Dogs/Autism/Special Needs

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Comment by Obsidian on March 11, 2009 at 4:53pm

oh I agree!!~ the more options the better :)
Obi is learning to respond to the situation as his cue. If Harli drops her remote he just goes and gets it for her, if she drops her water bottle, again he just knows its to be picked up. Sometimes if he doesn't notice I just say 'help Obi' and he will go look :)
Harli is learning to use an augmentative device now too, and I am so hoping we can incorporate simple commands for her to give him with it as well. Not sure he will respond to a recorded voice though.....
do you have experience with AAC & dog commands??

Comment by Obsidian on March 11, 2009 at 4:41pm

Great Resource Mara!!~
the clicker training is great if your the one the dog serves...its not so great if your not. The clicker has to always be with you, and you have to remember the clicks for each task. My daughter is in a wheelchair and she is non-verbal for the most part. Clicker classes are usually available in most areas, ask your vet if they know of one. It just wouldn't have worked for our situation.

Comment by Obsidian on March 11, 2009 at 2:47pm

Karen, the books are TeamWork I & TeamWork II , they are written by Stewart Nordensson and Lydia Kelley. They have really helped us alot. A friend told me they now also come on DVD so you can 'see' how the techniques are done.
the ISBN's are 0-9656216-0-X ; 0-9656216-1-8 I got them at www.activdogs.com
good luck and if you need anything or come with a great technique that works for you please share!~

Comment by Karen on March 11, 2009 at 5:46am

Tami:
Thanks for the info regarding your doodle's training. I will look for TeamWorks books. Can you tell me the author? Your dog sounds so wonderful! I would love to train ours to help our son out also.
Thanks.
Karen

Comment by Obsidian on March 10, 2009 at 3:18pm

what a great group!~ Our golden-doodle was donated to my daughter Harli for the purpose of Service. He was 6 1/2 wks old when we were blessed and is now 2yrs old. My daughter Harli has Angelman Syndrome ( www.angelman.org to learn more). Obsidian "Obi" is the most amazing guy ever! He alerts us to oncoming seizures (he began doing that at only 9 months of age) and recently began alerting to changes in blood sugar (although Harli is not diabetic). He also picks things up when Harli drops them, like her remote control, water bottle etc. We just can't imagine life without him. His breeder ( www.goldens-n-doodles.com ) has since placed a pup for service to other Angelman children as well as children with autism.
We use the TeamWorks books as our guide for his training. I have done all his training myself, his obedience was taught by my youngest, Destini. Harli's life is more full and richer since having Obi.

Comment by Karen on February 13, 2009 at 7:55am

Hi! I just joined the group today. I have a son (age 11) with specal needs (both physical and developmental). I also work as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant with children in schools. Cooper is a 2 1/2 year old golden doodle. The breeder suggested him knowing our needs. He has been the most wonderful dog ever! Our sons love him. Our 11 year old just "shines" when Cooper is around. Cooper is so good with him! Cooper weighs close to 100 lbs now. Our son is learning to hold onto Cooper for stability when standing. He walks with a walker and Cooper does not leave his side! I am also interested in getting Cooper certified as a therapy dog. Does anyone know where I should start with this?

Comment by Melinda Radus - Sunset Hills Australian Labradoodles on February 6, 2009 at 8:47pm

Thank you, Yes I think I remember a conversation of the breeders forum. I gave Ryan a puppy (actually I let a puppy pick Ryan) about 18+ months ago and it was the best thing I ever did. Ryan was the type that you couldn't touch unless he initiated... I always had to ask if I wanted to hug him... and a lot of times it was "no"... was breaking my heart but he just didn't like anything "in his space" then along came Lilly and she just went right into his "zone" like there was nothing to it and since then with her love and companionship (she sleeps on his legs at night and when they sit on the couch she is always touching him) my little boy has started to let people (that he knows) touch him and even is running up and giving hugs and I can put my arm around him now without asking or received a melt down.... it is just amazing... she has really given me my little boy and he is... I don't know the word... but sometimes I forget he's got Aspergers with how much a change she's made for him.

I’m really interested to know if there are any others out there that have seen this same type of “Change” in their children when a puppy/dog has been brought in.

Comment by Melinda Radus - Sunset Hills Australian Labradoodles on February 6, 2009 at 4:55pm

Hi,

I just joined this group. My 5yr has Aspergers and I am interested in just reading and learning how the Doodles help others with special needs.

~Melinda

Comment by Kelli, Fenway, & Dustin Pedroia on November 26, 2008 at 12:37pm

Thanks Mara. I'll look into getting that book!

Comment by Scott Chalkley on November 25, 2008 at 8:36pm

Mara, feel free to post as many pics of your service dog as you want. Everyone here is very welcoming, especially towards golden retrievers since they played a big part in the development of goldendoodles.

I think it is great that you are a part of this group. After meeting with you on Sunday and discussing your program in detail, I am very eager to get our pup LJ started ASAP. After I read and heard all the fascinating stories about Onyx, another Australian Labradoodle from the same lineage as LJ, I can't wait until I can read and hear about what LJ is learning. Hopefully I will be able to see him learn first hand as well. It will be great to see him succeed.

Thanks so much for allowing doodles to be a part of your program!!! We need more service dog training programs to be as open minded as you and your program.

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