Hello? No career dogs out there?

[Adkins]

I thought I'd start a new thread here. I can't believe out of all the members on this board there isn't a discussion about career dogs.
Anything....Anything...... Adkins

[freundhund]

Well there are not many in Australia.

We are only just starting to get recognition in some states for USAR and Wilderness Search.

There is even a problem with using the word "Rescue" because of legal implications in the use of the word.

Here in Australia most not for profit organisations like civilian volunteers have been badly hit by a large insurance firm collapsing and insurance policies have become to expensive.

A lot of volunteer organisations that run on the smell of a oily rag, and do just what they are designed to do are having to find AUD$150,000 for insurance. This is more than some organisations raise to donate to hospitals etc.

I am however personally very interested in working in a Search capacity.

I look forward to when people do get to this section of the board and post information.

Regards

Freundhund

[AvalancheGSD]

Since someone else started this thread...... We have 4 GSD's that are all trained in SAR.

Billie & Taylor (8.5 yrs) are operational in Wilderness, Cadaver, Avalanche, disaster, evidence, and water.

Meg (4 yrs) is operational in wilderness, cadaver, avalanche and in training for narcotics.

Phoenix (2 yrs) is in training for wilderness, avalanche, cadaver and narcotics.

All our 'kids' earn their keep ;D

Mary Lehman
Eagle-Eye K-9
Remote Collar Training Specialist

[Adkins]

Freundhund Wow, that's interesting. I think that for people not knowledgeable of K9's it's hard for those to trust K9's with such an impotant task. As for us here in the US, there is more than there are less of people that trust the K9 with the jobs they do. I hope that this trust will pass into other places. The K9 is truley a remarkable living being that can do wonderful things for our countries.
AvalancheGSD: Congrats on all your achievements! That's great!
Not sure if you've read on the forum, say cheese, but I'm training my male for dual purpose. It's exciting to work with our dogs. But even if they are a companion/couch potatoe, it's wonderful to have them in our lives.
Adkins

[AvalancheGSD]

Here is a pic of my current Avalanche dog Taylor. She is 8.5 years and 'might' have 2 more seasons in her. I am also an Alpine Ski Patroller at a local resort here in Utah.

img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-11/500142/marysnow2.jpg

[ShepVet]

I train, certify and work with Service and Therapy dogs, through Sunshine Independent & Therapy Dogs, in North Florida.

I personally have a SD, named Erik, Czech import who is now 9 years and a retired Narcotics Detection dog (darned good at his job excelling best in Car detection and school demonstrations).

I have a SD-in-training puppy, Rogue, Am-bred bitch, who will prob replace Erik in a couple of years or she will be placed out into a needed home as a working SD. Currently these are the 2 in-house SD's I am working with and/or training.

Although I work with many dogs, mainly GSD's, Goldies and more recently Great Pyrenees as both Therapy and Livestock Guardian dogs (LGD), these 2 are my sweethearts who work their butts off for me daily.

(I also have a show babe and a Pyr who is my LGD for my herd of Myotonic/fainting goats.....)

I look forward to hearing from other handlers/owners and their working dogs!

[opione]

I want to get more involved in training my dog for drug work and tracking, but i've been busy. Shame on me..
I think the use of working dogs is underestimated by cities..
One of the problems i've encountered is that city boards have the budget for service dogs but set silly parameters.
For instance to be a K-9 handler in the city I work in, you have to live in town...
So instead of giving the dog to someone who will be productive with the K-9 and a good handler, they'll give it to the officer who lives in town and just wants the dog for the prestige.
I've seen this time and time again, where city's don't realize that the money spent on a good dog and a good handler will be more than made up in drug seizures.
Not to mention, having a good dog is an excellent way to help with large disturbances, building searches, and tracking suspects.
A good dog is one of the best tools a police department can have, it's just a shame that they aren't utilized more.

I'll get off my soapbox now. Thanks for hearing my gripe.

[Shew]

ShepVet,

I recently purchased my second GSD, Xerxes. He's about 11 weeks old. Since you train and work with service dogs, I thought maybe you could give me some advice. I have systemic lupus, a progressive auto-immune disease, which effects my joints. It's very similiar to arthritis. I have some physical limitations (according to the state of Texas I'm considered 'disabled' ), though my limitations are not too exstensive at this point. I'm planning on doing agility with my new little guy, but was also intrested in maybe doing some training with him as a service dog so that as my symptoms and disease progresses I will have some help. On bad days I need help with tasks such as getting up off the floor or picking up dropped items.

I've done a bit of searching on the web on service dog programs and the info that I've found has indicated that a lot programs won't accept service dogs that they don't choose themselves. They have other limitations such as you can't have another dog in the house under the age of 10 (which I have four under that age . Do you know of any programs that "allow" you to use your own dog without a lot of hassles or how to find a good service dog trainer? Or do you have any advise or suggestions on working on training your own service dog?

