How do I convince my parents?

[robbertbobbert]

I may be completely wrong, but I get the impression that if I don't do owner-training than the trainer does all of the training and then hands the dog over to me, obviously with the tasks that are most appropriate for my symptoms.

Not necessarily, I'm technically owner training but I don't already have the skills myself, and this is my first dog. I've worked with multiple trainers, including the service dog trainer who we finally settled on. Elliot lives with me, he has since I got him five months ago, except for the two weeks he stayed with one of his trainers while I was away. We go to puppy classes (for socialization) one to two times a week. His trainer doesn't want to start doing individual service lessions until after he passed the CGC, which we're taking the first week of december. Then I'll have training every week with her. She's basically teaching me how to train him, and she's starting the behaviors, then we're working on them at home and going back to her every week to perfect things and troubleshoot. She'll also accompany me on public access training when we start that. My state does not give SDiTs public access rights, but she's well known as a service trainer and has a diverse list of businesses who welcome her, dogs she trains and their handlers.

As far as cost, I don't even want to try to figure it out. Maybe in a few years I'll go back and calculate the first year expenses. He was $1000 himself. Plus his bed, food, vet care, toys, leashes/collars/car harness, training (our classes have been between $40 and $60 an hour), gas to drive the 75 miles each way to training a few times a week, a crate, treats, nail clippers and bowls. There's got to be more I haven't listed. It's extremely expensive. My parents are helping me out a little, they paid for Elliot himself. They've probably paid for roughly a quarter or the remaining expenses.

I'm a college student too, Elliot lives in my university apartment with me as an ESA until he's trained enough to be an SD (so probably until I go to nursing school). If he washes out, I'll keep him as an ESA.

Another thing you have to consider is the wash-out rate. If your dog doesn't make it what will you do? Keep it as an ESA? It sounds like your horse is already an ESA for you, and you've said you need help out in public. Will you keep that dog and your horse AND get another dog? It's not fun to think about, but it's a reality.
At first I thought I'd rehome Elliot if he didn't make it, I have several friends who are fabulous pet owners and very committed to their animals who have said they'd take him at a moments notice. They own their own property and have yards, unlike me. After working with him for five months I've seen that he's an invaluable resource to me for my mental health and even as an ESA he has made a miraculous difference.

[paintedmutt]

If you don't mind me asking, what kinds of tasks would you want a dog trained to assist you with?  Although I'm sure you've already realized this given how much time you seem to have dedicated to researching service dogs, if you had a few tasks written down that an SD could help you with on a day-to-day basis that your disability prevents you from doing/makes getting around in public difficult, that would definitely be something to point out to your parents:).

(I apologize if this was already asked or mentioned, by brain is especially foggy tonight)

[Spirit]

My dog cost half what most decent GSDs cost in my area, and his vaccinations, microchipping, etc have cost me about $100. If he's neutered, that will cost about $100. I would have him as a pet regardless, because I am a dog person and have always had multiple dogs, so the cost doesn't really matter to me. The training is free, because I am doing it myself. But I am very experienced. If I had to pay for training, I can't even fathom a guess at what it would cost.

My parents know I have a dog that I am training to help me feel better. They have long ago learned that I do whatever I want

[Spectrum]

I think the reason people have responded the way they have is that we seem to have had a lot of fakers/huggers/people who just won't listen to reason pass through lately.

It is good to have done and continue to do research. It looks like you have a pretty good of idea of what you want and need.

I have no intentions of even telling either of my parents about my intent to get a service dog. I know at least one of them will not like it and try to convince me otherwise, so I figure it's not worth the effort. They, however, would not be helping me to get one at all anyways. My dad could help me train as he is a professional dog trainer and has trained service dogs (including helping train one guide dog) in the past, but I plan to get a program dog as my first dog.

If you really do have to convince your parents in order to make it happen, Kirsten's idea of making a business plan of sorts sounds like a good idea. The programs I am look at getting a dog from charge from $2000 to $6000 (I haven't settles on a program yet). To owner-train will cost much more than that. You have experience training animals, but you still probably need the help of a trainer. Some programs or priavte SD trainers to allow you to be involved with the dog's training, too. (Some day when I have my own SD program, I would like to involve the future handlers as much as possible).

