Phase 2 Service Dog Program

In Service Dog Phase 2 Training, Open Range will reinforce strong social behavior etiquette and add "duration" to obedience tasks. Like in Phase 1, Open Range will be imprinting behaviors on puppies when they are most impressionable, adapt most quickly, and will contain their training imprint with them far into their mature like.

• Open Range will reinforce skill training from Phase 1 and add "duration" to those skill sets. In the care of Open Range once a puppy is given a known obedience command they are expected to hold it until they are "released". "Duration" simply means we are working on task responsiveness, longevity, and attentiveness during high stress or complex situations.
• Your pup will be going on a lot of outings. Open Range will begin "shaping" behaviors that are paramount to the pup passing the Public Access Test. 

Open Range uses the Public Access Test as the main standard for reviewing and measuring successful completion of Phase 2 training. During Open Range Phase 2 Service Dog Training we will concentrate on the social behaviors addressed in the Public Access Test.

1. Training/Controlling Aids: Throughout the test, no treats, leash corrections, or training aids were used.

While PSDP encourages training throughout the lifetime of the dog, the PAT is designed to give a good snapshot of how the dog can be expected to behave without intensive training aids. As such, handlers are not allowed to use treats during the test. Additionally, leash corrections or other physical corrections are not permitted.

Similarly, this PAT prohibits the dog from being outfitted with any device designed to train or control by causing pain or fear (such as prong collars, choke collars, shock collars, and studded/prong harnesses). A head collar or non-prong, no-pull harness is acceptable only if the handler needs such an item due to their disability. This kind of device should only be used as an emergency failsafe (e.g., safety for balance issues), and cannot be relied on to control the dog during the test.

2. Leash Tension: Throughout the test, team had an appropriate level of looseness in the leash/harness.

The dog should not continuously/repeatedly strain at the leash (normally forms a “J”). Harness tension is okay if actively needed for disability mitigation (e.g., mobility or guide work). Retractable leashes are acceptable only when needed for disability-specific work. In either of these cases, the handler should alert the tester to the need and always maintain control without excessive pulling or wandering.

3. Inappropriate Service Dog Conduct: Throughout the test, dog did not display any inappropriate behaviors bulleted below.

• growling or inappropriate, excessive barking
• nipping or biting
• showing or baring teeth
• lunging at other people or dogs
• being out of handler’s control
• inappropriately eliminating (urinating or defecating)

4. Working Position: Throughout the test, dog was comfortable and confident in its working position.

Each team’s working position will be different to meet their unique requirements. When the person is seated in place, a small dog may work exclusively from the user’s lap. When moving, dogs that are normally held or carried also need to be able to pass the relevant challenges from the ground.

5. Vehicles and Public Transportation:

• Dog enters and exits any form of transportation in a safe manner.
• Dog is able to ride in any form of transportation in a controlled manner.

6. Parking Lot Behavior: Dog transits parking lot safely.

7. Controlled Entry into a Building: Dog enters building in a controlled manner.

8. Navigating a Store:

• Dog does not bump into shelves or interact with merchandise.
• Dog does not interact with other people unless instructed to do so.
• Dog does not lick or closely sniff food or other items in store.*
• Dog maintains a working position while the handler uses a shopping cart.

9. Working with Distractions: Dog is able to work despite distractions encountered in normal working environment.

10. Obedience Training: 

• Dog holds a sit, down, or stand stay on cue for 30 seconds.
• Dog comes on cue from a distance of 6 feet or greater.
• Dog walks past and leaves a food item on the ground.
• Dog is able to ignore, greet, or get out of the way of a stranger, whatever the dog has been trained or cued to do.
• Dog does not exhibit any inappropriate behavior when touched by a stranger.
• Dog focuses on the handler on cue.

11. Restaurant:

• Dog does not beg or attempt to eat or closely sniff any food on the floor or on tables.*
• Dog is positioned to cause the least obstruction to the flow of business.
• Dog is not on a table, chair, or bench, but is always either on the floor or in a lap if required for disability mitigation.
• Handler does not feed or water their dog from the table.

12. Elevator: Dog should be able to load into an elevator and travel both up and down with the dog remaining confident and unruffled in a sit, down, or standing position.

13. Stairs: If the handler uses stairs, the dog should maintain a working position. The dog should not cause the handler or others to fall or stumble. Teams that do not navigate stairways should be able to navigate wheelchair access ramps in the same manner.

