Has anyone ever trained their own service dog?

    • Bronze

    Has anyone ever trained their own service dog?

    I'm thinking about training a dog for my mom.  She has anxiety issues and could use a dog to go shopping with, etc. 
    Not sure of the channels I need to go thru to do it on my own or if I even could. 
     
    Anyone have any experience with this type of thing?  Pros/cons?
    • Gold Top Dog
    There's a lot of info on this on the old site! It's still there! If not...I'll try to collect it all again! [:)]
    • Gold Top Dog
    P.S. Marley here is in training to be of service to my husband. Here is a good site I just found with a lot of information:http://www.topdog.org
    • Bronze
    Thank you so much!  My mom basically would  need just a companion dog to go shopping with and give her the confidence to go out on her own (she has anxiety issues).  She also lives alone and recently fell and broke her hip and had to lay on the floor for hours before my grandfather went to check on her :-(
    Having a dog that could get a phone for her would be great but not necessary.
     
    Where did you get Marley from?  A breeder or from an agency that provides service dogs?
    • Gold Top Dog
    [linkhttp://www.iaadp.org]www.iaadp.org[/link]
    This site will have lots of useful info for you.
    • Bronze
    That does bring up a good question, Justine. When you want to train your own service dog, and you don't already have a good candidate, where would you suggest finding a dog? I ask this, too, because like I said in the old post, my ultimate goal after getting experience with Madison is to train a dog for my father-in-law. Even though he's been offered a fully-trained service dog in the past, I think part of the enjoyment of having a dog is experiencing him/her grow up. (Which is not to say that adult dogs do not make good pets - Madison was hardly a puppy when I got her, but that's a whole 'nother thread!) [;)]

    Since choosing a service dog is a difficult task, one that even professional trainers will (with good reason) choose to use one dog from the same litter and not another, how does one go about finding one on their own?

    I'm curious about everyone's opinion on this subject.
    • Gold Top Dog
    [:)] In choosing a dog...LISTEN to the Breeder (He or She knows or should know their dogs!). That's my advice. Marley passed the calm test as a pup. She also said that he was smart and a problem solver. She suggested that he would be the best pup in the litter for our situation!
    • Puppy
    I second what Marleysmom just said. I used to work with a co-worker who trained her own service dog and it was a mess. I don't know how the dog passed, it was a 1 year old poodle, but it was too hyper for even the owner. The owner had an anxiety problem where she would freakout everytime she went outside so she got this poodle. But after all the training she said she did and all that, I don't think it did her any good. The only way this dogs helped her was because she was so worried about this dog getting into the trash, jumping on people, using the bathroom inside, and other puppy antics, that she forgot about where she really was and what she was doing.
    But on another side, where I used to live, Central CA, there was a dog trainer who would actually help people choose a dog from the shelter, and work with it to help you in whatever service you were looking into whether it was a seeing eye dog, a search and rescue dog, or just a helper dog. I don't know her phone number anymore, but the point is that there are some trainers out there who might be able to help you. Good Luck with that though.
    • Gold Top Dog
    With regards to hearing/alert dogs, this is what I was told:
     
    There was quite a bit of talk at the ADI/IAADP meeting about hearing dog training.  Andy Cook from Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, UK gave a great and very
    funny presentation. Here is a synopsis

    Out of 30 shelter dogs 47% were successful
               breed dogs   87% successful

    Dogs obtained at 0-8weeks 69% successful
                      8-12 weeks 60% successful
                       18-24 months 61% successful

    Breeds in order of success
    1. Field cockers  71% can be too active for some people
    2.Toy breeds like Papa and Japanese Chins 67% many health problems
    3. Poodles, Minatures and toys 65%  No shedding
    4. Terriers 51% public access problems
    5. Retrievers Labs and goldens 51% slow and too big for some people
    6. Mutts or mongrels 43%
    7. Hounds like elk hounds 43%
    8. Spaniels like our cockers 43%
    9. Border Collies Too nippy
    • Bronze
    Even though I agree with you, Justine, that a breeder would do a good job helping you choose a good candidate (since they observe the dogs' interactions much more than you could in those early weeks), I think a mixed breed would do better. Looking at jetty's statistics, I can really understand why she is so well-behaved. She's the perfect combination of willingness to work and please that a Border Collie has, but the calm, tolerant demeanor of a lab (and the fetching obsession of a retriever!) I think I will look into the local Humane Society when I am ready.
    • Gold Top Dog
    I trained a "career change" guide dog as a support dog for my partially paralyzed stepfather.  Basically, the dog didn't pass the requirements for guide work because of "distraction".  This is a serious problem for a guide dog, but as a support dog, the handler can tell him to pay attention to his work, so it wasn't a problem.   He has been working in that capacity for 3 years and has actually helped improve my stepdad's strength and balance.  And Ben's presence has also helped his emotional state.  The waiting list is usually pretty long for these "drop outs" but if you could get one, the dog would be of good breeding, already have basic training and you would know exactly what to expect and what the dog's strengths and weaknesses are.

