keeping your dog out of places where pet dogs are prohibited?

Service tasks alone don’t make a service dog. The title is earned through hours of training, preparing the dog to assist their handler in any situation. As more businesses and the public encounter pets in spaces where service dogs are needed, skepticism grows, leading to increased scrutiny of adequately trained service dogs and more confrontations for individuals with disabilities. At Good Human, we won’t recommend or endorse your dog for public access unless they’ve completed our service dog training program. We do not sign air transportation forms for any dog not endorsed through our service dog program.

Is your dog suited for at-home-only service dog work?

Your dog should be well-behaved in the house, bonded to their owner, and capable of performing your required tasks. Older dogs (up to about 5–7 years) can be trained if they are in good health; however, training an older dog may be more challenging, and their ability to perform tasks may decrease as they age. Addressing behavioral needs before starting any service dog task training is essential. Some behavior problems could worsen with service dog task training. For example, alert training could prompt attention-seeking behaviors or complex tasks might increase anxiety in particular dogs. Dogs experiencing ongoing stress shouldn’t be expected to handle their owner’s anxiety as well.

Will your dog be happy doing the work?

We believe the dogs in our training program should “wag while they work.” Many of the service tasks we train are like fun tricks for dogs. If your dog is not interested or suited for the tasks you require, they will not reliably do them. Luckily, you are working with a professional. Together, we will establish realistic goals for your dog’s training so everyone is happy—especially your dog!

Can you keep up with the training?

We can get the training started! However, the secret to strong behaviors is consistency. These tasks require lots of repetition, so practice is needed between sessions. Don’t worry; we’re always happy to schedule a refresher or help you add any new tasks after your package is done.