A few questions about service dog tasks

[fledchen]

A service dog shouldn't display aggression towards any people or animals. Part of service dog partnership is that the dog will look to the handler as leader and protector, rather than seeing itself as responsible for its own protection or for the protection of the team.

[xmandiex]

That's what I figured. The only "protection" I'd be getting from my dog is people who might approach me in an aggressive manner deciding not to due to the presence of the animal (since smart people assume the animal will not hesitate to defend the handler in case of aggression). I know people who train their animals to growl at people, snap at people, like that and it strikes me as a lawsuit, accident, and euthanasia just WAITING to happen.

[ronco3765]

Xmandiex I was reading about your colitis and was wondering if your doctor has tried you on prednisone. My cousin has this and has had it since her teen years. The doctors tried various other meds but in the end the only thing that is helping her is prednisone. I know what an awful drug this is but with constant monitoring and working along with your doctor I'm sure you would find some relief. My cousin is now to the point where she can go without for months before another flare up which is great for her. I do know from watching her how painful this can be, this is why I was suggesting the prednisone. I don't have colitis but I have needed short term therapy on prednisone a few times and by short term I mean a 14 day treatment at a time. I had no side effects and it did no damage to my bones.

[xmandiex]

My issue is that it would hurt my stomach lol. I'll bring it up next time I go to see the doctor.

[OneOfManySouls]

SD showing aggression towards people is the exact reason my SD is being retired from working. He is overprotective of me. As soon as my anxiety attacks hit, he starts being protective of me. The higher my anxiety level, the more protective he is. This is a very bad thing. Especially if I end up in a situation where I need someone to help me... he won't let them within 6 feet of me. Bad thing for SD behavior.

[xmandiex]

Ouch, that IS a bad thing! I wouldn't want my dog to walk away if I were being attacked (heard from people about that, they're being raped and their dog is running in a circle) but I certainly wouldn't want them to be so aggressive! What sort of dog is it?

[Linus]

I learned early on how unprotective Linus is!

The second day of team training we were waiting for our elevator and a motorcycle delivery person stepped out when the door opened.  Helmet on and face shield down.

Linus took one look and got behind my wheelchair!   Big strong boy knew who was 'top dog' when it might be dangerous.

Seriously, if any of the dogs from Linus's school show the least bit of aggression, they are released from the program.  It's just too dangerous to expect dogs to make complex decisions about safety.  At the end of the day, they are still dogs.

[AlysianneO]

What did they tell you caused that?
I do that all the time, can't even make freakin' ramen noodles some days, and thought it was just part of the depression.... Still learning what to tell the doctor.....

I have a 'man in the box.'  It's a PERS (personal response system) unit and is hooked up to the phone. 
A dog isn't going to care if you actually take the meds as long as you reward their behavior.  Once they cue you, the pressure is back on you to choose to take the meds or ignore them.  For me, I choose my 'man in the box' over my dog in this case because my dog can't help me 'think things through.'  When I look in the fridge, I can go into system overload quite fast and give up eating.  My dog would just sit there as if asking if she can have the food instead.

[Cera]

Insert Quote
What did they tell you caused that?
I do that all the time, can't even make freakin' ramen noodles some days, and thought it was just part of the depression.... Still learning what to tell the doctor.....


Quote from: hopesclan on October 30, 2008, 11:21:57 PM

    I have a 'man in the box.'  It's a PERS (personal response system) unit and is hooked up to the phone.
    A dog isn't going to care if you actually take the meds as long as you reward their behavior.  Once they cue you, the pressure is back on you to choose to take the meds or ignore them.  For me, I choose my 'man in the box' over my dog in this case because my dog can't help me 'think things through.'  When I look in the fridge, I can go into system overload quite fast and give up eating.  My dog would just sit there as if asking if she can have the food instead.

I'm sorry, I don't know what you are asking.  You quoted me here, so I want to be able to help but could you clarify your question, please?  Are you asking about my issues with food?  If so, that is pretty complex, and my best suggestion for you would be to really work with your therapist and do a ton of chain analysis to see where the break comes for you.  Break down the behavior and then see what creative solutions you can come up with to change the response.

[AlysianneO]

Insert Quote
What did they tell you caused that?
I do that all the time, can't even make freakin' ramen noodles some days, and thought it was just part of the depression.... Still learning what to tell the doctor.....


Quote from: hopesclan on October 30, 2008, 11:21:57 PM

    I have a 'man in the box.'  It's a PERS (personal response system) unit and is hooked up to the phone.
    A dog isn't going to care if you actually take the meds as long as you reward their behavior.  Once they cue you, the pressure is back on you to choose to take the meds or ignore them.  For me, I choose my 'man in the box' over my dog in this case because my dog can't help me 'think things through.'  When I look in the fridge, I can go into system overload quite fast and give up eating.  My dog would just sit there as if asking if she can have the food instead.

I'm sorry, I don't know what you are asking.  You quoted me here, so I want to be able to help but could you clarify your question, please?  Are you asking about my issues with food?  If so, that is pretty complex, and my best suggestion for you would be to really work with your therapist and do a ton of chain analysis to see where the break comes for you.  Break down the behavior and then see what creative solutions you can come up with to change the response.

The system overload part, I do it all the time.