Service Dog

Suddenly · 01-02-2013, 08:34 PM

We are considering adopting Laika as our Service Dog for mobility. My husband has spinal stenosis. She was born in 2005. Do you think her age is an issue. Her health is perfect!!

Service Dog-imageuploadedbypg-free1357176779.443262.jpg

Service Dog-imageuploadedbypg-free1357176814.323838.jpg

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Wild Wolf · 01-02-2013, 08:41 PM

Can we have information on pedigree and temperament? I imagine a dog acting as a service dog for a mobility/spinal condition will need to have strict temperament guidelines... I can't imagine the pain of having a dog outdoors with your husband and suddenly get excited over another dog or a squirrel while attached to him somehow... please give more details on the dog?

carmspack · 01-02-2013, 08:46 PM

8 could be middle age , with long life ahead in some lines and in others it could be pretty geriatric and nearing the end.
You have to know the background for longevity within the line , within the family .
I see from your other thread that you have not seen the dog yet , so the question is how old is she in the picture .
You want her for a service dog - is she trained and certified for this ?
You have to question the circumstances around her being offered at this age . Was she someones service dog and she was retired because of some issue , or did her person decline in healthy or even decease? If your husband needs physical assistance you don't want to take on a dog that soon will require assistance herself .

Magwart · 01-02-2013, 08:46 PM

Also, how physically demanding is the service work involved? (E.g., any jumping? pulling heavy objects?) And for how many hours a day will she be doing any physically taxing service work, as opposed to just being good company and doing small tasks?

And by "healthy," have they confirmed her hips and elbows are sound, without arthritis?

Suddenly · 01-02-2013, 09:05 PM

Thanks for everyone's concerns and questions. My husband needs for her are to be there with him for balance, he does not fall but finds it hard to walk long distances, and also if he drops something she would be able to pick it up and place it in his hand. He works full time so she would be with me during the days and with him when home from work. When he is working he is sitting during the day. Alittle history there so you have an idea.
She is mobility assistant trained, has her canine citizen title as well as her therapy Dog title. She doe not pull and has fabulous breeding, and in great health. So my question is she was born in 2005 and I was wondering if her age should be an issue?
Happy Néw Year to All.
Any feedback would be great.
Many thanks,
Susan

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Loneforce · 01-02-2013, 09:12 PM

You never know what is going to happen. She could be 1 year old and pass away. I dont see why age would be an issue. If she is a trained service dog for what you need her for, Im sure she will do her duty. Untill she can't perform it anymore. GSD is a very loyal dog.

SFGSSD · 01-03-2013, 02:35 AM

Seems to be some red flags here. 1. The dogs age 2. Service Dogs that are professionally trained are usually retired when they are no longer working for the person they were teamed with. 3. The dog is also a Therapy Dog? Oh boy...

Typical standard procedure form good Service Dog orgs is once the dog can no longer function for it's original disabled partner it is retired and either goes back to the facility that trained them to be rehomed AS A PET or there is a pre-arranged provision in place for what happens to the dog if it can no longer be with it's original partner. In most cases a family member agrees to take continue to care for the dog as a pet. Selling it to someone else as a Service Dog is something that is frowned upon for a lot of reasons.

I second what camspack said as well: "You have to question the circumstances around her being offered at this age . Was she someones service dog and she was retired because of some issue , or did her person decline in healthy or even decease?"

Loneforce · 01-03-2013, 06:55 AM

I am glad you jumped in on this one Terry

Lilie · 01-03-2013, 08:57 AM

I'm curious. If the OP is adopting the dog as a PET dog, but would also like to utilize it's ability to assist her husband at night (when he is home from work) as an added benefit to having a PET at home, would there be a problem?

I understood the post to read the husband wasn't looking for an official service dog, as in a dog for full time usage, but a dog that could assist while he was at home after work. While still enjoying having a PET at home.

I really don't know, I'm asking a question. I've taught my GSD to pick things up for me and hand them to me. Just as something to teach him. He'll also stand still and allow me to 'pretend' to use him for leverage. He isn't a service dog, he just likes to have a job. But wouldn't it be an added benefit if I really needed him to pick something up (say I break my leg, God forbid)?

msvette2u · 01-03-2013, 11:11 AM

Our last GSD passed at age 8 due to an FCE (Fibrocartilaginous Embolism), and at that time they found spinal stenosis in him.
I would be concerned enough to x-ray an 8 yr. old before attempting to use it as a therapy dog expected to help bear a human's weight, as our dog would often be stiff and (presumably) sore in the mornings and after naps.

