"I just wanted to say again how much I appreciate that you found us such a great dog. I had misgivings with a rescue dog and you completely erased any hesitation I had. Thanks again"- Mark."
Client Quote about Domino, a rescued dog who was adopted from Dog Rescue Network, and trained by Janet Neumann, of PAWSabilities, to become a service dog for his family.
Janet shown here with her dog Frankie who she adopted from us when Frankie was about 3-5 yrs old. Janet did NOT cue Frankie, either verbally or non-verbally. Frankie just "read" the cue card and did what it said. Proving that you can teach a dog of any age. Even how to read!!
About the Trainer:
Janet Neumann is a Certified Service Dog Trainer. She received her training at Assistance Dog Institute in Santa Rosa, California. She completed her training in July 2003. She has not only successfully applied the service dog training method to service dogs, but also to the training of dogs in basic obedience.
Recently, Janet Neumann has also used her training skills to train hearing dogs to help the hearing impaired population.
Additionally, she is insured and bonded. This is important because Janet Neumann provides her services in the client’s home. This is extremely helpful, especially for her service dog clients, as they often times have difficulty getting ready to drive places or may be unable to drive due to their disabilities.
About the Training Method:
The training methods utilized by the instructor are: positive reinforcement, voice commands, guiding with the voice, and minimal (if any) physical correction. Not only does this method work well for the general public, but also it is especially beneficial for people with physical ailments (e.g., neck, back, shoulder, arm, or hand injuries) who can get hurt physically correcting or do not have the strength to physically correct. The training is a five-step process. The trainer, Janet Neumann, actually trains the client to train their dog, giving the client the skills needed to train their dogs without the trainer present and also to train any new dogs they may obtain once their current service dog retires.
Other Services:
PAWSabilities also provides weekday dog care visits, especially for people who work full time and feel guilty about leaving their dogs at home alone all day. These visits are individualized to meet the needs of both the client and their dog. These visits may include dog walking, feeding, dispensing medication, playing with the dog, training, and/or any other needs the client requests.
Obtaining Dogs for Service Dog/Hearing Dog TrainingJanet Neumann’s method for obtaining dogs is as follows:
She either trains the dog the client already has (if the dog is an appropriate candidate), or she has the client rescue a dog from one of the local shelters based on their own intuition and connection with the dog. Prior to the client getting the dog, the trainer assesses the dog to make sure it has the qualities needed to be their service/hearing dog. Although less common, some clients buy their dogs from breeders or pet stores. Again, the trainer would assess the dog to make sure it is appropriate for the client’s needs.
Janet Neumann, in general, does not recommend puppies for clients that have disabilities.
Frankie showing off how smart he is! Frankie won first place for "Extreme Dog Tricks"!
Frankie takes a "nap" on cue, after a day of demonstrating his skills.