The Dog For Me

[AshertoAsher]

So, I've decided to do this right and start off  slowly. I've called every program on the Assistance Dogs International website and none of them around me train PSDs. Instead, now I'm looking for a credible breeder and trainer.

My first step is going to be to pick a bunch of breeders and then discuss it with a trainer once I find the right one. But, there are hundreds of dog breeds so I don't even know where to start.

I'm thinking of just getting a golden or a lab but I don't know if their temperaments will fit mine. Can anyone recommend a breed for me? Here's more information about my disability and the tasks I'm going to need done for me:

-I have OCD and Bipolar disorder but I'm depressed most of the time
-I have chronic fatigue so I need a dog that is low to medium energy
-I need a dog that can do balance and guiding work when I'm on withdrawl from my medication (which happens from time to time due to my long bouts of depression which make it hard to get to the pharmacy). I get severely disoriented and am prone to narcoleptic episodes and blurred vision.
-I tend to stay in bed all day so I need a dog to physically tear off the covers and will me out of bed at an alarm.
-I need a dog to recognize anxiety attacks and retrieve medication.
-The dog should be able to interrupt obsessive or self-destructive behavior.
-MOST IMPORTANTLY: the dog should not be a "velcro" dog. Because of my severe emotional distress at times, the dog should be fairly independent and able to think for himself and stay cool during times of stress.

Here's what I've thought of breed-wise:
-Retrievers might be too high energy for me but they're at the top of my list right now.
-Papillions seem perfect except that they are too small for the balance work I need.
-Great Danes, Saint Bernards and Newfs seem to have the right energy but they are incredibly large. I'm willing to deal with the large size as a last resort, though.
-Smart dogs like BCs and GSDs would frustrate me too much because they're so smart and strong willed and any mind games could possibly irritate my condition. (My last dog, as some of you know, was an Aussie and his mind games were a little stressful for me).
-Huskies seem to be perfect because of their calm nature and independent thinking except they can be aggressive. I am, however willing to spend the time finding a non-aggressive husky.

I'm thinking maybe a lab/newf or lab/great dane mix might be perfect if I find one with the right energy level. Of course, I'm going to talk this over with whatever trainer I decide to use. Still, it would be nice to have an idea of what breeds I want before I look for a trainer.

Any ideas?

[Kirsten]

Start by finding the trainer first.  Let the trainer find the right dog for you.  Don't worry about being breed-specific.  There's no telling what package a good service dog will come in.  If you settle on a specific breed that means you're significantly reducing the pool of dogs from which to choose.

So make a list of your lifestyle requirements (how active you are, how much you are willing to groom, etc.) and share that with the trainer to help them find the right dog.

For example, I don't mind brushing or drying double coated dogs, but coats that have to be stripped or clipped drive me bonkers.  Others may prefer such coats because they shed less.  It is a personal issue.  However, it doesn't mean I need to settle on one specific breed.

Make a list of the tasks you will need the dog to be able to do.  That will tell the trainer what physical characteristics to look for.  A dog meant to retrieve, for example, should have a fairly long nose.  A squash-faced dog will simply never be as good at retrieving as a long nosed one.

Be aware that the right dog for you might not be a purebred dog.  Don't discount a mix just because he's a mix.  While there is greater predictability in well bred dogs, there are still some mixes out there working as service dogs and doing a wonderful job.  Being purebred is no guarantee of good breeding (being well-bred) and you not only have little predictability on health of a poorly bred pure-bred dog, you have the increased risk of genetic disease from a smaller gene pool.

On a side note:  you might check around for pharmacies that are willing to deliver when you are sick.  Mine will, at no charge.  It's often the smaller local pharmacies that give the best service rather than the big name ones.

