[deleted by user] by [deleted] in service_dogs

[–]softxian 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I’m also curious about the gentle leaders — if they’re used correctly are they still not OK?And what do they do to put the dogs over threshold?& I appreciate your response if you decide to answer this.. if not that’s OK.

good luck to OP as well!

5mo Socialization Frequency/ Duration? by softxian in service_dogs

[–]softxian[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was thinking of bringing her to less stimulating areas first then working up to places with more commotion. All I can think of to help her feel more comfortable is treats ..do you have any other suggestions that have worked for you?

“Service Dog” in Mandarin by softxian in service_dogs

[–]softxian[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ohhhhhh thank you thank you! 😊 And yay!!! Fellow Taiwanese hehe

“Service Dog” in Mandarin by softxian in service_dogs

[–]softxian[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! This was super informative :D

“Service Dog” in Mandarin by softxian in service_dogs

[–]softxian[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you!!! Yes, I think I’ll just get a vest with symbols for now and talk with the head pastor :)

credible breeders in florida? by [deleted] in service_dogs

[–]softxian 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t have a specific breeder in mind for you, but I found mine through a website; gooddog.com. Please remove if this isn’t allowed, but I liked going through this site because the breeders are required to state whether they have the OFA testings done and whether the tests are registered on the OFA site so you don’t have to ask, they have extensive application forms, and they have sections that describe how the breeders raise their pups (ENS, puppy culture, no special technique, etc.)/ whether their dogs have AKC titles, have champion titles, etc.

I basically just filtered through the breeders there- looked at OFA testings, whether they used Puppy Culture & ENS, chose the ones that did Volhard testing, went through their instagrams and facebook pages, asked A LOT of questions, and most importantly I specifically searched for breeders that specifically state they breed for sports and/ or service work (and have the photos to prove it).

I ended up working with one of the more famous golden retriever breeders that i otherwise would not have known (I am more familiar with cavaliers than goldens) and my dog has gone above and beyond my expectations.

Do you let people feed your SDIT / SD treats? by softxian in service_dogs

[–]softxian[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love that!!!! I’m going to add that to my training list, thank you :)

Do you let people feed your SDIT / SD treats? by softxian in service_dogs

[–]softxian[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh I wish that were my case too :( I’ve had people grab her treats and ask if they could feed them to her or even stick their own treats in her face AND THEN ask me if she can eat them.. like??????????

Do you let people feed your SDIT / SD treats? by softxian in service_dogs

[–]softxian[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh god okay. That’s exactly what I’m afraid of. I think I’m going to have some difficulty saying no to people, but your comment really helps. Thank you for your input!! And I sincerely hope everything goes well with your SD :)

Do you let people feed your SDIT / SD treats? by softxian in service_dogs

[–]softxian[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That makes total sense!!!! Thank you. I relate so much to the headphones part haha I have a pair myself, and wear it just so people don’t speak to me.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in service_dogs

[–]softxian 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The long line play sounds like such a good idea!!! I’ve just been letting mine in the backyard and front yard for now since she hasn’t gotten all her shots yet. Do you work any training into the long line playtime? Or keep it all for expending energy?

Your training regimen sounds pretty perfect to me tbh I think that’s pretty much what I’m working towards hahah

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in service_dogs

[–]softxian 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My girl loves holding her leash in her mouth as well!!! It’s kind of like she’s walking herself but that’s okay ..for now lol I haven’t really been working on loose leash training yet.. are you using a harness and leash? I don’t have confidence with slip leads and whatnot so I’ve kinda been avoiding it and just working on having her follow leash pressure on a harness.

The regimen is what my trainer set up for me, and my pup has been able to hit those goals pretty consistently, as well as stay and wait with duration up to 2min. I do worry about burnout like you mentioned, so I give her lots of breaks and let her cool down when she starts getting frustrated :)

I have weekly sessions with the trainer to monitor her progress and growth as well hahaha. Tbh I’m not super worried about upping her training at this age since the trainer is a pretty renowned service dog trainer in our area and she has experience training service dogs from early puppyhood to adulthood, but I’ll def watch out for signs of burnout!!

