Does anyone have a service dog?

[erash]

I doubt I qualify for one but I was wondering what the process was?

[karenmbloom]

I do. I did research and found organizations in indiana and Ohio who train and match with disabled people for little cost. Applications are online, plus home visits and reference checks. Then had to stay in hotel for two weeks near their facility for me to learn how to use and interact.

[erash in reply to karenmbloom]

Thanks karenmbloom

Indiana/Ohio are a bit far for me but I would love to know the name of the group?

[Lizamy_5]

erash you can check out

assistancedogsinternational...

[erash in reply to Lizamy_5]

Lizamy_5 thanks!

[Fancy1959]

Erash, it's Fancy1959. If you have large pet chains that do a little bit of everything like grooming, training, etc., try contacting them. We have Petco and Petsmart around Kentucky. I know the Petco that are by us actually work at and are great connections for service dogs. I talked to the lady in charge of the service dogs and she said that she had people that raised dogs from certain pairs that made great service dogs. Then she would get the puppies out about three months old and see about starting training as a service dog with some basic obedience. Depending on how quickly dogs caught on with if she progressed with their service dog training. She had several people in line for service dogs.

It's worth a try at least Erash. It's the only place I've ever heard about people working, training and placing service dogs with individuals that need one.

[Bygonelines]

I have a service dog in training. I looked into getting an already trained dog from an agency but the costs involved and the time away from work for the training not to mention the long wait lists were more than Icould handle. So after doing a lot of research I decided to train my own dog. Because I am large and have to use a power chair or scooter on occassion I wanted a dog who could pull me and the chair/scooter to safety if the battery were to die while out and about. I also wanted dog that could help me with my balance. For these reasons I was looking for a large dog. At first I tried looking in the local shelters and checking with private rescues. After about 6 months I gave up. There were no suitable dogs available at that time. SoI decided to go for a puppy and start from scratch. I ended up getting a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. These dogs when full grown can pull up to 2,000 lbs or more. More than enough for my needs. They are also extremely people centered. My girl Willow has been wonderful so far. The only real problem I have with this breed is that they are very slow to mature. A Swissy will be 9 mo old or older before they are reliably potty trained (royal pain) because their brains are not mature enough until then. They are also consedered to be puppies until they are 2 1/2 - 4 years old. My girl is 2 1/2 and the vet is just now allowing her to begin weight bearing exercises. The last of her growth plates just closed within the last couple of weeks. Now that she is beginning to mature I can see the real potential that she has as a service dog. Hopefully,I can get her to quit being overly friendly. I have been told by others who have a Swissy as a Service Dog that I can expect that to happen between 3 - 4 yrs old. I am doing all of her obedience training at Petco and with a private trainer. The private trainier will also be doing all of her service dog training.

If you get a service dog from an agency you can expect to pay between $3,000-$10,000 and need to have 2 - 3 weeks for intensive training at the agencies facility. There is usually a 2 - 5 yr wait for these dogs.

If you go for an agency that gives you a dog for free you will still need the training time at the facility. The wait times for these dogs canbe as much as 10 yrs depending on the program.

Also with most agency dogs you do not own the dog. The agency does. You are responsible for all care and upkeep. But they can take the dog from you anytime you want. There was a guy in our local supposrt group who took his service dog up in the mountains and because the guy was using a wheelchair he allowed his dog to be off leash so he would get tangled up in the chair. Unfortunately for him there was a reporter there who snapped a picture of him and his dog. It was put in the local paper and the agency found out about it and came and took the dog from him.

Another consideration is if you already have a dog most agencies will not give you a service dog. When your service dog retires most agencies require you to return thedog to them. So the dog you love and have become extremely attached to is taken from you. This can be devastating.

Sorry this is so long. It is one of my favorite topics.

Jacqui

[WAshingtongirl in reply to Bygonelines]

Wow, I didn't realize all of that. Thanks, Jacqui.

I also didn't know Swissys were so slow to mature. We got Emmy, our Entlebucher, from a young woman. She got her from the Swiss Mountain Dog rescue group. Fortunately, Emmy was fully potty and obedience trained when we got her. She shed like crazy though!

And though she was short, she was built like a tank. She would have done her best to pull me if I had needed her to!

I hope Willow becomes the help you need her to be. (I should have read this post before I replied to your picture of her. 😉)

[Bygonelines in reply to WAshingtongirl]

Willow sheds like crazy too! I swear if I were into spinning yarn I would have enough from her fur in 2 weeks to make a queen size bedspread! She is really blowing her coat right now. The current reigning Swissy for pulling is a female and she can pull more than 5,374 lbs by herself! Luckily, Willow will never be that strong because she is not in training for it.

[erash in reply to Bygonelines]

Very valuable information. Thank you Bygonelines

I would be devastated if they took my dog from me 😥

I have never been good at training my rescue greyhounds...then again after the lives they had lived, I figured they had a right to do what they wanted...and mostly that was lying around sprawled on the couch.

[erash in reply to erash]

And despite their short coats, they shredded too!

[beadowns in reply to Bygonelines]

Jacqui, Thank you for a comprehensive explanation on this subject! One of many reasons this is the only site I'm involved in. I know a lady w/MS who had a Service Dog, she went into a facility & her dog wasn't allowed & was taken from her. Now I know why, thanks to your post. Learn something new every day, or it's a day wasted, according to my late Daddy! Hugs, Bea

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

I just have my black lab erash ♡ He isn't considered a "service dog". But never ceases to amaze me. He knows when l get hit with vertigo and will put his nose in my hand to stabilize me. He is almost 7 and still acts like a pup. But if lm using my cane with him he is extra careful with his heel.

His best story to date tho is... my friends daughter has a shunt in her brain, and had had it for 17 yrs, with no problems. Kaijue is NOT allowed to jump on ppl, period. But jumped up on her and placed his nose on her head, and whined , twice. The next day she was rushed into surgery to replace her shunt. Turns out it had worn out. And no one knew. But he did ♡

[erash in reply to Jesmcd2]

Jesmcd2 dogs, and especially labs, are very intuitive. That's why I often wondered when my usually gentle dogs would growl at a visitor for no apparent reason.

Then again, while walking my parents toy poodle this weekend she began growling at an open house sign on the corner of their street? 🐩

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador in reply to erash]

erash Kaijue has a heart of gold and loves almost every one. Unless you wear a uniform. For some reason he Hates them. But he was found on the side of the rode as a pup. Then was kept in a crate almost 24/7, until I got him, at around 1 1/2 yrs. Have only known 2 ppl he has been gone on full blown "attack" stance with... told them both they best leave before I call the cops

My dog doesn't like you, then we have a problem :/