    I have fibromyalgia and anxiety issues and I trained my dogs to assist me, but I have experience as a trainer, so knew what they needed from puppyhood.  I would suggest getting assistance from someone experienced with service dog training to ensure that no problems crop up later.  If the dog is not correctly trained, the public exposure could pose a problem and one bad experience in public could ruin the dog for working later.  One group that I would recommend is Service Dogs for Invisible Disabilities. [linkhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/Service_Dogs_For_Invisible_Disabilities/%C2%A0]http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Service_Dogs_For_Invisible_Disabilities/ [/link] This group should be able to give you ideas as to what to expect during training, and possibly even how they found their dogs.  I don't shop in public places like malls (can't handle the indoor crowds) but with my dogs I've been able to attend large outdoor events.  If they sense that I am becoming anxious, they will redirect me (nuzzle my hand or paw at me if I don't respond) and then I focus on them and it helps stop the panic attacks.  I've found that herding or sporting breeds are usually the best choice for this type of work.  Not to say that other breeds can't do it (and do it well), but that would be my first recommendation.  [:)]

    Good luck!!
    • Bronze
    seejay - here is the thread that we had going before the format was improved:
     

    [linkhttp://forum.dog.com/discus/messages/47/7267.html]http://forum.dog.com/discus/messages/47/7267.html[/link]
     
    There are some links in there that may give you more information. Training your own service dog is not an uncommon thing and there's a lot of laws that support it. Good luck to you and keep is up on your progress!
    • Bronze
    I had one more question for this thread - earlier it was mentioned about a service dog that, when the vest was off, was like a normal dog, but wearing the vest was a well-trained service dog.
     
    It made me think - should I only train Madison for service work while she's wearing the vest (at home - obviously if I were training her in public, she would be wearing the vest no matter what) to help distinguish 'work' from 'play'? I was walking her the other day and she's improving her heeling skills, although she still keeps the leash taught (without pulling my arm off). Should I let her continue this (which doesn't bother me) as long as it's just me and her, or should I carry her service training into everyday life?
    • Puppy

    If you need a "companion" dog then its not a Service Dog.  Companion Dogs are also known as Emotional Support Animals and they have NO public access rights.  They can't go too the movies, stores, etc.. For you to have a Service Dog you must life alterating medical disorder that falls under the ADA guidelines.  For an ESA you must have a medical letter for renting and those rules fall under the Fair Housing Act.  The letter has to be renewed yearly.

    There are plenty of Owner Trained Service Dogs and I'm the proud owner of one.  The disabled person should do the training with help if possible from professional trainers.  If your mom has a qualifiying disability under the ADA, then she has to do the training with help for the dog can work with her.  It's not like a program dog .. An OT Service Dog is specifically trained for your disability.  The dog has to be trained to migate the owners own disability.  They must learn tasks (at least 3 tasks to migate your disability).  It takes up to 2 yrs to train your own Service Dog.  You have to train your dog in many commands: Paws Up, Off, Down, Under, Sit, Stay, Wait, Leave It (most important command - NO Service Dog can touch or pick up food from the floor - So, if your dog is use to taking tidbits from the dining table it will have to be stopped), Ignore, etc... I highly recommend the books from Top Dog - http://www.topdogusa.org/index.html  This an ADI based program.  You must have a medical proof from your doctor stating that you are disabled under the guidelines of the ADA.  Also, check out the Psychiatric Service Dog Society @ http://psychdog.org/   They have different Service Dog tasks that will migate their handlers disability. 

    Service Dogs can be any breeds... even Mutts.  Shadow is a rescue and he's a Lab/Boxer Mix.  I've seen Dobbies, Rottis, German Shepards, Pit Bulls (and mixes), Golden, Labs, Chessapeake Bay Retreivers, Great Danes, Akita's, Standard Poodles, etc. used as Service Dogs.  Also, many minature breeds like Min Pins, toy poodles, yorkies, etc being trained as a Alert Dogs for Psychiatric Service Dogs, hearing, etc....  Your dog should be sound and have your Vet approve your dog as a Service Dog candidate...

    Service Dogs don't need to be certified.  I choose certification because I wanted everyone to know that I have a well trained Service Dog that went up and beyond the requirements.  I followed the guidelines of Assistance Dogs International. 

