Can my dog become my service dog..and if so where do I start? - Page 2

marbury · 06-10-2012, 11:32 AM

If petsmart is your only option, take it! You're the trainer, you get to take or leave whatever you learn wherever you go. But there is probably an 'underground network' of private trainers who'd give you much better tips for your time and money, lol!
It doesn't really matter which exact commands your puppy learns at this time (as long as he's not learning bad behaviors). The important point is that he learns how to learn. Get in to a class that will teach you how to engage him and start communicating with him, even if you have to take a Petsmart class.

zyppi · 06-10-2012, 11:49 AM

I don't know where you are, but, unfortunately Pet Smart trainers are not always very good and I've seen some spout stuff that really isn't right. They're not well trained.

Is there a Schutzhund club
United Schutzhund Clubs of America - For the German Shepherd Dog
anywhere near you? Usually a good place to start looking for a trainer.
Even AKC obedience club might have some leads.

Perhaps if you're comfortable telling the forum your location, someone may know of a trainer in your area.

Good luck and, in the meantime, enjoy your puppy.

**Andaka** · 06-10-2012, 12:07 PM

You can always Google for a local obedience club or trainer in your area.

msvette2u · 06-10-2012, 12:19 PM

Be careful with trainers. Many think they are and will take your hard earned money in exchange for telling you to use a squirt bottle for a fearful dog who barks at people

I mean, Petsmart can't be that bad. But I don't have personal experience with them, so I can't say for sure. I think they'd have a better bag of resources than a squirt bottle though!

**bocron** · 06-10-2012, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msvette2u

I think they'd have a better bag of resources than a squirt bottle though!

Well, considering in both Petsmarts in my area, the trainers all walk around with a squirt bottle not their belt I wouldn't count on it.
The Petco is about the same.

If you decide to look into a Schutzhund club, see if you can get an obedience only membership (we offer that as well as a few other clubs I know of). The membership is a bit cheaper and the training is aiming toward a BH. At our club, the obedience members frequently hang out for protection and the social gathering, but only actively participate in the obedience. One lady is a SAR person and the other has a dog that is missing 2 canines (a rescue), but she is learning about training with this dog and may eventually get a WL pup.

Killian10 · 06-10-2012, 12:59 PM

This is the type of information that I was looking for. Thank you! Keep it coming please.

Oh and I'm located in the Carteret County area of North Carolina. It's on the coast between Jacksonville and Morehead City.

**ladylaw203** · 06-10-2012, 01:27 PM

Sent you a private message and run from PETCO and pet smart. I made some inquiries and their training of their "trainers" consists of a video tape

Killian10 · 06-10-2012, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladylaw203

Sent you a private message and run from PETCO and pet smart. I made some inquiries and their training of their "trainers" consists of a video tape

Responded. Thank you very much!

guitarest · 06-19-2012, 05:25 AM

I did exactly (or real close) to what your trying to do. The first step for this is actually one of the hardest; paperwork from the VA. Once you have this in hand then the search begins; yet it appears you did it backwards, lol. I was medically retired about a year after the first Gulfwar and I am currently a 100% DAV and I actually have a startup non-profit that does exactly as you mention. We receive paperwork from the Vet which gives us permission to allow the issuing of a dog; that we rescue from the humane society.

There are so many very kind to vets who are PTSD and will assist with the training. The problem with your (and my situation) the VA is so far behind the times in regards to PTSD or SD's in general. we have placed three dogs already in this area and most of what we do is educate the people.

I will send you a PM with my email and we can take this off line; lets see what we can do for you. I'm not in your area although I do have contacts all over the country....

guitarest · 06-19-2012, 05:41 AM

A great read about certain dogs....

Seizure-Alert Dogs--Just the Facts, Hold the Media Hype | epilepsy.com

06-10-2012, 11:49 AM	#12 (permalink)
zyppi Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Back home to Louisiana! Posts: 5,234	I don't know where you are, but, unfortunately Pet Smart trainers are not always very good and I've seen some spout stuff that really isn't right. They're not well trained. Is there a Schutzhund club United Schutzhund Clubs of America - For the German Shepherd Dog anywhere near you? Usually a good place to start looking for a trainer. Even AKC obedience club might have some leads. Perhaps if you're comfortable telling the forum your location, someone may know of a trainer in your area. Good luck and, in the meantime, enjoy your puppy. __________________ Anne Nothing is as simple as it seems or as complicated as we make it~ Attitude is everything -- Pick a good one! Sofie AKA Ussina vom Haus Brezel Jack von Jagenstadt Tatty - Burmese bad cat

