I have a hearing dog who is a chi....he is my second. The ADA allows for OTSD.....which is owner trained service dogs. Here is where you run in to probs in some states. Some states, by law, require SD's to be certified...in other words to be through a training program. However, that is contradictory to the ADA and since ADA is federal, it trumps state law. Thankfully, my state of Ky has recently changed the wording of our SD laws and now recognizes OTSD's as legit SD's. Some states may still not and they are ripe for suit, but of course someone has to be effected before a suit can be brought.
That said, not just any dog can make the cut as an SD. I desperately need to retire Pepper, but I can't find the right pup to take over for him. I have tried several pups that show potential, but as they get older you start to see they are not really appropriate for the task. Doesn't mean there is anything wrong with the dog, but it just takes a very special kind of dog to become an SD. The first step I would recommend if you want to train your chi to become an SD, is to enroll in obedience classes and get all the basic obedience down pat. Then, take the good canine test to show that he has passed obedience. These are NOT required, but they come in handy and can also be a good indicator of whether the dog can make it as an SD. Also, study SD access laws...educate yourself so you know what to reasonably expect. Remmy, an SD is a WORKING dog. NOT a pet. They are expected to perform above and beyond the call of duty of any pet. They are permitted public access and therefore should always exhibit top notch behavior. There is a dogster group for service dogs that I encourage you to join and ask questions and learn :-) Marsha Do not tell God how big your storm is. Tell the storm how big your God is. http://taylorstots.tripod.com/ ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 4:36 PM Subject: {Disarmed} [Chihuahuas] Service Dog Training all this talk about service dogs has my husband wondering if Veneno could be trained as well. I suffer from Fibromyalgia, Sleep Apnea, and multiple other issues, and he doesn't like leaving me alone, he feels better now that she is with me at all times, because she is a Godsend, if i start to pass out from my blood pressure, or falling sleep because of the apnea, she is right there, and it is like she senses it, and she can either warn him, or she jumps up on my chest or starts jumping in circles around my ankles, until i sit down, now mind you she has no formal training, but he is wondering what it would take for her to be trained. So I figured i would broach the subject here, and get some input from the most informed people i know of right know. thanks, Heather in Arizona ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars.
