How to train my doodle pup to assist my health condition

[hayleymayonline]

I have a condition which comes and goes, I'm in the process of having brain exams to see if it is anything serious. Anyway, when I got my doodle I thought I was recovering and didn't realise my health was something that would flare up. Anyway, I've been thinking maybe I should've got an assistance dog, but it is too late now. I am happy with my pup, but just want to train her a bit to help me when I am having an episode.

Example: I have cataplexy which means I will lose all muscle control and collapse on the floor as if I was fainting. Well when this happens my pup thinks I am playing and starts climbing all over my head. Of course I can't move so it's a bit of a pain. How can I train her to sit by quietly when this happens?

Another example: When I get really bad and have convulsions I want to teach her to alert someone in the house, so that they can come and look after me. How would I go about that?

Any other things I can teach her to do? I want to put her to some work and thought since I have a disability this would be the best thing. I know she will never be a proper certified assistance dog but just for me how could I go about training her with this kind of thing?

Thanks.

 

[Biker John]

Hello, their is an organisation, called Dog AID, they show you how to train your own dog to be an assistant dog. Fortunately I haven't been in a position to need them so I can not say how good they are.

 

[hayleymayonline]

Thank you so much! I didn't think there were organisations like this. I will contact them.

 

[gypsysmum2]

Dog Aid have many very well qualified trainers. They mainly, I believe, train dogs to assist people with physical disabilities who need help picking up articles etc. If they do not have expertise in the field you require they may know which route you can take.

There was a programme on tv a while back where dogs were taken in by a couple of trainers (a married couple I believe) and trained in specific tasks. One of the dogs had to learn to lie down by its owner when she collapsed. The dog had to go and live with the two trainers to undertake the first part of the training. The dogs were all rescues, selected for their "trainability" in the required tasks. It may have been Nando Brown and his wife/partner but I have looked at their website and it is not a service that they appear to offer. Again he may know someone who can help.

Good luck with you journey.

 

[hayleymayonline]

I contacted Dog Aid and unfortunately they are overwhelmed with clients and there is no waiting list. Any other ideas?

 

[gypsysmum2]

Try googling Nando Brown. I am pretty sure he has experience in this field. If not he may know of those that do.

 

[gypsysmum2]

Or google Assistance Dogs. The APDT has a page on their website about Assistance Dogs and what their trainers can offer.