Getting A Service Dog.

[Sideways]

Yeah, he's a keeper! Pic made me smile one of those big, genuine whole-face smiles - hope it does the same for you:)

 

[Freida]

OMG he is adorable!!!!!

Ya - that's why people are stopping you --- because damn he is cute :laugh:

 

[DharmaGirl]

He is so cute! You are so lucky and I'm so happy for you! Welcome to your new life!

 

[Teasel]

He's absolutely gorgeous, so pleased for you ? Can understand the stress of having your world opened up so suddenly, hope that eases for you asap :)

 

[blackemerald1]

Crate training. Any of you SD trainers/handlers able to point me towards some YT or other online resources about dealing with this?

He handles the crate overnight very well.

Well..tbh... he's trying me out and he whines a little bit but settles down after three - five minutes. No major hysterics... I'm in bed nearby so I think that is part of the reason why night times are thus far not too bad.

He must be crated o/night for the first six weeks or until the full time trainer returns. I need to be able to leave him at home now and then. Leaving him in the back yard is preferable but I'm not convinced yet that he would not chuck a wobbly and either jump my fences or dig himself out.

Or, I can secure him in the crate. The crate is at this point the safest and most secure option.

In any case I am of the opinion that using the crate for specific periods of time, during the day is a good training tool.

So.. today we are on our third day of crate time (during the day). Yesterday was horrendous - for me at least.
I think Bos could get an academy award in the areas of:- completely unnatural sound effects, drama, best new actor and wailing. He really did push the boundaries. I wrote an email to my trainer who told me that he was crated regularly during the day in training. So.. ?

He will go in and out of the crate on command without hesitation... loves it. Isn't fussed about closing the door. But after about 15 minutes the stuffed Kong and other treats are simply not good enough so the hysterics start.

My question is... will he get over himself or do I need to do something to help him and myself?

 

[Sideways]

The hysterics are almost certainly because you're there, and he knows you're there, so in his mind, "Why can't I be with you?"

Which...is a good question!

I'd go with the approach your trainer has used specifically with this dog rather than deferring to youtube, where the advice will be all over the shop (and oftentimes cruel and unnecessary).

If the crate is his safe spot, then it is crazy useful, so worth persisting. But go with the approach he's used to, rather than bringing in questionable advice for dogs in completely different situations to yours.

So, beyond making sure it's comfy and safe? Not even gonna go down the giving advice route. Your trainer will have a specific method, for this specific dog, for specific outcomes.

 

[siniang]

I’ve become a big fan of crates as a tool and I personally would never trust a Beagle in a yard unsupervised.

He wants to be close to you but he’s also testing you out.

I second @Sideways and would advice against youtube. Stick with what he’s used to (as per his trainer). And really, three-five minutes... is nothing. I’d go out on a leg here and presume he’s gonna get over it.

Keep in mind this is also still a big change for him.

:hug: :hug:

and OMG! Isn’t he the cutest? :inlove:

 

[Freida]

I've crate trained my last 3 dogs including SD because I learned they are happiest when they have a place of their own. Heres what I learned along the way ...make sure you run it by your trainer first lol

Put a blanket over the top. That gives it a den like feel that helps them feel safe

I put blankets and a kong chew toy with peanut butter in it with them but not all trainers agree with that idea.

Have it in the bedroom beside you rather than across from you. He needs to know you are there but not stare at you all night

Put him in it during the day and walk into the other room. Dont say anything...just walk out. The minute he stops whining go back in and give him lots of praise and a treat. Repeat over and over...letting the time between he stops whining and you go back get a little longer each round. He will figure out the longer he stays quiet the happier you will be when you come back

Never put him in his crate as punishment. That confuses them.

Whew. :)

 

[blackemerald1]

Thanks so much @siniang and @Freida I'm sure he's trying me out and yeah he managed his session in the crate a little better yesterday. He still sung out a here and there but overall was much more settled.

My trainer says he has spent over two hours a day & unsupervised in his crate, during training with no hysterics. She reckons it's possible it's the change of scenery and many other adjustments. She's reassured me that there is no way I will ruin him and to pop him in the crate and not fuss over him with the leaving and returning.

Which...is a good question!

^I don't have family or friends who can step in and take my dog whilst I do some things that it's not possible to do with my dog.

Eg. I'm supposed to be swimming 3 - 4 times a week. The pools is a huge complex with hundreds of people there, children running, screaming, loudspeakers etc.. all of which means nothing to me but for my dog... would be impossible to deal with because I would be in the pool doing laps.

My trainer reckons the best outcome would be that my dog would jump in the pool to rescue me! That might trigger a major evacuation of the pool and cost me a load of money. Not to mention the many difficulties it would present for my dog..and me if that happened. There is no safe place to leave my dog in the complex.

I've also got regular surgical procedures happening so that's all going on in a sterile environment - no dogs allowed.

And... a couple of other things I'm not willing to disclose.

None of these excursions last more than two hours and not every day of course.

Does that answer your question sideways?

I'd go with the approach your trainer has used specifically with this dog

^I had emailed her prior to posting here. She got back to me today and wrote that she thinks it's because I am in the house. So not to wait around for the hysterics to start - just go. But she's not sure.

rather than deferring to youtube, where the advice will be all over the shop (and oftentimes cruel and unnecessary).

^Yeah I agree some of the YT's are stupid. I'm not deferring to anything or anyone.
I was asking for recommendations for any that the SD handlers here may know and regard as good/helpful/useful. There are some that are very good sprinkled amongst the rubbish.

If the crate is his safe spot, then it is crazy useful, so worth persisting.

^Yes, it is his safe spot. It's also his den at night. As I said he'll voluntarily go in it and out of it during the day.

It's also the best place to put him whilst I must be absent, for the reasons I've already written.

But I didn't want to create anxiety in him by crating him too hard and too fast. Obviously, I've been going too slow and too soft. ...I think... Idk... ??

Your trainer will have a specific method, for this specific dog, for specific outcomes.

^As I mentioned the trainer hasn't experienced these hysterics so she's not sure why he may be doing it. So she doesn't have any specific method/advice.

 

[Freida]

As I mentioned the trainer hasn't experienced these hysterics so she's not sure why he may be doing it.

My guess? Hes bonded to you and hes in a new environment so hes fussing because hes unsure what the new rules are. As you walk him thru your expectations he will settle down. And no...you arent going to ruin him:)
Think of it like a little kid going to kindergarten. First couple days are scary until they learn the structure- then they fit right in. :hug:

 

[blackemerald1]

This morning I took Bos to the vet. He's been scratching himself everywhere. Pretty much from the day he arrived he started scratching. The trainer noticed it but was hopeful it would pass.

I asked the trainer if he had scratched prior to his arrival in my state and she didn't think so.

He's scratched a few places near raw now. His ear and each side where his jacket is, plus around his collar.

I've bathed him and honestly I think it made me feel better but not so for him.

Poor Bos... he's looking exhausted and unsettled. He's got runny eyes, a cough and a hunted expression in his eyes.
He is tying himself into knots trying to get to places no dog ordinarily wants to know about.

The Vet says he is allergic to something. No kidding Vet....!!
She also says any allergy tests done now will typically come back with several hundred positives because his immune system is now all spiked up and really damn angry.

She launched into a long and convoluted vet speak.... about injections, the frequency needed, the costs and when did I want to start???

I could see the dollar signs rolling past her brain. She told me to hit up the organisation I got Bos from 'because they will not want to see their dog fail'. I told her I am responsible for all vet fees not the organisation I got him from. She didn't believe me.

The injections to quieten down his immune system are enormously expensive, have horrible side effects which will really interfere with his ongoing training and likely may set up other infections and eventually create more problems for his health.

I had to ask her to write down stuff, repeat stuff and it was overall a shocking and horrible experience for me and poor Bos looked as if he hated life.

She thought he already had an ear infection until she actually looked inside his ears. :rolleyes:

I wasn't exactly impressed with the Vet's attitude. I suspect it's a little bit like finding the right kind of doc or T?? But I was in shock I must confess.

I've told her that we would not be having any injections today because those side effects are ugh... and the tablets also have similar side effects and the expense... don't get me started..... and I told her I'm surprised there is nothing topical I can use. I went to the counter to pay for the consult.

At that stage she commented that I could bathe him every four days, leaving the shampoo on for about 15 mins - take him for a walk - with the shampoo on - right Miss Vet - have you seen this animal after a bath?? He charges everywhere.... Then wash it off.

I asked her to email me a short report and we left.

When I got home I emailed the Vets report to my trainer and then rang the organisation to make sure she checked her emails.

A short while later she had discussed the situation with her boss etc and she suggested that I bathe him every four days, try and get a second opinion and keep him out of my backyard... because she suspects it might be the grass or pollen. She told me they will review the situation in two weeks. I don't think we will last two weeks. I'm just about broken already.

The issue here is that everything is new for Bos.... everything. My house, my car, my yard, my State.. me, his bed & the list goes on. I wouldn't know where to start with looking at what might be causing this allergy and it could be more than one thing too.

I've bathed him, dried him and he's been so distressed this afternoon. It's a relief when he flops down exhausted and sleeps.

I'm taking him to another Vet tomorrow. But I don't expect I will get a miraculous remedy.

I am so incredibly upset..

 

[Sideways]

I'm so sorry - I can only imagine the stress this is causing. The topical treatment can be really helpful (mum's last dog had allergies - it was seasonal, so probably pollen). I hope the second opinion goes better.