How do you apply or get a service dog for PTSD?

Question

How do you apply or get a service dog for PTSD?

Answer 1

Find what motivates your dog. Some dogs do anything for food. Some dogs do anything for Toys. Some do anything for a good petting. Some do anything for only one type of food, like cheese, or hotdog. Some only have interest in training for 5 minutes at a time, and others can go for an hour. Figure out what your dog is willing to work for, and then work with her in sessions that are no longer than she can tolerate. How to train your dog properly https://tr.im/nycqQ



Sign up for a dog obedience training class. It will not train your dog. It will give you training on how you can train your dog. Most people understand the idea of training, but there is a right and a wrong way to do it, and there is good and bad technique. Timing and consistency is very important, and it helps to have feedback of someone watching you who can help you improve your technique to get more efficient results with your dog.



However, she may be somewhat anxious around other dogs, sort of like the shy kid on the playground. She will benefit from continuing what you are doing as far as asking her to sit before entering, but there are more things along those lines that will help her to calmly go in and out of the dog park. She may also benefit from going in short bursts, or only when fewer dogs are present, or avoiding times when other dogs that make her nervous are present. Maybe she just plays loud - my brother's dog is this way - or maybe she is a dogpark bully - sorry it is possible. But more likely she is just a little anxious around new dogs and she wants to play but just doesn't quite know how to do that and still feel comfortable. Don't be surprised if your dog does not actually like the dog park, and maybe she would get more enjoyment and less stress out of simply going for a good walk somewhere else.



A wagging tail does not mean that your dog is happy or even comfortable with the situation. It means your dog is emotionally aroused. This could be a happy arousal, or it could be a nervous arousal, or it could be an aggressive arousal. Go youtube it, there are plenty of videos of 'vicious' dogs who are throwing a very aggressive fit of barking and snarling while their tail is wagging vigorously. Even police dogs who are not let off the leash to chase down a suspect can be lunging and barking and snarling, and their tails are still going.

Answer 2

You can't really go get your mom a service dog. It's not like you can buy one off of the shelf. The best way would be to go through a program, but your mom would have to be involved in every step. Does your mom want a service dog? Does she have the ability to care for a service dog? It takes more to care for a service dog than even a pet because they have to always be cleaned and groomed and the training never ends. Even with a program dog, the handler has to continue the training at home.

Answer 3

start here

http://www.assistancedogsinternational.org/



use the search link to find Service Dog programs



apply to programs that seem like a good fit for your husband



take into consideration that the wait lists are very long (2-5 years on average)

and that most agencies expect you to find a way to help cover the cost of training your dog.. either through your own personal investment or through your doing fund-raising activities



Training a Service Dog can cost $10,000 - $50,000 (seeing eye dog training take a very long time & is more expensive)



I am not trying to be discouraging... I am just giving you an idea of what to expect



Remie (my SD) is owner/team trained. Properly certified trainers were involved in evaluation & training. I had extensive dog & horse training but did not trust myself to (1) know enough about SD training as I had never done it (2) be honest if I was faced with washing him out --- his training cost me @ $28,000 spread out over 2002, 2003, & 2004. I am not counting the cost of food or vetting. I am not including the on-going cost of his care or the cost to re-cert regularly (have qualified evaluator determine he is good for public use)... which I am not required to do, but I can assure it because of the hostilities/discrimination we have faced as a SD team it became necessary



one of the HUGE disadvantages to owner-training is that a very small percentage of dogs are "bomb-proof" for the purpose of working in-public..... you can spend all the time in the world, do the right research, buy an immaculately well-bred pup of working service dog stock & things be going wonderfully well when out of the blue between ages 6 months - 18 months something happens & the puppy is no longer "bomb-proof"



if you ever decide to owner-train you must also factor in what you are going to do with the dog if your investment goes down the drain...... do you keep them as a pet? do you re-home them?



I do realize you are not considering owner-training at this time

but that is usually the next thought when people apply to programs (or find programs not open for application at that time) & then find out years wait



since it is usually the next thought... I felt it important to bring this up



One of the better PTSD service dog trainers in the country (who specializes in training support for owner-trained teams) is Marcia Adams of Tinker's Dream

http://petsforpatriots.org/partners/tinkers-dream/



I am not sure if she is still training. She moved her newfie rescue from CO to AK. I use her LinkedIn to contact her