#service dog training

[booksandbrainsandsoftthings]

Officially forming the theory that the reason more service dog handlers don't use protective gear like boots, goggles, and ear protection on their dog is because the public becomes 3000% more unbearable when they try.

We're all used to "aaaaawwww look the the doggo" when we go out with our working animals, but getting

1. Accosted for pictures (whether folks ask or just invade your space and distract your dog)

2. Pointed at like an exhibit

3. Shouted at (OMG DOGGLES, "why is it wearing that" etc)

4. Actively followed around by strangers

Is downright fucking awful.

I know it looks cool. I know some of our gear is specialized. I know pet dogs don't usually wear/tolerate what SDs learn the wear. But for the love of whatever you deem holy, BE KIND ABOUT IT. All of the actions listed above are just fucking rude. Leave people alone. Leave service dogs alone.

Disabled people can exist without being spectacles

#service dog #be respectful #educate #service dog training #working dog #respect the vest #dogs #important #task trained #dont be a dick #dont be nosey #dont be an asshole #mind your business #invisible disability #disability rights #disability advocacy #be polite #common decency

[pixierainbows]

Hi Pixie, I have a question if it's okay. I know Pixie does not talk. How does Pixie give commands to Sunshine? AAC? Signs? Sunshine is a very cute dog, by the way.

training professional , what did all the training of Sunshine , did specially train for Pixie specifically , starting with very young puppies . special trainings specifically for Pixie include hand signs , living with kitties , and other things . this organization be very very very expensive but Them do very very good work with Sunshine to prepare for Pixie .

#asks and answers #service dog #sunshine #Sunshine the service dog #service dog training

[arwenthegreat]

Excuse me?? Is this... The prettiest dog who ever lived???

#dog #doggo #great pyrenees #great Pyrenees service dog #service dog #service dog training #multipurpose service dog #service dog handler #chronic fatigue #actually disabled #disabled #invisible disability #chronic illness #disability #disabilties #chronic pain #cfs/me #fibromyalgia #psychiatric service dog #service dog in training #innapropriate #inappropriate sinus tachycardia #chronic fatigue syndrome #heds #probably heds #hypermobility

[blue-theservicedog]

Every once in a while I’m reminded how big of an undertaking, how long-term of a project (and for the HIGH possibility of “failure”) owner-training a service dog is.

And I think there’s this misconception that most of the training time is spent on task work. At least, that was the idea I had when I first started doing my research and preparing for this. But no. It’s ALL about public access. Per the ADA (so this may be different in other countries), a service dog only technically needs to be able to perform one task, but they HAVE to be well behaved and in control at all times in public in order to be considered a service dog.

Obviously mistakes happen and no one’s going to get kicked out of a store for an imperfect Sit or Heel, but it has to be dang near because it’s a matter of safety for you and the general public.

It is SUCH a labor intensive and exhausting experience and a lot of owner trainers know that going in but don’t have any idea HOW just… how MUCH it is. And you’re doing all that on top of being disabled and needing a service dog. It can get so much worse too, if your disability prevents you from training for a time and you have to effectively start over on certain skills.

I think we owner-trainers deserve a gold medal or something just for surviving, honestly.

#service dog #service dog handler #owner trained service dog #service dog training #blue the service dog

[purrfurnax]

so is tumblr ever gonna talk about ableism in pet/sd training communities or just gonna pretend it doesnt exist? weve been told to many times we should get rid of our dog if we cant take care of her. for asking questions about training. once when i brought it up, i got told that they were just offering advice. its because we have chronic pain. theres never been a time where weve ever not been able to get her needs met except maybe sometimes exercise for pent up energy but thats more because of our living situation. it just makes me so mad. its almost every time we ask for help, someone has to assume, based on us not knowing how to get her to stop leash pulling so hard or whatever, that shes just starving and shut in all day and living in a dump, i guess.

#service dog #dogs #dog training #service dog training

[mandana-the-service-pup]

I had to get my 2 week labs done today and Mandana really wanted to go. When we arrived I gave her a few minutes to sniff around outside and then refocus on me. She was much better about her new shoes today. Didn’t seem bothered by them at all. Heeling & maneuvering was great. She followed all of her cues in a timely manner. She was a little impatient in the waiting room but was perfectly behaved when we went to the back. She got into and held her “center” position perfectly while the phlebotomist walked around prepping and she didn’t make any noise or movement while I was getting blood drawn. I was very proud of her.

