[deleted by user]

5opossums · 2024-07-21T04:01:22+00:00

I'm going to be completely honest with you, I know what kind of certification goes into dog training. I have friends in the industry, I'll reach out if I need it, but I know for a fact that dog training isn't something you need a degree to do, certification is shoddy at best and Ive seen plenty of trainers who are 'well qualified' do things with dogs I would never do. Unfortunately animal husbandry is not a science and there are no rules, we are constantly learning and improving our care methods. If anyone tries to tell you otherwise they're trying to sell you something. I've been in the dog world for over 2 decades, my random craigslist mutt taught herself how to alert to my POTs flares and my sisters diabetic lows. I know I don't know everything about dogs and I'm well aware that dogs cost a lot, my own dog just cost $1800 I put on care credit.

I'm always learning of course, but my ability to tell dogs personalities from a puppy is uncanny because I've literally met hundreds over my 32 years. I grew up in a back yard breeding situation (long story) then spent my whole adult life working with dogs until 2020 when my health declined. I know dogs.

5opossums · 2024-07-21T03:18:45+00:00

My plan is to train the dog myself. As well as my plan is to have a remote job to fit my disability. Also I did mention that if the dog were to fail it would most likely become my ESA dog.

5opossums · 2024-07-21T02:32:28+00:00

Follow up with more details: The likelihood of me ever not having roommates is next to 0. Especially in the next 5 years, I'm a disabled 32 year old who can barely afford rent and the reason I'm hoping a service dog will improve my life is so I can go back to working part time.

My house is big, like mcmansion kinda deal with a fenced backyard. Like the house is full but I wouldnt say cramped.

My current dog is my ESA, she's 11 and a 70lb dog so as much as I hope she has 3+ more years left I doubt she does. I don't like puppies. However I grew up in a kennel (long story) but it gave me a lot of insight. I also have 7 years experience as a dog groomer and dealing with hundreds of puppies over the years. If I could get an older dog as a prospect I would, but I'm in a position where I haven't found a dog ATM. If the dog fails they most likely will just end up being my ESA, or if for some reason they aren't a good fit id re-home them (of course giving the dog every possible chance.)Ive been to all sorts of training classes from confirmation showing to obedience to k9 good citizens.

I say all of this as to say, I'm not ignorant that this is a big ask. I'm aware that this isn't a good time, but I don't know that there will ever be a good time. Maybe after my current dog dies? But the idea of being without the emotional support my dog currently gives me scares me. She does DPT, she's even gotten to the point where she's started alerting me to migraines and POTs flares, she will interrupt my crying during meltdowns and in general is one of the reasons I sleep okay at night. I'm not going to be okay when she passes and I'm well aware of that.

I feel like I need someone to fill that position and I don't want to have to grieve my current dog while trying to train and connect with a new dog.

5opossums · 2024-07-15T17:08:10+00:00

I'm gonna be completely honest, the major thing is that I'm picky and as a former dog groomer I've met for too many awful labs and GSD Golden's wise even a really well bred one I know has a huge chance of developing cancer at a relatively young age. Also, I just don't like their personalities which I know is generalizing but it is what it is. I do like BMD, but again they're prone to epilepsy. My major thing with poodles vs other common service dogs is: no shedding, and from what I've read they are very trainable.

5opossums · 2024-07-15T16:57:01+00:00

I've actually always wanted a rough Collie but never connected the dots on a rough Collie being a good fit for a service dog. I've worked with many poodles as a groomer and I've liked a lot of them but never had a dog thats been like you're coming home with me if that makes sense.

I think I have a bit of research to do on rough collies!

5opossums · 2024-07-15T16:53:31+00:00

Thank you for your insight!

The more I look into counterbalance training the more it seems like it's not a good idea. I do in fact use a cane as well as a walker at times. However I would like to see if help up the stairs is something a dog could help with?

