The advantages/disadvantages of service dogs.

[BlackbirdSinging]

I'm still thinking about this as an option. I looked into the different breeds of dogs that are used. I found that some use Chihuahua's. That would be a perfect fit for me considering my injuries and chronic pain. Tomorrow I'm going to see my therapist and I'm going to mention it to her and see what she thinks.

Since I've started thinking about this when I've felt my symptoms I've imagined what it would be like to have a little ball of trained puppy that would turn and pull me back into the moment and help me relax. The idea is starting to appeal to me even more. Especially if I could have a little dog. I'm cautious to get excited about the idea of this. But then of course I'd be cautious. I have PTSD and it keeps me on guard often :p.

 

[JustBe]

My Chihuahua is a world class snuggler! Just be aware that they take longer to train and of course aren't suited to some of the tasks of a larger dog.

 

[BlackbirdSinging]

Awwww see I like the idea. I bet it helps relax you. I think I'd be ok if it didn't do some of the bigger dog kinds of duties. And I'd be a little concerned if I'd be able to handle a bigger dog on a leash. Just what my back would need is a good tug from a big dog and I'd be in bad shape.

 

[Barberian]

A properly trained dog won't tug or pull on the leash. My pup was very young when I started her training. She still pulls a little on the leash sometimes, it's something we are still working on, but it's nothing like a "normal" dog. A lot of the "bad" behaviors of normal dogs are trained out of them. Because you spend 24/7 with them, the good training is constantly being reinforced and the dog will be very well mannered. A large dog can also be used as a brace when your back pinches or spasms, or can give you that extra "Oomph" to get up when your in pain.

I'm not trying to change your mind about the size of the dog. Just show something some people forget to consider when choosing a dog.

[DLMURL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Wg19teyvAM"]Service Dog Uses Counterbalance To Help Handler Stand[/DLMURL]

[DLMURL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iA3ohXWZnE"] Dog turns lights on and off! Good for if your back is acting up and u don't want to get up and turn off the light.[/DLMURL]

[DLMURL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUfOfs4EhCI"] SUPPORT HARNESS for Service/Assistance Dogs[/DLMURL]. Sorry, it's a commercial, but it does the best job explaining the harness.

 

[aka]

I am so excited, I just found out that my puppy was born yesterday. He is an purebred German Shepherd and is specifically bred to have the temperament needed for a service dog. I really got a good impression of the breeder since she tests all her dogs hips and elbows for signs of dysplasia, and tests for a genetic disease common in shepherds called degenerative Mylopythy. So I have a couple of months to get ready for him any advice is welcomed.

 

[Barberian]

Congratulations :tup:

I wanted a German Shepard or Retriever, but my wife is afraid of large dogs.

 

[pathos]

I want to get my dog trained to be a service dog so I can take him with me when I go out places. I found a place where I live that trains service dogs but I'm too scared to call them... If only dogs could help you on the phone. Maybe I should've mentioned it at therapy but I always lose my thoughts there...

 

[Olivia Felton]

How does one go about getting a service dog? My doctor has suggested that in order to get me to go outside. I know the costs can be prohibitive and I haven't found a group that donates to former law enforcement.

I don't begrudge the group's supporting veterans, but too often their hands are tied by their underwriters.

 

[JustBe]

You can train your own Service Dog.

 

[ABK]

I don't have a trained service dog, but recently there is a dog selected that will be trained for me. Because I also have visually impairment, the dog will be trained as guide dog and will learn to perform some tasks that can help me to deal with my anxiety.

I already have a dog that can't be further trained as guide dog because he has some medical issues. Because of the things that happened to me in the past, I sometimes can become very angry and I have difficulties to calm down. At such a moment I can't interact calmly with my dog. He sometimes becomes anxious when I am angry. I'm trying to do something about this, but it's hard to change this. I'm afraid that I also will have this problem when I have a trained guide / PTSD dog.

Is there someone that recognizes this (that you become angry and can't interact calmly with your dog at such a moment)? Is there something you can learn to your dog the help you calm down at such a moment that you're very angry?

(I'm not used to write in English, so I hope that it is understandable)

 

[JustBe]

Becoming angry with your dog is not OK.:nailbiting:

I suggest you Learn to deal with your anger appropriately before you get a dog.

Trust is the most important thing. Our dog must trust that we will NEVER hurt them.

Service dogs are sensitive to our moods by nature. My dog helps me stay calm because I know she needs me to be.

Dogs do not like instability.

 

[Barberian]

Anger management is an issue I have as well. When I'm short tempered or in danger of misbehaving with my dog, I double down on my self discipline and/or avoid training or working with her. I just postpone what I was going to do. Am I 100% successful? Unfortunately no. I don't strike the dog, and hopefully never will, but I do occasionally yell at her. I am much better now than before I got the dog though, and I am working very hard every day to be better than the day before. This is a two way training. I have to train myself to be able to train her effectively. The dog's well being is the priority, I will have her for the next 10-15 years or more, even after she "retires" and I get/train a new one.

My dog also helps me stay calmer for the reason Movin'On stated, and just having a companion to keep my attention on, instead of the stressors of life, going out in public, etc. She is only almost 6 months old and still "in training" and doesn't perform anything reliable in regards to being a service dog yet. She does do some things disability related, but not reliably yet. Often dogs are put in a home to be raised by "Puppy raisers" until around a year to a year and a half old before their "real" training starts. So I don't feel bad about where she stands on her training. Imagine training a 5 year old child to do your taxes on the long form...

What Movin'On said above is very true about the dog must be able to trust you to have it's best interests at heart. If it cowers down every time you or someone else raise their voice, or move a hand or foot near it, the dog will not be a very successful service dog.