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Service dog q&a

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The SD would have break in the middle just like we do, to run, stretch the legs and rest a bit and then back to work but otherwise, they are on duty the entire time.

Of course they have breaks. As do the dogs you are speaking about. What happens between the walks you are talking about? Down time. Same thing. Basically. Even throw in competition dogs. Same thing. And most live for the sport.

I am not advocating 15 hrs of walking a dog and seriously doubt anyone is walking a dog 15 hrs a day but what you are describing isn't much different then a service dog that works fulltime. I absolutely do not see the difference.


But since we're in a PTSD forum I was kinda implying we're talking >more< (but not exclusively) about psychiatric SDs

I'm talking about service dogs as a whole. But, don't forget that there are many mobility tasks possible with "just" PTSD. Such as foward momteum. Whether to use it as a guide when disocciating and guiding you out of a place when disocciated. That is a mobility task at it's core. Used for just PTSD. As an example.

I think many owners do need to teach impulse control and learn how to be the center of their dog's world.
 
I feel like I asked this before...but can't seem to find it.

I'm curious. I know many SD handlers vest their SDs and it's my understanding that for those usually "vest on"=work, "vest off"=down/play time/no work. I know I definitely see it even with our therapy dogs who precisely know vest on = therapy visit coming up = MAJOR change in behavior.

For those of you who do vest, do your SDs continue to provide tasks even if un-vested if need arises? For example at home? Or do you actually vest them even at home?

I guess I'm curious about what an actual lived day IRL looks like with a SD. :)
 
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For those of you who do vest, do your SDs continue to provide tasks even if un-vested if need arises? For example at home?

Yep! 100%! Chopper alerts to anxiety/panic, provides DPT, braces to pick up his poop, covers behind me at the dumpster to throw it away. He wakes me up from nightmares, provides DPT then until I am asleep. Technically, service dogs are always working even when they are technically off work. Typically a service dogs know "public behavior" when vested but even then that's not 100% necessary as many service dogs do and can work unvested. So even with those of us who vest, its mainly for the public. Don't get me wrong. Chopper changes his entire demonor when vested and has his "game face on" when vested but he still works unvested, off duty, just a dog time too.
 
For those of you who do vest, do your SDs continue to provide tasks even if un-vested if need arises? For example at home? Or do you actually vest them even at home?
Yes she does tasks without her vest but she also knows it can be PLAY TIME.

Sometimes if we are in and out at home, I’ll leave her vest on there. For my SD, she associates the leash as really being on duty or off duty more than the vest, but also the vest somewhat. She’s also got commands to know she can play and dance and wiggle for a minute and then back to work.
 
@siniang, you might see this more with therapy dogs more then service dogs because therapy dogs don't task for their handler. And so the only time they work is when vested. For service dogs it is much different. And handlers vary from real lax to real strict when it comes to the vest.

Like, many are very strict with vest equals work and others will free their dog from command and be off duty and playing or pottying or whatever and still be vested. I have heard an large array of answers about that. So, it differs from handler to handler but the main difference is service dogs task and know to do so vested or not. Where as therapy dogs only work when vested typically. Or the vest only means work. If that makes sense!
 
Thank you, you two :)

Of course I know all the theory, I just don't really know any SDs IRL, hence me being curious, how all that theory actually plays out on a lived day to day basis :)

but the main difference is servicw dogs task and know to do so vested or not. Where as therapy dogs only work when vested typically. Or the vest only means work. If that makes sense!

Oh it makes a lot of sense. One of our therapy teams has a dog that's both SD and therapy dog and even knows to differentiate (and behaves very differently according to our trainer). Unfortunately I've not seen them work, yet, but would love to just see it :)
 
Yep Vest on =work Vest off = play

It's almost like he has separate jobs depending on if its on or off.
On - he keeps people away from me, tells me when to sit down, tells me when to take meds -- very attentive
Off - he relaxes - sometimes not even in the same room with me. Then he will pop up to sit at my feet, make me pet him (because I'm panicky) or to give me my warning that meds are needed.

It's kinda weird LOL
 
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