Monday, August 10, 2009
It sucks to be a service dog! Or does it?
I often get asked if lucy ever gets to be a normal dog or people with very sad looks on their faces will say "poor dog has be dragged around everywhere with you." This sometimes upsets me but then I realize people just don't know what being a service dog is like. Lucy LOVES her job. When I say "its time to go" lucy runs as fast as possible to the door and waits for me to put her vest on. I guarantee she would rather be walking around, seeing new things, meeting new people and being with her favorite person in the world(me) then stuck in a crate or home alone for 9 hours a day. And the scent work? Its like a game to her. She's constantly checking me to see if she gets to tell me something that will make me super happy and will earn her a treat. I make sure that no matter how frustrated I am that I'm still low or high I never act upset but that would make lucy like her alerting upset me and she'd be less inclined to alert again later. If I make shopping, going to school/work etc fun for her by letting her do tricks or rewarding her for her good behavior she will look forward to the next time she gets to go out. If I was constantly yanking her around or getting frustrated with her when we were out in public then going out would not be something she'd ever want to do. Being a service dog might be more stressful but lucy gets to use her mind constantly and I make sure she gets plenty of play time and lots of exercise everyday. When we are at home lucy is out of her vest and gets to play with her toys and interact with whoever is at my house as much as she wants while still being aware of my blood sugars. By making everything fun and games lucy is a happy, energetic, well adjusted dog. Its all in how you train.
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2 comments:
Bailey LOVES to get her pack on and go. She enjoys watching people out the window of the car. The thing that I get most frustrated about in stores is when people ask me "Why does she look so sad?" They tend to think that a focused dog is sad looking, because it isn't wagging it's tail and wanting to play! I have been asked why her tail is "tucked" to her body! Because she has learned that it can get hurt otherwise!!! And I don't believe she looks sad, I think she is relaxed and comfortable and just waiting until we "go". I can't imagine her NOT going with me, and frankly the thought is scary. She saves my life by being with me every single day!
Greetings from South Africa!
Found your blog so inspiring.
I live in South Afrca and has been unable to locate anybody locally that could assist us in obtaining / training a diabetic alert dog. I have an elderly father with type 1 diabetics. He has been a diabetic since age 11 and is now in his sixties. He is generally healthy but as he is growing older, we are increasingly concerned about incidences of hypoglycaemia.
I would appreciate any help or advice.
If you perhaps know of someone who can assist in in South Africa, I would very much like to hear form you.
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