06-10-2012, 12:07 PM	#13 (permalink)
Andaka "I like Daffy" Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: New Douglas, IL ( near St. Louis) Posts: 2,934	You can always Google for a local obedience club or trainer in your area. __________________ Daphne and the Gang at Andaka Where Beauty and Brains Come Together http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/sear...n_shepherd_dog Home of Ch Natty; Ch Doll; Jag CDX GN RE (ch ptd); Sara RN (ch ptd); and Ch. Fisher (Mr. Evil) At the Bridge: Ch Kahla CD; Ch Keno UD HSAs OA; Ch Kizzy HSAs RE; Ch Tag CD RAE2; Ch Pharra; Bee PT; Ch Red the Dachshund

06-10-2012, 12:19 PM	#14 (permalink)
msvette2u Banned Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Beautiful Pacific NW Posts: 11,005	Be careful with trainers. Many think they are and will take your hard earned money in exchange for telling you to use a squirt bottle for a fearful dog who barks at people I mean, Petsmart can't be that bad. But I don't have personal experience with them, so I can't say for sure. I think they'd have a better bag of resources than a squirt bottle though! Last edited by msvette2u; 06-10-2012 at 12:24 PM.

06-10-2012, 01:27 PM	#17 (permalink)
ladylaw203 Moderator Join Date: May 2001 Location: Beaumont,Texas Posts: 4,911	Sent you a private message and run from PETCO and pet smart. I made some inquiries and their training of their "trainers" consists of a video tape __________________ Renee Utley Port Authority Police KaroSkocickaSamotaZM,ZOP,ZPU,FPR,FPR,ZVV1,ZZZ,ZZP, RHE,ZM TART, IRO titled SAR dog ZVV1 Gabbi Mariko Bohemia ZVV1 Jessy Vikar www.nndda.org, Certifying official

06-19-2012, 05:25 AM	#19 (permalink)
guitarest Master Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Gulfport, Mississippi Posts: 871	I did exactly (or real close) to what your trying to do. The first step for this is actually one of the hardest; paperwork from the VA. Once you have this in hand then the search begins; yet it appears you did it backwards, lol. I was medically retired about a year after the first Gulfwar and I am currently a 100% DAV and I actually have a startup non-profit that does exactly as you mention. We receive paperwork from the Vet which gives us permission to allow the issuing of a dog; that we rescue from the humane society. There are so many very kind to vets who are PTSD and will assist with the training. The problem with your (and my situation) the VA is so far behind the times in regards to PTSD or SD's in general. we have placed three dogs already in this area and most of what we do is educate the people. I will send you a PM with my email and we can take this off line; lets see what we can do for you. I'm not in your area although I do have contacts all over the country.... __________________ Jocko King CKC GSD (he shall always be remembered) Willie Collie Mix 7 yrs old Sarge White GSD 7 yrs old Blitz Von Vormund AKC DN28154--- 2 yr old

06-10-2012, 11:32 AM	#11 (permalink)
marbury Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Columbus, GA Posts: 456	If petsmart is your only option, take it! You're the trainer, you get to take or leave whatever you learn wherever you go. But there is probably an 'underground network' of private trainers who'd give you much better tips for your time and money, lol! It doesn't really matter which exact commands your puppy learns at this time (as long as he's not learning bad behaviors). The important point is that he learns how to learn. Get in to a class that will teach you how to engage him and start communicating with him, even if you have to take a Petsmart class.

06-10-2012, 12:59 PM	#16 (permalink)
Killian10 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 112	This is the type of information that I was looking for. Thank you! Keep it coming please. Oh and I'm located in the Carteret County area of North Carolina. It's on the coast between Jacksonville and Morehead City.

06-19-2012, 05:41 AM	#20 (permalink)
guitarest Master Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Gulfport, Mississippi Posts: 871	A great read about certain dogs.... Seizure-Alert Dogs--Just the Facts, Hold the Media Hype \| epilepsy.com __________________ Jocko King CKC GSD (he shall always be remembered) Willie Collie Mix 7 yrs old Sarge White GSD 7 yrs old Blitz Von Vormund AKC DN28154--- 2 yr old

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