poodlefan

These dogs are posing as accredited assistance dogs. Or more precisely, their owners are representing them as that. They get the same access privileges as guide dogs. I have a problem with people pretending to be something they are not for personal advantage. The fact that they are pretending to have a mental illness makes light of those who have REAL mental health issues. It's cynicism at its worst IMO.

Jacqui I'll try and spell it out for you. There are people who call their dogs "therapy dogs" so they can take them where they want to and avoid the laws that apply to pets. These people don't have a disability. They just want their dogs to go where other pets can't. So they milk a legitimate system for their own personal gain. Their dogs do not serve any theraputic purpose over and above that of any other pet. THEIR DOGS AREN'T GENUINE THERAPY DOGS. They are just pets so why shouldn't they be treated like anyone elses pet? Get it?

Same here. I'm fine with new dogs owned by people I trust too. I can't vote for the second half of the poll as one of my dogs loves to play with most dogs, one with some dogs he knows and the others don't really care.

In my view, the answer is YES. The dog would still be growing during those entire three months. Desexing affects both the ultimate density and length of certain bones.

I have, right on this very forum. And it wasn't a "real" therapy dog IMO, just a dog someone decided they needed and would train for themselves when denied one from legitimate organisations. It defecated inside a major shopping centre..very runny stuff and from memory the owner didn't clean up after it and the centre management had to deal with it. That dog was no more a 'trained therapy dog' than any of mine. Less so probably. A significant proportion of the general public does not want to share space with dogs. That's why most assistance dogs receive training above beyond that of pets. ANY dog that undermines the rights of those with genuine disabilities to have THEIR dogs with them is a problem IMO. The dog in the OP is not 'trained' in any way different to your average pet. Nothing is required by the owner of the dog other than it's physical presence. That dog is nothing more than a canine security blanket that has been legitimized by a certificate from a GP. I'm not talking about dogs that owners have a genuine need for. I'm talking about pets masquerading as therapy dogs for the convenience and pleasure of the owner. So are most other people who have issues with the behaviour in the OP. It would be useful if you could grasp that no-one has issues with the genuine article. By law, an accredited dog must be admitted to such places. The owner's CAN'T shoo one away. A right hard fought and rigorously enforced for people who NEED their dogs with them in such places shouldn't be trivialised for the convenience of a pet owner.

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Jean Donaldson has written some material on issues with long term kennelling. I can't post links from here but will try to get that done in the next day or so. If you search the net for 'jean donaldson' and 'shelter dogs' the links should come up.

They can't be recognised here until the AKC does.

Exactly. While everyone else has to leave theirs at home. This is a pet dog we're talking about here. It has had none of the hygiene and other training service dogs receive. This pet owner can now waltz in to any establishment (including places that serve food) with her dog while all other pet owners are expected to obey the "no dogs allowed" signs. Yet you don't think a person who's 'disability' is the fact she doesn't want to leave her dog at home isn't abusing the system. No kidding. Most of us aren't prepared to have our pets certified to enjoy the same privileges as guide dogs in order to accomplish it though. I wonder if this person has trained her dog that it cannot defecate until commanded to do so. Your issue Jacqui is that you are taking this subject personally. Dogs are a problem for people who are allergic to them, don't like them, or are expected to clean up after them if they behave inappropriately in public places. The law makes an exception for dogs who perform important services for their owners. Most pet owners are happy to respect the difference between their pet and such a dog. Most, but not all. I've seen a case on TV where a mother objected to the fact that her son's 'therapy dog' was not allowed in his classroom. The 'therapy dog' in question was a pet JRT - service performed? Son liked dog. Because they expect the same rights as owners of genuine service dogs but don't have the same reliance on the animals. And because the animals are not trained or certified in any 'assistance' role. The 'harm' is that if the system is abused, those with a genuine requirement for an assistance dog will suffer the consequences. The unfairness of it is that some people are prepared to work a system for their own reasons while everyone else respects it. It angers me the same way that perfectly able bodied people obtaining disability benefits or parking stickers does. The law provides for exceptions for assistance dogs. Seeing those exceptions manipulated and cheapened by pet dog owners doesn't sit well with me when the owner seeminlgy has no genuine requirement to have the dog with them 24.7 If the person who is the subject of this discussion chooses on occastion to leave the dog with others or at home for her own convenience (eg. going to the movies or out with friends) then you really have to question her need to take the dog into 'no dogs allowed' places when it suits her. No one here appears to have issues with therapy dogs gaining access to places (I'd be surprised if they did). What's cheesing some people off is seeing someone using the 'therapy dog' privileges for a pet because it suits them to do so.

