Working dog question, am I nuts/

[Jennifer and Jack]

The post about our dogs having natural instincts, knowing when we are sad or having a sixth sense about them really got me thinking. I know Jack knows when I am about to get sick, l have a pretty serious lung disease that is made worse by being deathly allergic to what we think is latex.

 

Anyway, Jack knows when I am getting sick, he is clingy to me and won't leave my side for a second. No matter how tired he is, he will follow me everywhere.  Okay I am getting to the point now, (your welcome) Do you think Jack could be trained as a working dog to sniff out latex, and warn me when it is around? Like for example, I obviously know to stay away from the bike section and stuff in Walmart, but often times I am caught off  guard and run into by accident, which leads me into a severe coughing fit.

 

What do you think? Do you have any idea where I would go or who I would call to ask about that?  I mean right now, my ability to go out into the real world has been greatly limited because when I do I am taking a big risk of my airway shutting down, which in the past few months has lead me to being on life support twice..

 

Input anyone?

 

[Jennifer and Jack]

I can not thank you guys ENOUGH!!!! Seriously, you have been so helpful. I have called several places, a few of them require that they provide the dog for you, and the dog lives with the trainer for two years before it is released as a working dog.

 

I have a call into Jack's regular trainer and I am waiting to hear back from her. I am searching to see. How amazing would that be if Jack can help me avoid some of my triggers.

 

Ricki, that is a very good point about by the time Jack is alerting me to it, I will be exposed. I have to think about that one. He is already very in tune with me and my health, I just know he could learn this.. I am amazed at what these dogs can do.

 

Thank you again and again. I am checking all possible links and I will post back when I know more.

[Adina P]

Good point!  I hadn't thought of that.  It's not like Jennifer could buy a bunch of latex and train Jack herself while handling it.  So something to be considered.  But perhaps he wouldn't need to go away for long depending on the trainer or facility.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Right Adina, what I am currently looking for is a "day school" program for him where he can go during the day and be trained and then come back to me in the evenings and for the weekends. I can't imagine it would take him long to figure it out. My insurance WILL pay for his training if I have a doctors note, which I know my doctor will give me because he is the one who is so adamant that I avoid exposure.

 

I seriously could not be around the stuff, sometimes food handlers have latex gloves on and even if I walk by the stand I can feel it, not horrible but I start to get wheezy.

 

I am excited to see where this leads too.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I just talked to Jack's regular trainer who has been working with me to get Jack approved and certified as a Pet Therapy Dog. She was great, she told me she is not qualified to do that kind of but assured me it can be done pretty easily, It is a conditioning of them to the latex and then getting them to respond the way you want when they "smell it out"

She is going to contact the district trainer and do some research to see what needs to be done. She will work with Jack and I to get us to the point behavior wise so that Jack can work on  training... This is so amazing, the chance to limit my exposure in the environment and not get sick as much!!!!

I have a meeting with her Thursday afternoon and we are going to come up with a game plan!!!

 

Hip Hip Hooray!!!!

 

 

 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Sounds like the plan is in motion ...... best of luck!

[Adina P]

Awesome news!

[F, Calla & Luca]

That is wonderful news. Congratulations!

[Leslie and Halas]

I hope this works out for you!  Keep us posted on Jack's training.

[Susan and Sasha]

Hi Jen...

That would be great if Jack would be able to be trained to do this!

I can't wait to hear how things go when you meet with the trainer on Thursday...

I'll talk with you soon...

[Karina]

I think dogs have a sixth sense for sure. When I am sick my Rosie gets worried and stays with me. Originally australian labradoodles were developed to help the disabled who had allergies so may be in doodles that desire to please is even more developed.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Aww, have to love those babies..