Finding the Right Fit
Evaluating and Selecting Your Service Dog
Course Summary
Finding the Right Fit, is designed to guide you step-by-step through the process of evaluating and selecting the perfect service dog prospect. This course is designed to be taken after Selecting the Right Service Dog course.
From choosing a reputable breeder to understanding the critical importance of early neurological stimulation, scent introduction, and temperament testing, this course equips you with the knowledge and tools to make an informed, confident decision. Whether you're new to service dogs or looking to enhance your understanding, this course will ensure you start off on the right foot.
By the end of this course, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to find a reputable breeder, and work with the breeder to find a good service dog candidate for your needs.
In this course, you will learn
-how to select the right breeder
- red flags and cautions when selecting a breeder
- how to use Early Neurological Stimulation and Early Scent Introduction
- the importance of temperament testing to select your service dog prospect
This course also includes a course handbook with a trainer interview guide that will help you interview service dog trainers.
The full series of courses will help you find the right trainer, get the right dog, and begin the process correctly. However, they are not designed to teach you how to train a gluten detection dog on your own. That requires extensive one-on-one training with a gluten detection dog trainer.
Course Curriculum
Kendra Williams
Kendra is a gluten-detection dog handler. She trained her dog, Suki, through Willow Service Dogs under Dawn Scheu. As a blogger and social media content creator, Kendra discovered the hunger for more information regarding training service dogs, specifically gluten-detection dogs. Kendra also hears tragic stories almost weekly from people who tried to train a dog either on their own or through a trainer, and ended up with a sad story of a dog that was completely untrained.
Professionally, she designs education and training programs for corporations. She decided to take her knowledge of training and develop some courses to answer the questions she had prior to training a gluten-detection dog. She also wanted to help others not make the same mistakes she made on her journey.
Because of the lack of information regarding training a service dog, and the expense of training, Kendra decided to partner with her good friend and fellow service dog trainer, Kari Bastyr, to design a series of courses to educate potential handlers on what they need to know prior to making the full commitment of training a service dog.
Kari Bastyr
Education and Credentials
- B.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Masters Degree in Animal Behavior and Applied Behavior Analysis​
- Gluten Detection Service Dog Trainer, completed an internship with Dawn Scheu of Willow Service Dogs
- Certified by International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
- Certified Professional Canine Nutritionist from the Feed Real Institute
- A licensed VSPDT trainer with Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training
- Member of the Animal Behavior Society & the Pet Professional Guild
- Certified Pet Nutrition Specialist, and completed a Masters Class in Canine Nutrition
I am the founder of Wag & Train Dog Behavior & Nutrition and co-founder of Celiac Service Dogs. I am certified by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, a Certified Professional Canine Nutritionist from the Feed Real Institute, a licensed VSPDT dog behavior consultant with Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training, a member of the Animal Behavior Society, a member of the Pet Professional Guild, and a professional member of O.D.O.R Service Dogs. My chocolate Labrador, Birdie, is a gluten detection dog who trained with Willow Service Dogs. I also completed an internship in gluten detection with Dawn Scheu, of Willow Service Dogs. I am a certified Pet Nutrition Specialist, and have completed a Masters Class in Canine Nutrition.
Highly Recommended Course. Easy to Understand, Informative, Very Well Organized. The Course is Full of Practical and Valuable for Anyone who wants to Enhance their Skills. Really Enjoyed it. Thank you!!
Course Pricing
Finding the Right Fit
$29 USD
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Designed to guide you through the process for evaluating and selecting the perfect service dog prospect.
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- Learn how to select the right breeder
- Identify red flags and cautions when selecting a breeder
- Learn Early Neurological Stimulation and Early Scent Introduction
- Learn the importance of temperament testing
- Includes video instructions, a handbook and valuable links to resources
- This course is designed to be used with a gluten detection trainer