[Kirsten]

Also, if you wind up going with a hobby breeder (ie one that breeds for show or competition, not for a profit) consider getting an older dog.  Sometimes these breeders will have a young adult (1-2 years old) that they intended to show that didn't work out for some reason.  Usually it's because the dog is too tall or too short.  Even half an inch can spoil a dog's chances in the show ring.  But that doesn't mean the dog wouldn't otherwise have excellent genes.  And one bonus is that such dogs, if raised by true hobby breeders, have been raised in the home, are house broken, have good manners, and are well-socialized.  They can often be had for a lower price if the breeder knows the dog will be going into service work because that's something they can say about their blood line:  that they produced a dog suited to be a service dog.

[Cait]

I'd definitely second Kirsten's advice. Trainer first. Kaylee is a 'washout show dog' (for a minor head fault ) and I couldn't be happier with her.

Aggression would be the least of my worries with a husky. (They're prey-driven, but in 4 years of doing husky rescue, I never saw a single one that was at ALL human-aggressive and only a very, very few that were dog aggressive. Even resource guarding was fairly unusual.) The bigger worry I'd have would be the general trainability and dislike for routine. I think a husky is frankly one of the POOREST choices for owner-trained SDs and I've yet to see one that actually has completed training to a standard that I would consider reasonable. (I know a LOT that are perpetual dogs in training, though.)

You might add Smooth Collies to the list, if you like the pointy-eared look. The boys are tall enough and sturdy enough for balance work and they are wonderful dogs. Not that I'm biased or anything. The energy level is very moderate overall, and they want to be NEAR you but not on top of you (unless you specifically encourage that.)

[AshertoAsher]

Yes, definitely trainer first. I completely understand.

But that doesn't mean that I shouldn't educate myself on the different breeds beforehand. Knowing what kind of breeds might fit me will help me communicate to my trainer about my own needs and how a dog can meet them.

I hadn't even thought of collies at all. Since my Aussie washed out I've avoided looking at herding dogs as possible PSDs. I figured they're too willful, you know? I need a dog that's more eager to please and won't outsmart me (lol!). But then again, I don't know anything about collies. I'll take a look.

[aculady]

My husband's balance and mobility dog is a Great Dane. She is fabulous, and the large size is not as much of a problem as you might think it would be. She is a little more conspicuous than a Lab or Golden Retriever, but she can make herself fairly compact when we are in restaurants and other places where she has to be tucked out of the way. Many a waitress who went through an entire meal waiting on our party without realizing that there was a dog under the table has been startled to see a giant black Dane suddenly emerge as we get up to leave. We live in a 750 sq. ft. condo, and when the dog isn't out and about, she is content to lay on her cushion next to my husband's desk or park herself on her end of the couch. She is never "underfoot".

We got the dog at a year old and trained her up from there, so we didn't have to go through the worst of the Great Dane puppy stage.

[merlin_fluff]

Good luck on your hunt for a SD. My PSD, Max, is a Newfie. I've never found his size to be a problem, he's low energy, very trainable, independant yet loves to please, oh and a complete show off! Yet, he sheds like anything, he's a massive drooler, wears a dog bib at all time for me to try catching the drool before it flies  and is a magnet for muck. A HUGE amount of grooming goes into my daily rountine just to leave the house with him!! Those floppy ears smell easily too so twice weekly ear cleaning.. the list goes on. Not an easy care dog!!

Various spaniel breeds seem very popular for hearing dogs here, though that doesn't really help does it 

A hope you find that special dog.

[aculady]

You might want to check out this thread for more info on collies and Danes, if you haven't already.

http://servicedogcentral.org/forum/index.php?topic=3451.0

[AshertoAsher]

What do you guys think about possibly a shiloh shepherd or a bernese mountain dog?

[Kirsten]

What about a Swedish Valhund or a Duck Tolling Retriever?  A Klee Kai?  An Appenzell Mountain Dog?