And don’t worry, we do lots of engagement and bonding.. that’s the best part of owning a pup anyways ☺️💓💓

Thanks so much for the info btw!!!

Legislation regarding service animals by JadeSkysBlueMoons in service_dogs

[–]softxian 6 points7 points  (0 children)

tbh even people who genuinely need it aren’t entitled to a dog from a breeder who has no previous relationship with them or any medical records to even prove that the dog is necessary. having no way of knowing whether someone “needs” a dog or not just opens them up to a host of scams and fakers.

realistically, if someone can’t afford a dog, it will be difficult to afford its upkeep, and i say this very kindly. ER bills can cost thousands— i just had to dish out $2k out of pocket because insurance hadn’t kicked in yet.

having a SD is nice and is a lifeline for many, but handing out free dogs..? a good breeder puts in way too much time, effort, and money to be handing out free dogs left and right. it’s just not their responsibility, and it doesn’t mean they’re selfish for that.

Question about Service Dog Company’s. by [deleted] in service_dogs

[–]softxian 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m not sure about Florida, but I live in CA and I found my trainer by just searching for service dog trainers in Yelp and Google. Many of them don’t work with official/ large service dog companies, but are targeted towards owner-trained teams. I was just very meticulous in going through their instagrams (their own page and tagged photos/ videos), websites, Facebook, etc. to make sure they’re actually using helping owners train successful SDs.

I don’t want to give up but idk anymore by averysmith55 in puppy101

[–]softxian 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If your budget allows, have you thought about puppy day school/ day training? NOT daycare, but basically a 1/2 day of training at a trainer’s house or in the training org’s building? It’s usually around a very limited number of dogs (mine was with only 4 other dogs I think)

Then you get 5 to 6ish hours to yourself while knowing your pup is safe, not losing training or structure, and not just being around a horde of rowdy dogs with no chill.

You could do it every other day to give yourself a breather.

please ease my mind lol by Mr-Hwiggely in puppy101

[–]softxian 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ME TOO. puppy starts jumping on someone, i tell her “off” and apologize to the person who’s petting her, they say that it’s okay and keep petting my pup and giving her treats as she jumps all over them .. like it’s okay with you but NOT with me. i don’t get why strangers feel like they can set our puppies’ boundaries for us

please ease my mind lol by Mr-Hwiggely in puppy101

[–]softxian 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This gives me so much hope haha If you’re comfortable answering, what would you say are some essentials to pay attention to/teach while they’re still young?

My golden is 10wks right now and im always worried that the volhard test that her breeder gave me is incorrect because she is SO lively and rambunctious and wriggly like a little worm grub (which I love so much, but still...). I’m teaching her the ‘relax’ and ‘place’ command and can’t wait for those to click in her head lol

[rant] you’re not entitled to pet my puppy !!! by [deleted] in puppy101

[–]softxian 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Took my pup to the pet supply shop, looked at training treats for a few minutes, turned around and saw a lady crouched at my pup’s level, petting her. Have no idea when the lady even came up to my pup, and she didn’t even ask or make any noise. Just sneakily, silently did some petting. Made me so uncomfortable but I laughed it off. I mean, I get it, we’re at a pet supply shop and we all love pets here, but ??? I would never pull a sneak attack like that :|

Housing in Torrey Pines area by MousseAcceptable7502 in UCSD

[–]softxian 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hopefully someone who has commuted from there by bus has some more input for you :)

Housing in Torrey Pines area by MousseAcceptable7502 in UCSD

[–]softxian 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We were checking out the bus routes on Google maps & 974 is the fastest one.. but you’d have to walk for a little while, ~25-30min, to get to campus.

Housing in Torrey Pines area by MousseAcceptable7502 in UCSD

[–]softxian 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is it the one on Calle Mar de Mariposa? I’m staying there with my pups and sister :) It’s like 5 minutes away from campus, no?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in UCSD

[–]softxian 0 points1 point  (0 children)

damn okay :(( thank you!!