Diabetic Alert Dog Training: How to collect saliva samples for training.

Here we teach you how to appropriately collect low and high blood sugar level saliva in order to train a diabetic alert service dog. Making sure to keep everything sterile and clean in crucial to giving the dog the highest success chances in recognizing the correct oder.
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Top Dog Professional Training was founded in 2005 by Adam Gibson. Since then we’ve trained over 3000 dogs including Police K9’s, Service Dogs (Diabetic Alert Dogs, Mobility Assistance Dogs, Autism Assistance Dogs), and every breed from poodle puppies to pit bulls. Our facility is located just outside of Fort Worth, Texas in the small town of Joshua (sandwiched between Burleson and Cleburne). We serve the entire DFW metroplex, and even have clients come in from surrounding states.
The training we offer is designed to help you have the relationship you’ve dreamed about with your dog. Our straightforward and easy to understand methods can assist with problem behaviors such as aggression, fear, over excitement, jumping, licking, biting, chewing, etc. and of course we also offer obedience training to teach your dog to do exactly what you say, when you say it.
We no longer train police K9’s but still specialize in service dogs for those with medical needs.
Our programs are available through group classes, private one on one training, day training, and board and train. We also offer a balanced and structured doggy daycare at our facility to provide a safe outlet for your dog to exercise and socialize.
If you have any other questions or just want some more information please visit our website. Thanks for watching.

[@chloereed6777]

I live in Australia and I've never seen a diabetic alert dog and I recently asked my mum if I could have a service dog and she said I don't think they have diabetic service dogs in Australia i said back to my mum well if they don't have them in Australia I'm going to be the first diabetic child/person to have a diabetic service dog cause my diabetes for the last month or two has been off also I've had diabetes for 4 years and your KZbin channel is amazing 😉

[@masterwarden2827]

Get a dog and train them if they don't sell them there! Nothing wrong with that!

[@SG-yo8vc]

there are diabetic alert dogs here in Australia. Google it

[@Ruby-eg9rw]

Chloe Reed lucky you've had diabetes for 4 years have had it for 10 years and I'm not even a teenager yet

[@allthewayalive92]

So how did that work out?

[@jesstrainsdogs1659]

@@allthewayalive92 id like to know that too!

[@sandraturner6228]

Thank you for posting this.

[@rousefamily]

Great video. You guys are so awesome to share your knowledge. Thank you!

[@mrfarmer1991]

Thank you so so much for sharing such valuable information in great detail. A very informative video & it’s much appreciated!!

[@the_servicerescue4356]

Thanks, I have a diabetic alert dog still trying to do more alert stuff

[@sadiereynolds2316]

this was a very informatonal video for me! getting a puppy very soon and i dont have the money for any training services thanks for your help!

[@jeannepifer7273]

Thank you so much for helping me train my SD for this. It only took me about 6 to 8 weeks to get her to grasp what she needed to do. Thank you again so very much. I have shared the knowledge of how to do this.

[@rosannerobinson954]

Thank you so much for the information! I live alone and am training my pup myself. He is getting it but I need to be sure for my piece of mind. I just don't have the money for a professional. I have Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes that is even more difficult than Type 1 to manage. I will be studying your videos! God Bless.

[@artduetssolos5180]

Rosanne Robinson Hi! I hope you don’t mind me asking, but how is cystic fibrosis related diabetes harder to control than type 1? I’ve personally never met someone who had this specific type, and am more familiar with the complexity of type 1 Diabetes (I am also familiar with type 2, but it is typically much easier to control than type 1). Also, hope your service dog training went well (since this is a 2 year old comment, I’m sure you pup is long into his/her service work) ☺️

[@melanienakkache5473]

Hey, i also have CFRD and i’m really interested on getting a puppy and train him too, i wanted to ask you how did you do it? could you finish the training?

[@Adagiowellness]

I too live alone and am training my pup!

[@nancyreindl9924]

@@Adagiowellness how old is you dog?

[@randywright7627]

Thank you thank you thank you. We are getting a golden retriever for my son to train as a service dog. You have no idea how much this means to us.