    I belong to a very new organization called "The Foundation for Service Dog Support".. Our goal is to have a National program of certified evaluators give a Certification exam to OT Service Dogs.  Unlike SARA (Service Animals Registry of America) which will give you a card stating your dog is qualified as a certified service dog, but with no proof that the dog is in fact a service dog or a pet that wants to go with their owners. FSDS will certify ownly qualified dogs who meet the highest standards of the organization.  Please check out the FSDS at http://fsds.ws/ .. I will be a future evaluator in my area of AZ.  I'm now a AZ Canine Ambassador for the organization.

    Service DogThe Foundation For Service Dog Support

                          SHADOW                   THE FOUNDATION for SERVICE DOG SUPPORT first AZ Meet and Greet

     

    TASKS FOR SERVICE DOGS

    Assistance in and out of the home – Choose three

    1. Picking up dropped items or items told to retrieve
    2. Holding items for you
    3. Carry items for you, even to another room
    4. Opening/Closing household doors
    5. Opening/Closing cupboard doors
    6. Bringing a drink from a kitchen cupboard
    7. Opening the refrigerator door
    8. Bringing a soda from the refrigerator
    9. Putting dog toys away
    10. Fetching a cane, walker, braces, crutches or other equipment
    11. Assisting with transfers to or from the bed, toilet, bathtub, sofa, chair, car or bus
    12. Reaching an item for you, i.e. clothing items, shoes, coat, hat
    13. Assistance with undressing – removing shoes, coat or other clothing items
    14. Answering a ringing phone
    15. Bringing you the emergency phone or calling 911 for you
    16. Answering a knock at the door/doorbell
    17. Barking at a knock at the door/doorbell
    18. Cleaning up, i.e. putting trash in wastebasket and/or recycle bin
    19. Fetching a First Aid Kit, medication bag, bottles of pills, asthma puffers, etc
    20. Helping you up off the floor, off of furniture or helping you up from a fall
    21. Assisting with stairs or elevators
    22. Turning On/Off light switches
    23. Assisting with laundry, i.e. washing, drying, putting clothes in/out of basket
    24. Retrieving purse, wallet, school book bag or dog’s backpack
    25. Assisting with mail – retrieving dropped mail or newspaper
    26. Retrieving a person for help
    27. Taking a note/message to another family member, coworker, teacher, peer, etc.
    28. Wheelchair maneuvering
    29. Support for walking
    30. Water safety, i.e. shower, bath tub, swimming pools, lakes, etc
    31. Assistance with financial transactions – paying for store item
    32. Assisting with a shopping cart/hand basket
    33. Pushing elevator buttons, automatic door buttons or door bells
    34. SAFELY loading and unloading in a vehicle
    35. SAFELY maneuvering through a parking lot
    36. Assistance in public bathroom
    37. Advanced retrieving, i.e. taking an item off a store shelf and placing in you basket
    38. Barking on command
    39. Putting an item away for you, i.e. putting items on a shelf, shoes in a closet
    40. Taking an item to a different room
    41. Retrieving an item from a different room
    42. Emergency body pull

     

    • Puppy

    Shadow began his training at six months of age.  Once he completed the basic obedience classes with his private trainer he started his public access work (You'll find the ADI public access test at http://www.assistancedogsinternational.org/) .. Your training will take over a year in this area.  The trainer said until Shadow was pretty good at his Public Access tasks he had to wear his vest at home during the day.  It would be like going to work and having your Service Dog by your side.  He wore his vest at home till he completed the CGC (Canine Good Citizen) at age 15 months.  If you have a SDIT (Service Dog In Training) that starts as a pup then the CGC should be held off until they are a year old or older.  Since you want your dog to so in tuned with your needs and wants that postponing the CGC won't hurt.  Call the CGC as your first public access test (PAT).  A Service Dog should also wear BOOTS AT ALL TIMES!!!  When you're in the public arena you can broken glass, sharp objects, hot ashpalt, ice, etc... You have to protect their paws.  If the paws get injured it could be an end to your Service Dog.  The boots can be removed once you have settled inside.   

     A Service Dog should begin the retirement phase between ages 6 to 8 yrs.. I'll be getting a Standard Poodle in 2 more years and once I'm done training the new Shadow will be at home enjoying his retirement..

    You must study the laws about having a Service Dog.  A SDIT is covered by your State Laws and not the ADA.  Some states have a little bit more freedom in allowing SDITs public access.  Some stores don't realize the laws governing SDITs and allow you access.  If you have a problem with access when you have a SDIT the ADA won't back you up.. reason - you don't have a qualified Service Dog "yet"... If your State has laws then you'll be able to get help...  I never knew all the lingo of owning a Service Dog.  I had plenty of help on where to look.  I now will have an easier time training my next because I know what to do. 

     

     

    Service Dog wearing boots

     BOOTS:  An important attire for all working dogs.. (Shadow at age 15 months - 2 wks after passing the CGC)Labor Duty

    Shadow attends the birth of my newest grandson - 1st SD team allowed in the Labor and Delivery Room