This post on the canine/human connection and the evolution of assistance dogs is by Thea Trussler from episode 445 video and audio.

We humans love our dogs and the relationship between humans and dogs date back 40,000 years.  During that time, we have evolved side by side and as a result our DNA has become interwoven in the process.  Today we share 85% of our DNA with dogs!  The joke that dogs and their owners often look alike could be fodder for a standup comedian! 

The symbiotic relationship began with dogs accompanying our ancestors on hunting expeditions and then sharing that same food.  We traveled the same paths, were dependent on dogs for protection, hunting and companionship.  We learned each other’s language to collaborate on duties and have been side by side since.

During the modern age, dogs were seen primarily as protectors and hunters. They lived outside, and the dogs became dependent on humans for food and shelter. Dogs sought ways to understand and fulfill new roles simply because they wanted to please and become an integral part of the human pack. Over the millennia, dogs have learned skills and expanded their language understanding to the level of a toddler. 

The evolution included a curious physical change that is not in wild dogs, that being the ability to move their eyebrows.  This new development meant that dogs could better communicate with their humans.  Who can resist the raised eyebrows when your dog requests to go out for a walk, or feigns what we see as contrition when your shoes are shredded?

After WW1, many veterans were blinded by the poisonous gas in the trenches.  The first Guide Dogs program was established in England in 1934.  This took the evolution of dogs to its third phase where we continue exploring the abilities of dogs to conduct a variety of assistance tasks.

These tasks vary and include the detection of cancer, blood sugar levels in diabetics, seizure alerts and a rise of cortisol levels in a person.  Dogs are also engaged in the task of landmine detection, drugs, bed bugs, tracking criminals or lost persons and much more.  Whilst the list is extensive, we are still learning just how much they can achieve.

Training dogs for assistance careers can begin as early as 8 weeks of age.  At this early-stage puppies are assessed for their capacity to learn through games, their lack of fear for new objects, how solid their connection with humans is through eye contact and a curiosity to learn.  Basic training, as with any other puppy, is the norm for future Guide or assistance Dogs.  They learn to look to their human for direction and affirmation they are “a good dog”.  Modern training schools ideally work from an ethical technique of reward base training and do not use punitive measures.  The past where trainers focused on domination is no longer acceptable in ethical training schools.

As expressed earlier, eye contact is probably one of the key training pieces of early training. Establishing that link works like an umbilical cord from where all other training sprouts.  I specialize in training dogs to work with children and adults who have been diagnosed with neurodivergent conditions such as autism, ADHD and PTSD.  I am focusing on family pet dogs to train some of the basic animal assisted intervention skills.  This move was to answer the dire need for assistance dogs and a lack of trained dogs available to meet that need.  It is a worldwide phenomena that assistance dogs are becoming a regular part of the culture, no matter the country.  My program does not aim for public access rights such as restaurants, schools or workplaces.  I chose this avenue to reach as many people as possible with their family pet.  Most of the skills taught help in the home environment.  However, not all family pet dogs are willing or capable of learning these new skills.  My clients were already aware of their dog’s behavior and willingness to learn, therefore the majority of the dogs assessed were accepted into my assistance training program.

An important aspect of the program includes mental health support.  Families or individuals who live with a disability are often finding their mental health challenging.  The system that is meant to support the mental health of people in every country is overwhelmed.  My 35 years in social services and mental health organizations is blended into the training program where I support the entire family when they feel overwhelmed.  

Often during these “cup of tea” chats, the dog will come to the person who is feeling the stress of life and place their head on their lap or simply stay beside them.  Often it is the mom of the family and when I point out that the dog is there assisting her, she sees them in an entirely new light.  I will explain that dogs can smell cortisol, the stress hormone, and the dog tries to do something to help.  Simply knowing “someone” is looking out for them is a huge relief and the love expands.

Teaching Skills To Assistance Dogs

Teaching skills of an assistance dog have different levels of engagement.  First is the “watch me” command and to always say their name in an upbeat way as in “watch me Fergal”.  To reinforce the command a high end treat is held and brought up to your face.  As soon as they engage eye contact praise them in the “happy happy” voice saying their name and “good dog” which finishes the training command cycle.

Next is the “nudge”, which will later be used by the dog to get your attention if you are struggling or crying.  Hold a treat next to your leg or on your lap if you are seated.  Same command structure of “Fergal nudge” followed by praise.  Always use your dog’s name. 

From nudge to a “visit” is our next task.  Seated, hold a treat on your lap and have your dog hold their head still before giving them the treat.  You may want a towel on your lap for the slobber element.  Command is “Fergal visit” followed by praise.  Build up their ability to hold that for 30 seconds.  This will take a while.

The last of the assistance skills that are the core of what folks are seeking is the “over”.  This is where a dog lays across the person’s lap if seated or laying down.  Same command structure and adjustments to dog size will need to be kept in mind.  For instance, my Great Dane is not ideal for an “over” but him laying his entire head on your lap achieves the same goal.  It is during an “over” and a “visit” that the parasympathetic nervous system is kicked in through deep pressure.  It is akin to weighted blankets or long hugs that calm the nervous system.  For one of my clients her small dog lays on her chest and helps with elevating her blood pressure when she faints.

Dogs are an integral part of our society, and they continue to find ways to make themselves irreplaceable.  Ethical training and breeding practices continue to evolve and as does the respect for these magnificent creatures whose entire world revolves around you!

Thea Trussler is a Canadian now living in Ireland.  She has over 40 years experience working with horses and dogs with a focus over the past decade on animal assisted interventions.  Her primary career has been working in the mental health field in a variety of capacities from front line crisis work to career change planning for persons with disabilities. 

Thea has presented to local communities to international conferences a variety of topics on mental health.  She worked closely with Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind on the topic of mental health in the workplace as many of the dog trainers were facing stressful situations with their clients.  She will craft a presentation to meet your organization’s needs, including trauma informed skills, suicide prevention, bullying and many other topics.

Thea now combines her mental health background and her training skills of dogs to assess and train family pet dogs to do certain tasks for persons with disabilities.  Primary focus is on children and adults with a neurodivergent condition to help in daily home tasks. 

Thea lives in a beautiful rural setting in SE Cork with her young Great Dane Fergal and 4 cats.

To contact Thea, please go to www.petassistancetraining.com or email petassistancetraining@gmail.com