Sorry but all pets are 'theraputic'. The crux of the issue, as far as I can concerned, is why some owners need their dogs with them no matter where they go. For me, the answer has to be be something other than "because having Fido with me makes me feel better". If that were the case, we'd all have 'therapy dogs'.

A dog that detects fits is a legitimate 'service dog' IMO and somewhat different to a dog that doesn't 'do' anything for its owner beyond normal pet behaviour.

Sigh.. you hope people don't really do things like this. It's so dishonest, imagine if you unknowingly used a dog like this over your bitch in the hopes of getting a nice dog to keep, you may have problems there and have now bred an issue into your lines. I have heard on more than one occasion that teste issues run through the BITCH line. eg. the sister of a dog with them will probably produce the issue also.

One more thing - what access to large meaty bones does she have?

If the friend's concern about her dog is so great that she cannot bear to be parted from it, it sounds like the dog is the cause of the mental health problem, not the therapy required. Frankly counselling sounds a lot more sensible than enabling an over attachment that's going to end one day for certain. If a dog can be assessed as a 'therapy dog' simply for its ability to breathe, then the person that should be assessing it should have some mental health qualifications, not be a GP. Let's face it, we all love our dogs, most of us can think of a time in which they helped us get through the day but that doesn't necessarily mean they should be able to have carte blanche on where they are taken, particularly without the kind of training that many accredited dogs receive. HarperGD, perhaps you need to stop and think that people aren't criticising you and don't know your friend. No need to take it personally.

Rosettes every time. Fancier, easier to display and well.. prettier.

Personally? Not beyond 8 weeks. Learned that lesson the hard way. If there ain't two in the bag by now, I'd cut my losses.

Happens here too, although to a lesser degree. To me the principle of having your pet called a 'therapy dog' for your convenience is no different to taking a disabled car space because that's convenient to you. Some people need a wake up call.

I'm a big fan of the Blackdog ones. Howie has three They did a limited edition burgundy coloured one for the Whippet National.

In my opinion, "therapy dog" has to be one of the most abused terms around for selfish dog owner's personal reasons. We've seen good examples of it here in the past. Someone's over dependence on their pet cheapens the very real work done by trained dogs for folk who rely on them for a range of reasons. Cheeses me off quite frankly to see access to all areas for such dogs abused by people who just want to take their pets everywhere. The fact that you love your pet and have issues with separation form it should not of it itself entitle you to special treatment. Rant over.

I agree. A lady I know with a blue merle wears a lot of dark green and royal blues and she looks fantastic. I'd not match the lead though.. if going for a paracord lead, I'd go for pewter, or if the dog has a white neck, white.

For a grey toned dog, I'd be looking at dark jewel toned suits - burgundy, royal blue, aubergine, or dark green. Some form of contrast to the dog is required.

Why not train her at home, in your back yard more often. Trick training is one thing that may help. With such smart dogs, exercise alone is not enough. Mind you, my 13 year old toy poodle gets more exercise than your dog.. and I think you'd find that a few good offlead runs a week would make the world of difference. When does she ever get to run? How old are your kids? If you don't work you have the advantage of being able to get to offlead areas when they are very quiet/empty. Any reason you can't take a pram or stroller into the offlead with you as the only occupant.

I think you need your vet to tell you what your dog's skin condition IS before selecting a shampoo.

ANY dog can (or desire to be) be a lap dog as you describe- same as any dog can be trained to NOT jump up/sit on people. Oh - people can also be trained to not pick up dogs /let them jump up . ;) Dogs only 'expect' to sit one someone if they have been previously allowed to . Poodles do want to be with you. You'll never go to the toilet alone again. However they don't have to be ON you. As long as they can be close by most are happy. And yes, the chestnut colour is called red. Personally I like the blacks, browns and whites.

No offence Corvus but the OP probably doesn't have nine months or more to work on this.