01-02-2013, 08:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
Suddenly Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 90	Service Dog We are considering adopting Laika as our Service Dog for mobility. My husband has spinal stenosis. She was born in 2005. Do you think her age is an issue. Her health is perfect!! Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App

01-02-2013, 08:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
Wild Wolf Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 1,932	Can we have information on pedigree and temperament? I imagine a dog acting as a service dog for a mobility/spinal condition will need to have strict temperament guidelines... I can't imagine the pain of having a dog outdoors with your husband and suddenly get excited over another dog or a squirrel while attached to him somehow... please give more details on the dog? __________________ ~ Angel SG S-Hunter vom Geistwasser CGN TT (DM Clear) AIRPORT WILDLIFE & BIRD CONTROL K9 http://www.k9instinct.com

01-02-2013, 08:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
carmspack Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: ontario - Posts: 5,509	8 could be middle age , with long life ahead in some lines and in others it could be pretty geriatric and nearing the end. You have to know the background for longevity within the line , within the family . I see from your other thread that you have not seen the dog yet , so the question is how old is she in the picture . You want her for a service dog - is she trained and certified for this ? You have to question the circumstances around her being offered at this age . Was she someones service dog and she was retired because of some issue , or did her person decline in healthy or even decease? If your husband needs physical assistance you don't want to take on a dog that soon will require assistance herself . __________________ Carmen ******** Carmspack**

01-02-2013, 09:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
Loneforce Knighted Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: PA Posts: 2,359	You never know what is going to happen. She could be 1 year old and pass away. I dont see why age would be an issue. If she is a trained service dog for what you need her for, Im sure she will do her duty. Untill she can't perform it anymore. GSD is a very loyal dog. __________________ Jonas : Red & Black WGSL D.O.B. 01/14/2012 Taz: at the bridge 01/26/2012 Ginger: Belgian Longhaired shepherd D.O.B. 07/23/2002..At the bridge 02/13/2013. Jerry Last edited by Loneforce; 01-02-2013 at 09:20 PM.

01-03-2013, 06:55 AM	#8 (permalink)
Loneforce Knighted Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: PA Posts: 2,359	I am glad you jumped in on this one Terry __________________ Jonas : Red & Black WGSL D.O.B. 01/14/2012 Taz: at the bridge 01/26/2012 Ginger: Belgian Longhaired shepherd D.O.B. 07/23/2002..At the bridge 02/13/2013. Jerry

01-02-2013, 08:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
Magwart Master Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 561	Also, how physically demanding is the service work involved? (E.g., any jumping? pulling heavy objects?) And for how many hours a day will she be doing any physically taxing service work, as opposed to just being good company and doing small tasks? And by "healthy," have they confirmed her hips and elbows are sound, without arthritis?

01-02-2013, 09:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
Suddenly Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 90	Thanks for everyone's concerns and questions. My husband needs for her are to be there with him for balance, he does not fall but finds it hard to walk long distances, and also if he drops something she would be able to pick it up and place it in his hand. He works full time so she would be with me during the days and with him when home from work. When he is working he is sitting during the day. Alittle history there so you have an idea. She is mobility assistant trained, has her canine citizen title as well as her therapy Dog title. She doe not pull and has fabulous breeding, and in great health. So my question is she was born in 2005 and I was wondering if her age should be an issue? Happy Néw Year to All. Any feedback would be great. Many thanks, Susan Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App

01-03-2013, 02:35 AM	#7 (permalink)
SFGSSD Banned Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 255	Seems to be some red flags here. 1. The dogs age 2. Service Dogs that are professionally trained are usually retired when they are no longer working for the person they were teamed with. 3. The dog is also a Therapy Dog? Oh boy... Typical standard procedure form good Service Dog orgs is once the dog can no longer function for it's original disabled partner it is retired and either goes back to the facility that trained them to be rehomed AS A PET or there is a pre-arranged provision in place for what happens to the dog if it can no longer be with it's original partner. In most cases a family member agrees to take continue to care for the dog as a pet. Selling it to someone else as a Service Dog is something that is frowned upon for a lot of reasons. I second what camspack said as well: "You have to question the circumstances around her being offered at this age . Was she someones service dog and she was retired because of some issue , or did her person decline in healthy or even decease?"

01-03-2013, 08:57 AM	#9 (permalink)
Lilie Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 8,937	I'm curious. If the OP is adopting the dog as a PET dog, but would also like to utilize it's ability to assist her husband at night (when he is home from work) as an added benefit to having a PET at home, would there be a problem? I understood the post to read the husband wasn't looking for an official service dog, as in a dog for full time usage, but a dog that could assist while he was at home after work. While still enjoying having a PET at home. I really don't know, I'm asking a question. I've taught my GSD to pick things up for me and hand them to me. Just as something to teach him. He'll also stand still and allow me to 'pretend' to use him for leverage. He isn't a service dog, he just likes to have a job. But wouldn't it be an added benefit if I really needed him to pick something up (say I break my leg, God forbid)? __________________ Hondo Von Dopplet L Bauernhof "Hondo"- GSD Lilie's Tug McGraw "Tug" - Golden Retriever Maggie - Mini Dachshund (Rescue) Lonestar - Texas Blue Lacy Funyon, Ashe, Soot - Barn Cats Scooter /1/2 Arabian, Shadow, Katie / APHA

01-03-2013, 11:11 AM	#10 (permalink)
msvette2u Banned Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Beautiful Pacific NW Posts: 11,005	Our last GSD passed at age 8 due to an FCE (Fibrocartilaginous Embolism), and at that time they found spinal stenosis in him. I would be concerned enough to x-ray an 8 yr. old before attempting to use it as a therapy dog expected to help bear a human's weight, as our dog would often be stiff and (presumably) sore in the mornings and after naps.

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