A brief overview of the qualified training of an assistance dog at VITA.
Successful cooperation and positive interaction between dog and disabled person requires qualified training of the assistance dog, expert knowledge in the field of cynology and, last but not least, pedagogical and psychological expertise and a special empathy.
How does VITA train assistance dogs?
Selection of puppies
VITA selects the puppies very carefully, taking into account the temperament and health of the parents as well as the puppy tests.
Socialising
At the age of approx. 8 weeks, the puppies come to selected adopters for 12 to 15 months, where they grow up and are playfully introduced to their environment. The adopters are supervised by a VITA trainer.
Training
The actual training is divided into two phases and lasts six to ten months. The duration of the training depends, among other things, on the specific tasks that the dog is to take on for its adopter.
In the first phase, all dogs learn the so-called basics, followed by advanced training in the second phase, in which they are specifically prepared for their individual tasks.
Matching
The most suitable human-dog team is determined.
Pairing
Tatjana Kreidler and/or Dr. Ariane Volpert now take over the pairing of the new human-dog team which takes about six weeks. During this time, a relationship is carefully built up between the human and dog team, both learn how to deal with each other and must now grow together in everyday life.
Aftercare
The teams are regularly supervised and trained by VITA - throughout the dog's life.
