Guide Dogs For The Mind.

[Tim &Bailey]

After this week in Bethesda and at Ft. Meade getting the latest surgery I have realized it's time to stop putting a toe in the water and just jump in head first. I have decided (with alot of help and prodding from my wife) to help others train their Psych service Dogs. Alot of what I know and have trained Bailey for is on psychdog.org I am going to open a kennel called "Shepherds for Lost Sheep"
I will say no amount of meds, Physical therapy or Mental health counseling has even come close to Bailey and what she does for me. When I am retired I am looking forward to raising other German Shepherds so I can give them to other Veterans, I want to help them,help themselves through the use of a Psych Service Dog. If anyone has any questions on anything I can help with about a Psych Dog I will find and answer for you. I have really grown to love alot of our family on here. Any feed back from ya'll on here would greatly be appreciated positive or negative (pros and cons) I value all of your opinions as to what you think.

Thanks

Tim & Bailey.

 

[Captain]

I have been struggling with combat PTSD for several years. I have been thinking of getting a service dog. I have two GSD now, one almost 13 and one almost 6. The oldest, Kelly, has too many health problems, and the youngest is sometimes actually anxiety producing, although it may be me, because I have been suffering with this since before we had him. Too much hyper-ness to be a great candidate I think. At any rate, my biggest question is, can I get a service dog with other dogs in the house? I am thinking of waiting until Kelly passes on, although I hope it will be some time yet. She has been with us ever since we have been a family and it will kill me and my husband and the kids. I refuse to get rid of Murph, no matter if he NEVER "settles" down, LOL, but I really do want a dog that I can take with me wherever, to be my partner against this enemy. I have visited your website, and just can't seem to find an answer anywhere on if I can have a partner service dog with other pets in the home.
Let me know what you think.
Thanks
Michelle

 

[Tim &Bailey]

I'll tell you I have 6 K-9s right now.(3 Shepherds and 3 Pugs) Bailey is my service Dog and when she is wearing her vest and her collar she knows its time for work. When its off and we are home she can play and be one of the gang. If you are going to owner train I reccommend a purebred new pup. Do not get a Schutzhund but rather one that is bred for temperment. The GSD is so smart they pick up on the AKC K-9 good citizen quick and are great with kids. It's all in how you train them.

Tim & Bailey

 

[Captain]

Thanks Tim. That really puts my mind at ease. It's great that Bailey can help you and still play. I am getting ready to go to a 28 day inpatient treatment for PTSD, and after that I am taking Murphy to a place close to me that will help me learn to train him. Not to be a service dog, but to cause me less anxiety. I am sure you are not surprised when they told me it's not him, it's me, LOL.

 

[Tim &Bailey]

after that I am taking Murphy to a place close to me that will help me learn to train him. Not to be a service dog, but to cause me less anxiety. I am sure you are not surprised when they told me it's not him, it's me, LOL.

I was not surrprised, but don't just say your only trainin him to cause you less anxiety and not to be your service dog. I say train him (or actually train you) first then see how he responds. If he does well, you already have a bond, he's already potty trained, two of the biggest things to deal with when getting a new puppy- Glad we can help

Tim & Bailey

 

[Misera1013]

Tim, I spoke this week with the DAV, and am going to file some things with the VA. We are hoping I can get up to 100% disabled. Well, I have to go see another psych Dr and get paper work from him for this stuff.

Well, I'm wondering how you decide or I should decide if I should train Tucker or get another dog for my service dog. Should I go through a program? Or do it myself? How do I decide on a breed? I do have a breed in mind, but don't know what others would think. Is it crazy to see if there is someone would donate a puppy, or discount a puppy once I am qualified for a service dog? Would it be crazy if I wanted to bring my puppy to you for training?

 

[Tim &Bailey]

My reccommendation is what you feel most comfortable with. There is Semperfido in New Jersey or HeroDogs out of DC. I felt so much pride and accomplishment when I first trained Bailey to get her K-9 good citizen I just wanted to keep going. My feelings on a psych service dog are I can only train them for the basics. The rest comes from the owner/handler (you) simply because No one knows what bothers you more than you. Does that make sense? Training tour dog would be fine if thats what u want, again thats personal preferece.
Deciding on a breed is personal preference as well as what you need them for. If just a psych service dog then size dont matter, if needing them for mobility issues then a larger breed would be required.
most of the program dogs are from rescues and shelters and there are requirements and wait lists.plus is most are at no cost to the vet. The minus is long wait lists and not all shelter dog get along with other dogs.
It would not be crazy to bring a pup to someone or ask someone to train for you/ I would be honored if you asked me however, trouble is right now i do not have the time. I am helping my son train his agility dog and am working with the new pup Sascha that is only 3 months old I am training her as an alternate to Bailey and I want to breed her when she i sold enough to start my kennel. Thats at least a year away right now.. All while trying to heal from this last round of surgery. I dont think I could devote the time required but will consider it in the future.

Tim N Bailey :)

 

[Misera1013]

I'm sure it will take time for me to get approved, if I can at all for a psych dog. I have this list of pros and cons. Tucker will be 3 here in a few days. We have a wonderful bond! He's small and would be easy to travel with. We wouldn't need to get another dog. Or worry how it fits in with other family member's pets. Tucker is great with them! He is a very well rounded dog, in my opinion. Con, I would like a larger dog due to the sense of security. New dog would always know it had a job. As, Tucker may feel like he is getting the short end of the stick with a job.

Just some of my thoughts. I would love a GS, but worry about the coat length. I have a boarder collie mix that has a medium length coat and I hate bathing her, and brushing her. Tucker is a fast easy bath with his short hair! So, I was kind of looking at Dobermans. I had one growing up as a child, and he was an amazing dog.

I guess I will wait until I get an OK from the Dr 1st.

 

[Tim &Bailey]

Thats the first step have a Doc reccommend getting a SSD then get on all the lists. while u r deciding if u can handle training on your own. We will keep in touch and any help we can give we will. Hopefully as time goes on I can help more as the surgeries heal. :-)

Tim & Bailey

 

[Sarg]

I haven't decided what I will do after my dog Ziggy passes. Real confused about it. Want to travel but will miss the companionship badly. Definitely couldn't keep up with a puppy, plus I'm a total failure at training dogs. Definitely will miss the security of their sensory capabilities. Perhaps an older dog from the "no kill" shelter. Maybe if I pass before him, he'll be able to adapt to another master.

Lotz of questions that will require the clearest thought I can summon up. Until then, I'll thank whatever power is allowing me to have Zig just one more day.

Sarg