THCs Dog Training

10/31/2026

DAILY HOMEWORK
- 3x5 RULE
3 sessions per day, 5 minutes each. Stop while dog still wants more.
Log it.

THE 8-WEEK MAP - All 10 Test Items

WEEK 1: Engagement Foundation [Test 1, 4]
Goal: Dog chooses you over environment
• 100 Eye Contacts a day: Dog looks at you = "Yes!" + treat • Loose Leash: Be a Tree. Leash tight = freeze. Leash loose = move + treat at seam • Homework: 5 min in driveway, 5 min at Preisker Park parking lot

WEEK 2: Handling & Grooming [Test 3]
Goal: Dog LOVES being handled
• Touch = Treat: Ear touch=treat, Paw lift=treat, Brush 2 strokes=treat • 30-sec rule: Never push past 30 seconds. Quit before stress. • Homework: Stranger handling - have 2 different people per day do 5-sec pet on chest

WEEK 3: Polite Greetings [Test 1, 2, 8]
Goal: 4 paws on floor for all humans/dogs
• No free petting. Ask: "Can you pet after a sit?" • For jumping: Person turns away, you reward sit. No talking to jumping dog. • Homework: "Look At That" - See dog/person 30ft away = "Yes!" + treat. Decrease distance 2ft per success

WEEK 4: Position Fluency [Test 6]
Goal: Fast, crisp sit/down anywhere
• No lure after Day 2. Hand signal only. • Add the 3 D's SEPARATELY: Today only Duration (3 sec sit), tomorrow only Distance (1 step back) • Homework: Mat work - Sit/down/stay on mat while you cook dinner. 1 min, 2 min, 3 min.

WEEK 5: Crowd & Distraction [Test 5, 9]
Goal: Heel through chaos
• Target: Hardware store parking lot, Farmers Market edge. • Hand Touch: "Touch" to get through crowd. Treat every 3 steps you stay together. • Distraction pairing: Skateboard appears = 5 treats rain. Change emotion, not just behavior.

WEEK 6: Recall [Test 7]
Goal: Recall is a PARTY, not a chore
• Never call for bath/nails/crate. Only call for amazing things. • Formula: Call once, crouch, arms wide, party voice. 5 treats, one at a time, when they arrive. • Homework: 5 recalls a day inside house, long hallway. No recall outside yet.

WEEK 7: Supervised Separation [Test 10] MOST FAILED

Goal: Calm when you leave

• No dramatic goodbyes. Boring exit.

• Home practice: Step out front door 5 sec, return BEFORE barking/whining, treat calm. Build to 30 sec, 1 min, 3 min. • Give evaluator a frozen Kong. Practice with neighbor holding leash while you go to mailbox.

WEEK 8: Full Test Run-Throughs
Goal: Chain 10 items together
• Run full mock test 2x this week in NEW location. Different park each time.
• If fail on 1 item, go back to that week's drill for 2 days.

PRO TROUBLESHOOTING:

• Pulling? -> You're moving too fast. Slow down, reward check-ins.

• Barking at dogs? -> Too close. Add 20ft distance and start again.

• Won't stay? -> You added Duration + Distance together. Go back to 1 D.

• Fails separation? -> Practice 10x 10-sec absences, not 1x 3-min.

PASS CHECKLIST - Can your dog do this 8/10 times?

[ ] Sit while stranger shakes my hand
[ ] Sit while stranger pets chest 5 sec
[ ] Stand calm while I brush and check paws
[ ] Loose leash through 3 people, with turns
[ ] Sit/down from 5ft away, stay 1 min
[ ] Recall from 10ft in park
[ ] Walk past dog team 10ft away, no reaction
[ ] Stay calm for dropped chair/jogger
[ ] Stay calm with evaluator for 3 min while I leave

10/21/2026

PET SAFETY IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE — Their Safety Matters Too / Pets Are Family Too — Protecting Dogs, Cats & All Pets From Abuse

• IF YOU NEED HELP NOW — Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) / Text START to 88788 / 988 Crisis / 911 If In danger

WHY PETS ARE AT RISK — Abusers threaten/hurt/kill pets to control human victims, 7 in 10 women in shelters report abuser threatened/hurt/killed pet, Nearly 50% delayed leaving because they feared for their pet

