Anybody have (or know) a service balance dog?

[WitchyOoman]

How well does the does a balance dog work out for the human with mobility impairment?

I've been considering a service dog, but I wonder if it's right for me?

Lord knows that I've seen people worse off than I am... but that doesn't mean that I wouldn't benefit from a service dog. I'm still on my own two feet (some days with quad cane or regular cane, other days just my own two feet and a lot of prayer); I've stayed out of my wheelchair for the past couple of years. But there are plenty of days that I sure could use some help that I don't have.



A service dog could be trained to do the following, with which I need help:

putting on socks, pants, and shoes (not sure if dogs help with shoes, but I know they can be trained to help with socks and pants)

getting up and down stairs, curbs, uneven ground, up steep ramps or hills

buffer against being pushed/pushed against in a crowd, and losing my balance

opening certain doors

picking up dropped objects from the floor/ground

occasionally lifting items I want to purchase in a stor\e to a higher cashier's countertop; getting money or a debit card up that high also

lifting or carrying or dragging certain objects

helping me get back up when I've fallen

pushing an elevator button and/or pushing a door-opener button while holding things in one hand and a cane in the other hand


I visited a place that trains such dogs in southern PA recently. I found the service dog to be both a help and a hindrance to me. I'm not use to having to take into consideration some other living being when making my plans; if I want to cross the street, or if I want to push myself into running just one more errand, or whatever, I'm not used to having to take a dog into consideration... the dog might need to stop for a drink of water or whatever doggy business, whereas if I'm thirsty or need a bathroom, I can push it off to wait for the accomplishment of just one more errand. OTHO - it was a real blessing to have the dog's assistance and aid when I needed it. I'm just not so much of a team player, I guess; I'm so used to being alone and on my own.

When Midnight ran about town with me, he adapted himself entirely to my crazy schedule. Midnight waited for his drink of water; he held his bladder and bowels almost forever; he never complained about any of it. But the service dog I 'tried out' wasn't as accommodating to my schedule; he had his own schedule that he tried to match to mine... but..... well..... we didn't fully match schedules, let's say. Of course, we only had a week together, whereas Midnight and I had 16 1/2 years together.

I don't suppose it's fair to expect the same feeling I had with Midnight from a dog I knew for on week... Also, Midnight was my beloved pet, and he chose me. A service dog won't be choosing me - nor will I even get to choose it; a service dog will be chosen for me. Besides, Midnight was my well-loved companion; a service dog is just that - an animal that provides me with services... yes, a service dog and I will bond, but not in the same way.


Anybody got any advice?

Anyone know anybody with a service dog? Especially with a balance dog?

[Nanook]

Re: Anybody have (or know) a service balance dog?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: WitchyOoman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How well does the does a balance dog work out for the human with mobility impairment?

I've been considering a service dog, but I wonder if it's right for me?

Lord knows that I've seen people worse off than I am... but that doesn't mean that I wouldn't benefit from a service dog. I'm still on my own two feet (some days with quad cane or regular cane, other days just my own two feet and a lot of prayer); I've stayed out of my wheelchair for the past couple of years. But there are plenty of days that I sure could use some help that I don't have.



A service dog could be trained to do the following, with which I need help:

putting on socks, pants, and shoes (not sure if dogs help with shoes, but I know they can be trained to help with socks and pants)

getting up and down stairs, curbs, uneven ground, up steep ramps or hills

buffer against being pushed/pushed against in a crowd, and losing my balance

opening certain doors

picking up dropped objects from the floor/ground

occasionally lifting items I want to purchase in a stor\e to a higher cashier's countertop; getting money or a debit card up that high also

lifting or carrying or dragging certain objects

helping me get back up when I've fallen

pushing an elevator button and/or pushing a door-opener button while holding things in one hand and a cane in the other hand


I visited a place that trains such dogs in southern PA recently. I found the service dog to be both a help and a hindrance to me. I'm not use to having to take into consideration some other living being when making my plans; if I want to cross the street, or if I want to push myself into running just one more errand, or whatever, I'm not used to having to take a dog into consideration... the dog might need to stop for a drink of water or whatever doggy business, whereas if I'm thirsty or need a bathroom, I can push it off to wait for the accomplishment of just one more errand. OTHO - it was a real blessing to have the dog's assistance and aid when I needed it. I'm just not so much of a team player, I guess; I'm so used to being alone and on my own.

<span style="font-weight: bold"> Hey Witchy, a service dog could do wonders for you, but you really need to want them them practically become an appendage. In other words, yes, they want to be with you like velcro 24/7. They get a special bond with you because they know you need them, and separation from you could cause them great anxiety. I used Rose as a service dog and in the 8 years I had her, I only left her one weekend. I shouldn't have done that, as I had to drop everything and come home to save her as she got so stressed she was very sick. </span>

When Midnight ran about town with me, he adapted himself entirely to my crazy schedule. Midnight waited for his drink of water; he held his bladder and bowels almost forever; he never complained about any of it. But the service dog I 'tried out' wasn't as accommodating to my schedule; he had his own schedule that he tried to match to mine... but..... well..... we didn't fully match schedules, let's say. Of course, we only had a week together, whereas Midnight and I had 16 1/2 years together.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Some dogs have larger bladders than others, and of course the larger breeds have larger bladders. However, one MUST adjust their schedule to the service dogs needs, same way they adjust theirs to yours when they wait. It is a 50/50 relationship.Have you considered getting a Wolfhound to use as a service dog? </span>

I don't suppose it's fair to expect the same feeling I had with Midnight from a dog I knew for on week... Also, Midnight was my beloved pet, and he chose me. A service dog won't be choosing me - nor will I even get to choose it; a service dog will be chosen for me. Besides, Midnight was my well-loved companion; a service dog is just that - an animal that provides me with services... yes, a service dog and I will bond, but not in the same way.


Anybody got any advice?

Anyone know anybody with a service dog? Especially with a balance dog? </div></div>

<span style="font-weight: bold">You can train your own service dog. You can choose your dog and train him/her to become whatever you need in one. It is not that hard, and you could learn a lot by taking a basic beginners obedience class, as they train you to train your dog. From there, the rest is a piece of cake. My puppy Helga will train to do all kinds of things for me, picking things up, and much on your list. Easy peasy. I chose Helga but so did her breeder help me. I asked her breeder to choose a pup out of the litter that will suit my needs best, and listed them. When I got there she said she had a puppy picked out for me but wanted to see if it happened automatically. It did! Helga came up to me on the ground and played tug of war with my hair right away. It was love at first bite! </span>

[WitchyOoman]

Re: Anybody have (or know) a service balance dog?

I trained Midnight, from puppyhood, for basic obedience training and for sled dog commands. I also taught him to count: He could count to 10. If I put ten items on the ground and asked him for four items, he'd pick up one at a time until he gave me four. Or any number up to the ten.

But I don't know if I have the patience in me to train a dog for all of the other things I need in a service dog...

Midnight was such a smart dog. I don't know if other dogs are as smart as he was.

Right now alI've got his Mr Witchy's stupid-as-hell Pox, Rufus, and we're lucky if Rufus remembers his name each day. Pit bulls are intelligent; Boxers are intellient. Why the heck is a Pit/Boxer mix so darn stupid?! Rufus is the dumbest animal on God's green Earth!