There are over 200 breeds.  You won't learn the details of all of them or even of all that might produce a suitable service dog for you.  Make a list of what you need and let the trainer choose the appropriate dog.  Breeds aren't like brand names.  There will be individuals within any breed that are not typical of that breed.  In fact far less than half of all purebred dogs even meets its own breed standard.  I can show you lazy Border Collies and stupid German Shepherds even though as a breed Border Collies are supposed to be high energy and German Shepherds are supposed to be smart.  So getting a specific breed doesn't equal getting the qualities you want in a dog.  Listing the qualities and looking for them is what will get you what you need. 

Focus on what you need.  Breed only matters if you are interested in a fancy pet, a show or trial dog, or breeding stock. 

[GingerbreadGirl]

I'm biased, but I think a calm, stable Lab selected by an experienced trainer might be the go for you.

If you get the right Lab it can be very trainable, eager to please, calm, stable, easy going and when grown, happy to laze around for most of the day (probably hyper while it's young though!)

But they need daily exercise, so as you said, that might rule them out for you.

Another pro of having a Lab could be possibly less access challenges. Labs are perhaps the most well known breed that is used for service work.

Just about every breed is going to have pros and cons for you, so you really need to weigh them up and decide which pros are the most important and which cons you are willing to accept.   

[Roxie]

I have used a Tibetan Terrier and a Belgian Tervuren for my choice of SD. My daughter has used a Boxer, Border Collie and an Australian Shepherd. My son has used a Lab-Golden mix and an Australian Shepherd. My friend has used Labs and a Samoyed for a Guide Dog.

Dogs that failed were a Chow - Collie mix, Malamute, Australian Cattle Dog, Irish Setter - Lab mix, Lab, Belgian Tervuren, Australian Shepherd, German Shepherd. Aggression was the primary problem of these.

Each dog has done an outstanding job as a SD. The Terv was a retired show dog with points. He had grown over the standard height and not eligible to compete. The Boxer was also a retired show dog whose cropped ear decided to flop. He was also pointed. The others were a Pet Smart pup, backyard whoopsy breeding, and dog pound finds. We had a trainer for one of the Aussies... I trained the rest. One of the Aussies grew too aggressive, and was inconsistent in SD performance so she was retired to being a trucking dog.

I totally agree with Kirsten: find a great trainer  and let the trainer guide your decision. You could hang out at your local dog training club, or some dog shows to get a look at breeds in person, watch them, talk to the handlers. They may even have connections for you.

Take your time! The dog you choose will be your companion and helper for 10 years +/-. 

For me, I like a dog with a coat that can endure the dramatic weather changes of the mid-west and north-central states. I like a medium to large dog. I like a quiet, mellow dog. I gravitate to the Herd and bird breeds, I'm not fond of terriers or hounds. I don't like coats that are high maintenance. I like healthy robust dogs. I do not like dogs that drool at all.

Another factor at my age (60) I just can't do a puppy. I have not the energy or want to clean up and pick up after a rambunctious pup or very young dog. I prefer a dog at least a year old, up to about 2 or 2 1/2 years old. Also, I can't afford to feed a dog much over 55 - 65 pounds.

Remember though, you may put in your heart and money and the dog (no matter how carefully selected) just may not work out at all! Then you have to start all over again.

Remember to use "gut instinct" too, along with a trainer's suggestions.

Please keep us posted on your hunt for the best SD candidate! I really enjoy hearing from all the group members about their SD hunt and selection... then watching the progress in training! I love hearing about the dogs and all the help they give despite their silly side!

Roxie

[Cera]

How's the trainer hunt going?  Any possibilities?

[AshertoAsher]

Well,
I actually found a very reputable program and applied. I'm going to have an interview with them sometime in April. They're very selective and use only labradors as their service animals. It takes them somewhere between 12 and 18 months to place a dog which will give me a chance to graduate from college and get my own place.

The problem is they're extremely expensive for me right now (around $5,000) but since they are a non-profit, I'm sure I can fundraise.

So I'll start looking for a trainer if I'm not picked to go through their program or if I can't fundraise for whatever reason.

Either way...I'm so excited! 

[Roxie]

 

Yay!!!! That sounds fantastic!

Roxie