Any of your Yorkies Service Dogs?
 

I am really interested in getting Buddah trained as a service dog. I am 98% sure I can get something from my DR. for depression or anxiety.

Any of you have your yorkies trained as a service dog?

How do you go about this?

I am just so tired of him being denied access when I take him out with me. I dont have a physical disability, but would be able to get the approval from my dr for some mental condition.

i wish i coudl help.. i'm also going through the steps of doing this however i know in Canada it is much different than in the US.. i'd suggest either searching it on here.. or on Google... good luck!

google wasnt much help. It told me what a service dog was but couldnt find anything on what illnesses would be covered with a service dog or how to go about getting a prescription. if thats even what its called.

I searched and studied about this before I got my baby, so I know quite a bit. You can PM me any other specific questions, and I'll let you know about how and why my yorkie will be a service dog.

The main thing to consider is that by definition, a service animal has to be trained to perform a service for you. The fact that it relieves symptoms of depression and anxiety is not enough. The dog must help you with something that reduces your quality of life, such as seeing, walking, breathing, hearing, etc.

Generally a dog that provides support for emotionial issues is referred to as an emotional support dog, and not given the same rights as a service dog.

Thanks for replying :)

I thought I heard someone say they were getting a service dog for depression. They must have been confused.

I guess my biggest and most direct question is how can I kink the system. I am actually fine without Buddah going everywhere with me. I dont NEED him, but I would like him to be able to go everywhere with me. I dont mind getting him trained and certified.

If he is trained as a service dog, but I dont need a service dog can he still have access?

Have you ever heard of a service dog that helps you know when your blood sugar is too low? My husband has diabetes and I would love to know more about this also!;)

I have...I don't know much about this type of service dog, but I do know there are a lot out there. I have no idea how you'd train the dog to know, I'm sure you could figure out a way, or maybe find a trainer that trains dogs to be service dogs. That is definitely a legitimate reason to have a service dog.

Thanks Anna Banana! I will have to do some more research;)

The problem with "kinking" the system is that you downplay the "service" part of true service animals. We are lucky that we have small dogs that can go many places with us. I take Sammy and Loki (usually one at a time) places that I could NEVER take a large dog, simply because I can hold them in my arms or they can ride in a carrier. But I don't take them anywhere they are not allowed, like restaurants or the grocery store. If it's a clothing store or something I don't ASK first, but if I am asked to leave I will. I was only asked to leave once because I set Loki down on the floor (in a sit-stay) while I re-adjusted my purse and zipped my coat. Again proving my theory about little dogs... Also, I have found stores that love them so much they insist that I let them walk and play with them while I shop, so I go to those places more often!!

There is a LOT of training involved and your dog would have to wear the vest/harness whenever he is with you. It's not like you carry your dog shopping with you and when someone kicks you out you pull out the paperwork. That just frustrates business owners because then other people are going to want to bring their dogs in too. No one would look at a golden retriever with a seeing eye dog harness on and say "that's not fair!" because the dog was in a store. At a restaurant, service dogs lie at your feet under the table and are supposed to be silent and as close to invisible as possible. No one is allowed to pet them. They are "working." So please consider that.

I'm not trying to lecture - I've spent 2 years in the *very* amateur dog training world so I've learned a bit about it. I'm not quite sure most Yorkies are exactly meant to be service dogs. Loki is smarter than 75% of the dogs we were in classes with. He learns the tricks/commands/routines faster than any other dog. But that doesn't mean he was the best dog - far from it. He was simply too distracted - too many smells and sounds and whatever. Obviously you know your dog and this may not apply. No matter what there is a LOT of training involved. Plus, as was stated above, you do have to train him to perform a function. I mean, Loki could fetch all the socks that I drop out of the laundry basket on my way upstairs if I asked him to - but I don't *need* him to do that :D

Maybe you just need to seek out more places to take your pup? We find that outdoor style malls are the most friendly. I'd say I take at least one of these guys with me about half the time I go out.

If you are really interested, sign up for Canine Good Citizen and move on to TDI (Therapy Dog International?) If your dog can pass those tests then you have a shot, plus you will already be involved with the training community if you choose to go further.

Yes, yorkies can be legitimate service dogs. They can be hearing dogs; seizure-disorder dog; assistance for seniors--picking up keys; making beds; etc.

Small dogs are excellent therapy dogs for children--I take my havanese and biewers to a reading program at the library and at the school. I've taken Bailey and Itzi to the VA hospital programs; children's hospital.

The important thing is that they provide a legitimate service to their owner or in a therapy program. To take a dog into a store or restaurant solely because you want to, denigrates those who need service and therapy dogs.

I'll be happy to discuss this further in a PM or email.

As a trainer of service dogs I think it's completely selfish to simply want to kink the system. These dogs are worth 50k by the time their intensive training is completed, and they aren't placed until they are about 2-3 years old. There is so much time, care and money that is involved in this process. That being said, I don't see a reason why any dog can't perform a service to a human. After all, they are ALL performing services, right? Giving us love is a huge service! Unfortunately, dogs just don't fit into our society the way they do in Europe, which saddens me. It's amusing how dogs are so accepted, yet they're almost a burden when they infiltrate the public world in restaurants and stores!! :confused:

Bottom line is that having a service dog is more than just needing the dog for companionship. This could definitely be a disability, but it isn't right to just want to break into the system (this could all be fixed by allowing dogs, eh??). The dogs we train are for blind, deaf and physically impaired. The government defines a disability as something that inhibits major life activities. However, courts haven't given a true definition to "major life activity", so you could argue many different ways...sorry for going OT. I just thought you might like to hear it from someone who trains, because this is a huge thing...not something that happens overnight. It is painstakingly difficult!

My mom has diabetes. Our yorkie Tucker is able to tell when her blood sugar drops, and alerts her of it. Or if she's asleep he'll wake her up. He wasn't trained, it's just something he does naturally. :)

Personally, I don't think you should try to get your dog trained as a service dog if you don't really need one. I guess it's that there are so many people who actually do depend on them, that people using them that don't really need them downplays the importance of them.

I understand where you're coming from. I don't HAVE to have Mugzy with me, but I really like to take him along. In the colder weather it was easy, because I just tucked him under my shirt. Again, as one person noted, I don't even try to take him into restaurants or grocery stores, but just about every other place I take him without asking. FUNNY STORY>>>When I first got Mugzy, I took him to Walmart late one night and about four different workers said, "You can't bring a dog in here". To every one of them I said, "But he's a seeing eye dog" (mind you I'm holding this 2lb pup) and they all said, "Oh, okay, no problem" :D

If I am asked to leave, I do, but most people LOOOOVE the puppy, especially if he is all brushed out and has a bow in his hair. I went to visit a relative who was in the hospital for depression, and ALL of the other patients, nurses, staff, etc. just loved him and told me to bring him back any time. He's also been to Crystal Cave, Home Depot, yard sales, etc.

I went to a fair last fall and in one of the Exhibitor Buildings an elderly lady was pushing a cat in a stroller...and the cat had a necklace that said "Service Cat". It was so cute and the lady looked so proud.

I think that rather than trying to do the service dog thing you should consider working towards getting him certified as a therapy dog and then you could do everything from go to hospitals to let kids read to him at the library. Plus, it's a legitimate way to bring him to some places. When Loki and I were going through CGC we would go to the outdoor malls and just sit and watch the people. Part of CGC is not learning not to jump up on people and to sit while they pet you. So if people asked why were were hanging around I just explained it was part of the socialization for his training classes.