Service dog handler lobby

[littleoc]

For me and my dog? Giving my dog quality time out, to rest, to play, to exercise? Is not only important to his physical health, it also helps keep his stress levels down. Because if I overwork him, and don’t get him that quality time to balance it out, he does get stressed. It shows in changed behaviour, and changed sleeping and eating habits.

I've noticed that with my dog, too. Our schedule is weird, usually, but I at least try to get her long walks in.

But the grooming standards would say she at least needed to not have dirt all over her paws and nose (and I have a mostly white service dog as well so I get the struggle).

That's the exact thing I'm worried about -- I was so sad when I saw her paws when I woke up, because I had just bathed her the day before. I was pretty annoyed at my mom for letting her out (she doesn't supervise her when she does), but she didn't do anything wrong. She can't stand up well and obviously didn't know she was going to dig a hole. She just knew N wanted to go outside and that I wouldn't be awake for another hour. I wiped down her paws as best as I could -- I hope it was not dirtier than people's shoes :/


I'll first try the baby wipe thing and the waterless shampoo before I cut out the hole digging. As it is, I'm rather concerned about meeting her basic needs. My mom's house is in no state for a dog... it's upsetting. Barely a yard, either. That's why I've been taking her on such long walks. (Hopefully the house gets cleaned this year, because otherwise I'll have to move. It's not even good for human habitation.)

 

[Sideways]

I have a mostly white shih-tzu cross - so you can probably imagine the grooming involved! Actually, probably most people can’t!! The grooming never really stops. And walk the lil fella down a clean footpath after a spot of rain? Aaargh!

I am pretty organised about the whens and wheres of his exercise and play time. Have to be. The dog park is on the way to the grocery store, which is convenient. But hell no!! He’s a mess after the dog park. He loves it. Dang!!

I bring him inside for at least the couple of hours before he’s going to be working. And on days where he needs a walk and I need him to work in public not long after? I always make sure there’s at least half an hour. That’s enough time for his coat to dry and for me to give him a quick brush down.

Playing in the mud? Going to the beach (omg, the sand he can store in his hair!!)? Are for times when he’s done working for the day. He loves getting messy, so essentially we have to work that in to his schedule :eek::laugh:

 

[littleoc]

I have a mostly white shih-tzu cross - so you can probably imagine the grooming involved! Actually, p...

Hahahaha, I can ALMOST imagine! I know mine LOVES to go to the dog park, and go swimming in the grossest parts of the lakes!

Haha, yeah, definitely can't go out without a thorough bath after either activity... lol

 

[lostforgottensoul]

I'll first try the baby wipe thing and the waterless shampoo before I cut out the hole digging.

I love the waterless shampoo! Spray it on, brush it through, wipe with a wet rag, dry him off, good as new! Really any waterless shampoo would work but I just adore Bio Silk. I try to get his feet and what not but at least the places people can see.

Maybe try the kiddy pool/play sand where she digs? Is it just one place or just anywhere?

 

[littleoc]

Maybe try the kiddy pool/play sand where she digs? Is it just one place or just anywhere?

I will! She's just the right size that getting sand off of her wouldn't be too hard (as long as it isn't wet -- and it'll have to have a lid, because in my area there's a species of mold who loves wet sand, and also there is the cat). She likes one place in particular, under the weeping willow tree. There might be a mole or mouse or agree-ish creature living under it. The soil is clay-ish so it might feel warm or cool enough to feel nice? I could probably hide treats in a sandbox and see if that helps :)

Thanks, @lostforgottensoul and @Sideways :D

 

[lostforgottensoul]

isn't wet

Tupperware container? One of those big storage ones?

I could probably hide treats in a sandbox and see if that help

Scent training! Make it into a brain game! Hide her favorite toys! Before you know it that will be her favorite place to dig and she'll forget all about the dirt!

 

[Sideways]

@littleoc - lots of ways to deal with the problem.

If you decide that digging is a behaviour that you don’t want to reward? Ground pepper in the holes. Harmless. Effective.

We use a layer of chicken wire on gardenbeds with mulch over the top here to stop the brush turkeys endlessly digging up gardenbeds. Stops them in their tracks;)

 

[Justmehere]

Can I post a mini rant?

Someone, on staff at a religious org, just told me I’m “too diverse.” Because I have a service dog. I’m too different. And they don’t know how to talk to “people like you” and asking them to not pet the service dog is not nice. They were super passive aggressive in how they got around to saying all of this to begin with.

The staff above them thankfully disagrees on every count... but what the heck does “too diverse” even mean?! Too diverse?! I don’t know if I should laugh or cry. Who even says this in 2018 ever?!

Seriously.

Mini rant over.

 

[littleoc]

@Justmehere Um, what??

So because they have tiny minds, and have to learn a new kind of manor, you are.... "too diverse"?? You're literally a human being followed around by a "medical instument" who has a life of his own -- is that too hard to understand?

Some people...

 

[Sideways]

@Justmehere - I’m terribly sorry, because that must have been a truly awful experience for you...but honestly? That had me in stiches!

“You’re too diverse”:confused::O_o::wacky:

Mmm. Thou shalt not be too diverse... Like, what the!?!

 

[lostforgottensoul]

but what the heck does “too diverse” even mean?!

Complicated maybe? I have no idea. I believe that churches can deny a service dog legally due to seperation of church and State except if they accept funds from the government. Sort of off topic I guess. That was odd that they would say that though. Did you say anything back?

Chopper and I had an encounter at my therapist appointment yesterday. An old yellow lab (lightening on his face shows he's an older dog) in a very faded program vest out of command on a 6 foot leash allowed to walk up to Chopper and not corrected for it. No commands were given. Not doing any tasks. Not asked to focus. Just free to walk the 6 foot leash. I made a rant video asking handlers to not do that. And on there someone told me that program vests can be bought online. It could have been an ESA (which are allowed there) but whatever sort of working dog it was, it surely should not have been allowed to walk up and distract a working service dog. I was the only one giving commands. Chopper did horrible and that's my fault for not training around dogs as much as I should but I walked over to the other side of the waiting room to gain his focus and ask him to heel and we were able to do cover, next to the other dog, and keep his focus. But, yeah, the other dog just was free to do whatever on a 6 foot leash. Very freaking irritating!

 

[Justmehere]

That had me in stiches!

I choose to take it as a compliment that I’m too diverse. :D

Like seriously. Since when is diversity a bad thing? :rolleyes:

6 foot leash allowed to walk up to Chopper

That stinks!

Humans. They just don’t think sometimes. Argh.