Fading Prompts and lures in training

Whole Dog  Journal unearthed this from their archives this morning. https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/7_5/features/Dog-Training-Tips_5629-1.html?s=FB&medium=soc_082117A
This article includes self assessment  to see which lures/ prompts you and your dog are stuck on and how to fade out needing them.

All work and No Play- Work Life Balance in Teams

Members of the public often have the idea that service dogs never get to "just be dogs". This assumption couldn't be farther from the truth, especially if a team plans to function for many years to come.The balance between working together and playing together is one that begins to be established as soon as you and your SD (or potential SD when owner training) enter into each others' lives beginning with the definition of play  for each.

 Common Dog Definitions of Play

1. Play is mutual. I want to play with you!
2. Favorite dog games include Tag, Chase, Keep Away, Sharable toys, Hide and Seek.
3. Play is enjoyable for both of us, if you are not having fun it lessens my fun.

Common Human Definitions of Play

1. Playing with your dog means toys and other dogs.
2. Play is fetch and tug.

The real definition of play of course is any activity that gets both you and your SD smiling, laughing, enjoying each others company, and leaves you both feeling recharged and connected. Teams that play together everyday strengthen their bond, lessen the effects of a stressful world, maintain training, gain insights into each others personalities, improve team members health both physically and mentally. I seem to get partnered with dogs whose sense of play requires me to "lighten up" and be able to take a well timed joke. --Yes, dogs can be practical jokers, especially those clever enough to be service dogs.-- Both Bastien and Shilo's sense of humor spanned the spectrum from out right goofiness to well time jokes including hiding right behind me, to the ever popular squeal inducing goose and sneak slurp.

Learn More About the Importance of Play for People and Dogs

1. Play and kids- http://udel.edu/~roberta/play/
2. Play, Creativity, and Lifelong Learning: WHY PLAY MATTERS FOR BOTH KIDS AND ADULTS-http://www.helpguide.org/life/creative_play_fun_games.htm 
3. Autism and Play (Book) http://books.google.com/books?id=ujE6lxdMG5IC&printsec=frontcover&dq=play+autism&source=bll&ots=574regUp8o&sig=V45TmR1psFmAAHoMHOcEpiZ3bp0&hl=en&ei=QO69TLl8kPazA_LmoMQM&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=15&sqi=2&ved=0CG4Q6AEwDg#v=onepage&q&f=false 
4. Dog Play & Exercise: Tips on what type of exercise/ play and how much is appropriate-http://hssv.convio.net/site/DocServer/dog_playandexercise.pdf?docID=1117 
5. Play with your Dog by Pat Miller http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=dtb1011 
6. Play Together - Soft Cover Book-HAPPY AND HEALTHY PLAY BETWEEN PEOPLE AND DOGS: Play is fun and frolicsome, but it is powerful stuff! Learn how to use it to enhance your relationship with your dog. http://www.patriciamcconnell.com/product/play-together-stay-together

7. Dog Games You Can Play if You are Physically Impaired-http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/16_6/features/dog-games-physically-impared_20758-1.html

    

When puppies have other plans - Spot Magazine

Sometimes despite the best breeding, all the testing it the world, all the resources, and a loving dedicate raiser some puppies just aren't cut out to be service dogs. Spot Magazine featured the story of Lowell, a Guide Dogs for the Blind puppy who didn't make the cut in "When Puppies Have other Plans"

Wired Magazine Article Encourages Service Dog Fraud

A reader brought to my attention this week  that Wired Magazine published an article, The Cheat Code to Life, encourage their readers to pass off their pets as service dogs to gain entry to places and avoid fees. 

BRING MR. FLUFFY ANYWHERE: SERVICE DOG VEST ($33) 
Make every day Take Your Dog to Work Day and go everywhere—the coffee shop, the grocery store! How? Simply dress him in a vest that just happens to be bright orange and slap on a “Service Dog” patch. VIP status: confirmed.

My response: "I can't believe Wired Magazine is so desperate for content that your editorial team has decided that encouraging people to commit federal fraud by claiming that they qualify as a person with a disability under the ADA and that their dog is a service dog under the definition found in the same law. As a person living with a disability who has worked service dogs for over 12 years and has to deal with aggressive dogs, unhousebroken dogs, and off leash dogs in public all being passed off as service dogs causing  the community of legitimate service dog experience additional requirements such as current letters of medical necessity for people experiencing psychiatric disabilities to fly, the necessity to add to the definition that a service dog must be unhousebroken, under control, not aggressive and more. I urge Wired readers and editorial staff to consider the damage passing off their dog as a service dog does to people who require the assistance of a service dog to live their life considering legitimate and legal ways they can ask for their dog to accompany them and avoid fees such as developing a pet resume for them, or simply asking permission from the business they wish to enter. For a more on how serious the effects of service dog fraud have on the service dog user community visit http://servicedogsawayoflife.blogspot.com/search/label/community%20issues.
Sincerely,
Melissa Mitchell
Service Dogs a Way of Life

Whole Dog Jounal- Dog Care When You're Down

The latest article from  the Whole Dog Journal, Dog Care When You're Down, gives its readers a glimpse into living with dogs when a person is sick, injure or recovering from some sort of medical procedure. As the population ages and people must figure out how to care for their furry companions with less physical capacity I am sure we will see more of these articles. Don't miss my article,

Dealing with Low Energy,Illness, or High Pain Days, which deals with setting up supports and plans for those of us living with chronic issues to ensure our dogs are well cared for.

Review of Disability Studies Editor Shares Encounter betwwen Hearing Dog & Autistic Child

In her editorial, Into the Light, Megan A. Conway, Ph.D. RDS Managing Editor shares an encounter she and her hearing dog had with a child living on the autism spectrum while visiting her daughter's class:

 After the story and a handful of eager questions from my audience such as, "What happens when Buddy has to go to the bathroom?" I sat with my dog while the children came up one by one to pet him. At last it was Mary's turn, and the aide manhandled her to the front of the room while Mary, not surprisingly given that her hand was being given as an offering to a large furry animal with sharp white teeth, was resisting. "No, no," wailed Mary, pulling away as the aide stood behind her, blocking her exit and shoving her towards me. "Hey," I said, "Let her go. She doesn't have to pet the dog. Step away aide! Mary can come on her own if she wants to."
The aide was in such shock she actually did what I said. She stepped back, ready to pounce on
Mary if necessary, but releasing her arm from the death grip.
Mary got the most wonderful expression on her face. She stood there, surrounded by empty space, free, for a split second, to decide. And of course, as I had expected, she decided to come forward. She reached out her arm and she patted the dog, and then she gave me a great big smile, full of light, full of understanding. Read the entire article

This article is a great reminder children and animals should never be forced to interact and that a non-compliance is a vital part of self determination!

New Mobility: Travel Matters: Traveling with a Service Dog to Hawaii

New Mobility Travel Matters: Traveling with a Service Dog to Hawaii 
I’m a wheelchair user and have a service dog. I’m planning a two-week vacation in Hawaii. I understand Hawaii has mandatory quarantine period for dogs and cats flying in from the mainland. I’ve heard that this is waived for service dogs, but they must enter through Honolulu. I have a direct flight to Kona. Do I need to re-book my flight through Honolulu? And what kind of paperwork do I need to bring? Read Response

New Mobility Magazine on Service Animals

The February issue of New Mobility Magazine came out today featuring the topic of flying with a service dog in their Travel Matters column. Over the years New Mobility has featured nearly two dozen articles important to the service dog community including one featuring yours truly and my first service dog, Bastien.  If traveling is a part of your life with a service dog or will be don't miss the Travel section of Service Dogs: A Way of Life!

Bark Magazine Covers Service Dog Fraud

Service Vest Controversy

EBay listing causes anger

Karen B. London, PhD | August 9, 2011

A listing on eBay for a vest similar to this one ignited a controversy.

No matter what you want to buy, eBay probably has it. Looking for an 1897 Pocket Kodak camera? What about a gold-plated mango fork? Or perhaps you seek a service dog vest about which the seller says, “Use this for your good puppy and take her shopping with you. May have to play blind or stupid, but you love your puppy.”
This listing, which is no longer up, angered many people. Those with disabilities or whose family members have disablities are offended by the suggestion that people should dishonestly claim that their pets are service dogs, when they are not specifically trained in that way. They are concerned about the harm this causes to people with disabilities. The legitimacy of all service animals comes into question when people try to pass off their dogs as service animals. Read More

Unethical or Responsible Pet Care?

Playing service dog to travel first class.

JoAnna Lou | October 29, 2009

The legitimacy and training of service dogs has come up a lot recently, and many of the cases do not have clear solutions. But what about when someone is consciously taking advantage of the privileges granted to service dogs?
With the USDAA Cynosport World Games coming up in Scottsdale, Ariz., I’ve been talking to many of the local competitors about how they’re traveling with their dogs. Some are caravanning in their RVs and others are reluctantly putting their pups in cargo. 
One of the more seasoned competitors mentioned that while she dutifully puts her dogs in cargo, she always sees fellow competitors passing their pups off as service dogs on the plane. Read More

New Mobility Magazine:Service Dogs: Making the Grade

Making the Grade
Many people don’t realize that not all dogs have the calm attentive temperament it takes to become a service dog. “If the dog doesn’t have the basic personality and hardwiring, it just won’t work,” says Jeanine Konopelski, director of marketing for Canine Companions for Independence in Santa Rosa, Calif.  “To increase our success rate here at CCI we have our own breeding program of golden and Labrador retrievers.”

