The advantages/disadvantages of service dogs.

[Barberian]

I recently started training a puppy to be my Service Dog. As with most new things I started to look for Service Dog related stuff and activities (including youtube and forums). One thing I noticed recently, is that few people here seem to have or at least talk about having a Service Dog.

Because I believe service dogs can be such a help to those with PTSD and many other mental health issues I'd like to open this thread for people who have, are training their own, or are interested in getting a Service Dog. To open the thread to discussion of the highs and lows of life with their dogs. What their dog has allowed them to do. What they were like before/after/now that they got their dogs.

Currently among other things I write about, I'm kind of blogging how the training is going for my puppy and I (I'm training her, and she's traiing me. lol :roflmao: ) in my Trauma Diary, which I understand isn't visible to everyone. I want to make it more of a public discussion.

This thread isn't intended for general pet discussion. If it isn't about a service animal, or one in training, please discuss it in another thread like --> [DLMURL="https://www.ptsdforum.org/c/threads/your-pet-did-what.20802/"]Your pet did what?[/DLMURL] <--- Link

For the most part of the last few years I have been home bound because of anxiety going into public places because of my PTSD or just simply because of my anxiety in general. Since I got my puppy, I started to force myself out into the public to provide training to my dog. Simply having the dog with me has made going out in public MUCH easier. I've spent more time out of the house in the last two months (how long I've had her) than I have in the previous year.

To qualify to have a service dog, you must have a recognized disability and your Service Dog must be trained to help assist you with said condition(s). Under American Federal Law, in your place of residency, work, where you socialize, a trained Service Dog must be allowed to enter with you except in a few places like hospital operation rooms. Many states offer the same protection to Service Dogs in training. California is one state, I'm not sure of the others. From what I've found on accident, many European countries have much more strict rules about service animals.

There are many misconceptions about service dogs. I started to type them out, but the list is too long for this post. I will add some relevant links soon most likely unless someone beats me to it.

Everyone is welcome to post links if it relates to service animal rules, regulations and laws. I only know of American laws and I understand this is a multi-national forum. Others around the world may want to link local (to them) rules, regulations and laws. If you want to link a site, please be courteous to this site's owner and not link commercial websites. This will be difficult for me because a lot of what I've found has been in the F.A.Q. type sections of commercial websites. I know from looking around that there are other sites that have the same info, I will just have to work a little harder to present the info.

The first link I'm posting is American Federal website for the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) the cornerstone of info for disabled Americans in relation to Service Animals. <--- link

 

[Springer80]

Hi Barbarian,

I'm in the UK and my circumstances don't allow me to keep a dog. I just wanted to say,...give us a picture. Everyone likes a puppy! :)

 

[Barberian]

Here is one from a month or so ago, she's doubled in size since then. I need to take a new one of her. Her legs are long now, soon she will fill out more like a bulldog. She is a Boston Terrier with some Fox Terrier mixed in a generation or two ago. She is about 4 1/2 months old now.

She hadn't had all her Parvo shots yet, so I had her sit on the truck hood to keep her off the ground.

View attachment 32131

 

[Springer80]

Ah she's adorable. I think it's a very worthwhile thing, they do something similar with dogs that visit hospital patients to aid recovery over here. Anyway, I don't want to take your thread off track, so good luck with being trained, hopefully she'll get you in sorted in no time.

 

[HighwayToHell]

Mate that is one fine looking canine and will be the perfect size for service. You can tell from the alert, straight ears and the steady gaze she is up for it.

The main thing to teach any canine with terrier in it is "Release!" so they will let go of whatever it is they have hold of. They will fetch, carry and bring all day and night - it is just from experience I suggest you ensure that along with sit, drop and stay, she also learns release just as thoroughly.

Good choice. Good luck with the training.

 

[nursenurse]

Just offering you a word of encouragement on this endeavour, it is so worthwhile. No disadvantage as far as I can see, for dog or owner. Good luck!

 

[JustBe]

Kira and I have been a team for four years now. I've posted all over the forum about her! Good luck with your new partner...enjoy!

 

[Hashi]

I would love one but I'm not in a position to have a dog, at least at the moment.

I'd be interested to know the disadvantages. When imagining it, the biggest disadvantage that comes to my mind is that a lot of people talk to you when you're outside with a dog. Here in the UK, I see people all the time being talked to about the dog that's with them, often stopped when they're walking along the street, by strangers who like dogs. I wouldn't like the idea of so many people talking to me and fussing over the dog.

I've also had a bad experience with someone else's service dog. I had to arrange an event they were guests at, and the dog was over-protective and too nervy. In particular, it kept growling at anyone who got near, and turning round in circles on the spot. Since it was a big dog with a big sweeping tail, this made it intimidating for other people, including me, and a hazard for knocking things over. I don't know whether this was due to the dog's individual personality, poor training or using an inappropriate breed. It was a Belgian Shepherd (like a German Shepherd/Alsatian).

 

[Barberian]

Movin'On, cute dog. Glad you have found a helping partner.

I'd be interested to know the disadvantages. When imagining it, the biggest disadvantage that comes to my mind is that a lot of people talk to you when you're outside with a dog

Yes, a lot of people who I have never met want to stop and talk to me and/or pet my dog. Some people just approach me and start petting and talking to my dog without even saying anything to me. If they ask, I usually don't mind. Sequoia, my dog, is still a pup in training and I want her to be sociable. Sometimes though... I want to go off on them, particularly the people who don't ask. Those days, I bite my tongue because i'm already in a "mood", if I get started telling them off, I might not be able to stop before I go into a rage.

Allowing people to pet and talk to my dog has helped me with "invevo" (sp?) therapy for free. It helps me interact with other people in a social setting without any requirements to socialize like at a party with friends if that makes sense. Because I don't know these strangers, I don't feel compelled to small talk with them. I can interact with them, simply stand there while they pet my dog, or I can say "Sorry, no petting, she is a working dog in training" and go on about my business.

the dog was over-protective and too nervy. In particular, it kept growling at anyone who got near,

This was a very poorly trained dog. Growling, acting aggressive, being disruptive are not acceptable traits in a properly trained service dog. It doesn't matter if it was poor training, or the breeds personality. It is simply unacceptable behavior. In the U.S., and I'm sure most if not all other countries, these behaviors would be grounds for having the dog removed from the premises. Don't let the owner play the pity card.

 

[DharmaGirl]

I have a mastiff service dog which I have only needed in my home in the past. I will probably use her more outside now. She wakes me from nightmares and stretches out full length next to me to comfort me. My mom makes me stressed, and the day I came home after surgery she jumped up on my bed and smelled my back. Then stayed with me on the bed until I got up. My mom said she had tried to get her off the bed with snacks, yelling, but of course she wouldn't go. My mom just doesn't get that she is a service dog. I know she is big, which is why I only use her at home. I guess I will have to use her outside since I've become afraid of leaving the house again.

 

[DharmaGirl]

You can buy do not pet patches for your service dog. I will when I take her out.

 

[Springer80]

Kira and I have been a team for four years now.

That's a very natty waistcoat she has on there....she looks kinda proud too, like she knows it a work photo! :smug: