News Service dogs: do they really do any good?

[Sideways]

Even if you buy the cheapest and least amount of gear only and was only for PTSD gear total will be way over $100.

I live off the DSP, so I can’t afford all the special gear for my dog. He works on an ordinary lead and flat collar. The only service dog ‘gear’ he’s got is his vest, and you can get them online for $30.

It can be done without a whole lot of expensive gear.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

It can be done without a whole lot of expensive gear.

I actually said that in my post. But hands free leash? Collaspable water bowls? Head collar/prong collar/e collar/or any additional training tools? Boots (in Florida you cannot go without that no matter how poor you are) and in addition foot salve/socks for the gas station and chemicals on the ground. Amd for me I had to get another "vest" that's the size if of a normal nylon dog harness but has a handle and sewn on patches on the side due to the heat here in Florida amd every vest being too hot (MOST EPECIALLY our training vest from Amazon. It's thick as hell which overheated him way too much). Rain coat? Or you'll be bringing a wet dog into a grocery store. ETA: Oh and a coat for those in areas that snow.

And, for me, I am training him for mobility as well so I cannot go without expensive gear as all mobility gear is expensive. You can go cheaper, but it is no way cheap. Which is what I was stating.

 

[Mee]

Reading this it seems some gear is area dependant ( so might be necessary for companion rather than working dogs to a degree ) and some task dependant.

 

[Sideways]

@lostforgottensoul - yeah, see I simply don’t need all that stuff for my dog.

He has a basic Assistance Dog jacket. That’s it.

Everything else he has? He has because he’s my pet dog and dogs need stuff. But the only service dog gear he has is, quite literally, his jacket.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Exactly right @Mee, many areas can't go without a winter jacket for their service dog due to the snow and how cold it is. For me, any service dog vest was too hot for Florida. Tried a mesh vest on Amazon and couldn't use it even once. I had to get this: Service Dog Harness with Patches and Handle - cool, comfortable, and lightweight! I didn't have a choice. His amazon vest was overheating him. Even at night. The current vest is much thinner as it's custom made and she left out the mid-layer upon request but it's still way too hot for Florida summers. Boots. Going without boots in Florida is just asking for your dog's pads to literally get melted off. You can cook an egg on black asphalt here in the summer. Done it. My dog's feet cannot go on that without boots with soles. No way. And for the ice in the places that snow. And I need a mobility harness. His pull strap (made by me but the materials cost money) and tasks of pulling/counter balance can work for many mobility needs but many (like myself) must be able to brace and you cannot do that, while standing, without a mobility harness. Oh, and that brings up a great thing...Amazon vests lack the D rings in the right place for a properly placed pull strap and a handle that is too short.

Can you go cheaper? Sure. But how much greatly depends on where you live and what you need the service dog for. But again, it isn't cheap by any stretch of the imagination. The 4 grand includes his food, his vetting, and his grooming tools as well. You need to be able to afford to take care of the dog and take good care of it. The dog needs to be able to stay healthy to work for you for 8 or so years. He's on higher quality food then when he was a pet and he has an orthopedic vet which he didn't have as a pet. I would advise to plan on more expensive and if it's cheaper, great, but you then have the funds if it isn't.

 

[Mee]

Can I ask something else?

I know things like not talking to service dogs when they work, but how does a service dog kick back and relax? Are they allowed to socialise with other people/ fogs on their down time? Can they for example get out of service gear and romp?

My working terrier finds this tedious, bug my pet dog likes this. If service fogs ever became allowed where I live and I would still benefit could j even gave one while owning a pet dog?

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Can they for example get out of service gear and romp?

Sure can. At home service dogs are just normal dogs. And most that work service dogs all day (I don't yet as he is still in training), take off gear partly through the day to exercise and give their dog a break. But at home and off duty he's just a normal dog. He does tasks at home but still, a normal dog.

 

[Friday]

As the discussion about the OT appears to have ended a few pages ago I’m going to go ahead and close this thread. Please open a help ticket if you have any questions.

For those who wish to continue discussing service dogs,

Service dog handler lobby >>> For current handlers
Service dog q&a >>> For everyone

Or you’re welcome to start your own thread in the Employment, Education, & Disability forum.