SIGNS A PET IS IN DANGER — Fearful of partner, unexplained injuries, partner prevents vet care/food, threats to give away/abandon •

SAFETY PLANNING FOR YOUR PET — leash, food, meds, vet records, proof of ownership, hidden go-bag, trusted friend who can take pet quickly, document harm, plan pet-friendly shelter/boarding

PET SAFETY HOTLINES & RESOURCES — RedRover Safe Escape Grants 1-916-429-2457 or RedRover.org (pays for temporary boarding), SafeHavensForPets.org directory of pet-friendly DV shelters, RedRover Safe Housing grants, Ahimsa House, The National Link Coalition (link between animal abuse and domestic violence), Local Animal Control/Humane Society for cruelty reporting, plus thehotline.org / 988lifeline.org / loveisrespect.org / RAINN 1-800-656-4673 RESOURCE & SUPPORT CALIFORNIA CONTACTS — 1-800-799-7233, StrongHearts 1-844-762-8483, CA Partnership 916-444-7163, 911,

START to 88788, Chat thehotline.org, [email protected] / [email protected], PET HELP RedRover / SafeHavensForPets.org, California allows pets in restraining orders •

09/24/2026

THCs Dog Training (Training Helpful Canines) is a Christian-owned company in Orcutt, CA, offering positive, faith-guided training based on AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy and Canine Good Citizen standards. No AKC registration required.

We help everyday dogs become calm, confident, and well-mannered at home and in public. Our training is built on the trusted AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy and Canine Good Citizen framework, focusing on real-life skills like socialization, polite greetings, loose-leash walking, sit, down, come, stay, and staying calm around distractions.

No papers needed and no prior training needed. All breeds are welcome, including mixed breeds.
We train with patience, kindness, and grace, inspired by Proverbs 12:10 and Proverbs 27:23.

Whether you are starting a new puppy or refreshing manners with an older dog, we will guide you step by step.

Find us on Facebook | Kendall | 805-623-9300 text for quick response

09/17/2026

Basic Training for Every Dog
Build a happier life with your dog starting with the basics. These simple, positive training tips work for any breed and any age to teach good manners, build trust, and make everyday moments calmer and more fun together.

09/14/2026

08/21/2026

EARN AN OFFICIAL AKC TITLE AT HOME

THCS Dog Training is now offering AKC Virtual Home Manners — the official AKC program that lets your dog earn a real AKC title on their record from the comfort of your home. 100% virtual, no travel needed.

This program focuses on real-life manners that matter at home: calm petting & grooming, sit/down, come when called, food manners, doorbell manners, go to place, loose leash exiting the door, and appropriate play with family.

Two Titles Available:
• VHMP - Puppy (12 weeks to 1 year) • VHMA - Adult (1 year and up)
All breeds welcome - purebred and mixed breeds.
How it works: You film the 10 skills at home on your phone, I review and evaluate your video as a Certified AKC Approved Evaluator, and you submit for your official AKC title and certificate.

This is a perfect first AKC title and a natural lead-in to AKC STAR Puppy & Canine Good Citizen.

Your Evaluator: Kendall with THCS Dog Training
Certified AKC Approved Evaluator

To book your evaluation:
📞 805-623-9300 text for quick response
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.thcsdogtraining.com
Facebook: THCS Dog Training

Serving Orcutt, Santa Maria, and the Central Coast — evaluations done 100% virtually anywhere in the US.

AKC is a registered trademark of the American Kennel Club.

07/28/2026

In California, state laws like the ⁠Unruh Civil Rights Act combine with disability rules to set a minimum penalty of $4,000 per violation when a business wrongfully denies entry or treats a service dog owner poorly.

The Law and PenaltiesMinimum $4,000 fine: You can get at least $4,000 in statutory damages for each time a shop, restaurant, or business turns you away or breaks the law.Extra costs:

The business may also have to pay your lawyer fees.

California rules:
California state laws are stronger than basic federal rules, adding cash penalties that the federal ADA alone does not always provide.Common Business Violations

Denying entry: Stopping you and your service dog from coming inside a public place.

Asking for papers: Demanding a special ID card, medical note, or certificate (law does not require papers).

Asking too much: Asking about your private medical history instead of just the two allowed questions (Is it a service dog? What task is it trained to do?).

Extra fees: Trying to charge a pet fee or deposit for your service animal.

