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DESENSITIZATION & EXPOSURE REQUIREMENTS

The list below outlines the specific items, people, and situations your future Service Dog will be trained to handle appropriately. Exposure and desensitization are critical for any Service Dog as it sets them up for success in their new job. 

Below are some samples of categories as well as specific people, places, things, and environments your dog will be exposed to while taking part in their Service Dog Training.

People

  • Children of various ages

  • People wearing hats

  • People with beards

  • People wearing glasses/sunglasses

  • First responders of all kinds

  • People in uniform

  • Strangers touching the dog without warning

  • Gender non-conforming people 

  • People wearing unfamiliar items

    • Gloves​

    • Heavy coats

    • Rain jackets

    • Flowy dresses

    • Hats

  • People using canes/crutches

  • People in wheelchairs

  • Babies crying

  • Kids playing

  • People running

  • People throwing balls

  • People hugging the dog

  • People of varying abilities

  • People in costumes

Behavior

  • Owner hugging/kissing someone else

  • People coming to the door

  • People approaching the owner

  • People approaching the dog

  • Kids having tantrums

Items

  • Vacuums

  • Brooms/sweeping

  • Bicycles

  • Motorcycles

  • Umbrellas

  • Ponchos

  • Dropped objects

  • Shopping carts

Sounds

  • Fans

  • Slamming doors

  • Dropped objects

  • Sirens

  • Yelling

  • Crowded areas

  • Fireworks

  • Loud music

  • Trains

Activities

  • Unfamiliar movements

    • Yoga​

    • Tai-chi

    • Dancing

    • Etc.

  • Festivals

  • Parties ​​

  • Outdoor events

  • Indoor events

  • Sporting activities

  • Cleaning

    • Sweeping​

    • Vacuuming

    • Mopping​

  • Chaotic/busy environments​

Animals

  • Dogs of various sizes

  • Barking dogs

  • Cats

  • Birds

  • Squirrels

Environments

  • Parks

  • Houses

  • Car rides

  • Beach

  • Stores

  • Playgrounds

  • Crowds

  • Puddles

  • Varying surfaces

    • Tile​

    • Wood

    • Grass

    • Gravel

    • Carpet

    • Sand

    • Mud

    • Bridges

Miscellaneous

  • Elevators

  • Stairs

  • Escalators

  • Toys

  • Different types of furniture

  • Rolling items

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