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A mobility support dog can increase an individual’s independence and quality of life, a service dog can assist with tasks that are impossible or difficult for their handler to do on their own. A trained brace and mobility service dog can be taken anywhere and is trained to their handler’s specific mobility needs which can include standing, transferring positions, stability assistance, retrieving dropped items, retrieving medication or specific items, ambulatory assistance, recognizing and assisting in emergency situations, alerting others in the home or in public settings in emergencies, pulling a wheelchair for a short distance, opening/closing doors and emotional support.
Mobility support dogs help to increase independence and provide the stability, safety, and support that allows for increased activity and peace of mind. Dog Training Elite Michiana’s mobility service dog training program is highly successful as it is personalized and inclusive of the handler and their family. Our programs are set up to produce the best results possible and we have found that training our service dogs alongside their owners in their own home promotes bonding, lasting results, and a positive working relationship.
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Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite Michiana location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
Mobility Support Dog Training
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A mobility support dog can increase an individual's independence and quality of life by assisting with tasks that are difficult or impossible to complete on their own. A brace and mobility support dog can be taken anywhere and are trained to their handlers specific mobility and ambulatory needs. Mobility service dog tasks are customizable, but examples include:
- Forward Momentum Pull
- Counterbalance
- Item Retrieval
- Open Doors
- Turn Lights On/Off
- Alarm Alert
- Press Handicapped Buttons to Open Doors
About Mobility Support Dogs
Most brace and mobility support dogs wear a specially designed harness that allows both the dog and handler to safely and securely work together to provide stable ambulation. Those who could benefit from a service dog specifically trained in brace and mobility support include:
- Those with vertigo and balance disorders often suffer from dizziness and are often unstable when walking. A mobility and brace support dog can help orient, ground, and stabilize their handler as they ambulate.
- Many physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy, MS, spina bifida or back injuries can lead to irregularities in balance, gait, stability and ambulation. Mobile support dogs provide stability and counterbalance support which can allow their handler to walk safely with assistance.
- Some medications or disabilities have adverse side effects that can impair alertness and the ability to safely walk and respond to emergencies. A service dog can be trained to help navigate a disoriented handler through both regular daily activities and emergency situations.
- Those who have health risks that cause unconsciousness can benefit from a trained service dog that can retrieve help, call emergency services on a special phone, and reposition their handler if they are unable to breathe.
- Muscle dystrophy disorders, strokes, and many other conditions can reduce one’s strength, coordination, stability, and ability to complete simple tasks such as opening drawers or reaching light switches. A mobility service dog can complete simple daily tasks that are difficult for their handler to accomplish due to their diminished mobility.
Dog Training Elite Michiana Offers Free Assessments
Dog Training Elite offers free in-home assessments to assess if a current family dog can be trained to become a mobility support service dog or can help you select a service puppy or dog for training. We offer a unique in-home dog training method that involves owners in the training process, ensuring that training is never undone and both owners and their dogs are bonding and empowered.
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Our Balanced Theory
We base our training around the "Classical Conditioning" model (a.k.a. "Pavlovian" or "respondent conditioning"). This includes developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands. In its simplest form (after proper conditioning), when the owner says "sit," the dog automatically sits without thinking about it. Our unique techniques ensure our program is a success no matter what behavior we encounter.
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Empowering Owners
We empower Owners to train so their dog knows who to obey at all times. -
Personalized
We deal with problem behaviors on a personal basis. -
Environment Specific
We train wherever issues tend to arise (i.e. jogging, park, home).
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Supportive
We support Owners in the off-hours (when training is "not in session"). -
Involved
We work with all members of the household. -
Simplified & Customized
We plan training around the owner's schedule and require only 20 min/day follow-up practice.
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Continued Training
Additional programs / group sessions offered after in-home training. -
Lifetime Investment
We follow up & are invested in the owner's success long-term. -
Satisfaction Ratings
Our high client satisfaction rating sets us apart from competitors.
clas·si·cal con·di·tion·ing
PSYCHOLOGY
noun
A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired; a response that is at first elicited by the second stimulus and is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.
We help your dog become a valued companion and beloved member of the family. Read what our customers have to say and then give us a call!
We found Dog Training Elite Michiana through Fetch! and we knew our stubborn pup(German Shepherd) would need serious training due to her grown habits. She had some bad habits that we were struggling to handle and we needed valuable tools and training to correct them. She is an incredibly intelligent, stubborn(strong-willed) and determined dog and we wanted her to be okay around the family. She needed valuable training to and Dog Training Elite was able to provide. We met Rich on our first appointment and he has refused to give up on her ever since. You could tell he was reading the room and her behavior well as he was really good at translating her cues to us. Our dog showed lots of improvements very quickly and we are no longer late to functions. We feel a lot more comfortable with her around the family. Dog Training Elite means serious business and Rich's overall experience was clearly evident as he was able to acknowledge and correct our dog(who was stuck in a rut) and help her become a valuable member of our family. Rich was very determined, worked really well with our dog and read her like a book. We are greatly appreciative for the training to not only our dog, but to us so we can react appropriately to her reactions/actions. We look forward to continuing to work with Dog Training Elite as our beloved dog grows.— Josh
Posted September 29th 2024
Rich has been working with our family and our two dogs…a puppy and a ten yr old dog. We are new to the e-collar technology and it has been an amazing transition in their obedience. Rich is extremely knowledgeable and professional! Always on time and flexible with our schedule! He has helped us become better dog owners and our dogs now actually love each other!!— Michelle Quinn
Posted September 20th 2024
The best thing I ever did for myself and my dog was reach out to Dog Training Elite. There are hundreds of dog trainers around, but what this program offers is true support and understands YOUR dog—I mean it. I cried the first day of class watching my puppy become accustom to new things (habits I allowed her into), but four weeks later...I already have a new dog. It just keeps getting better. I couldn't recommend a better program and better trainers. They teach you about their methods, they train YOU as the owner, and they listen. Huge shoutout to Rich who has been absolutely nothing but kind and gracious to me and Aspen. He's a fantastic person and trainer. I've now become the dog owner who genuinely cares about who my dog interacts with and why. She's an amazing 8 month old puppy and she deserves the best life. I will give it to her.— Karli Saner
Posted June 22nd 2024
If you are looking for some training for your dog then Dog Training Elite is your answer! We just completed the last session yesterday and couldn’t be more happy with the progress made. Huge thanks to Rich for being patient and really working with my dog Cass. Cass went from a hyper active bozo to a well mannered boy!— Taylor Feeheley
Posted June 7th 2024
So happy to have Richard working with my dog Elvis. We are six weeks in on classes and he is addressing all behavioral problems successfully. I would highly recommend Dog Training Elite.— Ziebart
Posted June 6th 2024
Diane is the nicest and best trainer. She found AJ my sdit when I was attending Purdue. He has become such a big part of my world! She is also a big part of his life too! I send her updates all the time about his progress and she'll answer any questions or worries I have. Definitely recommend her to help with any training for a service dog or just obedience training!— Echo Higueros
Posted May 21st 2024
I have nothing but gratitude for DTE. My dog Bun has gone from a good dog who I adore to an absolute support to me on top of that. I can not wait to continue this journey with Bun and DTE. They have helped me start my journey of creating a relationship with my dog where he is truly a dog who can help me on days where I can't and that is priceless. From getting his basics in to working towards service it has been extremely clear and so easy to follow. They are truly passionate about this work and it shows. Diana has worked with me and all of my issues and how to adapt while working with my dog. I really can't thank them enough.— Gabrielle Fisher
Posted February 19th 2024
I have nothing but gratitude for DTE. My dog Bun has gone from a good dog who I adore to an absolute support to me on top of that. I can not wait to continue this journey with Bun and DTE. They have helped me start my journey of creating a relationship with my dog where he is truly a dog who can help me on days where I can't and that is priceless. From getting his basics in to working towards service it has been extremely clear and so easy to follow. They are truly passionate about this work and it shows.— Gabrielle Fisher
Posted February 19th 2024
My experience with DTE and my trainer Diana has been second to none and totally invaluable. Starting service dog training with my lab Luna has been life changing thanks to Diana providing us with the knowledge and skills we need to be successful. Diana is kind, patient, compassionate, understanding, knowledgeable, experienced— literally everything you could ever want in a trainer. I highly recommend DTE Michiana to anyone looking for dog training services. Thank you Diana for all that you’ve done for us and continue to do!— Chubby Supreme
Posted February 13th 2024
This service absolutely changed our lives. Our dog used to have sever separation anxiety to the point where we had to kennel her while we were at work. Otherwise, our house would be chewed up when we got home. That's when we met Diana. Through her daily walks and her training sessions, our dog is almost unrecognizable. Utilizing Dog Training Elite Michigan was such a blessing. Thank you for everything!— Austin Hale
Posted June 29th 2023