#assistance animal in training

[assistancedogmischa]

first a brag: i asked mischa to pick something up and give it to me, and he did - i've never taught that behaviour other than him picking up toys when we're playing! he was a little reluctant to give it to me but i'm so proud *wipes away tear*

other update: i'm having surgery at the end of the year (estimate), which is interstate & will require a 2 week stay in the area. very expensive :/ . i'm planning on bringing mischa if i & our trainer think that he can do it - we have 9 months to plan, train & prepare. i'm mostly nervous about the fact that we'll have to catch a plane and a ferry (like, a big cruise ship type ferry, not a little one) and i don't know how he'll go... can't really train for those situations specifically!

my game plan at the moment (haven't consulted my trainer yet, we'll see her in a few weeks):

need a solid LLW & heel

solid sit-stay

solid down-stay

solid settle

desensitise to stairs & escalators (& elevators just in case)

desensitise to being patted down by strangers (for security)

desensitise to public transport (buses, trains & trams)

desensitise to having rolling luggage, trolleys, etc nearby

go to the airport and just practice being there, getting used to the atmosphere and noise (will contact airport and explain)

practice getting gear on and off quickly if we need to do that for security (maybe look into metal-free gear?)

the airport we'll be flying to has an assistance animal relief area, but our local one doesn't... and i don't know about the situation on the ferry... (will ring them) - maybe train to pee & poop in a designated area inside? Also: toilet on command

practice sitting in tight spaces (i.e. the plane seat leg room)

there's a (small) ferry we can practice going on, as the trip is only 20mins one way (and it's free if you don't have a vehicle!)...

tasking in high stress environments/situations (high stress for me and him!)

muzzle training (just in case)

i'm also worried about being not only an AD in training but also owner-trained. i dunno what kind of evidence i'd need, especially as my trainer is a private trainer not an "approved organisation"... and the owner-trainer organisation i planned to apply with once i'd gotten the funds & paperwork together just closed down without warning (probably a red flag anyway lol)

obviously gonna bring all this up with our trainer next time we see her. 9 months is a long time and i think we could feasibly get up to ADiT standard for the trip, but if we don't mischa can stay with my dad. (which would be fine, and great that dad's offered (and for free!) but i'd miss him... and of course he's my AD! i need him!)

[beranibear]

This is my son Schlooboo

(He stole Cavs vest)

[vaugarde]

okay so as a gen 5 stan who does adore the story in bw and bw2, and now that gen 5 has experienced both a vicious hatedom that wouldnt hear a single positive thing about the games, and now a super protective fandom that insists they were perfect and had zero flaws... can we admit now that the bw1 story at least was. a little mid.

[hauntingblue]

Them doing a photo lineup of the mugis for the battle and when it's Robin's turn she just turns and does a blue eyed stare at the camera 😭😭

Look at her 😭😭

[spoonful116]

There are 3 main types of assistive animals: therapy animals, service dogs, and emotional support animals. I'm taking a look at each type and some of the similarities and differences

[gildedmuse]

Zoro: There are a lot of animals on this island, it will be a good place to practice.

- One Piece Odyssey

Not every animal uses swords, Zoro.

You've just been really spoiled.

Man, are you in for some disappointment.

[amongthefur]

So many people that work with animals are idealistic. They see dogs as something you can train into whatever you want regardless of their personality. And they see death as the worst thing that can happen to an animal. I have seen the finger pointing and rage at someone being unable or unwilling to keep an animal with severe behavior issues and it doesn't help anyone. People deserve to be safe in their homes and in public. And having a pet is supposed to be enjoyable, not a liabability. It's okay that not every dog is suitable for a home. Putting dangerous dogs into pet homes just makes people hate certain breeds and hate shelters. Many people with easy dogs simply got lucky that their dog fit into their life as smoothly as it did.

[veiledfox]

} There really is something to good music making things memorable

[petdogs]

What is the best way to help dogs who are afraid of strangers?

Certain dogs have a severe dread of strangers. Any unfamiliar individual they encounter causes them to shrink, shake, and attempt to hide. Even though it's common for dogs to be wary of strangers, the best course of action is to greet them with open kindness rather than by hiding or taking off. It's an excellent move to learn the causes of your dog's extreme fear of strangers so you can assist it in overcoming its phobia. Read More...

[mothbeasts]

saw a take on here that made me so mad so ermm. i am complaining about it on tumblr dot com i guess.

someone not liking that computer generated images are being called art does not mean they. checks notes. hate disabled people?????

[nihilight]

so proud of mina. this lady was having a rotten day, & i said, 'well it looks like we picked a perfect day to visit. do you want mina to lay up with you?' 'yes...' she said, tearfully. so, all i had to prompt/treat mina to do was JUMP in the chair--once up, i didn't even cue "rest" for DPT. she just found a comfy spot & settled in... & stayed for about 20 mins while i let my resident get out all her woes. 💜💜💜

[gudaho]

tumblr users winning the "intentionally missing the point of a post to get mad about something else" competition

i do think youre an attention whore if you bring your dog everywhere in public

[ennieasys]

oh my god i forgot to tell yall we are almost definitely getting a service dog!!!!!!! its more a matter of when (bc we're outragously busy rn) but omggggggggggg

[stemroses]

Dogs shouldn’t be allowed in the airport

[universalinfo]

Enhanced Veterinary Assistant Training: Leveraging Technology

Discover how technology enhances veterinary assistant training & animal health education. Elevate skills for a rewarding career in animal care.

[chitaqua-toast]

We’re having a rough day here, today.

Dog-in-law (The Boi & hir partner’s dog) is upstairs with us. To avoid further issues (they’re still in the introducing phase as he’s hyper & has anxiety) he’s staying in a crate up here. To get HIM into the crate, we had Tink & Kaiju (Kaiju knows dog in law very well) closed up in my room with me.

When I used command to sit-stay and opened the door to my bedroom, Tink body-slammed me into the door trying - and eventually succeeding - to get out ahead of me by pushing me aside & squeezing between me and the worktop counters.

She and Kaiju (who failed by following) were taken BACK to the room, closed in, and run through sit-stay while I leave & come back multiple times.

Once released, they of course swarmed the crate. Redirected to go outside, they’re now both settled and asleep.

Not me. I’m shaking from the adrenaline of almost falling, the muscle lockup of trying (failing) to restrain an animal that’s rushed hard enough to knock me sideways, and the panic of the whole situation.

I’ll have to medicate doubly today, as I can already feel the warning markers of a seizure going down my shoulder and neck. I can hardly stand up to care for myself because my legs are so shaky.

This is what ambulatory disability looks like when you’re training your own service animals. We have awesome days where Tink just GETS IT immediately and is vocal in how much joy it gives her that she got it right. And we have days where we take damage - physical, psychological, mental, emotional - and have to struggle to keep upright.

Editing to add pics of Tink