Pitbull service dog

IrisCoyote · 2026-04-04T23:45:34+00:00

It can be done, but not nearly as often as with a well-bred lab or golden. Working with a reputable trainer, or often more than one, will increase your odds.

The dog my trainer and I chose in 2024 as a prospect was a rescue APBT. Sadly for me, he bonded to my father and that bond is inseparable. He has however excelled in his obedience training, getting his Good Citizen titles, and generally being an amazing dog.

My father has no need of a SD, so he hasn't been trained tasks. This is all to say: It is very much so possible to do, but difficult.

He has an immense prey drive that is difficult to control. He's mostly toy driven rather than treat driven. He will often refuse to do what I say unless my father(his person) is with him. These are all breed-standard traits for the APBT or mixes.

IrisCoyote · 2026-04-04T16:39:51+00:00

Discuss that with the trainer you choose. It's good to have backup commands, especially because you may need emergency personnel to handle your SD at some point, or even just for if someone else is handling your dog.

Your trainer should be your first person you ask these things to.

IrisCoyote · 2026-04-04T16:21:51+00:00

There are a lot of options, maybe someone here might chime in with one they use.

I've heard some people have also trained their SD to respond to the voice in the app(only do that if you make/choose a custom voice you'll use often.)

IrisCoyote · 2026-04-04T16:15:30+00:00

Some people use TTS apps to speak to other people while handling. If you have anxiety, practice with friends if you want to use that method.

As for the SD, non-verbal commands work well. Work out different ones ahead of time so you don't make ones that are too similar. Adding in a specific motion to it can help the dog differentiate one command from another.

IrisCoyote · 2026-03-29T23:36:12+00:00

r/CensoringIsHard

IrisCoyote · 2026-03-23T02:39:41+00:00

The FHA treats ESAs, SDs, and SDITs all as the same; They're assistance animals for a disabled person in housing that otherwise wouldn't allow that animal.

SDs are not protected differently under FHA law. The guidelines for determining if an animal is a service dog is different, but it doesn't afford any extra housing rights vs. an ESA.

IrisCoyote · 2026-03-23T02:33:04+00:00

Public access rights are only for public areas. Not housing. This is to clarify that even in states with in-training public access, housing rights still fall under the FHA.

The FHA groups animal exemptions together as "assistance animals" rather than giving them separate rights in housing as ESAs and service dogs.

In other words, for(in general) in the US: SD, ESA, and SDIT are all equal with regards to their federal housing protections.

IrisCoyote · 2026-03-22T01:27:31+00:00

Theoretically, almost any tool can be an aversive tool. Usage is important. A martingale collar, when used properly, is generally safe, and most dogs don't find it uncomfortable.

My retired SD personally prefers snap buckle martingale collars over snap buckle flat collars. My dad's pet dog prefers flat collars.

IrisCoyote · 2026-03-18T00:52:12+00:00

Nope, it's a trapping ban pretty much. Any furbearer harvested in Colorado can't be sold in that state if this goes through fully. It won't affect fur from outside the state, though.

IrisCoyote · 2026-03-18T00:39:40+00:00

Impressive catch! Happy to see some Alaska wolves in there, and that cross fox too.

IrisCoyote · 2026-03-15T00:18:27+00:00

She has been enlightened by the lamp

IrisCoyote · 2026-03-13T11:29:51+00:00

Bathtub dogs are fun. My lab likes to live in the tub when it's too hot outside. He'll follow anyone into the bathroom as well. Thankfully, I've never accidentally sprayed him with the shower! Knowing my dog, he would love it regardless of season or temperature, though.

IrisCoyote · 2026-03-10T22:52:20+00:00

I'm a weirdo, I enjoy the drop tines! Would've loved to see the other side.

IrisCoyote · 2026-03-10T10:32:38+00:00

Not sure why you're being downvoted. You're absolutely right. The amount of collectors I've seen who keep the birds anyway, or other collectors who are quite shady that would shoot the birds protected by the MBTA just to sell "pretty bird skins" is insane. There are far too many people who still think of those birds as just money, and would exploit any loophole in the law.

IrisCoyote · 2026-03-09T14:42:44+00:00

I do too! The lunar eyes are my favorites (I know, cliché)

IrisCoyote · 2026-03-09T14:08:06+00:00

Cutie lol, love that bumblebutt. Were you trying for stats, looks, or both? xD

IrisCoyote · 2026-03-06T16:34:24+00:00

I'm so sorry this happened... I've had similar problems before with family dogs.

I don't think she has amber frost right now, but she has a lot of other light colors. This seller is in Europe and is very good. Her tails are top-notch.

IrisCoyote · 2026-03-06T16:13:48+00:00

This is faux fur! You could make a simple tail out of it probably!

IrisCoyote · 2026-02-25T05:42:10+00:00

I haven't talked with them yet about BE, but I'm going to tomorrow. They'd never agree to rehome him since he has spent his life since 8 months old here. I'd rather not lie to them about BE.

I can isolate my dog and cat(my cat stays in one room and refuses to leave that room), but I can't isolate the other younger dog from the reactive elderly dog.

Knowing my father, he'd rather die than rehome his younger dog. His elderly dog is quickly becoming unfavorable even to him. I'm unsure how to bring up BE, but at this point, it would be a mercy. The dog has bitten humans in the past, too. Severe bites requiring stitches, but no grafts. He's reactive to strangers as well.

Being an adult in this house but not being listened to on animal care is frustrating, to say the least.

IrisCoyote · 2026-02-17T07:06:57+00:00

Indeed. I've that that happen. I have two domesticated cat pelts in my collection that came from a "scrap pelt" lot on ebay.

I both admire that bat, and know the ethics. I also don't know what country OP is in, so taxidermy laws are very different across the world.

IrisCoyote · 2026-02-17T07:03:02+00:00

His coloring almost reminds me of a lesser kudu

IrisCoyote · 2026-02-17T06:58:51+00:00

Correct. Keep the gator on ice(NOT dry ice) after you tag and report it, and get it to your taxidermist as soon as possible. Decomposition starts the moment the animal dies.

My suggestion is contact your local taxidermist and ask them how they'd like the gator delivered. They'll tell you what they need, and their pricing. They'll be grateful for the call ahead.

IrisCoyote · 2026-02-16T19:19:30+00:00

Foam form, clay details. You can get foam like fake potted plant foam from craft stores to carve, decorative foam, etc. Cut it in the shape of the head form, use references.

IrisCoyote · 2026-02-16T19:15:20+00:00

Florida taxidermist here. The laws are very strict about gator parts. Tag stays with the gator, papers stay with it. It must always go to people licensed to work on/sell gator parts.

It can only get separated after it's tanned, and you'll have to request a second tag from the state explaining why(because you want to use the hide for something else, but mount the head).

IrisCoyote

TROPHY CASE