Thank you for your interest in K-9's for Kids. Our family-founded organization has been assisting families like yours since 2008. The inception of our program was prompted by a family member's need to raise $25,000 for an Autism Service Dog. Recognizing the financial challenge, we conducted thorough research. After consulting with professionals in the Autism field, our Master trainer, and parents, we made the decision to establish our program.
Our distinctive program was initially developed to support children with Autism and their families. Subsequently, we have broadened our scope to include children with Diabetes, Seizure Disorders, Anxiety, and various other Emotional Disorders. Our approach centers on a strict breeding program for German Shepherds and a positive reinforcement-based training methodology.
Regardless of whether your child has Autism, Diabetes, Seizure Disorders, Anxiety, emotional challenges or other disability, we will tailor a program to effectively meet their specific requirements.
Our primary objective is to ensure the program's optimal success for your child's benefit.
As stated, our family started our program in 2008. Having trained K-9's for police, search & rescue, detection, and obedience training, it was a natural fit. At first our goal was to help train Autism Service dogs who would alert when the child moved away, be a personal search & rescue dog, aide in stopping stimming activity, and be a constant companion. What we didn't expect was to see an instant mental connection between the pup and the child. The child's outbursts decreased, anxieties decreased, stimming behavior decreased all within a short period of time without significant training. We then began to branch out into other areas besides Autism Disorder. As word spread of our training process, we received more and more calls from parents asking for help with various needs of children. If it was possible to train the pups to assist with the child's needs, they entered into of our program. Our goal is to help as many children as possible. Our slogan is "Our Family, Helping Your Family".
Our training process begins the day the puppies are born. The puppies are handled daily and weighed to ensure that they are gaining weight. They are evaluated for muscle tone, strength of their cries, and how quickly they are developing.
We believe socialization is critical in developing a superior service dog. The rule of 7's occurs in the first 7 weeks of their life.
1. Pups taken to 7 different safe locations
2. Eats from 7 different containers
3. Meets at least 7 different people
4. Crated for short periods 7 times. 5.Walks on 7 different types of surfaces
6. Has been exposed to 7 different challenges
7. Played with 7 types of toys
All of these socialization tasks are completed by 7 weeks of age.
The puppies veterinary care begins at home with us. The pups are wormed at 3 weeks, 5 weeks and then again at 7 weeks at the vet visit. Each pup is given a thorough exam for any potential medical issues. ANY potential problem rules out a puppy from being selected as a service dog candidate.
Throughout the puppies first 7 weeks of age they are observed for any behavior towards litter mates that is unacceptable. How they handled the rule of 7's is critical in seeing a solid temperament. Are any pups just to shy, don't like loud noises, and if they have the IT factor.
At 8 weeks of age the pups are brought out to meet their potential child. Over the years we have seen an unexplainable process. A particular puppy will focus on a child that needs their help. His or her attributes fit that child. That is truly day 1 of the bonding process. That pup had claimed his or her child.
Once the puppy has chosen their child, the family takes the pup home with them. Over the course of 4-6 weeks the puppy is allowed to get used to their new home, family, and being away from mom and their litter mates, as well as house breaking and continued bonding. From day 1 of entering their new home, the ONLY one who is allowed to feed the puppy is their child. For the child replaces the mom and will become the most important person in the puppies life.
Once the actual training process begins, it will take approximately 1 year to complete the training process. The training is every Sunday during that time and homework during the week. The more time spent working with the puppy the quicker they will progress. It will be evident who is working with their pup and who is not. When it is determined that the K-9 and family is qualified, they will be given certification tests based on National Standards. This is strictly a pass or fail. At the successful completion of the tests the K-9 will be certified as a service dog. He/she will be able to go into any facility the child goes into. The certification period is good for 18 months. Families must return with their K-9 for regular maintenance training.
All pups start off being trained to alert to the child moving away from them and to track their child. Whether the child has elopement issues or not, all puppies start with these "games". This reinforces the bond that was started on day 1 and continued with their new family and partner. The training for tracking will begin with short distance and over time will become longer and more complicated. The dogs will be required to track in all types of weather and on all types of terrain. The pup will be trained to find their child and ONLY their child. The process in which we use is the same process Search & Rescue K-9's are trained with. At the completion of training, the family will have their own personal Search and Rescue K-9.
After approximately 2 months of basic training the obedience training begins. This is a praised based training, that requires a no-nonsense approach. Service dogs not behaving can be asked to leave public facilities. Once the pup has become proficient with obedience, the training can start to be geared towards the child's INDIVIDUAL NEEDS: Whether they have self-harming, mood swings, self-stimming, seizure disorder, diabetes, or elopement.
In our 30+ years in the K-9 community we have been exposed and trained various breeds of dogs. Whether they were for police, search & rescue, therapy, or service K-9's we feel that the German Shepherd is the BEST choice for a service dog. We have been breeding OUR German Shepherds since 2008. We are very selective in the puppies we choose for our breeding program. Over the course of 2 years while the puppy grows and develops, we determine if it has the qualities needed to be a service dog. They are also examined for health issues. Then and ONLY then will we breed that K-9 and pass along those traits. OUR German Shepherds are bred for a strong work ethic, high intelligence, solid temperament, and high play drive. The other characteristic that we want is to see if they have the IT factor. The IT factor is the all around impression that we get when we see a K-9.
Each year the AKC gives out 6 awards to hardworking service dogs for making significant contributions to an individual or entire community. The Brimner Family submitted their K-9 Hank for the award. The AKC selected K-9 Hank as one of the 6. K-9's for Kids was awarded a donation for its part in training him.
http://akc.tv/episode?id=10535
https:www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/ace-winner-service-dog-hank/
Check out this great video
K9's for Kids has helped form K9s for Kids Funding Services. It was formed to assist families with the cost of obtaining and training a service puppy. K9s for Kids Funding Services may help families with costs when funding is available.
To help families, earmark any donation for service dogs for children and it will be dedicated to service dogs for children. Any donations made are eligible for a tax deduction. For information on donating, please contact us at 412-670-5939.
To come and view one of our training sessions and to speak to families, please contact us via phone or email.
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