Joel Silverman’s Special Needs Dog Trainer Course is designed to empower special needs individuals of ages 14 on up. We are looking for individuals who like dogs, and have a desire to train dogs. The course is set up to give the students a knowledge and understanding about dog training, using positive reinforcement. Most importantly, this knowledge they develop can be used to teach their friends and family these very important dog training techniques. If they wish to continue training dogs, they can actually get paid to train dogs. Taking it to the next level, they can join Joel in teaching other special needs how to train dogs.
The PLACE behavior is one of the most important, and easiest behaviors to train. One of the reasons it that an elevated area is a defined place, and by using this tool, it creates clarity for the dog. It also is essential in helping teach the STAY behavior.
The SIT behavior is another important behavior because when the dog is in a sitting position, the dog is neutral and this also creates clarity for the dog. Students will learn two different ways to teach the SIT behavior.
The simplest way to teach the SIT behavior is using an elevated area, which we call “capturing the sit behavior”. Anything techniques we can use that will shorten the “learning time” for the dog, we will use. This is one of the few behaviors that we will “capture”.
The HEEL is one of the most important behaviors, because it teaches the dog control, and to be next to the owner. A lot of behavior problems occur when a dog is allowed to pull and lunge. By teaching this behavior, it eliminates that opportunity.
The simplest way to teach the STAY behavior is by using an elevated area, which is a defined place. Many people make a huge mistake by teaching this behavior on flat ground, and by doing so, the dog is able to cheat. Elevated areas eliminate the “cheating” problem.
When the dog is in the LIE DOWN position, it is the most neutral position a dog can be in. By doing so, it really helps when teaching the STAY behavior, and asking the dog to stay for longer periods of time.
JOEL’S JSDT DOG TRAINING CERTIFICATION COURSES
Since we launched our “hands on” JSDT 1,2 and 3 dog training certification courses January 1, 2017, we have certified over 450 trainers. Below are just a few of those.
SMALL STEPS
We have figued out that the best way to teach people to train dogs is to break behaviors into 6-8 small steps. We also talk a lot about the foundation, and how some of the beginning steps are the most important ones. By teaching the students to understand these 6-8 steps for each behavior, it simply makes it a lot easier for for both the trainer and dog. We feel like breaking down all these behaviors into small steps can be especially helpful in learning for special needs students!
THE BOND AND RELATIONSHIP
Joel Silverman’s core value is understanding about the bond and relationship in with dogs. Quite often, this very important point that is overlooked, and this message is always talked about in all his books, DVDs, and TV shows. Students learn the value of the bond and relationship, and getting the animal in a place where he simply wants to make them happy. Once the dog is in that place, it lays an incredible foundation for dog training.
THE BEHAVIORS
We understand that there are some limitations in teaching special needs dog training. One of the main things we will not be focusing on are behavioral issues like jumping, barking, and aggression. Instead, we will be only teaching the same six behaviors we teach in our regular JSDT1 Dog Trainer Certification Course. It is a fact that many behavioral issues can develop because dogs were never taught these behaviors:
– Sit
– Stay
– Come
– Place
– Heel
– Lie Down
WHAT’S INVOLVED?
We simply come to you, and work with the up to three students for three days. We want to stay involved with their training, so we will have them send us texts and videos of their training and progression.
UPON COMPLETION
Upon completion, all students recieve:
– A signed JSDT1S (Joel Silverman JSDT1 Special Needs Certification)
– Two signed books – (More What Color is Your Dog? and Rituals)
– Lifetime membership to Joel Silverman’s Membership area on his website (We have videos from start to finish with over 15 behaviors)
GOALS
We have three main goals with this program.
– The first is to give these students an understanding of dog training, so that they may share these techniques with family and friends. By doing so, we feel that this will empower them as they are able to actually teach people these training techniques they have learned.
– The next would be to take the training to a level of actually becoming a dog trainer and being paid, and this comes from time spent training multiple dogs.
– Our last goal is to teach some of the students to not only train dogs, but also to teach other special needs. We plan on taking some special needs with Joel Silverman to other cities to teach others. By doing so, we feel that we can slowly create a nation of special needs dog trainers.
For more information, please email us at joel@joelsilverman.net or call us at (661)713-8832. We are fully insured with:
