Skill Block Classes
Block classes are being offered to Gateway Partners who have passed obedience and etiquette classes and have received their temporary service dog laminated ID card. For a dog to be fully certified as a service dog, it must have at least 3 skills which directly address the specific needs of its person. The Skills Block Class system is designed to specifically address "special skills" training and more. We like to call it the Bells and Whistles part of all this work.
There are four Skills Block Classes: the Retrieve Block Level 1, the Tug Block, the Nudge and Paw Block and the Brace Block. Each Block Class is taught at a specific time for 45 min. a week. Classes are will be added and graduated in an on-going manner. You stay in your Block until you accomplish the skills you want.
RETRIEVE BASIC TASKS
- Bring phone from/to multiple locations
- Fetch a beverage from a refrigerator or cupboard
- Fetch dog food bowl(s)
- Pick up dropped items like coins, keys etc., in any location
- Bring clothes, shoes, or slippers
- Retrieve purse/pack from multiple locations
- Fetch medication pack from known location
- Retrieve objects out of partner's reach such as, remote control, VCR tapes, cane, pens etc
- Use target stick to retrieve an indicated item off shelves at home or in stores
- Use laser pointer to target an item to be retrieved
LARGE AND AWKWARD ITEMS
- Drag cane from its known location to another room
- Pick up and return cane if falls off back of wheelchair
- Pickup or fetch crutches from customary location
- Drag walker back to partner
- Fetch wheelchair when out of reach
ITEMS TO BE RETRIEVED: Your dog needs to be comfortable with retrieving various types of objects so they can become comfortable with different textures, weights and mouth sensations. Here are some suggested items to be used in training: baskets, plastic hair brush, wooden spoon, metal keys, metal and plastic silverware, pens, metal cans, plastic bottles, mail, papers, clothes and shoes. Utilize everyday items you can imagine needing help with.
TUG BASIC TASKS
- Open cupboard doors with attached strap
- Open drawers via strap
- Open refrigerator door with a strap or suction cup device
- Open and close various types of doors utilizing straps on handles and knobs when possible
- Assist to remove shoes, slippers, sandals
- Tug socks off without biting down on foot
- Remove or assist in removing clothes
- Drag heavy coat, other items to closet
- Drag laundry basket through house with a strap
- Drag bedding to the washing machine
- Wrestle duffle bag or other objects from the van into the house
- Pull a drapery cord to open or close drapes
- Operate rope device that lifts blanket and sheet or re-covers disabled person when he or she becomes too hot or cold.
- Drag partner out of "harms" way
NOSE NUDGE BASIC TASKS
*Nudge and Paw Tasks are Taught in same Block
- Cupboard door or drawers - nudge shut
- Dryer door - hard nudge
- Stove drawer - push it shut
- Dishwasher door - put muzzle under open door, flip to shut
- Refrigerator & freezer door - close with nudge
- Call Emergency pre-dialed number - push the button
- Operate button or push plate on electric commercial doors
- Turn on light switches
- Push floor pedal device to turn on lamp
- Turn on metal based lamps with touch-lamp device installed - nudge base
- Assist wheelchair user to regain sitting position if slumped over
- Help put paralyzed arm back onto the armrest of wheelchair
- Return paralyzed foot to the foot board of a wheelchair if it is dislodged
PAWING BASIC TASKS
(some dogs prefer it to nose nudge)
- Cupboard door - shut it with one paw
- Dryer door - shut it with one paw
- Refrigerator & freezer door - one forepaw or both
- Emergency pre-dialed phone - hit button with one paw
- Operate light switch on wall - jump up, paw the switch
- Depress floor pedal device to turn on appliance(s) or lamp
- Jump up to paw elevator button [steady dog if he tries it on slippery tile floor]
- Operate push plate on electric commercial doors
- Close heavy front door, other doors - jump up, use both forepaws
BRACING BASIC TASKS
Harness and No Harness Bracing taught in same Block
- Transfer assistance from wheelchair to bed, toilet, bathtub or seat - hold Stand Stay position, then brace on command, enabling partner to keep their balance during transfer
- Assist to walk step by step, brace between each step, from wheelchair to nearby seat
- Position self and brace to help partner catch balance after partner rises from a couch or other seats in a home or public setting
- Prevent falls or maintain steadiness by bracing on command when the ambulatory partner needs help recovering and/or keeping balance.
- Steady partner getting in or out of the bathtub, bed, off toilet or any position change
- Assist partner to turn over in bed;
- Pull up partner with a strap [tug of war style] or let person hold onto shoulders to pull self up from floor
- Assist moving wheelchair on flat [partner holds onto harness pull strap] avoiding obstacles
- Work cooperatively with partner to get the wheelchair up a curb cut or mild incline; handler does as much of the work as possible, never asking the dog to attempt an incline unaided
- Haul open heavy door, holding it ajar using six foot lead attached to back of harness, other end of lead attached to door handle or to a suction cup device on a glass door
- Tow ambulatory partner up inclines [without harness or harness with rigid handle or pull strap may be used]
- Brace on command to prevent ambulatory partner from stumbling [without harness or rigid handle]
- Help ambulatory partner to climb stairs, pulling then bracing on each step
- Pull partner out of aisle seat on plane, then brace until partner catches
- Brace, counter balance, assisting ambulatory partner to walk;
- Help ambulatory partner to walk short distance, brace between each step [without harness or rigid handle]
