Selecting & Training Assistance Dogs

[Bisart Dobes]

Need a little help, we have a puppy going to a family in Tassie from our next litter who want to have their dog trained to assist their elderly mother.

This shouldn't be an issue re breed as there are a few Dobie assistant dogs that I know of here in Vic and I have 2 dogs that know multiple objects and tasks without any real training (ie bringing the phone when its ringing etc etc)

I was hoping someone can help with contacts for any assitance dog training associations/companies in Tassie for them to contact and work with.

Also I was hoping to be able to contact someone who works with assitance dogs and/or company in Vic who I can talk to about specific temperament tests / selection traits required for a puppy to be really successful for them.

Thanks.

[Aidan]

I know accredited trainers who would be competent in training these sorts of behaviours (and who evaluate and train dogs for pet assisted therapy, which is similar). I don't know of any organisations down here who are specifically working in the field of service dogs though (other than Guide Dogs). North or South?

[Baby Dragon]

I know an Assistance Dog organisation Rep in Vic who can do puppy temperament tests. Feel free to PM me if you'd like details

Edited June 7, 2010 by Baby Dragon

[Bisart Dobes]

I know accredited trainers who would be competent in training these sorts of behaviours (and who evaluate and train dogs for pet assisted therapy, which is similar). I don't know of any organisations down here who are specifically working in the field of service dogs though (other than Guide Dogs). North or South?

That would be great - PM me if you prefer. They are south, not sure how far they would travel.

[Prydenjoy]

How old are the pups? There are early neurological stimulation exercises that can help dogs adapt better to things when they are older, that you can perform on puppies I think up to 5 weeks old. Search on youtube (I'm over my download this month so can't do the search).

Also, Hans, who runs this organisation is very helpful and may be able to point you in the right direction.

Early socialisation is critical, as soon as you are able to carry the puppy to busy places like shopping centres. I've done this with many of my puppies, Mango came everywhere with me in my handbag until she was at least 3 months old. Now nothing will phase her. Just remember that this puppy is going to have to deal with a lot of "stuff" as it gets older, loud noises, crowded places, strange items like umbrella's etc. You can start socialising with these things at about 6 weeks old, before the pup even goes to its new home, and stress the importance of socialisation once it does go to its new home, particularly up until about 16 weeks.

[Bisart Dobes]

How old are the pups? There are early neurological stimulation exercises that can help dogs adapt better to things when they are older, that you can perform on puppies I think up to 5 weeks old. Search on youtube (I'm over my download this month so can't do the search).

Also, Hans, who runs this organisation is very helpful and may be able to point you in the right direction.

Early socialisation is critical, as soon as you are able to carry the puppy to busy places like shopping centres. I've done this with many of my puppies, Mango came everywhere with me in my handbag until she was at least 3 months old. Now nothing will phase her. Just remember that this puppy is going to have to deal with a lot of "stuff" as it gets older, loud noises, crowded places, strange items like umbrella's etc. You can start socialising with these things at about 6 weeks old, before the pup even goes to its new home, and stress the importance of socialisation once it does go to its new home, particularly up until about 16 weeks.

Hi & thanks,

This is for a future litter as we don't have enough girls in this one to place with all our waitee's :rolleyes:. We do the 'creating super dogs' neurological stimulation with all our pups - so they have been getting that from day one. On property socialisation with other people starts as soon as they have all those senses developed and off property socialisation starts at 4 weeks (carried) and 6 weeks (safely as possible on their own pack steam ) and we run our own puppy class for baby obedience and socialisation from 8 to 16 weeks for those that can get there (with other breeds if we can get them as well) - as we are in Vic they won't be able to come to it but they have had dobes before and have trained with clubs etc so I am sure finding local baby classes and then normal obedience classes won't be an issue.

I am more interested in locating someone that can train them and the dog in assistance tasks and for myself - learning the temperament requirements for such a job. I assume all the normal fetch - play drives apply but want to be certain.

Thanks for the contact - doing a search for service dog training didn't bring up this company interestingly.

Thanks again,

BD

[Prydenjoy]

You sound like a great breeder, I wish there were many more out there like you! :rolleyes: