Does anyone have a service dog? I think someone on here mentioned that they do have one...

I have been a dog trainer - I used to be very competitive in the obedience show world years ago! Way back when, I was even a horse trainer. So I feel confident I could train a dog to do some basic service work.

My current dog is 12, and is an Australian Shepherd. She's not getting any younger, and I have been bouncing around the idea of adopting a dog from a local shelter. They have a program called "Cell Dogs" where some dogs are put through the local prison system - assigned to a prisoner, learn to live with the prisoner, in his cell, are crate trained, taught basic commands, etc. This would be good for me, as I don't think I want to start with a puppy again. I don't think my shoulders can take all the pulling on a leash an adult dog would require to teach it to heel either.

Right now, I am thinking teaching the dog to pick things up that were dropped, get the phone, and tug on my sweater or coat sleeves would be the main thing. (I have a terrible time getting my coats and sweaters off since I can't reach behind my back to pull on my own sleeves). My mother is 84 and lives with me, and I think getting the phone could be a Godsend for her... if she were to fall and break a hip - having a dog that knows to get the phone? Fantastic.

Probably teach it to wear a light pack on it's back too - for carrying a few things to lighten my load when out places.

I know I could not have a "registered" or "real" service dog, as it would not be certified -- so could not go into stores etc... but that doesn't mean I could not train a dog to do the same things.... You only get a certified one if you buy one from an organization, or if you do train it yourself, you have to travel to - I believe it was Colorado? to be certified, and it is quite a long and expensive process that I would be unable to afford. For what I need, I really don't need the dog to go to work with me etc. So a home trained dog would work fine.

If you have a service dog, what are the positives/negatives? What other things does your dog do for you? Any other info I might find helpful?

Thanks so much!
Jules

Hi, I am new to this group, so I hope that I am doing this right ( first post).
I have had RSD for 25 years, and I do have a service dog. I also worked with training horses and dogs before RSD. I trained my own service dog, and he has all of the rights as an institution trained service dog. Friday he went to physical therapy with me and then to lunch with a friend, then to the Dr with me then to the beach for a run. He pulls me in the wheelchair, picks up things for me and puts them in my lap, lights on and off, opens refrig and brings me object and closes refrig, pushes handicap buttons to open doors, and elevator buttons, etc. There is much support for people to train their own service dog on the internet. I think the best one is Top Dog in Arazona, They have a manuel that you can follow. It is not an easy thing to do. You must be very patient and consistent, and be firmly rooted in positive reinforcement, but I think you end up with a better dog than the institution dogs(plus the waiting list tends to be long)
So, You can do it!!! Be very selective. The dog must love his job, or neither of you will be happy. Yellow labs are the best. I think. My first one was a yellow lab, and my current one is half golden and half lab. I got both of them at 6 wks old puppies, but you are right, sometimes it is overwhelming to have a pup.

Good luck, and go for it!!!!
Judy

Thank you for bringing this up. It is something I have been thinking about for awhile now. I am concerned about raising a puppy and how do I get it certified? I live in California. What organizations do I need to go through?
I am inpressed with you doing this.

Linmarie

this slipped off the first page and I over looked that anyone responded.

I am at work, responding on iPhone - typing not easy-!

I have been checking into this. I joined a few Yahoo service dog training groups. One seems active but a couple don't have many posts.

Certification, from what I can tell so far, varies by state.

And- it seems that all care, upkeep, costs may be tax deductable for service dogs. Still checking on that.

If you don't think you can handle a puppy, google petfinder for your area, and look for shelters that do cell dog programs. I searched Ohio Correctional Facility Cell Dog and found a list of shelters that do this in Ohio. It even listed several service dog organiztions that pull dogs from, or train dogs through cell dog programs.

I found it really interesting to search YouTube for assistance dogs or service dog training with the word "clicker" It seems most are trains by a possitive training method called "Clicker! Training"

I will try to put some of the links up here when I get home and can copy and paste.

I have a friend with a visual impairment who has a service dog. Care costs etc are tax deductible (in the state of Ohio).