Hello! Here is an in depth article on teaching a dog to detect gluten. You can use whatever command you'd like. Something you don't say in your regular vocabulary too often. https://wagwalking.com/training/detect-gluten

Nov. 22, 2021

Hello, Blood sugar detection training is typically done using saliva samples taken during times of high or low blood sugar (don't put yourself in danger with too high of a low or high). The dog is taught an alert, such as Sit, paw, bark, or nose. You then practice having the dog sniff the sample, give their alert, and you reward with a treat. Practice this until you don't have to tell the dog to alert but they will simply alert when they smell the sample, then you reward. Once pup can alert really well on the sample, then Saliva samples taken during good blood sugar read times and saliva samples taken during highs or lows practiced together - with the dog only being praised and rewarded for alerting to the high or low sample, and not the normal sample. Ignore incorrect alerts and don't reward them. Practice this until pup can reliably alert to the correct sample only. Once pup alerts consistently, you plant the sample on yourself and practice with the scent somewhere like your pocket - rewarding alerts. You then plant the scent on yourself at random times during your day and in different environments to help pup do the alert when they aren't in "training mode" to teach them to pay attention to you in various environments and be ready to alert at all times. If you want to teach pup to alert for highs, in addition to your lows, like in some diabetic cases, I would teach the low first, wait until pup is reliable with that, then teach pup a second alert cue, like nudging for the first and pawing you for the second, and then work on teaching that second one also, separately, so pup is learning two skills really. You can also teach additional things that benefit you, such as pup going to get help if you pass out. Gluten detection is taught in a similar way. I would teach one thing at a time, low blood sugar saliva sample practice, high blood sugar saliva sample, and gluten sample. You would teach and alert, have pup alert on a known gluten sample that's a decent size, then gradually decrease the size of the sample, practice with non-gluten food samples with the gluten sample - only rewarding when pup detects correctly, then plant the gluten sample on yourself or something you pretend to be eating and reward pup when they detect those when you have them sniff. Some people also teach a distinct yes and no for gluten, instead of just a yet, like paw at you for gluten and Sit for clear. Social media, such as instagram and facebook is actually a good resource to connect and follow other owner-trainers who are teaching their own pups tasks too. It can be a good place to meet others in your city doing the same thing to connect for practicing things with people doing similar training with their dogs. Radiantk9 is a trainer who personally has celiac and hypoglycemia herself. She trained her own dog as a service dog before later becoming a trainer and helping others with behavior issues like aggression and specialty training like service dog training. You may find her helpful to follow on Instagram and Youtube. Gluten detection 101: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIhyyL5VKLM Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFb7G0y3MmgTGMLwXnBdQrg/videos Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radiantk9/?hl=en There are trainers who offer remote and in person service dog training assistance - whose role is not to take the dog and train it entirely themselves (which is great but much pricier), but who can guide you in training your own dog as needed for a lower price. Youtube is also a resource to find service dog trainers who share some how to videos on teaching specific tasks to help you trouble shoot as you go. You will also want to work on public access - with socialization, manners, and obedience. You can work on task training at the same time if you have time, but obedience and socialization is often more time sensitive. While doing that, you can certainly reward pup's natural alerts right now to further encourage them. In the United States there is no official certification required for a dog to pass as a Service Dog. A qualifying medical or psychological condition, great behavior while in public, and at least one task that directly helps with your condition is all that is required. Carrying a copy of ADA law regarding service dogs, pup's vet papers, a note from your doctor simply stating your need for a service dog (you don't have to disclose what condition you need help with to anyone), and a vest for pup letting people know pup is a working service dog can help people allow pup into places more easily though. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Aug. 19, 2021

Hello! While I have not personally worked with any, I have heard some really awesome success stories about toy breeds being wonderful service pets, as well as detecting gluten, seizures, and other allergens. A good place to start is a local non profit near you and see if they can you pointed in the right direction.

Dec. 28, 2020