How are seizure alert service dogs trained??

Question

Types of dogs that are around 30 - 50 pounds.

Answer 1

They're not. Either it comes naturally or it doesn't.

The dog that is trained is the seizure response dog or seizure assistance dog. This dog will roll the owner over to put him in a safer position for the seizure and otherwise protect him.

Many seizure response dogs naturally become seizure alert dogs. But if a dog doesn't have the abilities and/or instinct, you can't train him to be a seizure alert dog. Of course, if your dog alerts you to a seizure, encourage him and praise him (or have someone else do it) to let him know that that's the right thing to do).

IN RESPONSE TO YOUR RESPONSE: Check out the second link below. Near the middle there's a question about breeds superior for seizure alert dogs. They say that no one breed has been identified as superior. The best factor is the dog's personality. It should be "people-oriented and very responsive to human emotions and feelings." I think there are a lot of breeds of the size you mention that fit this description. I think you should also analyze what you're looking for in a dog: How much you can exercise, how much shedding, how much grooming, do you have kids, etc.? Also, you might want to contact some organizations that train seizure response dogs (like the two below). They might have a dog that will fit your needs.

Also read the question (in the second link) "Where Can a Person with a Seizure Disorder Get a Service Dog?"

Good luck!

Answer 2

The dog has the basic service dog training and then shows the ability to sense a seizure coming on. You can not train that into a dog, some dogs and cats are natural alert animals and most are not. My g/f had 5 GSDs and 1 has seizures. One of her other dogs would tell her 24 hours in advance that the other GSD was going to seize. It took her several months to figure that out tho..lol. When I dog sat we had a total of 7 GSDs, 1 Rott, 4 MinPins and 1 Dach. Only the 1 GSD picked up on the seizure, the rest of the pack were unconcerned.

Answer 3

There are just certain dogs that sense it - they can't really be trained. They either have it or they don't. Very clever really, dogs!