Training a Service Dog - Page 4

Blitzen:  I understand your questions and concerns completely, however, the last thing a person needs that has impending disabilities is to try to solve other peoples dishonest problems regarding why they have a service dog.  Like I stated earlier they will eventually get their's.  People taking advantage of individuals with disabilities is not a kind or kooth thing to do, but it is a known fact that it has and is done regularly without concsequence.  The only way to change that would be to implement a type of certification program, unknown to the public and test handlers/dogs for public access responsibilities.  BUT that is even a problem as how would you test say a CP child with seizures or whatever that needs the service dog by their side 24/7.  So you see what I am saying I am sure.  It is an ongoing problem but one I can only assist in answering public questions unable to change the current rules/regulations for which there are very few.

Very frustrating indeed and the hubs makes it clear to people at times they SHOULD NOT park in handicap spot or do not need public access for that service dog or whatever not even knowing their disabilities; or not being able to see their disability.  That is not even legal and I tell him NOT to do that if I am with him.  You do not have the right to judge or even ask for that matter.  So there is a fine line NOT to be crossed.  Fakers will get caught just like any thief or thug. 

Nan

Nans, I think most would consider faking a disablility to get a service dog a victimless crime. By the oness being on the owners of service animals, I meant that all with service dogs should really need one, not that those of  you who need service dogs should police the others. It's hard to keep silent when you see it happening and have to listen to the fakers brag about beating the system.

I have reasons for thinking I may need a service dog myself so would appreciate hearing from those who have actually trained their GSD's to assist them in ways I might need assistance with. Is a 6 1/2 year old dog too old to train? Does the dog need to have an inborn sense to alert to an impeding event? What can be taught and what can't.

First, I think the less regulation the better. The US gov does not have a good history of fair regulation. More regulation would only make things more difficult for those needing service dogs and cheaters will still find a way around it.

Blitzen, I can only speak to my experience. Shortly after my husband began having seizures following a fall, we noted that the two dogs we had at the time appeared to be aware he was going to have a seizure. We watched their behavior and noted they had specific behaviors that they exhibited prior to his having a seizure. Both were male GSDs. One would circle him, the other was less subtle and literally herded him into a chair. Both males were solid and social enough that they could accompany him when out and about. For me knowing that he would get advance warning of a seizure when home alone was comforting.

Almost two years ago my husband had a very serious reaction to one of his medications which left him with additional challenges. At that time we had one of the males and two young females. One female was totally oblivious to his medical condition and his seizures. The other female alerted to his seizures as well as taking it upon herself to be his caretaker. She showed many natural abilities which we built upon. We taught her a specific cue to use to alert to his seizures. She alerts when it is time for him take medication. She wakes me up anytime he wakes up which allows me to sleep soundly yet still know I will be available in case he needs help during the night. She also knows to bring specific items when asked.

As far as socialization and temperament, I believe strongly in socializing all my dogs. She was regularly visiting my brother in a nursing home since a puppy. She is very popular there and seems to know who needs her that day and seeks them out. Over and above normal socialization, I took every opportunity to make sure she was comfortable in a variety of situations. Besides working as a service dog, she is my IPO dog. She has very good drives, is coming along very nicely with her training and I hope to trial her this year. She has placed in the top three of every single show she was entered in at the local and regional level. She was also 3rd in the 18-24 month class at the 2013 USCA Sieger Show. If I can figure out how, I will post a pic.

When my father was dieing from cancer and bedridden for almost four years I got him an older jrt that was being tossed out after the people had done breeding her. This dog was meant only as a companion, never was used as a public service dog. After my father had a seizure, first since she arrived she was able to tell us they were coming and come get us. She was highly intelligent and devoted to my father. She was his companion and watched over him his remaining years with such depth of understanding and help for him. After he passed I took her to the graveside funeral.... She mourned him a long time not eating. Finally she came out of it. This was years before my lupus yet I had never thought to use a service dog myself or how invaluable one was to me until a pup arrived that naturally alerted to my low sugars. This pup was unstable and could never have been a public access dog. My husband did not worry while at work that sons would come home from school and find me in a coma though. After she had to be euthed for health and temperament issues I went back to the constant blood checks all the time and calls to me all day from hubby checking on me and still not driving much or more than about five miles away. I still had a gsd though intelligent she was not really service dog material and never picked up alerting me for sugars and at this time it was thought all my neurological issues stemmed from head trauma at my accident. She did fetch things, turn lights on and off and help me around the house with physical tasks. This is her doing so:  

The man in question could greatly benefit from a dog helping him in this way. These tasks are very simple to train as well. Ulf had to be taught patient and being still and quiet as he is a higher drive dog and I taught him this as puppy. I would teach him at the local library in Knoxville when I first got him after potty training and vacs he was about five and half months... Ten to fifteen mins go into library browse a moment then to the seats place him in down on floor under table or beside chair proper placements and teach him he must lay quietly and stay there. Very short sessions. Before going in I ran him couple mins with ball at home so he would not be a ball of energy and set him up for fails. I would then take him on sidewalk stroll behind library then return and repeat the lesson. He quickly learned his public behaviors as service dog by one setting him up to win reward of play soon as we left the building and by making sure energy level was just right so that he could succeed before going in. You will have to teach young dog all surfaces, grates, elevators especially glass ones, public idiots behavior to ignore command...... depending on where you are service dogs in training have different rules. I always explained the difference to a place coming in without the dog with my husband, explained my medical needs and what I was teaching the pup. You want to set up permissions with the business owner or manager. I never used food reward for service dog training or a toy reward while in a buisness. I always reward once I leave and reach the car. It is very important you teach the dog not to consume anything off floors or given by people. Teach leave it, and ignore commands will help you very much. I never encouraged him to be social. I allow him to be alloof as you dont want the dog wanting to go greet everyone later so why set the dog up for learning that behavior as a puppy. He does not mind people, but he is not a social butterfly either. Get them used to all range of sounds kids screaming, crying, yelling and most important handicapped people that make a range of sounds that alter from they are used to hearing coming from humans. In a gsd especially that sound can be concerning and I did not realize the difference till I did not like the look in his eye as he was determining over someone who was severely disabled making odd noises. I quickly took care of him getting used to that sound as soon as I realized he needed that. I also made appointments at the local fire dept to get him used to turn out gear smells and get the crews familiar with handling him in case I ever needed them to come. I knew from when my husband was a fire fighter and brought home turn out gear that my dogs reacted badly to it years ago. He is anatural alerter though I have experienced dogs that were trained to alert I would not want one that was not natural as their rate of alert is no where what Ulf's is. Ulf will even alert on people and tell me fro strangers while we are out. When I got him as a pup I did not know this was our path. He started naturally alerting like the pup before him and did have the proper abilities to be a public access dog both in temperment and soundness of health. Please ask any questions you have or where you want the info to begin that you meant this thread for.

