Riff Service Dog In Training

Riff is a puppy from our April 2024 litter that we’ve retained for Service Dog training. We breed this specific cross (St. Poodle x Old English Sheepdog) because we’ve found them to be exceptional Service Dogs for both child handlers and adults with a variety of disabilities.

Riff is eight months old now and is developing into a wonderful worker and promises to be an amazing Service Dog.

Here’s a short video of his first trip to a department store for Public Access training, including while working next to a wheelchair. The Farm Store we visited permits pet dogs, which mostly are tethered to handlers who are quite out of control of their dogs. I’m not sure if Riff’s initial reaction was due to seeing dogs where he wasn’t expecting them, or if he didn’t understand why they would be pulling their owner in a way he’s learned is not acceptable! I’m going with the latter. Still, I took the opportunity to communicate that he is required to ignore other dogs, regardless of what behavior they may be presenting.

At the end of the video you’ll see Riff working on two different tasks. Pressing an automatic door open device requires that he uses his paw, as these devices can be too difficult to operate by touching it with his nose. He must learn to put his paw as close to the center of the button as possible. Riff seemed to be trying to impress the fact that he is willing to use both is right and left paw to accomplish the mission.

The second task that I added to this video asks Riff to touch a device with his nose. In this case, it’s an electronic doorbell button, which when depressed, will ring a sound that can be secured in a remote location (this one comes with quite a good, long range.) We’re teaching Riff to perform this behavior to assist an individual who may need to summons someone who is in a different part of the home or building.

We’re having fun training Riff to serve his handler in many different capacities.

Riff will be able to serve someone with the following needs: psychiatric, mobility, physical support and he’s also in early scent discrimination training (which could be used for diabetic or allergen alert.)

If you are seeking a fully trained Service Dog for your disability and are interested in Riff, please CONTACT US.