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DBL Client Portal

New Vest Tutorials

Autism Assistance Dogs

If you received a new Autism Assistance Dog vest, please watch the video below to learn the best way to fit the vest to your dog.

Certified Hearing Dogs and Facility Dogs

If you received a new Certified Hearing Dog or Facility Dog vest, please watch the video below to learn the best way to fit the vest to your dog.

Share Your Stories with Us!

We want to hear from you!  Share your favorite stories featuring your Assistance Dog with us and we’ll share them on our Social Media pages and through our Canine Listener Publication!

Anytime you would like to share a story, all you have to do is visit:  http://dogsforbetterlives.org/story

Please help us better understand the importance of our Assistance Dogs by filling out our survey that corresponds to your team type. Client surveys are due at one month and 12 months after placement. Thank you in advance!

Waitlisted Survey
Certified Hearing Dog Team - Client Benefit Survey
Home Hearing Dog Team - Client Benefit Survey
Autism Assistance Dog Team - Client Benefit Survey
Facility Dog Team - Client Benefit Survey

When watching the videos, here are a few things to look out for: 

Cueing:

We prompt the dog to do a behavior in each video by giving a verbal cue paired with a motion. Review the definitions provided to understand what each verbal cue means and click on the behavior (in blue) to see what the motion looks like paired with the verbal cue.

The sequence:

You will notice the handler begins every behavior by saying the dog’s name. This is the first step of the sequence.

1. Get the dog’s attention.

Once the handler has the dog’s attention, the person immediately gives the cue verbally paired with a physical motion. This is the second part of the sequence.

2. Give the cue

After the dog has completed the behavior, the handler says “yes” and gives the dog a treat. This is the third step.

3. Follow-through

Follow-through is an essential step because this is the dog’s paycheck for working. It’s important to note that you must follow through anytime you give the dog a cue. 

We will use this sequence throughout placement.

In short, the sequence is as follows:

  1. Get the dog’s attention
  2. Give the cue both verbally and with a physical motion
  3. Follow-through

Timing:

In each video, you’ll see the person is immediate with their timing to give the cue when they have the dog’s attention and immediately follow through once the dog has completed the behavior.

Timing is important. You will want to give the cue while you have the dog’s attention, and you’ll want to follow through immediately after the dog does the correct behavior. If we wait too long with either of the steps, we may lose the dog’s attention, confuse, distract the dog, or reward for the wrong behavior.

Your Placement Trainer will go over this in more detail during placement.

Videos

You may be asked to enter a password to view the videos, the password is: Obedience CC

1: Pre-Placement Paperwork

2:  Placement Paperwork

3: Post Placement Paperwork

 

Tasks Videos

You may be asked to enter a password to view the videos.  The password is: Core Tasks FD AAD

Tells the Dog to lie on side with its head rested on the ground while a person lays or snuggles next to them.  Dog should remain in position until released.  

  • Lap – Ex #1
  • Lap – Ex#2
  • Lap – Sent from a distance

Tells the dog to place its front feet across a lap relaxing its elbows or chest. The dog should only attempt this behavior when told to do so and should maintain this position until told OFF. When dog is cued “off,” dog should immediately remove itself and return to a seated position next to the person. The dog can perform this behavior while an individual is sitting on the floor, seated in a bean bag chair, or laying on a bed, along with other variations.    

Tells the dog to go to someone and gently nudge using their nose on either the person’s leg, hand, arm, or side. This can be used as an attention getter or to redirect the behaviors of a child. 

Tells the dog to rest its head on a person’s lap. The dog should only attempt this when told to do so and should maintain position until told OFF. When the dog is cued “off,” the dog should immediately remove itself and return to a seated position next to the person.  The dog can perform this behavior while an individual is sitting on the floor, seated in a bean bag chair, or laying on a bed, along with other variations.   

With a person lying down, the dog applies pressure by laying on a person’s back or abdomen. Dog is either parallel or perpendicular while on the person. Dog should maintain position until commanded OFF. 

Dog will fetch a thrown toy and return to the handler.  When cued, the dog will drop the toy either in the handler’s hand or at their feet.  The dog should not play keep way or tug with the toy.  Handler can add cues like “sit” or “down” if additional control is needed. These cues are not necessary if the dog is being safe for the situation.  

1: Pre-Placement Paperwork

2:  Placement Paperwork

3: Post Placement Paperwork

Task Videos 

You may be asked to enter a password to view these videos.  The password is: Hearing Dog Task

1: Pre-Placement Paperwork

2:  Placement Paperwork

3: Post Placement Paperwork

Task Videos 

You may be asked to enter a password to view these videos.  The password is: Hearing Dog Task

1: Pre-Placement Paperwork

2:  Placement Paperwork

3: Post Placement Paperwork

Tasks Videos

You may be asked to enter a password to view the videos.  The password is: Core Tasks FD AAD

Tells the Dog to lie on side with its head rested on the ground while a person lays or snuggles next to them.  Dog should remain in position until released.  

  • Lap – Ex #1
  • Lap – Ex#2
  • Lap – Sent from a distance

Tells the dog to place its front feet across a lap relaxing its elbows or chest. The dog should only attempt this behavior when told to do so and should maintain this position until told OFF. When dog is cued “off,” dog should immediately remove itself and return to a seated position next to the person. The dog can perform this behavior while an individual is sitting on the floor, seated in a bean bag chair, or laying on a bed, along with other variations.    

Tells the dog to go to someone and gently nudge using their nose on either the person’s leg, hand, arm, or side. This can be used as an attention getter or to redirect the behaviors of a child. 

Tells the dog to rest its head on a person’s lap. The dog should only attempt this when told to do so and should maintain position until told OFF. When the dog is cued “off,” the dog should immediately remove itself and return to a seated position next to the person.  The dog can perform this behavior while an individual is sitting on the floor, seated in a bean bag chair, or laying on a bed, along with other variations.   

With a person lying down, the dog applies pressure by laying on a person’s back or abdomen. Dog is either parallel or perpendicular while on the person. Dog should maintain position until commanded OFF. 

Dog will fetch a thrown toy and return to the handler.  When cued, the dog will drop the toy either in the handler’s hand or at their feet.  The dog should not play keep way or tug with the toy.  Handler can add cues like “sit” or “down” if additional control is needed. These cues are not necessary if the dog is being safe for the situation.  

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