Service Dogs

[Kingoglow]

There is going to be a swift and severe backlash against these animals when the airlines get around to finalizing their rules around them. There are just too many scammers getting by too easily for the situation to continue as it has.

 

[jloucks]

Actually there are service Greyhounds, Whippets Etc.Breed doesn't play into being a service dog. Any breed can be trained to detect changes in body chemistry for people with certain illnesses..

You touched on the key here, you said it yourself "trained". Trainability is one of the key factors of a good service dog. The less trainable, the less ideal. Greyhounds, pugs, chows, and a few other breeds are way far down on the list. Don't take my word for it, just do some googling on trainability and/or intelligence.

To put it another way, training a greyhound is unnecessarily difficult when you can far easier train a golden, collie, or German Sheppard. Lots of training goes into a service dog. Why would you make it super tough?

There is no reason to do it the hard way, unless there is some ulterior motive. Like, wanting to convert a family pet into a service animal.

Which is totally not cool.

 

[beertiki]

There is going to be a swift and severe backlash against these animals when the airlines get around to finalizing their rules around them. There are just too many scammers getting by too easily for the situation to continue as it has.

After the airlines, it will be restaurants, stores, hotels, apartments and theme parks. I can't wait to see some "manager" who has been fed up with this problem for years, tell some scamming pet owner to take their untrained pet and get the #### out. I

 

[NelleBelle]

You touched on the key here, you said it yourself "trained". Trainability is one of the key factors of a good service dog. The less trainable, the less ideal. Greyhounds, pugs, chows, and a few other breeds are way far down on the list. Don't take my word for it, just do some googling on trainability and/or intelligence.

To put it another way, training a greyhound is unnecessarily difficult when you can far easier train a golden, collie, or German Sheppard. Lots of training goes into a service dog. Why would you make it super tough?

There is no reason to do it the hard way, unless there is some ulterior motive. Like, wanting to convert a family pet into a service animal.

Which is totally not cool.

Good points regarding breeds. We went with a standard poodle for a “family pet” really was specifically bought with the intention of helping with my diabetes. She and I have been taking classes on how to detect changes in my glucose as well as having her help with my balance when I need it (I have no sensation from my knees down). I don’t know that I’d ever take her to WDW with me, as much as I love her and as much as she helps. I can see why certain breeds make better service dogs than others though.

 

[jloucks]

Good points regarding breeds. We went with a standard poodle for a “family pet” really was specifically bought with the intention of helping with my diabetes. She and I have been taking classes on how to detect changes in my glucose as well as having her help with my balance when I need it (I have no sensation from my knees down). I don’t know that I’d ever take her to WDW with me, as much as I love her and as much as she helps. I can see why certain breeds make better service dogs than others though.

While we have never trained a poodle service dog, many (if not all) the experts say they are viable for the job. They are very smart and trainable with many possessing the right balance of other doggie characteristics. I think the biggest problem is some of them are too little. But, for biodetection, I don't see why small wouldn't work considering with the training classes you are taking hosted by an expert.

 

[NelleBelle]

While we have never trained a poodle service dog, many (if not all) the experts say they are viable for the job. They are very smart and trainable with many possessing the right balance of other doggie characteristics. I think the biggest problem is some of them are too little. But, for biodetection, I don't see why small wouldn't work considering with the training classes you are taking hosted by an expert.

The standard poodle is definitely built differently than a golden or a lab or shepherd, but our Minnie definitely is a big gal as far as her height and build (she is more the size of a small to medium male standard). We went with the standard poodle over the other breeds more for the decreased “shed” factor.

 

[Whippet Mom]

You touched on the key here, you said it yourself "trained". Trainability is one of the key factors of a good service dog. The less trainable, the less ideal. Greyhounds, pugs, chows, and a few other breeds are way far down on the list. Don't take my word for it, just do some googling on trainability and/or intelligence.