If you’ve been following along recently, Mandana has been having trouble going to the exam rooms in doctors offices. I suspect it was related to her vet visits. I stopped taking her to the doctors with me so I could focus on my appointments and I switched her to a fear free vet. I think it might have helped because she did so well today. It also helped that it simulated a doctors visit but was much shorter so she didn’t have time to stress out in anticipation. I have to go every two weeks while we are figuring out my Methotrexate dose so she’ll have plenty of opportunities to practice.

She did so well at our appointment that I decided to reward her with a spontaneous freedom walk. It was only 20 minutes because the park I wanted to go to was closed for road work so we stopped at a soccer field instead. We haven’t gone on a freedom walk in a long time so she was really happy for the opportunity to explore a new place. I try to always have shoes on her when we go out exploring. I often come across broken glass and other hazards. This time was no exception but because of the shoes (HC Pet Boots) she didn’t get any cuts. Apparently there are a lot of deer that frequent this soccer field and she was super happy about that.

#belgian malinois #3 years #service dog in training #public access training #public access #doctor appointment #positive reinforcement #service dog training #service dogblr #dogblr #medical alert service dog #ruffwear #hc pet boots

[fayeandknight]

Inspired by @darkwood-sleddog question about a family member looking into a PSD but written to hopefully be helpful to anyone considering training a psychiatric service dog.

Step One - Needs and Considerations

Make a list of things the disability causes struggles with and how a service dog can help mitigate them. This factors into what breed to consider. (Service miniature horses are a thing but I don't personally have any experience with them so am focusing on service dogs for this post )

For example when I am triggered into an episode I often become disoriented and can't find my way out of places. Having a dog alert me to my rising panic and provide pressure therapy helped me collect myself enough to then leave on my own. Faye (corgi mix) was really good at this.

Unfortunately some things happened and now I sometimes am too panicked to sit down for DPT and need a dog to guide me to the exit or my car. Forte (Belgian) is much more suited to this as he is large enough to do forward momentum pulling.

Once you've determined what the needs are it's time to consider a breed that will work. Having had both a smaller SD and currently training a larger SD I actually recommend having a smaller dog if possible. It is easier to navigate spaces with a smaller dog, easier to tuck them out of the way in restaurants and on planes, and I had less public access issues with a smaller/less intimidating dog.

Now that said, I got way more public attention with my smaller SD because corgis are internet popular and people reacted as if I had an A list celebrity at my side. So do factor in how much attention you can handle. There will be public attention, there's no avoiding that. But there are less forced interactions because he "looks like a service dog".

Picking the best breed is individual and a much more nuanced conversation so I'll wrap this segment up with this advice. Consult a trainer to help select the right dog. They can help not only with the breed, but the breeder and selecting the actual puppy.

#dogblr #service dog #psychiatric service dog #service dog training #this is based on my personal experience #your mileage may vary

[smoking-witch]

Me & mah doggie, Willow Rosenberg. She's an American Akita, technically purebred but her breeders prioritized health and mild temperament, not cosmetics or "guarding". I've had her since she was a puppy, she'll be 9 in June. She's had a career as my mostly-at-home service dog (she is easily stressed out by public work, so I don't take her unless I can't get a support human), but is now mostly retired. Her main remaining duty is to help train her successor, which hopefully will happen later this year. She loves pizza and quesadillas, also hates peanut butter and nearly all dog food. She loves sniffing and throwing her ball for herself to chase. I taught her to pick stuff up and bring it to me, but she has yet to catch onto "fetch" and looks at me like "lady I just brought you that ball, if you wanted it why did you throw it away again, you need to sort yourself out"

#akita #akita inu #american akita #dogs of tumblr #service dog #psychiatric service dog #mobility assistance #service dog training #retired #invisible disability #disabled #dissociative identity disorder #actually autistic #actually did #actually mentally ill #actually adhd #actually disabled #actually dissociative #actually ptsd #actually polyfrag #actually plural #actually cdd #actually cptsd #actually chronically ill #smoking-witch #my post #my dog #buffy the vampire slayer #willow rosenberg #witchblr

[baymaxthehopeful]

Himb.

