Can I get a Gluten Detection Service Dog That is Already Trained?

Although it may be very tempting, it is not recommended to get a celiac service dog that is already trained for a few reasons.

1. It takes time to read the dog's body language and develop trust in the dog. The handler is trusting the dog to perform a task that will keep them from getting sick. That requires trust, and a misunderstanding could mean serious illness. This requires a high level of trust in the dog, and that type of trust only comes from training together.

   
   

2. The handler must be trained, not just the dog. Unlike medical alert service dogs that may alert to a drop in blood sugar levels or a high heart rate through no active effort of the handler, a gluten detection dog is working in partnership with the handler as the handler presents the food to check. The handler plays a very active role in gluten detection, and they must be trained to work in partnership with the dog.
   

3. The dog and the handler bonds develops as the dog grows and matures. If you used a service to train a dog, that dog will spend the first 2 years of their life with another trainer, bonding with someone other than the handler. The transition is often challenging for the dog, and really hard for the handler to manage since they are unfamiliar with the dog and the training process.
   

4. Many board and train programs over promise and under deliver. I have heard horror stories from many people who bought "fully trained dogs" only to find they were not trained, or they have severe behavioral issues that made training impossible. Once the handler brought the dog home, they realized they had no idea how to work with the dog, and they had no support. One person received a dog that did not fit with her lifestyle and was fearful of going in public, she had to return the dog and was out $15,000. Another person, Rikki shared her story of buying a dog for $10,000 and the dog was completely untrained. You can watch the full interview here.

How much time does it take to train a gluten detection celiac service dog?

Training a gluten detection celiac service dog takes 2 years. When you train in our owner training program you train weekly over zoom with Kari Bastyr, and practice on your own in between your sessions.

Where do I find a dog to train?

I recommend starting with puppy, but the breed of dog will depend on your needs and lifestyle. We walk you through how to find the right breed for you in our course Selecting the Right Service Dog, and then help you find the right breeder and the right puppy in our course Finding the Right Fit.

How can I train a dog when I have no experience training a dog?

When you train with a trainer who specializes in celiac service dog training, they provide you with step by step lessons at your level to meet your needs and yours dog's abilities. They will be teaching you, just as a music teacher teaches you to play an instrument or a coach teaches a sport. As your abilties grow, you gain skills and confidence. You also receive help along the way with any questions or challenges.

When I first started training my dog, Suki, I had no idea how to train a dog, and the way the training progressed, I grew in my abilities. Because it is a big step to jump into the unknown, I worked with dog trainers to develop courses to answer all the questions I had before I started training.

How do I get started training a gluten detection dog?

Check out our free quick start guide to help you figure out your next steps or read our blog for more information to find out if it is right for you.

Who can I speak with if I have more questions?

You can schedule time with Kendra or Kari to answer your questions and help you develop a personalized plan for getting a dog and training it to detect gluten.