[@karenhaland1508]

Great video I learned a lot! I have had diabetes type 1 for 3 years and I would like to have diabetes service dog. But it is not many who has it here in Norway

[@sosimplyashley]

Thank you! When my husband and I can get a puppy, I wanted to train myself. There are times he’s woke up in the middle of the night to the blood sugar level of 32!!! It’s very scary. We tried the CGM and it wasn’t comfortable for him. You are awesome!

[@shallonlebsack8246]

I work at a orthodontist office so its very easy to get cotton rolls lol!!! Im going to do 6 rolls. 2 for blood sugars below 70. 2 normal in range. and 2 above 230. Thank you for more information!!.

[@katedunno1230]

Thank you for the info. I can get my dog a step further now. I may still need to come and visit your facilitie

[@TopDogProfessionalTraining]

We hope you do some day! We love visitors.

[@melissapayne4805]

Thank you for these videos! My husband was just diagnosed as diabetic (type 2) and we got a 10 week old standard poodle for him to walk for exercise. I've been wondering if we could train him to alert hubby as well.

[@kieranevans7127]

Fantastic, Thankyou for sharing

[@resmith1960]

Are there any follow up videos on training a diabetic service dog? Thanks very much for this first step, this is a huge help.

[@m3ggil33]

Such a helpful video! I'm in Canada and there only seem to be two cities where you can get diabetic alert dogs so I'm just going to train my own!

[@shutbadge663]

Megan Henze same! Hello fellow Canadian type one

[@nadav182]

How did it go?

[@bennyrosado5402]

awesome !!! thx

[@chantiquemaltese]

I'm in New Zealand and the waiting list for a service dog is 8 years. So I'm trying to self train. This was my main issue to know what to use for scent training. I'm so happy I found you. Thanks for sharing such high quality information. 😊

[@TopDogProfessionalTraining]

Well we're so happy you found us too! Good luck on your journey.

[@katieevelyn2770]

t where ever

[@sotofrancisco111318]

I want to thank you for this awesome video my 4 year old daughter is type 1 so I'm motivated to start training my puppy...just a quick question ..for training purposes do you have to take em out of the bag or you give the dog the bag so he can smell it? Thanks and again thanks for the video

[@handcraftedhandspunbyangel2311]

thank you.

[@lunathedogo8458]

Love the videos. Would be nice if you got a mic to better the sound quality of your videos.

[@kyliereeves4331]

You can normally get pure soap in coles or Safeway for few dollars. (In Aus)

[@blitzsmom3331]

Thank you for the great video. If I am not home, could I use hand sanitizer to clean my hands or would that also leave a smell behind ?

[@user-nx3du6xh9j]

thank you im going to be doing this but for seizures

[@mariannemay2669]

I am in Keller. Fort Worrth

[@vickyvazquez4751]

whats the brand of the unscented soap?

[@Jolley321]

How would you go about getting approved for a diabetic alert dog? I'm suffering from uncontrolled extremely high diabetes. My sugar levels run from 250-450 daily. I have gone from being Type 2 to Type 1 due to pancreatic failure. I have also had a few times where I have passed out due to the high levels of sugar and dehydration which goes along with it.

[@mariavanessapine6710]

Hi is it the same alert when u have highblood presure

[@cashsatthebeach6774]

I am starting DAD training next week. What size dental roll gauze do I use? Seems to be different sizes on Amazon. Can you post a link to Amazon so I can purchase the right size. Thank you

[@chikky816]

does that mean i have to train the dog twice. one with low glucose level and one with high? can it be done both at the same time?or is there an interval on when to train? i have six puppies and i have a prospect, calmer than the other pupps. my husband is diabetic. sugar level can go as low as 50 and as high as 500++. TIA

[@larakang3068]

My dermatologist recommended unscented Dove soap BARS. Is that ok to use?

[@pamelayvette2265]

I can use the glucose control solution has samples?

[@janinewiltshire6263]

I can’t feel highs at all, but I’m quite accurate with telling exactly what my blood sugar is when it’s low so should I still train the dog for lows?

[@daddyjohnl5543]

Plastic/latex gloves may be more easily accessible than unscented soap. Is this a valid option for training a dog?

[@sarahcox215]

Can you mix high and low samples for scent training

[@tatumtatreau7562]

Do you need to allow time for the sample to thaw out before you begin using it?

[@TopDogProfessionalTraining]

Excellent question. Yes, we typically keep the sample in a sealed bag and place it in our pocket for about an hour to bring it up to the correct temperature.