Source: Service Animal Law Center https://www.adalawyer.net/penalty-for-refusing-service-dog/

Despite the very strong protections provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act and California law, the sad reality is that disabled people are denied access in California every day because of their service animals. It is wrong, and it needs to stop.

07/04/2026

Saturday training is moving OUTDOORS! Join THCs Dog Training for Basic Obedience and Puppy Training every Saturday in Orcutt. Fun, positive, real-life practice for sit, stay, come, heel, down, leave it, and leash skills — plus CGC foundations. Must be fully vaccinated Training Helpful CanineS Teaches clear methods that work at home, not just in class. Spots are limited and times vary, so text Kendall at 805-623-9300 or find us on Facebook to grab your Saturday slot and start building the calm, confident companion you've been hoping for.

05/27/2026

🚨🚨 Be aware of the law change 🚨🚨

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued enforcement guidance that tightens the definition of qualified assistance animals.

While trained service dogs that perform specific, disability-related tasks remain fully protected,

the change severely restricts protections for untrained Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) in federally regulated housing.

What the Rule Change Means for Your trained Service Dogs: Landlords are still required to grant reasonable accommodations (waiving no-pets policies and pet fees) for dogs individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.

🚨🚨🚨Emotional Support Animals: Effective immediately, HUD has directed its fair housing offices to stop enforcing federal housing protections for ESAs. 🚨

This means landlords in many jurisdictions may now exclude animals whose sole function is to provide comfort, rather than performing trained, actionable tasks.

No Pet Fees: For legitimate service animals that qualify, landlords cannot charge pet deposits, pet rent, or require the animal to be included in weight or breed restrictions.

State and Local Protections (California)If you reside in California (including Nipomo), state-level protections may offer stronger baseline rules than the federal HUD policy.

California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) continues to explicitly cover both trained service dogs and emotional support animals. State laws prevent landlords from charging pet rent or deposits for assistance animals.

What You Should Do to Verify Your Animal's Status: Ensure your dog meets the ADA definition of a service animal (trained to do work or tasks).

Review State Laws: Because federal guidelines are shifting, consult state laws and local tenant organizations, as they may provide greater housing protections for ESAs.

Seek Official Guidance: If you believe you are being wrongly evicted or denied an accommodation, visit the HUD Assistance Animals Guide to verify your rights. You can also contact the California Civil Rights Department to understand your localized tenant protections.

Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) (.gov)

Assistance AnimalsFor some persons with disabilities, an assistance animal may be necessary to afford them equal housing opportunity.

05/21/2026

Let's talk about service animals, ID cards, and certification!

Did you know that, per the ADA, there is no legally recognized or required certification for service animals? It's true! The ADA says the following:

"Q17. Does the ADA require that service animals be certified as service animals?
A. No. Covered entities may not require documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal, as a condition for entry.

There are individuals and organizations that sell service animal certification or registration documents online. These documents do not convey any rights under the ADA and the Department of Justice does not recognize them as proof that the dog is a service animal."

https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-faqs/

Some programs that train service animals for handlers do provide certificates or ID cards to their handlers. It's important to note that these cards have no legal standing.

Not only are they not legally necessary, they can cause further confusion with businesses if they are presented upon entry or request. This has a two fold effect - it negatively impacts other handlers who do not have or carry unnecessary IDs, as businesses may come to believe that they can be required as a condition for entry, which is contrary to the ADA. It can also lead businesses to think that IDs which have been purchased online for pets that are not trained service animals are legitimate and that they must permit entry to these untrained pets.

Instead, we encourage our handlers to have the ADA page linked above bookmarked on their phone for easy access to help with working through any access issues that may arise where a business erroneously requests ID as a condition for entry.

So, if IDs and certifications are not legally valid, what can businesses do when someone brings in an animal?

When it is not obvious, businesses may ask two questions - Is this a service animal required for a disability? What work or task is it trained to perform? Businesses may not inquire about the nature of the disability, request a demonstration of a task, or request any sort of documentation. (see Q7 on the ADA FAQ linked above)

If a handler is able to provide an answer to the above questions, but then their dog or mini horse is out of control and they don't take immediate and effective steps to regain control, the handler can be directed to remove the animal. The handler must be permitted to return without the animal, if they so choose.

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