Thanks in advance for the help!
Shew

[TheDahliMamma]

Shew, I have some information, however, the programs I am aware of are not near you...Texas? I actually am in the process of developing a service dog training program, however we have not received our non-profit status yet. We are, however incorporated. Our program is called Positive Partners Assistance Dogs, Inc. Part of our program will be to assist people who have dogs that are suitable for service work, train and certify their dogs. The part of our program that will assist train will probably not be operational for a year or 2.

There is another program in Salt Lake City, UT that helps people train their own dogs. They also help you evaluate your dog for appropriatness for the job. Their website is: www.therapyanimals.org/isd/ The contact person you can ask for is Annie Petty.

While the distance may not work for you, Annie might have some ideas for you through her network.

Another organization that might help is Assistance Dogs International: www.adionline.org/ They have worked hard to set a standard for service dogs.

Hope this helps answer some questions for you.

Fran

[Shew]

Fran,
I interviewed a possible Service dog trainer today and some of the things she told me really took me by surprise. I'm asking if you could please let me know if the things she told me are standard practice or not.

I know and understand that I must solely bond with my puppy, Xerxes and that my husband should have basicly nothing to do with training, feeding, bathroom breaks and of course bonding. This trainer told me that I have to start "ignoring" my other dogs, but to an extent that I did not expect. She went so far as to suggest that my other dogs should become outside dogs, which I would refuse to do. Is this a normal practice? She even suggested that I find a home for one of them, which I refuse to do. I'm not giving away a family member!

In order to have a service dog is it required that all the other dogs in family are "outed" both physically and emotionally in order for the training and bonding between handler and dog be successful? Do I have to start ignoring them and stop playing with them? If this is true, is this just for the time period that Xerxes is in training, or is this forever?? I can live with taking a step back in my relationship with them in order to build the bond that is needed with Xerxes. After all, Xerxes would be a working dog and the others are just pets. But I refuse to give any of them away!! They are my babies!

Another for instance that she gave me was that my Spaniel could no longer sleep with me for bonding reasons. Do you agree with that?

As a trainer, what steps do you recommend an owner take towards the interactions with the other dogs in the home? How should those relationships change?

Everything else this lady said made a lot of sense, but it is these few things that have me a bit concerned. I just want to know if I'm heading in the right direction or not.

I'd greatly appreciate any input or further advice you may have. Thank you in advance for your time and information! I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing and going with the right trainer.

Thanks again!
Shew ;D

[ShepVet]

Hi Shew,

Sorry to take so long in getting back to you!

I've been a bit under for the last month and frankly have been a bad bad moderator!

To answer some of your questions.... although Fran has offered some WONDERFUL help as always

I've done a bit of searching on the web on service dog programs and the info that I've found has indicated that a lot programs won't accept service dogs that they don't choose themselves.

True. I personally evaluate all dogs I could work with pet or pre-chosen for the program elsewhere. Many dogs that were chosen as pets are disqualified from the program. It takes a special canine who has a solid and fitting temperament, and clear health (pre-screenings and x-rays are necessary to prove health and ability) to work as a Service Dog. Many pets can offer basic emotional and mobility help, but not all pets can do the more advanced skills and WANT to. (desire to work is a MUST!) Many programs will not consider a pet, but instead choose elsewhere and raise pups in foster homes to give the best advantages of training while screening temperament and health as the puppy grows.

They have other limitations such as you can't have another dog in the house under the age of 10

Very common, in fact rare to hear otherwise. Our program requires that the SD be the ONLY dog (At times we allow other Service animals, such as one in training) inside. A SD needs to be able to work without unneeded distractions. We have found that having other pets in the living quarters distracts the SD from working (such as playing or being harrassed) and can put the disabled indv. into a bad situation that could have been avoided. We allow for outside animals. I do not even allow my pets to just be around me except to visit and then they have their own space either in the crates, outside playing or in another part of the house such as with my girls.

Do you know of any programs that "allow" you to use your own dog without a lot of hassles or how to find a good service dog trainer? Or do you have any advise or suggestions on working on training your own service dog?

Fran has offered some really great resources to start with. Keep in mind that if you DO find a local Org that allows for Pet's to be trained as an SD, your dog will need to be health screened and evaluated for the correct temperament and ability towards YOUR specific needs. Be prepared to need to choose another dog if yours is not accepted. Do you know of others in your area with SD's? Ask around, do on-line searches and check with the major SD certification groups to find a local evaluator qualified to train SD's.

And to address your thoughts in your last post. A strong bond with your SD is imperative and cannot be downplayed. The bond with an SD takes up much of your waking (and sleeping) hours. Having other pets around your SD can cause jealously and easily be in the way of your SD being able to work and bond as thoroughly as possible.

The average disabled indv. can not have other pets when they own a SD if they expect the SD to work and to form the level of bond needed.

Ask around and do some research. You will also need to check your state laws concerning SD training and certification. Good luck in your search to find the BEST trainer for your needs and situation. Keep in mind that you can ALWAYS train at home and depending on your state laws go further. Definitely find someone local to guide you in training and help you.

IMO, the things we have learned the hard way, things that seem to be hassles to the Disabled INDV. are necessary to provide for a successful and SAFE relationship between the Handler and the SD. Owning an SD is not for EVERY situation or person.

Again, best of luck.
Dana