Getting A Service Dog.

[Sideways]

Haha, sorry - that was waaaaay too long.

Your question reminded me of a lady who's been coming to our class with a pup for a while, and she has a degenerative physical disability. So, atm, there's only a small need for an AD, but that need is going to grow exponentially over probably the next 5 years.

Her hubby has had a very hard time treating her pup according to her rules. And it's not just because it's a dog, and he doesn't get it. There's all sorts of complex stuff about him accepting her disability, and emotional stuff, that impacts how he behaves around her dog.

It's not easy with family. And anyone who says it is, either has some kind of BS Brady bunch thing going on where everyone is sickeningly perfect and supportive, or they're lying!

 

[Freida]

My mother has already made fun of me needing a dog. She's saying things like oh.. it's all so serious. (Sarcasm)

And.. why should you get a dog when there are people dying of cancer who cannot get treatment

What. The. Ever Loving f*ck?????

who says that to anyone? Much less their own child? Omg she makes me so angry for you.

as for j...can you think of her as just another training exercise? Learning to navigate humans is a huge part of life with a service dog and some of them are really stupid. So maybe think of her as your trial run and plan for what you learned that you can use next time someone acts that outrageously

 

[bellbird]

Hoping things are still going really well :hug:

 

[Freida]

Yes! We need an update! :)

 

[blackemerald1]

Ok here's an update.. K is going so well it's hard to imagine a life before her! I think that was a dark time indeed.

She's definitely a X breed; half Beagle and whole clown lol.

She gets into these weird moods whereupon I am required to either play with her or watch her play. Ignoring her simply will not do so she doesn't let that happen. But only when it suits her, of course.

Otherwise she's quite ok to sit or lounge around and watch me for hours. That's a bit disconcerting but I'm working on that part.

She's becoming more aware of her surroundings (neighbours) each day.

She's made a sound sort of like a bark twice. Sort of started somewhere in her chest and came out as a staccato. Quite weird. She's not interested in barking imo. Apparently she can make her feelings known by telepathy?

She likes outings and fronts up to get her various leads, jackets and collars on very willingly. Wags her completely beagle tail - meaning ok let's go!

She's made thousands of friends whilst I am getting better at the polite decline re patting & cuddling but completely rubbish with explaining why I need her.

Some members of the organisation who train these dogs tried to ambush me into a photo - just for them, on their mobile phone?? I ducked and weaved out of it but I'm dreading a next time. Omg... I can see a problem looming. I've told ALL of them every single time - no. I've not signed any media release documents. ..sigh... Maybe they will just stop eventually.

Finally, K's settling quietly at bed time and maybe has also realised that I simply will not get out of bed at daybreak to go play. I'm just not that much fun it seems.

I've taught her fetch with a really cheap rubbery ball and she's simply mad about playing it now. Though we've had a couple of differences about what fetch might mean - when she's tired of it...it doesn't mean bury the ball. hmm.. And it doesn't really mean chewing it to pieces. Did I say I'm no fun??

She still loves tug of war and I will get into enormous amounts of trouble with the trainer when he returns if we get found out for doing that. I still don't know why we aren't allowed to do it. But it's such fun all the same. K always lets go when I say 'give' - after a moment - to reflect on what I just said, and oh yeah too, if I stroke her head. :rolleyes: So that's a big secret.

I think she's gained some weight. She's only allowed to deviate from her 'ideal' weight by 500 grams. I've got to get her weighed and see if it's just me being paranoid or she is actually filling out. Her weight has to be sent in on the training sheets each month. If she goes over that half kilo DIET time lol... Or more walking.

K. is working well. She's passing all of her key training goals and seems really motivated to continue learning more. I've found an obedience dog club and we will be going.

I'm relaxing around her now. It's not such a full on production to get organised to go down to the shops for food...and I go late at night anyway... But she doesn't seem to mind however late it is.

K likes to lay upside down and have her belly scratched - especially if I do it with my feet?

K. hates being brushed and loves to roll in disgustingly smelly things and then immediately beseeches a cuddle.. ugh...

I think K is just gorgeous and I'm fairly certain she knows I think this. Hmmm....

So we're getting along ok and becoming acquainted. It's a two way thing though.

Thank you asking.

 

[Sideways]

Wish you could see how big my smile is!
So incredibly happy for you and K - life changes big time with a dog, in such a good way!

 

[bellbird]

It's a two way thing though.

Team work. Of the best kind. :hug:

Thank you for the update; am positively beaming from reading it.

 

[Ronin]

Cracking up so hard reading, Black Em...

And smiling for both of you too.

 

[Freida]

I'm so excited for you! I love that it is working out. And ya, I have to block people from trying to SD on a pretty much moment by moment basis. Trainer saw me one day and said -- "you need to be polite but you don't need to stop and talk. Otherwise you will never get where you are going!"

Good advice! I've learned that if I keep moving while I'm talking they will drift away without hard feelings.

I never tell anyone what he is for. If they ask I just say "alert dog" and keep walking (see the pattern?? :laugh:)

SD loves a good game of tug toy. Trainers frown on it when they are puppies but once you have them? No worries -game won't break them :)

I am so very, very happy for you!

 

[blackemerald1]

K ate the handle off a paint brush. A new one of course, that I'd sat on top of a large can of paint that was sitting on the top of a high table. I think K is a goat? I took what was left of it off her and gave her a pretend bone instead. ...shrug... Better go and get another brush I guess..

Later today, whilst I wasn't looking, she buried her brush. She's not keen on being brushed so I think this was a clue.

I cannot find it because she's buried a few things. Not all of them belonging to her either. lol...

Every time K does something dodgy she comes inside wagging her tail so hard that her bum is swinging back and forward too.

That with her head tipping from one side to the other and cosying up to me... I'm learning means either she's rolled in something super disgusting and thinks I'll love it as much as she seems to or, she's buried something. :hilarious:

I've found her hypnotic zone. Cover her eyes with my hands and gently press between her eyes and she falls to sleep lol... so weird. It's like her off button or something.

 

[Sideways]

Really big warm smiles. I love hearing about K so much. Definitely scientists should be looking into some sort of genetic connection between Beagles and goats!!

It's so awesome that she's having fun and feeling confident to experiment with new behaviours around you. You're obviously her best friend. I love it so much:)

 

[blackemerald1]

Yesterday K and I went to my mothers. So long drive there, lots of strangers milling around (it was family celebration) - out to lunch in a busy pub and then back to the family home where B the old black dog lives.

In all respects K behaved impeccably. I know that a lot of the family were watching her to see if you know... she peed on somebody's handbag or something. The worst she did was lick the toes of one of my elderly aunts who gave a little secret giggle about it. ..shrug...

My brother, who is not usually terribly friendly in demeanour, was sitting in a chair in the kitchen staring at K. K was sitting in front of him tilting her head to one side and staring right back. I left the room returning several minutes later to find my brother holding K in the fashion one does when burping a baby.. He said she seemed to need a cuddle?? lol..

B the black dog was, as usual, big & being a bully. He's got some issues old B has. He's used to be overbearing towards all other dogs but he met his match with K. She was very pleased to meet him, so sweet. Though my mother was dubious about how well they'd get along, I insisted that they be allowed to work it out (whilst both were on leads) they worked it out and K became boss of the wash. It was hilarious seeing B trying to play with K - I'm sure he fell in love. So they played outside till B was exhausted and gave it all up. Then K came inside and the kids played with her or vice versa - not sure. But they gave up first.

So K was a huge success with my family.

Needless to say, on the way home K flaked out to it on the back seat. Waking just as I turned into my street.

So that was meeting the family over and done with. :rolleyes: