Sunday, March 29, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Myth: Dogs Have No Choice in Becoming Service Dogs
Recently there has been much conversation around the Internet along the line that dogs in training to become service dogs and those working as service dogs have no say in the matter. If this assertion where true, the only dogs to fail to become service dogs would be those who fail for health related or severe behavior problems such as aggression. This is far from the truth of the matter. Everyday of training and working life for a service dog is a choice. Sure there are incentives such as treats; however, for the dog who doesn't enjoy the work and would rather be somewhere else doing something else no amount of incentive will make a difference.
The early puppy training service dog candidates receive really applies to any well-behaved well adjusted pet prepared for life in a human dominated landscape. Puppies learn to walk nicely, socialize with other animals, sit, down, stop before entering dangerous things like streets, not to potty in the house, not to put their teeth on people, which toys are theirs, come when called, not eat just any old thing on the ground, sit nicely so people may lavish attention on you, and meet a wide variety of people, and experience a wide in a variety of environments. Some puppies don't make it out of puppy training.For them the world may be too scary, too interesting, too loud, too slow, too crowded, the food on the floor too enticing, or the lure of a toy, cat, or squirrel too much to resist when working. For whatever reason these puppies tell trainers, "Thanks...but no."
Even if a dog excels in basic training, it doesn't guarantee that dog will become a service dog for a person with a disability. Every step along the way the dog must choose to do what is being asked. Even in programs using correction based training a dog who is constantly being corrected will most like be "career changed." No one looking to be partnered with a service dog wants a dog who would rather be somewhere else, doing something else. Dogs destined to become full-fledged service dogs partnered with a person with a disability also need to be willing to do the same task many, many times in a row, as well as good problem solvers willing to keep trying until they accomplish their goal. They must also be comfortable in a wide range of situations and environments; willing to follow their partner's lead even if they are unsure. Potential successful service dogs also tend toward the low to medium activity level. Living with people with disabilities often means the person, no matter how much they might want to, cannot meet the energy outlet needs of a high energy dog. These traits come in a wide variety of individual dogs with a wide range of personalities.
The early puppy training service dog candidates receive really applies to any well-behaved well adjusted pet prepared for life in a human dominated landscape. Puppies learn to walk nicely, socialize with other animals, sit, down, stop before entering dangerous things like streets, not to potty in the house, not to put their teeth on people, which toys are theirs, come when called, not eat just any old thing on the ground, sit nicely so people may lavish attention on you, and meet a wide variety of people, and experience a wide in a variety of environments. Some puppies don't make it out of puppy training.For them the world may be too scary, too interesting, too loud, too slow, too crowded, the food on the floor too enticing, or the lure of a toy, cat, or squirrel too much to resist when working. For whatever reason these puppies tell trainers, "Thanks...but no."
Even if a dog excels in basic training, it doesn't guarantee that dog will become a service dog for a person with a disability. Every step along the way the dog must choose to do what is being asked. Even in programs using correction based training a dog who is constantly being corrected will most like be "career changed." No one looking to be partnered with a service dog wants a dog who would rather be somewhere else, doing something else. Dogs destined to become full-fledged service dogs partnered with a person with a disability also need to be willing to do the same task many, many times in a row, as well as good problem solvers willing to keep trying until they accomplish their goal. They must also be comfortable in a wide range of situations and environments; willing to follow their partner's lead even if they are unsure. Potential successful service dogs also tend toward the low to medium activity level. Living with people with disabilities often means the person, no matter how much they might want to, cannot meet the energy outlet needs of a high energy dog. These traits come in a wide variety of individual dogs with a wide range of personalities.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
News: Marshall University Cracking Down on Animals on Campus
Today I read an article Professor fights proposed ban on indoor animals and was once again struck by several things:
1. People's taking a change in policy as a personal affront to their pet. While this professor's dog may have never been a problem, it is easier for the administration to say no animals other than service animals.
2. If the campus does allow animals who will be in charge of ensuring all pet animals on campus are well behaved, properly controlled at all times, healthy, and clean?
3. Who does a person with a legitimate service animal go to if/when someone's pet is keeping the person from being able to work with their service dog? People say all the time "Oh Fluffy just wants to play." Well that's all well and good except your dog running up to my dog just made it impossible for us to work.
4. Who gets in trouble if one person's pet takes offense to an other's and fights, growls, bites? What if someone's pet injures or causes a service animal to be afraid to work near them?
I understand this professor just wants to be in the take your pet to work phenomenon, but is is clear he has not stopped to think what would happen if someone with a pet not as well behaved or monitored as his seems to be was indoors on Campus. The Service Dog community has work for nearly 100 years in this country to build the public trust that service dogs are well trained, non-aggressive, and safe to accompany their people in public. Even so, because people continue to take under-trained and ill-behaved animals places where they should not be, legitimate people with disabilities partnered with service dogs must endured constant challenges and confrontations when simply trying to grocery shop, go out to eat, get to work, or enjoy a show.
1. People's taking a change in policy as a personal affront to their pet. While this professor's dog may have never been a problem, it is easier for the administration to say no animals other than service animals.
2. If the campus does allow animals who will be in charge of ensuring all pet animals on campus are well behaved, properly controlled at all times, healthy, and clean?
3. Who does a person with a legitimate service animal go to if/when someone's pet is keeping the person from being able to work with their service dog? People say all the time "Oh Fluffy just wants to play." Well that's all well and good except your dog running up to my dog just made it impossible for us to work.
4. Who gets in trouble if one person's pet takes offense to an other's and fights, growls, bites? What if someone's pet injures or causes a service animal to be afraid to work near them?
I understand this professor just wants to be in the take your pet to work phenomenon, but is is clear he has not stopped to think what would happen if someone with a pet not as well behaved or monitored as his seems to be was indoors on Campus. The Service Dog community has work for nearly 100 years in this country to build the public trust that service dogs are well trained, non-aggressive, and safe to accompany their people in public. Even so, because people continue to take under-trained and ill-behaved animals places where they should not be, legitimate people with disabilities partnered with service dogs must endured constant challenges and confrontations when simply trying to grocery shop, go out to eat, get to work, or enjoy a show.
Monday, March 16, 2009
News: How much can a landlord ask for?
The story Doggie Dispute about a family with one service dog for their daughter and another dog in training to succeed the first that has been diagnosed with cancer is all to familiar to this service dog partner. Even the Fair Housing Council of Oregon website gives this blogger pause "but the need for the accommodation is not readily apparent or known, the provider may request only information that is necessary to evaluate the disability-related need for the accommodation." I for one will be watching this case closely. One must also wonder why the previous management did not inform new management of the presence of service dogs.
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