This book is about showing a dog a concept, starting with the first step, which we call the base step. We show the dog what tools nature gave them: their teeth, nose, and paws. Then, we show the dog the little steps leading to a task. We go up and down idea steps, like concept spiraling found in childhood development.  

Using the number three as the smallest number—called “chunking,” a psychological principle for memory in all animals—you can teach dogs to move skills from short-to long-term memory. With 13 principles found in these pages (scaffolding tools) you can insert them as rungs upon a ladder (a scaffold), leading dogs to acquire new service dog skills. Through the process of semantic encoding, dogs can treat each skill as a foraging puzzle to solve for themselves.  

Though this is a tough method for a trainer to learn, it’s the easiest and fastest for a dog. When done correctly, you can teach a smart dog a skill in 10 minutes, something that can take many months with conditioning. Even a dumb dog who wants to work can almost always learn in three sessions, maybe lasting up to an hour each. When working for themself to solve a puzzle, a dog takes longer to burn out and can go for longer sessions.  

By sharing this method, we hope to shorten the time required to train a service dog, thereby allowing people with disabilities to get their new, furry helpers at a faster pace. Furthermore, we hope to bring service dogs to people otherwise too far down the waiting list to receive one.