Even with CCI’s selective breeding and training, only about 35 to 40 percent of their dogs graduate to become full-fledged service dogs. Dogs “wash out” for a variety of reasons, including “typical dog behavior” — like being distracted by cats or birds, or whining or barking in public. “I have a dog that was released from the program even though his obedience is perfect,” Konopelski says. “He picks stuff up for me, he grabs the paper for me, but he barks out in public and that is unacceptable.”  Read More

Book Review: Modern Dog Magazine-Food Allergies 101

Modern Dog Magazine has a great article this month of food allergies in dogs... what causes allergies, preventing allergies, spotting them, and what to do when your dogs is miserable with allergies. My first service dog Bastien was allergic to wheat, something I discovered through trial and error when he was young. Poor thing was itchy, developed hot spots with anything more than just small dog size treat with wheat in it. Read  Food Allergies 101

Sunday at the Library

My roommate and I are attempting to live a life less chaotic by doing certain chores and errands on the same day every week. We have been doing our basic house upkeep and shopping  schedule for about three weeks now (oops just remembered the load of laundry in the washer), leaving our apartment cleaner and leading us to discover Friday evening wine tasting at our neighborhood Trader Joe's! This week we added Sunday at the Library. I lobbied for Sunday at the library because my roommate and I are avid readers who live on very tight budgets.I read four magazines today including my favorite Bark Magazine.  There is a great article, Both Ends of the Leash: Rewards Redux. By Patricia B. McConnell, PhD,  on judging how  just rewarding the rewards you offer your dog are to your dog at any given moment for any particular behavior. I, certainly, have experienced asking my dog for a behavior and see a look come across that furry face that says, I know what your going to give me, and I think (fill the blank) is way more fun, so uh-uh.This article is not available in the online offerings from Bark this month, so those interested in reading it will have to find a print copy somewhere. 
Shiloh had plenty of tasks to keep her busy during our outing including carry my items for me in her backpack, activating four automatic door buttons, and retrieving my dropped cellphone as it slid beneath the checkout counter. So you can imagine my surprise when the rent-a-cop outside the library (yes I said outside, so we  were on the public right of way) comes up to us after we have exited the Library comes up to us and says, "I've never seen you before, is that a service dog?" to which I answer, "Yes." And then he says, "Did you need her to conduct your business in the library?" to which I  again answered, "Yes." I think someone is misunderstanding the DOJ Business Brief. Not too mention the fact my disability is far from a secret; Shiloh always wears a backpack, vest, to harness of some sort when working in public, no less  than a half a dozen people had just watched Shiloh activate the doors so I could exit the library, and I felt harassed because we we had completed our business receiving many compliments from the staff inside the library on the excellence of Shiloh's behavior and appearance while in the library. So much for appropriateness of  timing.

 

Book Review:Ability Magazine- Barking Up the Right Tree

This is an beautifully written from the inside of a service dog partnership out. Barking Up the Right Tree discusses many key topics to anyone considering partnering with a service dog including:
1. Am I disabled enough for a service dog?
2. Examples of tasks dogs do and how those tasks mitigate their handler's disability
3. The legal definition of what makes a service dog a (note this will change in 2011, see

News:Changes in the Definition of Service Animal under the ADA)

Book Review: Bridging Differences within the Disability Community: The Assistance Dog Movement

Ed Eames, Co-Founder of the International Association  Assistance Dog Partners wrote Bridging Differences within the Disability Community: The Assistance Dog Movement in 2001. This succinct article provides a history of the service dog movement,culture, and community in the USA. Ever wonder when guide dogs became a reality in the US, How IAADP came to be, or what the estimated number of service dog partners are in the US? This article will answer these questions and more. As the Disability Community celebrates the 20th anniversary of the ADA , it is important to the ADA defined the term service animal on a federal level.

Book Review: This Month's Bark Features a Marathon Running Guide Dog

The May/June 2009 Issue of Bark Magazine features "Two for the Road—Guide dog helps his partner navigate the course" By Brad Crawford. This article shows what a well-matched team can achieve together. Audi, the yellow lab Guide Dog and his human, Kerry Kuck run marathons together. The article is well-written showing both the pros and cons of Kuck's decision to use his guide dog to run. For those wanting to read the rest of the article, you'll have to buy the issue or find a copy at your public library,sorry.
This month's Bark also features tips on teaching the all important "leave it"(which you'll also have to buy the magazine for however the Bark team offers this video on "leave it") and a discussion on whether gender affects a dog's ability to learn.