Keep your horse if it is financially and physically possible. I do not have a horse of my own, but the horse I ride hs helped me so much. Riding is my time to sit back, relax, and forget about all the stress and problems I have. I am at ease on Mister's back (as long as he's not trying to kill me ).

[fledchen]

We've had a few discussions about the costs of training and maintaining a service dog:

http://servicedogcentral.org/forum/index.php/topic,4933.0.html
http://servicedogcentral.org/forum/index.php/topic,2647.0.html
http://servicedogcentral.org/forum/index.php/topic,497.0.html

[Spirit]

I guess I don't count puppy class or shots or food, because I am going to have three dogs and a foster or two all the time anyway. It is what it is. I feed raw, too, and mostly organic. So no, it's not cheap, but his being a service dog is irrelevant in the costs of maintaining him.

[Trilby]

Some states like California have what they call a 'Guide Dog' (haven't changed it to 'Service Dog' yet) allowance. I feed quality food and treats and estimate a normal month about $50 for each of my dogs. But last month we were up to our neck in health issues: $500 in vet bills for a digestive system scare. And the month before just under $300 when my golden split his nail and had to have it trimmed back in surgery, thankfully they were able to keep the root and it grew back.  It's the health issues that you're going to have to worry about when on a tight budget.

 Could you start a savings account for your potential SD's emergencies before diving in, to keep your horse? I could never rehome myself.

[state_of_nowhere]

My dog is being trained by a program several hours away from me. I help choose the tasks I want him to learn in training as things come up. It's a bit different when training a PSD though because you can't entirely owner-train and you need to be present in order to have the trainer work with the dog on alerting/guiding you out of a crowd/etc.

My program charges $5,000 which includes my stay and training, etc. They retain ownership of the dog's equipment, which must be returned to them if I stop working him for whatever reason, or when he retires. I reached the $5,000 mark and am continuing to fundraise for a vet fund because I live on a very fixed income. My state offers a $35 food stipend for service dogs if you're already receiving state assistance as well as tax exempt forms to use towards purchases pertaining to the service dog.

[Roxie]

PLease be aware about state stipends for SD's.

You can deduct the costs of all upkeep and transportation costs of all (food, vet, grooming, toys, training equipment and treats, and gear, etc...) your SD's needs toward Food Stamps and subsidized housing as a medical expense. The same is true for an emotional support animal. This falls under medical expenses... just like your transportation to/from medical care and pharmacies, and medications.

This way your food stamps and housing subsidy will increase.

You may have to appeal a negative decision... but it would be worth your time.

Roxie

[Roxie]

"My personality is one that gets what she wants through persuasion"

Atta girl!You will go far in life!

Why not just take the position with your parents ...this is what I have chosen to do... here's why... here's some information for you to review. After you have had a chance to look at it, lets go for coffee and sit and talk about it! I can answer all your questions then. I really appreciate your support with this!

In the end... it is not your parents life.. it is your life. You make the decisions what you need.

Roxie

[Cera]

Please be aware that the IAADP benefits and state benefits (at least in my state) will not come into effect until your dog is completely trained.  The first two years of training are the most expensive.  You will have to pay for the dog, puppy wellness visits and shots, spay or neuter, blood tests, eye exam, hip and elbow OFA.  Then there is the training.  Count for at least twice a week classes and some private lessons.  And puppy upkeep and maintance--food, treats, crates, leashes, toys, bones, more toys, more leashes because the pup chewed it...  The best bet financially is to go with a program.  You can fundraise for one.  The best bet on having a physically and mentally capable dog at the end of the 2 year traiing period is to go with a program.  There are many people here who choose to owner train their first dog and then went with a program because of those reasons.  Even individuals who are professional dog trainers in their own right.  A healthy dog will still bond to you and its not like you can't tack on all sorts of extra tasks and so forth later on.  No one way is right for everyone and each has its own merits, please just don't fall into the trap that owner training is easier, quicker, cheeper, or necessary for the dog-human bond.