[@gcqldrgirl]

Hi there. Coming to you from the Gold Coast Australia. If im a smoker will this cause the sample to become contaminated?

[@JaniceCrowell]

What do you charge to train a dog and how long does it take?

[@veronicaemiliatapiaabril3435]

Hi, I have been a t1 LADA diabetic for two years now I have a 6 moths old labrador mix dog can i start training him now??

[@hurricanetortilla477]

Me over here wanting to know if they can train for above 250, I know that my acid reflux gets BAD if I'm about 275+ lol I feel like it depends on the range you want your BG to be.

[@vanihansen2136]

I'd like to know what kind of treats you use. I'm using dog food.. the kind in like a tube cut up in peices.. I don't know if it'll be too strong of a smell to smell my saliva.

[@SSProductionsSLC]

Does it matter if the cotton rolls are sterile or non-sterile???

[@friendlybrilliant4902]

Does this technique also work for blood pressure dogs?.

[@norajazmin4858]

l wander when a service dog alerts its owner for example about blood sugar,does it knows that this is dangerous for his owner or" only""" alert because its taught tó recognize that smells?

[@traceymaster5139]

Hello! A lovely lady I know is giving me an Airedale puppy to train to detect my severe episodes of hypoglycemia. Watching your video has been a challenge, because my sound card died. Please forgive me if you have answered this in your video. When training, do you need to use separate samples each day - or can you use the same sample multiple times? Thanks so much!

[@TopDogProfessionalTraining]

Hi there, thanks for watching. You need to discard the scent sample after each use. The goal is to give the dog as clear of a scent picture as possible. Good luck!

[@adrianjarvinen]

I've been told that some dogs can be taught to alert to migraines through the scent of your saliva. The way it was described to me it really reminded me of how diabetic alert dogs work. Have you heard about this before? I'm in need of a service dog for multiple disabilities but I would love to have more information on if this is really how you train it if possible.

[@TopDogProfessionalTraining]

We've never seen any science to back up dogs being able to alert to migraines through a chemical change in saliva. With a low blood glucose event there is a clear change in the chemical isoprene, thus we can pin point what the dog is alerting to. With migraines we've yet to see any evidence of something like this so we're hesitant to get behind something like that.

[@adrianjarvinen]

Top Dog Professional Training thank you for the reply I greatly appreciate it! I was very curious about it and no one seemed to have an answer. Thank you again :)

[@sarahcp3107]

Top Dog Professional Training cam any dog be trained

[@alishamatthews6660]

Can wearing perfume confuse a dog in thinking that you’re having a low or high sugar episode? Does it have to be your own low blood sugar sample or can it be another family members low blood sugar sample? I do get extremely dry with my sugars drop in mine unfortunately without any warning sometimes drop down to 25 and by that point I can’t even think so that’s why I’m asking if I could use someone else’s saliva as well as mine and training my new service dog?

[@sarahcp3107]

can any dog be training. does the dog need to be fixed

[@nsd3949]

Can a dog be trained to pick up on low blood pressure by using this training technique?

[@lukegreenleaf2213]

Would unsweetened tea be a disqualifying liquid if one has drank it in the past 30 minutes for training on a saliva sample? Thanks for your time and sharing this knowledge.

[@itssam8381]

Yes it would. Cause the pup can still smell tea even if it’s not sweet.

[@elisabethjohnson2541]

+Top Dog Professional Training, If I use one sample in a container do I need to change it to do it again or can I use the same Sample?

[@TopDogProfessionalTraining]

Unicorn Master36 If I'm understanding your question correctly the answer is yes you need to change your sample after each training session during scent imprinting.

[@samanthawoodhull5372]

My dog is 1 1/2 and already sensitive to my type 2 diabetes how do I find someone in my area to help train him better! I should mention my lows are at nighttime and I wake up with headaches or with a zombified feeling!

[@selinabella8606]

I have a big issue. In my household we have diabetes, high blood pressure and epilepsy. Is it possible to train a dog to detect all three or is that too overwhelming for one dog?