#service dog training #picture #baymax #great pyrenees #service dog in training #dogs #baymax the hopeful #this is the extra large version of the same doggy backpack I used to get him comfy with them when I first got him

[charlie-and-mushrooms]

Does anyone on here train service dogs? Cause that's a job I've been considering as a career. But thing is, I also want to be a highschool art teacher. I was wondering if maybe I'd be able to do both with the service dog training on the side, or if that'd be too much work. There's not much info on service dog training and it's annoying

#service dog #if you can help #thank you so much #disability #service dog training #service dog trainer #dog trainer #dog training #disability service dog #guide dog #guide dogs #guide dog trainer #guide dog training #dogs #dog obedience #obedience training

[black-cat-named-onyx]

a little off topic update! i'm in the works of getting a service dog! i live in the dorms at my college and i am trying to get approved for an emotional support animal that i will train as a service dog! right now i am messaging local shelters about placing any rottweilers on hold for me. my goal is to adopt but i do need this breed of dog for my support needs so i want to check every shelter i can before i contact a breeder.

i have mobility issues due to my fibromyalgia , autism, ADHD, depression, anxiety, OCD, auditory and visual hallucinations and PTSD so having a dog that i can train for physical and mental help will make my life so much easier. my mom is fully on board with this and is helping me figure out paperwork and talking to my physiatrist about approval for the dog to be registered as an emotional support animal with my school while i train them. i have to do it this way because no pets are allowed on campus, the only thing you can have is one fish in a one gallon tank. so i need to have a doctors note just to have them in my dorm.

wish me luck!!

#onyx rambles #service dog #physical disability #psych service dog #mobility service dog #mobility issues #otherkin #therian #alterhuman #service dog training #emotional support animal #autism service dog #autsim #depression #adhd #ocd #ptsd #trauma #autistic adult #anxitey #fibromyalgia #chronic pain #chronic fatigue

[booksandbrainsandsoftthings]

Not so friend reminder that

Being a veteran does not exempt you from service dog laws

Being disabled does not exempt you from service dog laws

If your dog is not trained to perform tasks that mitigate and help manage a disability, and it does not know how to behave calmly in public, it is NOT a service dog.

If your dog is not a service dog, it does not have the right to be in places pets are not allowed.

Following trained service dogs with your untrained pet is not okay.

Being a jackass about it does not change the laws either.

Leave. Your. Pets. At. Home.

#service dog #be respectful #educate #service dog training #working dog #respect the vest #dog training #important #dogs #disability advocacy #fake service dogs are harmful #assistance dog #a vest does not make a service dog #emotional support is not a task #emotional support is not service dog #sd registries are fake #sd #fake service dogs #ada is law

[pixierainbows]

Pixie still have potty problems with Sunshine . Sunshine have to poop in morning before go for walk with Pixie . If that not happen Sunshine will poop on walk, even with Service Dog vest on . Which. Is very bad for training .

Pixie not know what to do. Guardian Wizard say try go for walk with Sunshine but no Service Dog vest . But . But right now Pixie too upset To go any where .

Guardian Wizard fix stop Pixie hurting head and is less need now . But still too upset to go and now is too late to go . Wasted walking time being too upset …

#service dog #Bad autism #actually nonverbal #service dog training #sunshine #sunshine the service dog

[arwenthegreat]

A snow baby!!

When we take breaks at work, I give her time to go potty outside and run around and sniff a bit since it's a lot to expect of a dog to be focused the entire work day. It snowed over the last couple days and Arwen is *ecstatic*

#great pyrenees #Pyrenees #livestock guardian dog #service dog #service dog off duty #service dog training #psychiatric service dog #service dog in training #multipurpose service dog #chronic fatigue #actually disabled #disabled #invisible disability #chronic illness #disability #disabilties #chronic pain #cfs/me #chronic fatigue syndrome #fibromyalgia #inappropriate sinus tachycardia #sdit #chronically ill #great pyrenees service dog #dog pics #dog #dogs

[blue-theservicedog]

Owner training with an invisible disability is so funny because people will come up and compliment you and tell you you’re such a good person for training a service dog for someone and then walk off before you can be like “actually he’s for me”

#blue the service dog #service dog #service dog training #service dog handler #service dog in training #sometimes it’s haha funny but sometimes it’s just annoying #like when people I know ask me when I’m ‘giving him back’ or whatever as if I don’t regularly talk about the fact that we are OWNER training #or the fact that I am disabled #it gets frustrating and feels kinda ableist sometimes. #like even though for me being disabled is a huge part of my identity people seem to choose to miss it #because I rarely use my mobility aid or visible sensory aids #so CLEARLY the service dog can’t be for me either #nope. I mostly don’t need my mobility aid and honestly it doesn’t help with the thing I need it for most #and I don’t use visible sensory aids partly due to internalized ableism and partly due to I Forgor

[mandana-the-service-pup]

Hey dogblr & service dogblr, what’s your most valuable cue?

You know which one. The one you are most grateful for. The one that has saved your butt in a tricky situation or that you recommend to others. The one you can’t live without bc it’s fun/convenient/impressive/helpful.

#dogblr #service dogblr #positive reinforcement #dog training #service dog training #public access training