Service dog rollercoaster

[popeye]

Well those of you who talk to me on here sort of know my situation of trying to get a service dog trained. And I wanted to have a post explaining my whole story.

First of all I would like to educate you guys a little bit about what type of service dog I am looking for. What it is called is a psychiatric service dog. They are dogs trained to help people with mental illnesses get back into the land of the living. By helping the handler kind of snap out of a flashback faster or ease the intensity of a panic attack by sticking like glue to the handler and helping the handler stay grounded. There is plenty of information about these types of dogs on a web site called psychdog.org which those interested in learning more can check out.

I have finally decided on the perfect trainer for me. She's an awesome lady apparently with PTSD herself. She has bent over backwards and taken alot of her free time to help me find the perfect dog. We don't exactly agree on the breed but we do agree on size of the dog. She is educating me not only in the world of service dogs but also that there are people who truly care left in this world. We have narrowed it down to a hound breed because of their loyalty and willingness to please. We have found a few potential dogs but so far have not acted on anything as I don't have the money right this second. My mother will lend me the needed funds if we do find the right dog before I get my settlement check.

Anyone with questions feel free to ask me as I am very excited and pretty well educated about the process and possible benefits of service dogs.

 

[amethist]

Thank you for sharing all this with us Popeye.

I am hoping to get my husband to understand the value of this for him, he does want a dog, but keeps putting the decision of because he says it would not be fair on our cat. OK yea I get, that as she has sat with him for hour's on end, when he was in the darkest of holes whilst I was at work. He feels it would not be fair on her and does not want to introduce another pet (Even though it would be for a good reason) until either we move or she passes over, she is almost 15.

So I am now going to look at this web site you have used, see if I can help him understand more of the major benefits of a service dog for him. He needs to be able to get out a lot more and this is the way that will work for him.

Amethist

 

[popeye]

Amethist,
Remind him that many dogs get along great with cats or just ignore them completely. Yes your cat may not like the new addition but you do have to remember that a service dog would be beyond a huge benefit for your husband. See I have also come down with a bit of agoraphobia and it's hard for me to get out in the public because of the many triggers I have. I have even been unable to go back to work because of my issues and my therapist has agreed this would be the best thing for me. I understand his concern with the cat. These dogs can be trained to do amazing things. Like for an example one thing I would like the dog for me trained to do is help wake me up. I have issues with my sleep medication making it hard for me to even hear my alarm clock and the dog can be trained to lick my face until I get up or paw at me, or even literally jump on top of me.

Other things the dog just because of it's nature can help do is get you out for a walk each day. They all need to be exercised daily and even just taking the dog for a walk can help ease some of the isolation we sometimes feel. Plus a service dog is allowed into businesses like grocery stores. I have problems with them just because of the shopping carts themselves sometimes they can trigger me into a panic attack. The dog can be trained to lean into me to remind me that I am not alone and help me focus on what is really going on.

 

[intothelight]

Hi Popeye,

If what I read, from the website, you can actually train an existing dog. Is that correct?

ITL

 

[popeye]

Yes you can train an existing dog but be careful if you plan on taking the dog into public. These dogs need a certain temperament. They basically have to be in control of themselves at all times. Meaning they can't bark, run, sniff, growl, bite, eliminate on sidewalks or in stores. They also have to be good around kids, other people, strange environments, shopping carts, cars, basically anything you would come across in your daily life.

Alot of dogs are not meant for service work. They could be too shy, or too aggressive, or sometimes even too happy. You need a dog that is more or less calm all the time. I have a dog currently his name is Jethro. He's a strange mix of terrier and beagle. We got him originally to train to be a service dog. I was still very new to the idea and had a vision of success in my first try in my mind. I picked him because when I was at the shelter I was beginning to have a panic attack, and when I was allowed into his kennel he put his nose right into my chest and didn't move until my heart rate had slowed down. He turned out not be the right choice because apparently he was abused before we got him. He loves my family to death but he is terrified of strangers. Especially strange men. I have been working with him for a year now and I cannot get him to overcome his fear and that is fine with me. He will not be leaving my house or my family even when I get the service dog as he has become part of the family.

Do not let me discourage you from trying though. But be aware that it might take time. It's a lot like finding the right therapist or doctor. You may need to see a lot of them before you find the perfect one. Some organizations out there just pick a dog and expect you to bond with it yourself. But to be a good Psychiatric service dog you really need that bond and trust between you and the dog. That is why the site I mentioned says to train your own dog as that helps you bond and trust your dog. Don't be afraid to check out many possible trainers in your area as you might find one willing to work with you and help you train the dog.

 

[amethist]

Thanks Popeye

I have told him all this and so much more, he is in his "Pain in the butt, whats your problem mode", just now, may be time to kick it again LOL. I might just go out and get a dog for him, he already knows what kind he wants, so maybe I should do what has come natural. Which is make the decision and go sort it out myself.

Kick butt and give him no choices time coming up, yet again.

Amethist

 

[popeye]

This is an exhaustive search. I have spent every day since Friday on the internet looking for a dog. I have applied for adoption of one. But I am afraid of getting stuck with having the shelter come to my house. Apparently a lot of places around here require a home visit. My fear is that since my wife's grandma suffers from dementia or Alzheimer or something she's going to say or do something that will disqualify me. Plus since my family moved in here we crammed an entire household into 3 bedrooms and there is stuff everywhere upstairs here. What a hard search. I thought I had the perfect one a few days ago from the humane society but it turned out he didn't get along with my other dog.

 

[popeye]

Well it sounds like I have a very good lead on a dog named cookie. She's a coonhound lab mix. she's still a bit of a puppy though. View attachment 3901
She's only about 8 months old. I think she is pretty and they say at the shelter she is laid back and relaxed. I am not sure if I would stick with the name cookie myself but you never know. Maybe when I get the perfect dog and I need to name it i will put it up to you guys for ideas for names. They usually like to train a dog that's a little older because they have a much better idea of the dog's personality. But I am having problems finding a dog that doesn't shed much around my area here that's the right size age and temperament. So for now we are looking at Cookie. Like I said if I get her maybe you guys can help me select her name.

 

[anni]

She is too, too cute! Thanks for the pic. I understand coon hounds have wonderful temperments, too. My husband always had a few when he was younger for, well, hunting racoons.

She looks like a 'Lacey' to me. :)

Congrats on having found her, Popeye. I know it's been an awfully long search.

 

[popeye]

Well it isn't final yet. But here's hoping she gets along with my other dog. If she does and she passes my test she will be sent off for training.

 

[Iam]

This is exciting Popeye. I hope "Cookie" (for now) gets along well with your other dog. Labs can have long puppyhoods,, but many make great service dogs. We have two of them. One of them would be way too happy to be a service dog. The other came from parents who were service dogs and she was calm andeven as a pupp her attention span was incredible! A coonlab mix sound great!

Wishing you the best and can't wait to hear how it turns out ;o)

 

[Jestadud]

Cookie sounds about right, but maybe it should be spelt Kookie but whatever you decide we know it's not the name but the attitude that counts!