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The advantages/disadvantages of service dogs.
- Post starter Barberian
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Thank you for your answer, JustBe.
In your previous post, you say that when you're anxious and she is unworried that you know that the perceived threat is not real. Is this a 'task' she learned to perform or is she naturally that calm? The opposite (that your dog becomes anxious because the handler is anxious) is possible too, I thought...
In your previous post, you say that when you're anxious and she is unworried that you know that the perceived threat is not real. Is this a 'task' she learned to perform or is she naturally that calm? The opposite (that your dog becomes anxious because the handler is anxious) is possible too, I thought...
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She doesn't become anxious when I do. She knows that it's her job to calm and help me.
It is a trained task that began by my watching her natural tendency to want me to be OK. I would pay close attention to her behavior when I would become anxious or start to have a panic attack or my head would start to get foggy and I would reward her for behaving the way I needed her to, to help me.
We've been together now for almost 5 years so it's definitely been a work in progress.
It is a trained task that began by my watching her natural tendency to want me to be OK. I would pay close attention to her behavior when I would become anxious or start to have a panic attack or my head would start to get foggy and I would reward her for behaving the way I needed her to, to help me.
We've been together now for almost 5 years so it's definitely been a work in progress.
- Post starter
- #112
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- #113
This doesn't exactly fit but I recently got a new dog and she has no training on how to respond to my flashbacks or anxiety but she will get me away from people and do everything she needs to in order to calm me down and keep me from hurting myself or others(which makes things ten times worse)... she behaves perfect in public. Is she a good candidate to train for a service dog?
Kintsugi
Sponsor
@olred1978 It sounds like your dog could be a very good candidate.
Adopted/rescued dogs typically take several months to completely bond and assimilate with their new home. I would assess the thought in 4-6 months.
There are trainers who can evaluate your dog for candidacy, but if your dog is displaying signs that it might be helpful to your disability, you can hire a trainer (or do it yourself, though it can be tough depending on experience and can take a lot of time in some cases) to help train disability-specific tasks.
Service animals typically have to be able to perform at least three tasks that help mitigate the effects of your disability, and you typically need non-relative witnesses to attest to this or a trainer with some kind of certification who can vouch for the dog's ability. Not all tasks can be done on command, such as your dog's "tasks" in grounding you etc. or a seizure dog alerting to a seizure, but you it helps as I understand it to have at least one demonstratable task the dog can perform on cue.
It is easier, in my opinion, to register a dog as a service dog than it is to certify them as a therapy dog. You don't need to pass specific tests with the dog unless you're going through a program (which can be immensely helpful though) like a therapy dog. Because the dog is specifically to serve your needs, there aren't the same standard expectations for the dog's performance.
Also note that the most important behaviors to have down (aside from, you know, don't have an aggressive dog or one that is a danger to the general public) is housebreaking and barking. Those are the two grounds on which you can be asked to remove your service dog from a property (although you are entitled to return without the dog).
The great thing about training a service dog is that a service dog in training has the same rights of access (with some exceptions, such as airlines and hotels) as a registered animal, so this can be a slow process where you have plenty of time to train and become comfortable/confident with the dog.
Adopted/rescued dogs typically take several months to completely bond and assimilate with their new home. I would assess the thought in 4-6 months.
There are trainers who can evaluate your dog for candidacy, but if your dog is displaying signs that it might be helpful to your disability, you can hire a trainer (or do it yourself, though it can be tough depending on experience and can take a lot of time in some cases) to help train disability-specific tasks.
Service animals typically have to be able to perform at least three tasks that help mitigate the effects of your disability, and you typically need non-relative witnesses to attest to this or a trainer with some kind of certification who can vouch for the dog's ability. Not all tasks can be done on command, such as your dog's "tasks" in grounding you etc. or a seizure dog alerting to a seizure, but you it helps as I understand it to have at least one demonstratable task the dog can perform on cue.
It is easier, in my opinion, to register a dog as a service dog than it is to certify them as a therapy dog. You don't need to pass specific tests with the dog unless you're going through a program (which can be immensely helpful though) like a therapy dog. Because the dog is specifically to serve your needs, there aren't the same standard expectations for the dog's performance.
Also note that the most important behaviors to have down (aside from, you know, don't have an aggressive dog or one that is a danger to the general public) is housebreaking and barking. Those are the two grounds on which you can be asked to remove your service dog from a property (although you are entitled to return without the dog).
The great thing about training a service dog is that a service dog in training has the same rights of access (with some exceptions, such as airlines and hotels) as a registered animal, so this can be a slow process where you have plenty of time to train and become comfortable/confident with the dog.
Simply Simon. I've had her for two months and we are inseparable. She is highly intelligent and a dang fast learner( learned how to open a door with a knob within a week of being home) she is not aggressive at all and only barks between licking my face when she's trying to get me out of a flashback. I've never heard of dogs knowing what to do without training her family is all cowdogs so nothing even close to that was ever taught. I have no doubt she is capable. Me not so sure so I will definitely look into a trainer.
Just to clarify:
In the USA there is No legal registry for Service Dogs. Don't be scammed into paying a "Registry" for tags, certificates, vests or a registration ID number.
The way you prove your dog is a Legitimate Service Dog is:
#1. You have a documented legal Disability that can be mitigated by a Service Dog.
#2. Your dog has impeccable public access manners
#3. Your dog is _TRAINED_ to mitigate your Disability. This means that in addition to whatever your dog does for you naturally, he/she has also at least one Trained Task that relates directly to your specific needs and that you cannot do for yourself.
I hope this helps.
In the USA there is No legal registry for Service Dogs. Don't be scammed into paying a "Registry" for tags, certificates, vests or a registration ID number.
The way you prove your dog is a Legitimate Service Dog is:
#1. You have a documented legal Disability that can be mitigated by a Service Dog.
#2. Your dog has impeccable public access manners
#3. Your dog is _TRAINED_ to mitigate your Disability. This means that in addition to whatever your dog does for you naturally, he/she has also at least one Trained Task that relates directly to your specific needs and that you cannot do for yourself.
I hope this helps.
Inwardly_Broken
Silver Member
I just want to say thank you to yall who have posted on this thread. It has been extremely helpful. I have been pondering the idea of a PTSD service dog for about 6 months now. I talked to my old therapist and a cop friend of mine (who has PTSD tendencies) simply to bounce ideas and "what if" situations off of. They both agree that a service dog would be very beneficial for me. I have began contacting a few agencies who provide trained dogs and I'm waiting to hear back from them. Only a very small handful of people know about my past and my PTSD. My family has no idea and neither do the majority of my friends. So, a big worry of mine is that if/when I do get a service dog, everybody will think I'm lying and simply doing it to get attention (but I'll cross that bridge later). Due to a situation that occurred at work a few weeks ago, I had to inform a few of my bosses about my PTSD. They are willing to work with me and make adjustments as needed (I'm trying to switch to overnights now). I have decided that I will talk to my bosses about the idea of getting a dog and what that would look like, or if it would even be possible, in my line of work. I guess I'm saying all of this to prove that I am doing my research before making a final decision. (I've gone to the extent of researching gear, food, and supplies so I can begin an estimated budget too). Anyways, I just wanted to say thank you for starting this thread and for all the responses. It has been extremely helpful in my research, planning, and hope.
I do have a few questions though, are there any breeds that are restricted from being a service dog? I know every single dog has to go through a ton of training and certification before successfully becoming a service dog. I am a huge lover for the "aggressive breeds". Simply because they are highly misunderstood, especially Pit Bulls and similar breeds. I have been wondering about the idea of getting a Pit or a Staffordshire. I know a lot of cities and towns have banned or restricted these kinds of breeds but do those bans/restriction still apply if that breed is a successfully certified service dog with a vest and patches (which I know aren't required but would use for extra precaution)?
I do have a few questions though, are there any breeds that are restricted from being a service dog? I know every single dog has to go through a ton of training and certification before successfully becoming a service dog. I am a huge lover for the "aggressive breeds". Simply because they are highly misunderstood, especially Pit Bulls and similar breeds. I have been wondering about the idea of getting a Pit or a Staffordshire. I know a lot of cities and towns have banned or restricted these kinds of breeds but do those bans/restriction still apply if that breed is a successfully certified service dog with a vest and patches (which I know aren't required but would use for extra precaution)?
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Kintsugi
Sponsor
Look up therapits. :D
No, there are no restrictions on what type of dog can be a service dog. I have known multiple cane corsos that were service dogs.
No, there are no restrictions on what type of dog can be a service dog. I have known multiple cane corsos that were service dogs.
Inwardly_Broken
Silver Member
I've been looking into Puerto de Presa Canario and Dogo Argentino. I really want a larger breed of dog. That's one of the things I'm trying to figure out right now (breeds). Do I go with a larger breed for tasks and security and risk the increase attention I'd receive (especially with the "aggressive breeds") or do I go with a medium sized dog for the convenience and not as much attention.
I can only find articles about Thera-pits. Do you know if they have an actual website? I may just be missing it. I love the idea of Thera-pits though! Thanks for telling me about them. (more research haha)
I can only find articles about Thera-pits. Do you know if they have an actual website? I may just be missing it. I love the idea of Thera-pits though! Thanks for telling me about them. (more research haha)
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