To put it another way, training a greyhound is unnecessarily difficult when you can far easier train a golden, collie, or German Sheppard. Lots of training goes into a service dog. Why would you make it super tough?

There is no reason to do it the hard way, unless there is some ulterior motive. Like, wanting to convert a family pet into a service animal.

Which is totally not cool.

You are totally wrong. You seem to thrive on insulting everyone who's dogs don't fit your narrative.. I know quite a few SD's that are Whippets & Greyhounds.. They are smart & vert easy to train.. Besides being a alert dog mine is CGC titled, Champion titled and will be therapy titled. She is also working on her agility title.. Very smart dog..

 

[jloucks]

You are totally wrong. You seem to thrive on insulting everyone who's dogs don't fit your narrative.. I know quite a few SD's that are Whippets & Greyhounds.. They are smart & vert easy to train.. Besides being a alert dog mine is CGC titled, Champion titled and will be therapy titled. She is also working on her agility title.. Very smart dog..

Lol, ok, whatever. You seem to think this is an opinion or narrative of mine. It is not. It is an industry fact. How about this, Just google it. See where greyhounds fall on the dog intelligence scale. Then, as a bonus, see how their natural characteristics fits in with service work. If you really seek wisdom, look at what types of dogs the major dog schools train.

The reverse is true, you are trying to jam your opinion and narrative on the industry.

Again, just google it. Google "best service dogs". Google "smartest dog breeds". Google "most trainable dog breeds". Stop listening to me, and more importantly, stop listening to yourself. Listen only to the experts.

 

[larryz]

You are totally wrong. You seem to thrive on insulting everyone who's dogs don't fit your narrative.. I know quite a few SD's that are Whippets & Greyhounds.. They are smart & vert easy to train.. Besides being a alert dog mine is CGC titled, Champion titled and will be therapy titled. She is also working on her agility title.. Very smart dog..

But you're not biased for whippets... right?

 

[Whippet Mom]

But you're not biased for whippets... right?

Not at all

 

[NormC]

My Greyhound was dumb as a box of rocks but we loved her just the same. She was our 40 MPH couch potato.

 

[jloucks]

My Greyhound was dumb as a box of rocks but we loved her just the same. She was our 40 MPH couch potato.

I have met a bunch of greyhounds though greyhound rescue groups. 40MPH couch potato is about right (and hilarious). Dumb, cute, and kind personalities. Perfect for adoptions. Poopoor for service animals. I do like them, fwiw, and would not rule out owning one. ...almost did wind up with one. Several times.

 

[lauren_and_phaz]

Hi there, SDiT handler and professional dog trainer here. My service dog in training is a miniature Australian Shepherd named Captain Phasma.
Service dogs can be any breed, provided they have the proper training and are not physically limited in doing their job (I.e. you wouldn’t use a chihuahua for counterbalance or an English bulldog to pull a wheelchair).
They also don’t have to come from a program, many people owner-train their dogs (as I have) or choose to have a professional trainer help them pick out and train a puppy or shelter dog.
Anxiety, clinical depression, and PTSD are definitely valid disabilities. Psychiatric Service Dogs are as real and valid as a mobility, guide, or seizure alert dogs.

My SDiT, our partner team, and I will be visiting WDW next week as part of finalizing her training. Hopefully we don’t run into any fakes, but if we do we will not hesitate educate and inform (and report the heck outta them to the nearest CM)

UPDATE:
We just returned from Disney and had an amazing time. If anyone has questions, feel free to ask

 

[1HAPPYGHOSTHOST]

So you were able to bring and do training at WDW with your Service Dog in Training? Did you stay in a Disney Hotel or eat in Downtown Disney?

why did you bring this thread back?

 

[The Mom]

So you were able to bring and do training at WDW with your Service Dog in Training? Did you stay in a Disney Hotel or eat in Downtown Disney?

The post is 2 years old, which is also the last time that member posted - I don't think you'll get an answer.