my future big dog...which breed (corso, am-bull, great dane)

[wolftracks]

Quote:
If you pm me your price range I can find some for you that won't break your pocketbook.

 

[dainerra]

shoot,I KNEW exactly what breed I wanted and it still took 3 years to get my dog. Spent that time interviewing breeders and then waiting for the exact dog that I wanted and that would be a good fit.

 

[watchdogps]

Quote:
It takes a special person to be successful with an LGD for service work, and I have turned down quite a few requests from people who wanted my pups for service dogs. Not because I didnt think my dogs were suitable, but because I didnt think the people "got" the breed enough to utilize them.
ASDs are independant, but not isolationists. They are wonderful, clean, calm house dogs. They like to be in the same room with you, or at least know where you are, but they dont need to be on your lap. They consider their people an extension of their flock (or their whole flock if you dont have livestock). I had one girl returned to me when she was 18 mos old (owner developed health probs that did not allow her to care for the dog properly). She had never been with kids, but she seemed to like them. Placed her ina home with a 5 yr old and an 18 mos old. W/in 2 weeks, she refused to go to bed (in parent room) without being allowed into each of the kids rooms to check on them.

I have another one that was not placed as a SD, but she does alert to her mom's diabetes. Not usually an issue, but when mom was preg, she had some probs, and the dog would fuss and try to make her lay down. My foundation grump may have saved my life by pestering me awake when I took the wrong meds - had a migraine and took the wrong bottle. She pawed and whined at me for 4 hrs, while I desperately tried to sleep. She NEVER behaved that way any other time. Thats what i mean by they are very intuitive.

Successful training MUST be positive and motivation based. Not too far from hyena training, really, LOL! They do understand and abide by a stern no for doing something wrong, but it has no place in teaching tasks or even manners apart from dont eat the house.

PM me your contact info, or email or call me (contact info is on my webpage) and I can give more specific info

 

[FireTigeris]

Southeastern Guide does 'career change' dogs that can end up any other type of service, from scent dog (drug, bomb, cadaver) to alert dog (hearing, medication, seizure, search and rescue), and even mobility dogs (balance, pull, retrieve, locate).

Having been a puppy raiser (Lab) I would not suggest being the only trainer for the service dog.

Also remember to check out the law change (ADA) for service animals, two physical task (medial alert and retrieve, or balance and seizure alert would work or all of that)- companion animals are no longer covered.

So why are Retrievers, Labs, and Standard Poodles -not- listed- or did I forget them?

-Oh and 'causing a disruption' (ADA exception to rule permitting public access to dog) and be used versus a bully bread in some places as the idiots will assume its a 'personal protection' dog and not a 'medical service dog' and its a huge hassle (and in the end they would lose but in the meantime your mobility/health would be affected)

 

[bagendhens]

personality wise i just dont mesh with labs and goldens, i think there nice looking but there not for me...
i love standards but the grooming is just too much for me at this time, i spend alot of time every week on the grooming of my cresties, adding another labor intensive breed to the list just wouldnt work...
id never have time to do anything else and since im trying to put together a small homestead with small livestock to tend...the upkeep on a poodles coat (even in a puppy or kennel clip) is just a little too muhc on the plate...not to mention my back wouldnt like the extra grooming time and funds wouldnt permit for the cost of someone doing it for me (especially when i am very capable of doing it myself, i have groomed poodles for the show ring before lol)

i do want a visual deterant because im a young woman living alone in what is almost pratically the middle of nowhere...i can protect myself, but a dog who "looks" the part to deter a certain type is a nice added bonus...

im not worried about public acess, im highly agoraphobic and rarely leave my property and when i do it tends to be very early in the day or very late at night...(it has its good and bad moments lol)
not to meniton in most places if its not a lab or a golden they give you issues anyway (at least in my experience around here) so in not worried about having a dog that "doesnt look like" a service dog because that is always open to interpritation...(i was actually told at one point when with a service dog team (some friends of mine) that "ONLY German shepherds, labs and goldens can be service dogs" that was a fun hour as she fought for acess rights and i fought the desire to run away in a panic lol.
i do plan on vesting and clearly marking my dog (even though its not required by law) should we actually become a service dog team to avoid some of the conflict, but i think anyone with a service dog should expect acess issues is there using something other than a commonly recognized service breed)
right now though a helpng hand around the house, visual deterant and companion is the main goal, if the dog turns into a good service candidate its just a huge bonus.

 

[FireTigeris]

Quote:
OK, thanks-

I'm considering a black greyhound as a visual (as they are inside dogs) its amazing how much the dobies and GH look. My GH is great with kids, poms, pet rats, cockatiels, doves, ducks and cats. (not rabbits and startled chickens, calm chickens yes, startle chickens no)

 

[watchdogps]

Quote:
If you plan on SD training, you will have to do a good bit of training in public for that public access, so keep that in mind. If it's too hard, you might need someone to help by simply taking the dog in public and doing some of that public training for you. Need not be the tasks, just "don't beg in the mall food court" and axposure to things like automatic doors, sewer grates etc. I started the pup I sent out to the lady with MS by taking him all over and simply teaching him public manners.
Be sure you are familiar with the ADA laws and regulations, and what can be required of you etc. Sounds like you are pretty aware of a lot of that already.

This is Tre at the county courthouse

 

[bagendhens]

he is beautiful!

i like greyhounds but i think it seems to be pretty hit or miss as to wether your gonna get a cat chaser
for every one ive met thats amazing, theres one that chomps on kitties, and i apreciate their instinct too much to try and change that

definatly intimidating looking though if you dont know that they are couch potatoes lol.


watch, you are absolutly right reguarding the public acess side of things which is quite honeslty the only part of the training im tentitive about.

i have found a wonderfull trainer fairly local to my new home whos experienced with service dogs whos going to help me with the early soclization and public acess desensitivaztion, i feel quite comfortable with her and shes familiar with PTS, agoraphobia and social phobias as a whole (and her hubby is a physchiatrist lol) so she feels quite comfortable holding my hand and taking me various places that wouldnt be too overwhelming for me at first but that would be great for teaching puppy, and we'll work up to places like walmart during normal shopping hours, grocery store ect...

 

[SillyChicken]

I currently have 4 Cane Corso, 5 total that I've owned.

I didn't see where you planned on doing any obedience work with the dog you choose.

It is highly recommended that you take a CC through obedience classes and they need alot of socialization.

They are slow to mature, about 3 years.

In my opinion, and I've been with the CC since 98, they are alot of work, can be emotionally challenging, clingy, dominant, hard headed and protective. They're also the best dogs I've ever had.

My male (rip) was very protective of me and would/could do anything I asked of him. He was smart as a whip! I have 3 other females and they have had their own sets of challenges, but they're all good dogs. None of them have harmed any of the chickens or other birds and they've not had any training not to. (one female has very high prey drive) BUT, they all had heavy ob training as I was starting them in SchH ob. So they are quick to mind. I have had 2 foster CC's. One was so unpredicatable/dangerous he was put down. The other, was said to be aggressive, just lacked proper handleing, we ended up adopting and he's been a fantastic dog (though he is not a pure cc).

I would not suggest a CC if you aren't used to dominant breeds or willing to do obedience training with the dog.

 

[bagendhens]

how are your corsi wth other dogs within your own pack?!
i am most concernd about potential for dog agression within the pack ad my nekkid dogs wouldnt stand a change and wouldnt last a second in a fight with a molosser...
i know the risk exists with any larger breed houses with small dogs...but i want to avoid issues like dog agression within the pack rather than hae to manage it.

i did mention in an earlier post i am planning on doing OB through to CGC certification and then from there, perhaps doing further structured training...i wont even consider a dog as a potential service dog unless it passes its CGC lol. so no worries about lack of group and one on one training lol...i am a positive reinforcment trainer, and find it works well to be regular consistent and keep it fun but clear cut.

thankfully i think working with the animals i used to work with, im fairly prepped for a highly hard headed beasty...so im not worried about my positioning as the one in charge...
i do NOt subscribe to the milan style "alpha theory" my experience with large exotics has taught me there not stupid and they know im not one of them...a lion doesnt look at me and say hey shes a lioness and i should listen...same goes for wolves and i think it goes for domestic dogs too so i dont subscribe to the yank them around and show them whos boss...
i do however practice nothing in life is free method and they all work for what they get (i also subscribe to the "a tired dog is a happy dog" theory lol)

so i think i have a nice middle ground that will help work with a strong willed but incredibly sensitive loyal breed...

least it worked with the hyena lol.

4 corsi must be one very busy house! id love to see pics!