Service dogs

[Karin & Remy]

I am not a doodle owner yet, but I want to get one to train as a service dog for my son who has down syndrome (and because I love doodles!). Anyone here have a doodle service dog? Any input/ advice would be much appreciated!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Check out this member's page.  She is from Gabby Jack Ranch and there is a lot of info on Doodle Service Dogs.  Best wishes in your search.  Your Son is adorable!

 

 

http://www.doodlekisses.com/profile/Jacque

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I have two Doodles and a 25 year old son with Down Syndrome.  I think this is a wonderful idea.  When my son was young, I never even thought about a service dog, but it makes perfect sense.  I would ask you what are the specific things you'd like your dog to do with and for your son?  You may not have to take your dog through the full service dog training regimen to meet your needs.  I also think that the Doodle temperament is great for this.  When my son was growing up we had a Lab and a Golden Retriever.  They were wonderful dogs, but more interested in running outside and playing fetch than spending time with my son.  My Doodles are much more attached to their humans. By the way, your son is so cute!

[Karin & Remy]

I first became interested in the idea of a service dog to keep my son from escaping the house (as kids with DS are prone too do). I saw a doodle at petsmart one day and fell in love!! I started researching doodles and realized this would be the perfect dog for us. My son has apraxia also and doesn't speak at all. I thought maybe the dog could learn sign language and help my son communicate. If not, at least having a loyal companion might help him feel les s isolated as he gets older. Since he's only 4 I'm not sure yet what other ways a dog could be trained to help him.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Dogs are very responsive to hand signals, so I'm sure that there would be a lot of signs that the dog could learn.  Have you considered a Doodle who is a little older (maybe 2) and already trained in the "basics" versus a new puppy.  I don't know about your son, but I think all that puppy exuberance and high energy might have been too much for my son at four.  I would definitely agree that our DK member from Gabby Jack Ranch could give you a lot of insight.  I'll be really interested in what you decide and how this all works for you and your son.  Please keep us posted.

[Carol Brand]

I think you should be very careful about searching for a service dog.  In the last few years numerous "organizations" have started businesses that promise to provide service dogs to individuals and families.  These dogs often come with hefty price tags ($7000-$10,000).  What worries me is that all too often the folks running these organizations have little to NO experience actually raising and training services/guide dogs.  (Example.....  I got contacted by a new service dog organization in Colorado about donating a puppy.   They don't know my breeding program from a sheep farm, but apparently any non-shedding dog will do.  I asked for their qualifications and background information.  It turns out that the two woman running this organization were former workers in a commercial boarding kennel!   They had absolutely NO experience training service dogs or with working with people with special needs. I less than politely declined their request to donate a dog.)

 

A service dog can be many things and provide varying degrees of support.  I suggest that you contact a well established organization like Guide Dogs of America.  Although they don't train dogs to do what you are looking for, they would be able to give you important information and set you on the right road.  I would also encourage you to contact organizations that serve people living with Downs to ask them about what services a dog could provide.

 

Finally, don't be tied to breed.  Yes, Doodles are cute and fuzzy, but many of them are absolutely NOT service dog candidates.  Your son my be better served by a Border Collie or a Corgie or a Mini Poodle.  Let the reputable service dog organization guide you.  

 

[Lynn D.]

My puppy is 6 months and has know 3 hand signals for the past 3 months. We are working on more. But the 3 he knows are 100%, when he can see them.

 

Doodles can be GREAT companions for DD kids. When I lived in Washington, one of my students happened to live at the other end of my block. Everday, after getting off the bus, she would repeat "Woot, woot, woot" all the way home. One day at the end of the school year she was in my office and we had a little conversation. To make a long(er) story short, she was actually saying "Woof, woof, woof". I had 2 dogs in the time I lived in that house and she would get so excited when she saw them. She just loved my Shih Tzu and was so gentle with her.

 

Your son is super cute!

 

[Beth Lord]

Hi Karin!  I'm not an "expert" but have some experience, in that I've been a volunteer puppy raiser for Guide Dogs of Texas, and have raised 2 Australian labradoodles for their program.  1 was career-changed and we got to train him to work as a diabetic alert dog.  He alerts his partner to both high and low blood glucose levels and is just amazing!  The other one is preparing for his advanced training as a guide for the blind. 

I agree, talk to Jacque, she's got great experience and is sure to be able to help!  Also, check out the service dog groups that already exist here on DK.

From what I've seen personally, I think that labradoodles have many natural abilities that make them ideal candidates for various service-dog careers.  They are not only smart, sensitive and responsive, but very "intuitive" to their people.  As far as I can tell, you really can't train a dog for that -- training maximizes the dog's abilities, but some dogs "have" it and some don't.  The doodles that I've seen, really "have it"!

I would strongly urge you to seek the assistance of 1) A breeder with experience in breeding for puppies who have grown up to work successfully as service dogs, and 2) A trainer experienced with service dogs, who can work along with you in clarifying your training goals, and designing a training plan to help you meet those goals.  From the breeding side, you want to "stack the deck" in your favor by choosing a puppy who is likely to be healthy and have the appropriate temperament for your needs.  From the training side, you need someone who can help you capitalize on that genetic potential and help it translate into a successful service dog.   Training is most successful when it begins right away, with that 8-week-old puppy that you bring home.  It's not "hard," per se...but it certainly does take a LOT of work, and time!  Try to find a trainer who has worked with doodles, and enjoys them, or at least a trainer who uses all positive methods.  

Best wishes -- you CAN do this, and I applaud your efforts! 

[Shelby and Kev]

The Doodle Service Dog, Dang I wish I could help because my parents were breeding for service animals. Standard Poodles and Goldendoodles.  They stopped in 2008.  I saw on PBS about service dogs and there were Doodles in the episodes.  I will look for the link in my email so I will give it a shot!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Hi Karin!  I see you live in Greer, SC - my husband's hometown is Greenville - he lived in Greer too! 

 

Anyway, my doodle's breeder donates quite a few of her standard goldendoodles to Wilderwood.org - they are based in TN and train service dogs.  You should check them out - I think they are in East TN, closer to SC.  You might also want to ask my breeder her thoughts as well.  At least a dozen of her doodles in the past few years or so have been trained as service dogs.  Please feel free to message me if you need that info.  And Gabby Jack Ranch is supposed to be WONDERFUl too.  Good luck, I think a doodle would be a wonderful addition to your family.  Your son is adorable.

[Shelby and Kev]

Through a dogs eyes series on PBS.  It has an episode for service dogs for all disabilities with Doodles in it.  You can find it online PBS.  Good Luck and God Bless...

[Linda and Murphy]

Kevin, I highly recommend that program, also. I believe they were based in Georgia. "Through the Eyes of a Dog"

One of the things that I remember (and it fascinated me) was the dog being trained for a child with epilepsy. They didn't know how it worked but an alert would be based on the BOND between the child and the dog.

Karen, your son is adorable. I agree that doodles are very intuitive and would be great for you and your son.

[Jennifer and Luci]

Our doodle will be coming home to us on the 30th and my plan is to train her as a service/companion dog for my son with autism.  So, can't give you any input but we're in the same place ;)

 

I first started looking into the service dog organizations but the cheapest place charged $13,000 and that's just not feasible for me so I had to think about what I really need the dog to be trained to do.  Basically, everything I want, a puppy that is raised with my son will do anyway... snuggling up to him when he is upset, sleeping with him, etc... so decided to go that route instead.  

 

We've always loved doodles and know many of them so the breed was an easy decision for us.