caninegoverness

[caninegoverness]

Moving things around

Hey there, followers. I wanted to let everyone know that while Billie and I have been here on Tumbler for a long time, we’ll be moving the blog over to my website (https://www.caninegoverness.com/). I’m sure this will be a somewhat slow process, and my more personal posts and memories will be moving to my personal blog (https://partlycloudyblog.tumblr.com/). So feel free to post training questions here or on the website, scroll through my 7 years of posts (OMG, I feel old right now), and/or head on over to my personal blog. But I just wanted to let my followers know that things will be changing a bit. Thanks again for following me!

[caninegoverness]

To start off my weekly Q&A and advise blog post, I thought I’d start with a question that I get a lot. It’s one that relates closely to my weekly dog fact #DBFweeklyfact (https://www.facebook.com/CanineGoverness). What does a service dog do? Well, this can be answered by first telling you that there are 8 different types of service dog (SD) in North America, as well as those with mixed jobs.

One type of SD is the Autism SD. This is part of what Billie does for me. Generally speaking, these dogs work with autistic children and adults who have a difficult time in public settings. Sometimes, they help their handler (and maybe their handler’s aid or parent) to stay calm during a walk, or something similar. They can also help their handler avoid sensory overload or reground after a minor panic attack caused by sensory overload. Or they can help their handler interact with the neurotypical world.

Another type of SD is the Hearing Dog. These SDs help their deaf or hard-of-hearing handlers respond to all sorts of sounds from the doorbell to the fire or smoke alarm. They can also help their handlers by alerting them to the sound of an ambulance coming up the street, or let them know that there is somebody behind them who is trying to get their attention.

Then there’s the Alert Dog. These SDs alert their diabetic handlers to the smell of blood glucose levels falling beyond a certain level. These are also the SDs who are being trained to alert to other illnesses that involve things like changing hormone levels.

A similar type of service dog is the Seizure Response SD. These dogs are trained to alert other people when their epileptic handler is having a seizure. Or they can be trained to get help when their handler is unable to get to a safe place.

Similarly, Allergy Detection SDs are trained to let their handler know when there’s a specific allergen in the food or environment that could cause serious harm them because of their allergy. Unfortunately, I don’t know very much about the specifics of this type of SD. But I do know that they do some pretty great work.

Mobility Assistance Dogs are another great type of SD. These guys help their physically disabled handlers move around in the world. Some of these SDs are trained to help pull their handler’s wheelchair, or they can help stabilize their handler while sitting or standing, or they can help their handler with other balance issues. These dogs are also often trained to help their handler pick up dropped items, open doors, and press buttons that would otherwise be out of reach.

Another type is the Psychiatric SD, also known as a PTSD SD. These amazing dogs are similar to the Autism SD in that they help their handler stay calm or reground after something triggers panic. And before you ask why the military has their own type of SD, they don’t. Psychiatric disorders and PTSD don’t just happen in the military. Like most other things in life, the cause of a person’s disability is unique to their own situation.

To get back on topic, there’s the Guide Dog. A guide dog is an SD who helps to guide their blind or visually impaired handler through the world. Similar to hearing dogs, these highly trained dogs alert their handlers to visuals that may otherwise be dangerous. Most guide dogs are also trained to do something called intelligent disobedience (Billie also does this if I have a panic attack). This is when the dog will ignore their handler’s “Forward” command at a cross walk in order to prevent an accident, or they may refuse to turn when they see a potential threat that their blind handler doesn’t.

And finally, another question that I get a lot, what does Billie do for you? Well, I have several disabilities that are interwoven. The first is Asperger’s Syndrome, commonly known as a high functioning form of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). For this, Billie helps me stay calm in social situations. I also have GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) and Catamenial Epilepsy. For these, Billie knows most of my anxiety triggers and she helps me avoid or adapt to these. This in turn, helps to prevent my hormones from getting too far out of control, which could trigger a seizure. When I do have a seizure, Billie is also trained to get help if it’s needed and help me recover from the side effects that my seizures cause. In ‘short’ her specific task is “tactile stimulation for the disruption of sensory and/or emotional overload”. This means that despite my ‘not looking disabled’ Billie is a real service dog, and damn gorgeous one too!

[caninegoverness]

Officially Trying

As a lot of people will know already, I am high-functioning autistic (Asperger’s Syndrome) and epileptic. I recently started the process of getting legal diagnoses for both of these disabilities in order to work towards proper accommodations in college and in the workforce. However, this has not made things drastically less challenging. Though it has opened some doors and changed my perspective in ways I could never have predicted a decade ago.

What does this have to do with dog training or dog walking? More than you’d think. Most people seem to think something along the lines of “A disability and a service dog would make it easier to be a dog trainer because you know exactly what to do? But I don’t need a trainer.” Or something like “But you can’t train dogs. You need a service dog to get through the day.” And then there’s all the ‘requirements’ and certifications that most dog owners seem to think are necessary for training dogs. None of these certifications are required by law and all of the organizations that give them make it next to impossible to meet the ‘requirements’ necessary for becoming certified. It’s challenging for able-bodied people.

So, as you can see, I’m trying. I’m not planning to stop trying. But this is what gave me the idea that I should start calling myself an UCDTG (UnCertified Dog Training Genius) and simply start a podcast to go along with my blog. I already ask people to please send me questions. I offer Zoom appointments for digital dog training sessions (caninegoverness.com/rates-services). And I’m now actively looking for a potential podcast partner/aid to help me start an advise blog and find sponsors to fund it. Goddess knows there’s tons out there.

If you do have any questions or comments, please DM me here or on twitter (@Dogs_BestFriend), contact me through the comments page on my site (caninegoverness.com/contact), or email me (cloudgr.caninegoverness@gmail.com). I’ll do my very best to answer and/or blog about everything I get. Thank you.

[caninegoverness]

Product Reviews and Such

Hi all! It’s been far too long since I posted something on the blog. So I thought, seeing as a lot of us are stuck inside with extra time, I’d review some SD (Service Dog) and dog training products. One at a time, of course. I would also like to ask my fellow SD handlers and trainers to help me out with by reviewing some of the products that they use. Here we go!

River Dog Gear Pull Strap

A couple of years ago I bought Billie a replacement pull strap handle for her SD vest, from the same creator (Rebecca of riverdoggear.etsy.com). The original pull strap that I bought with her vest was an 18-inch “Silky Pull Strap Handle Semi-Rigid” in black. But this turned out to be a bit too short for my needs. So I ordered the same one in the 22-inch length.

I should explain that when choosing the proper gear for your dog, both your height and your dog’s height are important factors. I’m 5’5” (65in/165cm) and Billie is 1’9” (21in/53cm) at the shoulder. So the distance between my closed fist and Billie’s back turned out to be roughly 22 inches in standing position. Either way, this pull strap has turned out to be perfect for us. Rebecca has outdone herself here. If I need any more SD gear, I’ll be checking out River Dog Gear first.

#ProductReview

[caninegoverness]

Here we go world!!!

Hello fellow dog lovers! It’s been a crazy few weeks for Billie and me. But we’re almost to goal number 1. I’ve been working with a few new dogs, with good results, and my calendar is starting to fill up. But I’m still working towards my CCPDT-KA certification, no worries there. Hopefully 2020 will be the year for that. Dog’s Best Friend is definitely seeing success in all areas! So thank you to everyone who has supported me these past years. You’ve helped me more than you know.

And just for an extra dash of adorable...

[caninegoverness]

There may be science behind it now. But as good as this article is, I’ve been saying this for a long time. The article is still worth reading though. Actually, I really enjoyed it.

[caninegoverness]

I’ve always loved a good podcast. But this one in particular is a very interesting one. This TED Radio Hour episode explains a lot about emotions, communication, pack mentality, etc etc etc… If you’re even slightly interested in psychology or natural science or social science, take a listen.

[caninegoverness]

A waaaay overdue update… or 6…

Oop! So it looks like June was even crazier than I thought. It looks like I forgot to update tumblr when I updated all my other social media about Billie’s recovery. So here’s an update on the updates.

June 21: Hi everyone! Billie’s final check-up was yesterday afternoon and it went fabulously! She has officially completed her 6-8 week initial recovery. She will still have to take it easy for about 6 more months at a minimum. But she’s back to more or less regular activity. She’s done so well! I just want to make sure that I thank everyone again for all your help in getting my girl back on her feet. Thank you thank you thank you!

June 3: Exciting news! Billie started walking on her (re)new leg over the weekend! She now uses it regularly, when we walk slowly. So assuming everything keeps progressing this way, it looks like we’ll be able to restart our regular routine again next week! I’ll keep everyone posted. But please send us your positive energy.

May 31: Oops! It’s been too long since my last update. So here it is. Billie is doing great. She started standing on her right leg last weekend. And she’s now starting to take a few steps with it when we’re walking slowly. She thinks she can jump around a lot. But I still have to tell her to wait a bit for that. If everything keeps going at this pace, she should be on all fours in a week or two. Here’s hoping!

May 16: Hi again everyone. Sorry for the update delay. Billie’s starting to stand on all fours again! But there’s not a ton going on otherwise. For a full update, please check out the blog at caninegoverness.tumblr.com. Thanks again everyone!

May 9: Today we went to the vet to have Billie’s stitches removed. But it turns out that she removed them all on her own! Luckily, she waited just long enough and the incision healed well. Now we gradually re-enter society for the next 6 weeks. Then recovery is done!

So as of today, July 4th, Billie is back to relative normalcy. She’s walking on all fours, jumping up onto the bed, and even giving the occasional two-legged hug. She’s still a little slow on stairs and does limp a bit after a long day. But that’s completely normal for the first 6 months after TPLO surgery. And let’s face it, I limp after a long day too.

As Shakespeare put it, “Though she be little, she is fierce.” My fabulous dogger sidekick isn’t gonna let anyone or anything slow her down!

[caninegoverness]

May 16th Update

Hi again, everyone. Sorry for the update delay. Billie and I have been taking it pretty easy lately. But we’re getting back out there a bit and Billie’s starting to stand on all fours again. If everything goes according to plan, we’ll be training/walking clients right after we answer the call to jury duty in early June.

Today marks the beginning of recovery week 3 (of 6-8), and the 5th anniversary of Xander’s death. For anyone who didn’t know him, Xander was my first service dog who died in 2014 from Congestive Heart Failure at 15 years old. He would have given Billie a run for her money! But then he was a Shiba Inu. Billie also really loves her job.

[caninegoverness]

Weekly Dog Fact

The top 5 hairiest dog breeds are the Komondor, Afghan Hound, Lhasa Apso, Keeshond, and Tibetan mastiff. #DBFweeklyfact

[caninegoverness]

Weekly Review

The TropiClean Deep Cleaning Deodorizing Wipes aren’t necessarily the best wipes out there. But they’re pretty close. I first used them during Billie’s surgery recovery. But they’ve also been a big help for doggy clients, including the drool cleanups. #DBFweeklyreview

https://www.chewy.com/tropiclean-deep-cleaning-deodorizing/dp/128836

[caninegoverness]

Why do I train dogs? Why do I want to specialize in service dog training? See above

[caninegoverness]

Update time… again

Billie is doing great! She let me do a whole set of ROM therapy exercises with her. She went down the stairs on her own. She’s even starting to use her bad leg again! We’ll see her vet next week and I’ll post another update after that.

[caninegoverness]

Update! Update!

Just wanted to put together a quick update for everyone. Billie has her TPLO (tibial-plateau-leveling osteotomy) surgery on Thursday. It was quite an adventure. She hasn’t told me about her experience. But something tells me she won’t talk abut it.

The first night, and day, was very rough. Friday was a bit better. But anyone prepping their dog for surgery, be warned that incontinence and constipation should be expected. She’s also on three different medications (antibiotic, anti inflammatory, and pain killer). So there’s side effects there too.

That said, Billie is doing fantastically well. I’m just hoping that the next seven and a half weeks go by quickly. And that the shaved spots grow back soon. I just love my girl so much.

[caninegoverness]

On April 11, 2019 my best friend and service dog Billie tore her right ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) while playing with her best friend, Friday. This means that she can’t use her right knee and has to put all her weight on her left leg. Unfortunately, this makes it difficult for her to do her job of alerting and stabilizing me.

Luckily, the vet gave her Rimadyl and found a surgery (tightrope stabilization) that will fix her up fast. The only problem is that I can’t afford the more than $5,000 bill that this will incur. So Billie and I are asking for a little help to get us back to work.

[caninegoverness]

There’s real science behind our connection. Even TED talks about it (pun intended).

[caninegoverness]

OMG! Soooooo cute!

🐾 ‘scuse me… lemme 🐾 just… squ 🐾 eeze in here for…

🐶 NATIONAL PUPPY DAY 🐶

celebrate the weekend with your og bff.

#happytails