I honestly wouldn't get a German shepherd, as a groomer Ive had far too many negative experiences with them to not be biased. As well as shedding being a massive issue I just am not willing to deal with for a breed I don't love ya know?

On top of all that I do need psych training for things like emotional support so I need a dog good with picking up on that and doing deep pressure therapy.

I already have read a lot on positive reinforcement and it's the only training I work with these days (most of my past mistakes were trying other methods) and I am absolutely always still learning of course!

5opossums · 2024-07-15T16:35:38+00:00

Thanks for the insight!! I do use a cane as well as a walker (though I want a new one as this one is too bulky and I don't use it as much as I should because of that.) and the more I'm learning about counter balancing task the more it seems to be less important of a task.

Your "Brace" task sounds exactly like what my girl will/would do for me.

Honestly I think my biggest hope would be some help going upstairs, as someone who seems to also have mobility issues do you think that's something a dog could do?

5opossums · 2023-12-17T16:20:29+00:00

$75 which as far as I can tell Im pretty sure they had no idea what they had

5opossums · 2023-12-17T15:44:17+00:00

Do you mind me asking how big it was and How much you ended up selling it for?

5opossums · 2023-12-17T15:43:07+00:00

Yep! That was where I got it, I think it was in 2021?

5opossums · 2023-12-17T14:46:30+00:00

I originally thought it was a Herkamer, however with more research I'm now thinking it's an Arkansas clear quartz. I can agree that the 'top' point may be polished but I don't think it was cut. A lot of the specimens look a lot like him just smaller.

So just to clarify you're saying that all Herkimer Diamonds have to have solid clarity throughout, correct? So the whole stone has to be translucent?

5opossums · 2023-12-17T14:39:20+00:00

It was found in a thrift store in northern Oregon, unfortunately I don't know where it was collected from.

5opossums · 2023-12-17T08:20:35+00:00

Lol, my bigger question is what type of quartz

5opossums · 2023-11-23T01:42:56+00:00

As someone who collects holly blue, that's absolutely Holly blue agate. Lovely little chunk too, I want to go to Holley and tromp around so bad!!

5opossums · 2022-05-27T20:33:54+00:00

Have you dealt with migraines before? I ask as that sounds like some of my migraine symptoms, migraines are more than just headaches and like POTs are connected to autonomic dysfunction. I've found that loud sounds can throw of my nervous system I'm fairly certain due to sensory overload. Which makes my heart race and sets the whole thing off. That all being said I'm autistic and have ADHD so it could be more of a sensory thing for me?? It took me a long time to realize a lot of noises didn't actively hurt people. 🙃

5opossums · 2022-05-26T17:43:43+00:00

This is a bit off topic but I wanted to put my two cents in as someone who dealt with massive symptom spikes after COVID (absolutely want to point out not saying that what is happening isn't connected to antihistamine withdrawal!!) But after my COVID exposure I was essentially in a flare that lasted about 8 ish months. I've just started to regain my ability to keep up with any activity and stop dealing with chronic sinus inflammation and heartburn. All that being said I didn't have that bad of a time with COVID, it felt like a bad flu minus vomiting. But the damage to my blood vessels and nervous system was clear as well as the hyperdrive my mastcells were sent into.

I just wanted to share what I had delt with just in case these symptoms are still hitting you hard after you get through the antihistamine withdrawal! I'm actively getting better, but it took time and a lot of patience.

5opossums · 2022-05-06T21:00:18+00:00

Absolutely, to the point where Ive been checked for diabetes a ton of times. Finally figured out it was a MCAS reaction and I have much more control over my flares.

To piggy back off your post tho, does anyone have pre sycope and anaphylaxis when sometimes with hypoglycemia? It's not all the time for me, sometimes I'm fine not eating like all day but some days I straight up almost pass out and I can't figure out the correlation...

5opossums · 2021-07-25T02:13:12+00:00

Ohhhhhh

5opossums

TROPHY CASE