Comments on: Fake service dogs give real ones a bad name — and threaten the rights of people with disabilities

By: Malory Hayes

Malory Hayes — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 12:48:02 +0000

Just to correct you. Grounding DOES qualify a dog to be a SD. The ADA says that the dogs must perform tasks, or WORK, WORK qualifies grounding, alerting, etc.

I have severe Bipolar, PTSD, and OCD, and grounding is Bravo’s main function. He does tasks too, but work is is main job.

By: Ricky

Ricky — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 22:29:07 +0000

Psychiatric disabilities are just as real and probably more prevalent than those with visible disabilities. I see a lot of people posting here who think those in wheelchairs deserve service dogs and this big kick on some professional trainer. Training dogs, especially to your needs, is not rocket science, and many people (especially veterans with PTSD and anxiety issues) do not want to involve 50 people in their condition to get a dog. This is a very personal and private choice, so I am glad the ADA protects my right to self-train my service dog. I happen to have physical issues as well, so I don’t need to divulge any information, but I hate how those with psychiatric service dogs only must carry proof from a doctor on their condition. Many people in the dog training business are crooks and its such a racket. I’m sure people abuse the ADA standards, but people abuse social security, medicare, even disabilities (people get charged with fraud all the time for faking disabilities). Do not punish those of us who do it the right way and train our dogs properly (ourselves or otherwise). Keep the law as it is, if anything, changing it to be more inclusive of psychiatric needs would be needed.

By: Emily Frisbie

Emily Frisbie — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 21:58:07 +0000

I have depression, ptsd, and other psychiatric disabilities and I have trained my dog to help me mitigate them. She starts playing with me when I am crying and brings me tissues. I wouldn’t leave the house if I didn’t have the ability to take her with me. Is she a comfort to me, yes, but that doesn’t make her a comfort dog. She is aware of her suroundings so I can be more relaxed and just watch and feel her through the leash. I don’t live in fear because she is there and I trust her to care for me. She is well behaved and focuses on me and our combined well being. There is a huge shortage of trained service dogs and to place anymore restrictions on that side of the issue would result in fewer dogs helping people not more. Many of those I see here complaining about poorly trained dogs already have theirs while I see and answer questions of disabled veterans every week who’s lives would be improved by a service dog like mine has been.

By: Melissa Duffy

Melissa Duffy — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 18:52:24 +0000

Woops, I forgot to elaborate. It’s not possible for training to “break a dog’s spirit”. Anything that breaks a dog’s spirit is not Training.

By: Melissa Duffy

Melissa Duffy — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 18:51:28 +0000

It’s not possible for training to “break a dog’s spirit”. It’s entirely possible to teach her manners without beating her with a club.

Remember, training is a process. You could change tactics at any time, you could stop and change trainers at any time, and you can decide you do or don’t like the training, trainer, or effect on your dog.

A good trainer will teach her to sit instead of jumping, and she will still be herself, just with her butt on the ground. If it is any reassurance, her tail will still be going crazy and her butt will probably be wiggling.

Picture putting a piece of cheese in front of her nose and asking her to sit, helping her do it, then praising and petting her while she sits floppily. Now find a trainer to help you do that. If you find a trainer that wants to pick her up, spin her in the air, drop her on her back, then sit on her, politely tell them that their style isn’t for you and keep shopping. Better yet, find a trainer with good reviews (ask your vet, ask your friends, check online) then call them and ask what their style is.

By: H. Houlahan

H. Houlahan — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 15:19:47 +0000

Sandy, please do not delay in hiring a trainer for your teenage dog who has proven his or her effectiveness.

You don’t say whether you wish your puppy to act as a service dog for you, to mitigate your MS, or whether you simply want a pet who is a pleasure and not a danger to you and others (and herself).

Either way, NOW is the time to give her the gift of good manners. She’s counting on you to help her become the kind of dog who is welcome places, who has the privilege of being part of your life rather than relegated to a confined existence because no one ever taught her how to behave.

By: Marcy

Marcy — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 21:32:14 +0000

Sandy - I have a disability also, and wanted to comment on what you wrote.

Good obedience training, especially for a large dog, is just good, common sense.

For a large dog not to be under your control at all times is a safety risk factor for you and persons you come in contact with…plus it’s not fair to the dog, who has never been trained on what is unacceptable behavior.

I knew a lady who was blind, and never had her guide dog professionally trained. One day, as she was walking down the street with him, he saw something he wanted to chase…and you guessed it, he took off, she fell, and he dragged her down the street by his leash.

A well-behaved dog will gain the admiration of others, and will interact and respect you even more…which may be even more important as time goes by.

Wishing you all the best!

By: The OTHER Pat

The OTHER Pat — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 17:32:52 +0000

Sandy, this may be a group that would interest you:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OC-Assist-Dogs/

By: Lis

Lis — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:11:42 +0000

Sandy, good training will not “break her spirit” or change her personality; it will simply give her the skills she needs to be a good pet. What you need is a good positive-reinforcement trainer who will work with you and your dog together. If you’re willing to say where you are, someone may be able to make suggestions.

As far as parking in a handicap spot—it sounds like, even if you don’t qualify now, you will in time qualify for a handicap placard or plate. It’s there to be used if you need it, and it’s only sensible and practical to use it if you do. Not at all like passing off a pet as a trained service dog.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 15:29:40 +0000

I have MS, I do everything possible to eat right, exercise, etc. Each year has brought more difficulty and I know that the time will come when it may win. I have a large 10 month old dog that I have worked with and found she is too much for me when she wants to jump, be it another dog or another woman. I want to have her trained with trainer. My concern is that her loving personality will change. While I know she needs more training than I can do, I do not want to “break” her spirit. People tell me to get a certificate on line. I would no more do that than park in a handicap spot. I would appreciate thoughts on this issue from someone who knows dogs.