[@tigerclaw6454]

Here’s my question does it matter who you swabbing - for example I have diabetes and training my service dog for detecting this and my grandpa also has diabetes but sometimes I’ll just take a sample from him instead of mine - should it only be mine or does it not matter

[@lisahinkle1896]

Can I train my 8 year old Pomeranian? And if so how do I do the training process with her

[@mariannemay2669]

ok I am confused. When I looked you up on Top Dog the video's were police type dogs. So total service! So hen you could help me?

[@TopDogProfessionalTraining]

Marianne May what type of dog are you needing?

[@fightsewbig9003]

Unscented hand soap use unscented body wash. When you need better cleaning like grease or such use unscented dish soap.

[@mariannemay2669]

So knew of Top Dog in Florida and I think NC. They were more to train service dogs not police style. How are you connected to them be name?

[@TopDogProfessionalTraining]

Marianne May No connection most likely. We do travel for seminars and workshops and we've had them in Florida and North Carolina, so you may have seen one of our vehicles out there or something, but our only two physical locations are Indiana and Texas.

[@BeastyPawsTraining]

Can this work for migraines? And seizures? Or can you help me with alerting before a absence seizure?

[@brianandkatemccray570]

Also interested in if this works with migraines. I know the diabetic trained dogs are also able to serve as cardiac dogs. This is my long term goal for my daughter who has a heart condition

[@margielara4652]

Would this concept also work for low oxygen? I can’t find anything on how to alert before a faint.

[@TopDogProfessionalTraining]

I don't know. The only way it would work would be if there is some type of chemical change in the body that the dog can be trained to smell.

[@sagegreeby2861]

im a reactive hypoglycemic and once i hit low 80s i start to feel feverish and feel like im going to pass out. its happened when im driving! its scary

[@birdie8663]

I have Addison’s disease which causes bouts of severe low blood sugar, would I be able to train a dog to detect it? Or does it only work with diabetics? Thanks

[@tealie5966]

Ava St. John I’m pretty sure it’d work with any kind of hypoglycemia

[@mariannemay2669]

Where are you in Texas?

[@TopDogProfessionalTraining]

Marianne May We are in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.

[@SerendipityRules]

So we can use the scent even if its not thawed? While still frozen?

[@TopDogProfessionalTraining]

Good question sorry it wasn't clear, but no, it has to be thawed and warmed up before use.

[@yomigonzalez9870]

How about using a non-latex glove to touch the cotton ball before putting it in your mouth?

[@TopDogProfessionalTraining]

Yes that would be acceptable. We have some folks do that, but we've found it's not entirely necessary with clean hands.

[@mbjdno779]

Can I buy scented low swabs?

[@mbjdno779]

Thanks for your great videos

[@Luka_rose]

Can you do the same for HR alert

[@TopDogProfessionalTraining]

We're not sure. We have a lot of questions about whether or not our training methods will work for other types of alert dogs, and to be quite honest since we only specialize in diabetic alert dogs we don't know how it would work out for other types of alerts. We've had folks apply this method for migraine alert dogs, seizure response dogs, etc., but we have not been a part of that so we don't know the results. If there is a chemical change happening in the body that is present in the saliva or breath of the patient then this method could work for training alerts to that chemical change. In a type one diabetic if they have a dangerously low blood glucose level they will have an increase in isoprene so essentially what we're training the dog to detect is that spike in isoprene.

[@Luka_rose]

Top Dog Professional Training Ok. Thank you much!

[@milenakozak3249]

can I drink water in between collecting different saliva samples just to help me produce a little bit more saliva? or will that not work?

[@TopDogProfessionalTraining]

Yes, but I would recommend very small dosages, and waiting at least a minute before collecting another sample. I would also try my best not to make this a common practice as we believe it can weaken the target odor. Thanks, great question!

[@zackstud6058]

hey im watching you vid just to look my blood has gotten to 23 before without me noticing this has happened almost 5 times a month so i'm thinking about getting one any tips on which breed i was thinking about getting a german shepherd .

[@lesliejones6563]

@@zackstud6058 You posted your question on a reply of another comment. You may want to repost your question as a fresh comment...

[@BloodhoundAJ]

Zack Stud I have a black and grey American cattle dog and I think they work out better for a diabetic alert dog

[@xxxhuskeydogxxxdog3695]

I need one I have dibeatys

[@shutbadge663]

XXXHUSKEYDOGXXX DOG diabetes lol

[@nancyjennings9694]

can dogs be trained to alert to low oxygen levels??

[@juliewesthoff1614]

Does

[@TheNightmareBeforeyouakaDrnigh]

He didn’t say this but flavored water counts as a no go. Only plan water

[@williamsanderson7971]

@ the nightmare before It is PLAIN water. NOT PLAN water. Check your spelling

[@austinbuerer6632]

Is this good for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes?

[@jazzyk02]

Austin Buerer i dont know why you’d want it for type 2, theres medicine for you to control it for weeks at a time without having to worry. type one is in a constant state of worry with it.

[@lesliejones6563]

@@jazzyk02 Sometimes type 2 diabetics have organ malfunctions, food interactions, digestive failures, or other reasons for their body to not process the sugar they ingest and symptoms of high blood sugar is harder to detect than low blood sugar. Humans can't smell the differences like dogs can and randomly testing your blood sugar at 390 with no apparent symptoms is scary. I think that's cause to worry.

[@jazzyk02]

Leslie Jones im a type one diabetic, and my grandma had type 2 diabetes. i know what goes on. i have a diabetic alert dog now, and had one when my grandma was still alive, she took her for a while towards the end of her life when she didnt have much control, the dog only alerted to her once within a 6 month period, and she didnt have as much control as she wanted of her diabetes, although she died from kidney failure. i still stand by what i said, type 2 diabetics wont get much or any value out of a diabetic alert dog.

[@lysettemorgan9844]

I am a diabetic type 2. how do I get a diabetic service dog.

[@clarazamborlini5586]

It's for type 1 diabetes service dog not for type 2 diabetes you can cure it

[@clarazamborlini5586]

Or do u have type 1

[@lysettemorgan9844]

type 2

[@clarazamborlini5586]

@@lysettemorgan9844 then you can cure it and it's for type 1 diabetes dogs

[@joannbrewer4211]

Clara Zamborlini type 2 is not curable

[@sready3220]

My sugar has gone so low it wouldn't even register for the paramedics. I wouldn't know where to find a dog to train💔

[@nicnaciswack8681]

Any where but get a pup from shelter

[@nikkichamberlin6241]

P pop

[@mariannemay2669]

I wil be glad to talk in a more private spot.

[@TopDogProfessionalTraining]

Marianne May That would be ideal. Please contact us through our website. Thank you.

[@DavidsJeremy]

I would pay for a video of you spitting lol...im serious too

[@mariannemay2669]

But your traing is not really service dogs.. Say visually difficult , or a service dog for balance and diabetes?

[@TopDogProfessionalTraining]

Marianne May I think you have your definitions confused. A service dog is a dog that is trained to perform tasks for a disabled person. A Police K9 or Military K9 is not a service dog. We train service dogs, but we do not train police or military K9's anymore.

[@Meskarune]

Training dogs to only alert for highs of 300 seems a bit irresponsible to me. Diabetics need to treat if their sugars get over 140.

[@TopDogProfessionalTraining]

Keep in mind that the dog is just an added layer to what all t1d's should already be doing to manage their blood glucose levels. The dog is trained to alert to medically significant highs and lows. If they were trained to alert to a 140 BGL the dog would probably end up being over worked because many t1d's hit 140 on a really regular basis. Something else to remember is that too low of a threshold for high alerts can cause burnout in a dog because highs are typically quite stubborn. If the dog were trained to alert to anything above 140 there would be times that the dog would be continuously alerting for hours until the patient was finally able to bring that BGL down. This causes a lot of stress to the dog. We whole heartedly agree with you that a type 1 diabetic should be treating far before 300, but the dog is in place to prevent emergencies, not to replace the glucometer. Thank you for comment. It's a very good point.

[@jazzyk02]

actually every diabetic has different high and low points they need to be alerted at. i need to be alerted at 80 for my low, and 180 for my high. 140 is the a good place for me and most diabetics.

[@lesliejones6563]

@@jazzyk02 My doctor says it's okay and normal to go as high as 180 for some time after eating?

[@jazzyk02]

Leslie Jones thats normal for you, for me thats not normal. like i said, every diabetic has their own low and high points that are determined by their doctor. if youre t2d, 180 is a normal median for you to be at. as a t1d, thats high for me.

[@tealie5966]

I spit in a cup before watching this video, could I possibly use that as a sample?