14. Working around Other Dogs: Dog should be able to maintain a working mode while in the presence of other dogs.

15. Use of Public Restrooms: Dog does not cause a disturbance in the restroom.

Phase 2 training does not stop or begin with the Public Access Test. Puppies enrolled in the Open Range Service Dog Training Program are here for one purpose, to become a Service Dog. The testing standards set forth in each Phase of Service Dog Training are great mile-markers and standards for staff to achieve and for clients to follow the pups achievements. However, we at Open Range Pups, understands that the ultimate goal for a pup in Service Dog training is to become a Service Dog and we will consistently strive to move the pup beyond boundaries and toward higher goals everyday. 

It does not matter which Phase of training you enroll your pup in, we want you to know that your pup will comes home at his/her maximum potential.

Open Range offers the title of "AKC Therapy dog Novice" including 10 visits with Open Range Trainers.

What is required for the AKC Therapy Dog Certificate? 

1. Certified/registered by an AKC recognized therapy dog organization.
2. Perform the required number of visits for the title for which you are applying. For your convenience in helping you track your visits, you can use the Therapy Dog Record of Visits Sheet.
   • NOTE: A VISIT IS ONE DAY PER FACILITY/AGENCY.
   • FOR A SINGLE FACILITY: As an example, if you see multiple clients over a 2 hour time period on the same day, that is ONE VISIT. [In a hospital, you visit Mr. Jones, Ms. Smith, Mr. Roberts, Ms. White, this is ONE VISIT, not 4 visits].
   • For each day/date at a facility, no matter how many clients one sees, this counts as 1 visit. If you take a break and return to the same facility on the same day, this counts as ONE VISIT.
   • For MULTIPLE FACILITIES: Example: You do therapy work on your day off. In the morning, you go to an assisted living facility. You take your dog home at lunch to rest. In the afternoon, you go to a school. THIS IS 2 visits, no matter how many clients you saw per facility.

Phase 2 costs include the combined costs of the Open Range Online Pup Academy + Phase 1 + Phase 2

*Puppy Play Time is a no-work environment for your puppy to act like a puppy and still learn appropriate behavioral skills. Relieve stress, get rid of energy, learn proper etiquette, get comfortable in different public settings, outings in marketplaces, and more.

Service Dog Variable Costs

With Purchase Of Open Range Pup: this variable means that you HAVE purchased your pup through Open Range Pups.

Open Range Approved Pup: this variable means that you HAVE NOT purchased your pup through Open Range Pups. Open Range MUST approve pups admitted into our Service Dog Training Academy. 

Travel To Colorado: if you plan to visit Open Range Pups and participate in our hands-on training course, offered as part of your training package, than make sure and account for airfare, hotels and local travel. 

Food: the puppy parent/owner is responsible for the cost of the food. Open Range Pups only feeds Taste Of The Wild dog food or PawTree dog food. If you choose to use Taste Of The Wild than Open Range will feed the appropriate type of dog food for age, weight, and health condition. Fees are variable, but start at $45/month.

If you choose to feed PawTree than you may order through our PawTree portal where you can customize your food, the puppies name on the label, and any additional treats or probiotic/supplement add-ons. 

Grooming: Open Range does NOT provide grooming services free of charge. You may arrange for grooming services through the Puppy Portal through Open Range or even choose a different local provider and Open Range will transport the pup to their appointment.

Merchandise: order puppy toys, beds, bones, and more for your pup through the Puppy Portal.

A La Carte Services

AKC Therapy Dog Test: Open Range will arrange for the AKC Therapy Dog test at a location certified to perform the test. A staff member will accompany your dog and perform the function of the handler to accomplish successful completion of the test. This service is available for $435.

Health Tracker: track the daily health and activity of your pup with a FitBark. Costs include the price of your choice of FitBark plus $15 per/month.

Live Pup Chat: technology is rapidly evolving and Open Range would like to offer you new ways to communicate with your pup. See your pup live, they can see you, talk to them, help them get to know your voice(s), even give commands and electronically distribute treats. Costs start at $45 per/month plus the cost of supplemental treats of your choosing.

Open Range has financing options available for Service Dog clients. Open Range Service Dog Financing will cover up-to 70% of the total Tuition Costs associated with your Service Dog Training Programs. Open Range DOES NOT finance dogs or puppies.