Some of Ulf in long down stays at physical therapy across the hall from where I am doing my session and in the doctor offices where he must be patient for sometimes three hours or better. 

This one is at a middle school auditorium with several hundred teens clapping and yelling.

This is Ulf when he was pup age I started public training and he was full on natural alerting.

Blitzen, I do not know who you are referring to and no one ver suggested to me that I fake a service dog. I do not consider faking it a victimless crime as it will end up costing people who rely on these dogs and are severely budgeted because when certifications come I am sure there will be a cost to it and some people will have trouble meeting those costs. I did not think about that part of certs until otjers brought it up. I am lucky as I am working full time for Apple, because they do not discriminate, but many are very limited on budget. How often do you see service dogs beside their partners in public working? They are supposed to hire us, but they dont. I was lucky to start doing tech support for another company from home legit job while back and then get my foot into the door with an awesome company.

I want to add that my older dog has perfect public manners, he does not go out in to public as a service dog because no matter how good his manners are, he is NOT a service dog. He does not mitigate disabilities.... it is awesome to have him out with me, but I find dog friendly patio dining for him because that does not qualify him to be in public as service dog. Making someone feel good... is not a service dog trained task.
 

my Ina's favorite plaything.

Ina gaiting

Ina stack

Blitzen:  Yes you can train a 6 l/2 year old, however,you need to start today, or I should say sooner rather than later.  Here are my thoughts regarding your needs.  Think about how this dog can assist you needs, what, where, and when you need this dog to assist you and for what.  Gett started with easy tasks so the dog learns success with reward whether it be praise, food, ball or whatever.  Set up something new everyday until the dog master the task.  You could start with retrieving.   Ball, then go to other items which you need off the floor, closed, frig, other room.  I presume your dog is obedience trained to the hilt so you do not have to waste time with that.  Long down's are a good start also as they have a lot of down time to work. 

Use your present 6 year old as a learning tool for yourself but keep in mind that all you are teaching this dog is for you both the learn as your next dog should be younger to start;  service work is not an easy task for dogs necessarily, yes they are naturals in this breed BUT that does not mean they can work forever.  They usually need to retire for one reason or another fairly young;  by or before 10 usually.  Some sooner.  This is why we all start with younger dogs, does not mean they can work until 10 years old but you have an enormous amount of time spent teaching them how to behave at home, in public, anywhere and everywhere they are exposed.  You ask a lot from a dog to assist you and to do it well.  Basically you are asking for perfection from them which can be stressful.  They have to be socialized but they do not need to remain social, personally I don't want my dogs social to the public.  I guess a good start since you dog is already obedience trained would be the tasks themselves, opening and closing doors, lights, fetching for you. carrying for you, an adult can anchor/brace for you;  teach this to puppies later though;  much later.   Your dog needs to be impecibly groomed at all times when in the public eye, in gleeming good health as you are setting the standard for future service dogs in the public eye.  I did not make my rotti wear a pack or identification at that time I felt it not necessary.  Now with the impending problems with the service world of dogs I really feel they should have identification either with pack of cape and always on leash.  No off leash work in the public.  Teaches people that if you can do it so can they, wrong. 

Get started and see how your present dog responds to the work.  He or she may like it and may not.  At least with an adult you don't have the growing up time you need starting with a puppy; also the adults are usually on a steady healthy diet that works for them,  these guys need nourishment for brain work.  Also remember even with an adult you need down/quiet time, their rest time no pack/cape,  just let them be dogs.  If you find a task they refuse to perform for you then move on, and later go back to the refused task, these guys are brainy; they want to know why and for what.  When they discover it is for you specifically they (most of the time) want to please you and love that reward/praise/food/ball or whatever works for that dog. 

Just a few pointers for you to consider, if you need more information please don't hesitate to contact me.  Good luck   Nan

Good pointers, Nan, thanks.

Ina is very pretty. You are fortunate to have her.

Blitzen, you should speak with Helen directly about your concerns and ask her to change her ways.  La Quinta accepts dogs and are a very acceptable Lodging.  I would wish it was more acceptable to take dogs out in public, like restaurants.  In TX it is a real issue with our heat and having to leave any animal in a vehicle.  Grocery stores should start thinking about tie outs in the shade etc.  No, it is better to have the dogs fry in the vehicle. 

I wasn't referring to Helen. Why would you think that? She doesn't have a service dog. When we travel together, the dogs stay in her Sprinter. You know one of the people I was referring to, the one who flew her dog at NC to shows and for breedings claiming he was a service dog - and that was not Helen. I didn't even know Helen then.