The stylish Service dog... and all his stuff.

Let's talk equipment. I use a basic leather collar which is left on at all times to hold his microchip tag and ID tag.  I currently have Sherman in a basic web harness that can be purchased at any pet store.  I use red for ease of identification.  I find it works well for training and doesn't brake the bank as he out grows them.  I sew a couple of" service dog in training patches" on to make people feel better (purchased on line cheap).  As he out grows the harnesses, I pull the patches, clean the harness and put it away until it's needed for the next dog. I use a 2 ft. lead with a loop handle for the second part of his harness.  I clip the end to his training collar ( I use a prong collar) and I use an industrial quick clip (found at local hardware stores) to attach the loop handle to the back of the harness.

This gives me a pull point which puts the pressure on the harness and not his neck while still giving me control of his training collar.  It also allows me to have a short lead that is easy to clip to carts or other things I need him attached to for a moment.  (like my crutches) I will post a picture as soon as I have one.  I also use the loop attachment as a secure point to run a seat belt through to keep Sherman secure in the car.  It works on the same principle as the expensive straps for a fraction of the cost.

harness (red) - $12-$20
leash  -                    $10
prong collar -          $10
Quick clip  -              $2
regular collar -          $8
total cost about  - $50

Expect to have future cost for harness replacement about three times before complete growth,  for a large/giant dog.  It will be less for smaller dogs.  Please note this does not take into account if your dog eats the leash or harness for afternoon snack. 

After Sherman reaches full size or is within a couple of months of it I will order a leather aggression harness from on line.  I found a site that sells police harnesses for about $90 and they are extremely well built.  I have used it for three different large dogs and they are still going great after four years of every day pulling, working, rain or shine.  A little leather oil keeps them in great shape and the dogs are very comfortable. 

I always keep at least two dog beds available (always under $20 because I love sales), one for the bedroom and one for travel if going long distance.  I find Sherman travels better if he is comfortable and it's not big deal to pack around the dog bed.  I also have a crate for him which is set up as his safe space.  He often will go in there just to have quiet.  Everyone knows to leave him alone when he is in his "room".  I find this allows him to be off duty and all the dogs often crawl in together to rest.

Another piece of equipment I use is dog shoes.  This might sound silly to some but once your dogs pads have been burnt off from the asphalt  or torn up from the ice and salt, you will be a believer.  It is funny to watch them high step the first time they wear them.  I use them through out the summer if we are going to be outside for more than a few minutes. The heat here makes the concrete hot enough to cook on (really) and I need my dog working not burning his feet.

 I use packs for my dogs and I have purchased many kinds and brands.  I am a firm fan of Ruffwear.  It is the best product for the money and comes in great sizes.  I have never had any problems with their gear. I use baby shampoo to wash my crazy muddy mutt and have a good quality set of nail clippers and hair brush.  I have two travel bowls for food and water and spend the money to keep him in stuffies from the thrift store and nyla bones from the pet store.

I must say I am in love with one of the sets of packs/vest I saw the other day.  It was in Amy desert camo with the veterans rank on it.  It had the dogs name and the service patches on it and shouted, Proud to be a vet.  I want to make or purchase one for the navy.  I just loved how it said.. Yes I am a working dog and I am making a veterans life better.

Other than food and water, that is about all the equipment I need.  Everyone has their own needs and should be sure to have the right equipment for them and their dog.  I have learned to keep a bottle of water in the car, dog clean up bags in my purse and a blanket in the back of the car for him to have a place to rest if the ground is cold.

Bladder Control!

Rule 1: A service dog is a living creature
He just can't seem to get past 6:00 am before he must be let out!  Sherman has no respect for sleeping in on the weekend.  If his regular "talking" won't move me, he is prone to start "petting" me to get me moving.  I have to get out of bed and out of the house for at least 10 minutes first thing in the morning.  It helps to keep me from hiding all day under the covers.  

I have been working with Sherman since I adopted him in March of last year.  He started going out in public with me at the age of four months to begin his public training.  I would only kept him out for an hour at a time initially to prevent over stimulation.  In the beginning it was just funny because he was still such a fluff ball and the girls in my college classes loved him.  He would nap under my desk while we were in class for the most part.  I do recall the day I was attempting to give a presentation.  He was sound asleep under my desk, which allowed me to go up and start, a few minutes went by and he woke up.  He discovered quickly I wasn't where he had left me and went on the search.  He followed my voice all the way to the front of the class, where he proceeded to help me give my presentation!  Fortunately, even my professor was in love with him and understood he was just a puppy.  Now at a year old, he has learned to stay quiet and invisible when we are out in public.

OTSD's require determination, dedication, stubbornness and a sense of humor.  I have had to learn to be stoic and calm in some awkward situations.  The first and last time my dog defecated in the wrong place, I felt like crawling under a rock.  I didn't have a thing with me to clean up the mess (boy did I make sure that was never an issue again).  So here I am on crutches, a dog who is confused and trying to figure out what I need because he is alerting on my stress and I'm trying to find clean up stuff. all while in the mall!  My dog was house broke but I forgot the living creature rule and didn't get her out of the building in time.   Even the best trained dog can only wait so long!!

I have learned so much about paying attention to the needs of my dogs over the past few years.  It has made both of our lives much less stressful!

Welcome to the world of Service

Hello,  my name is Friday and I have the privilege of having a service dog.  My current partner is Sherman.  A one year old shepard/mix.  He currently weights in at 75 lbs and is growing and learning every day.  I have had a service dog for the past four years.  I have chosen to do owner-training, to keep my costs low and to ensure I have a dog as quickly as possible.  I am a strong advocate of owner-trained services dogs (OTSD) for many forms of needs.  There is research proving the positive effects of using dogs for mental illness and for physical aliments.  I will share research in the future. 

As a person who lives not only with physical disabilities but mental illness as well, I have found my world to open up through having Sherman in my world.  My vision is to share my experiences as I work towards creating an organization in which persons who need service dogs can get them in a more efficient and time saving fashion.  I will also be writing about what life is like living with a dog 24/7.  I hope you find this to be educational and inspiring.

Until next time.  Live with purpose.