the problem with danes..... is teh general public's conception of "those huge monsters".
danes have now and always have had an uphill battle in the service dog world.... and they do such a good job....as i mentioned last night on. mail call.......
100 years ago--- when i wqs just startting to get involved with service dogs-- and trying hard to do thigs right...( would you believe it?)..one of the first things i ran into was... you ought to have your dogs temperament tested... so i lined up with my check for $25 for each stud dog... deagle and thumper....-- and i put each one thru the "course " of umbrellas, gunshots,funny grqtes to walk over...people jumping at them-- i thought we did very well -- they didn't offer to bite anyone !! a week later we got our results... both were considered high risk for biting and it was recommended we not breed them because of problems with temperament. for new commer.s. ... both deagl and thumper proved to be extremely reliable performers in any situation i put them... which at that point included movies and print ads...both very level headed super dogs... teh calendar picture with the baby chickens is thumper...
that $50 paid for my education --- if you want an expert opinion, the first problem is to find a bone fied expert- which very often is not one that says he is and secondly .. how close is his opinion tied to his income?
that is if the vet will take him on as a patient..-- when george began to retire, i reqalized i needed to be firmly attached to some vet practice-- and wandered around interviewing practices.. i found 3 vets who would only take a dane in th e office if they were muzzled. ..... and a couple others ( like petco's vet hospital connected to the store) wanted no part of 50 great dane dogs as clients at all....
true stories. ---- one of our newly gradated service dogs wqs taken to their vet as an "introduction to your local vet"
' -- which we recommend..... and the recippient- who ws new qt the partnerrship... belived teh vet tech who toold him they muzzle all big dogs.... so he let them put a muzz,e on one of our carefully educated dogs.... which immediately became a 175 pound flying object- knocking over people, chairs, desks... etc- from teh incident i recieved a very nast y lettr about how this was not a serfice dog, and i had no right to impose this dog on the community as he was very dangerous. i suggested he take the dog to another vet where he behaved perfectly-- and has ever since....
i gave a pup to another training facility with the hopes of introducing them to trianing danes.. nice pup-- i was sure of that before i sent him... a few months later i got an email, the dog ws impossible to train- an they feared he woudl be a danger to the public if turned into service.. so i said "bring him back". which they did.. and included his medical record-- that showed they had him on 3 different tranquilzers poor dog didn't know if he was on foot or horseback... took a month to dry him out-- after which he ws placed as s wonderful service dog with an elderly woman with ms....doing a perfect job...... sober....
2 or 3 more pups i gave to other training faciliaties... not one was put in training... but just tossed away "to good homes". mostly because they would not retrieve. well... they don't... but most balqnce pqtients don't need that ....so don't waste you time on training that....
so we need to figure out a way to introduce more danes to the service world--- having george be chosen #1 service dog has helped- but ther e is a huge need for trainig danes.
-- so that is todays spheil.
fact in the news that i believe....
there is a shortage of veterinarians because of all the animals rescued during the covid bit.
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Hello Service Dog Project!
Hello Service Dog Project!
Sharing an update on Service Dog Team- Oz & John!
Oz and John left on July 16 to go to their new home. They traveled from Massachusetts to Maryland for the first days, staying with Aunt Barbara. Oz did extremely well on this journey! They traveled in a conversion van which allowed for Oz to be able to walk inside if he desired and also the ability for him to and rest on a luxurious bed. Aunt Barbara prepared an amazing welcome to honor John and Oz’s arrival into her home (Aka emerald city). We captured this on video and do hope that someone shared the @servicedogOz instagram post with you al!. Aunt Barbara is an avid SDP supporter and fan! She loves all dogs, and PARTICULARLY enjoys the doggie daily!
The next leg of the journey was to South Carolina to G-Ma Sandi’s house. Again, Oz tolerated the travel and new location without difficulty.
John and Oz arrived in Ormond Beach FL on July 20. Since that time, they both have acclimated to their new home and town. Oz loves the big field in back of the house, and the dog park close to his home. He really loves to run and romp and zoom in the big field in the mornings before his work day. Oz and John work together daily, and have a very strong bond. Oz seems to anticipate John’s needs even more quickly than John does.
Its remarkable how tolerant Oz has been of traveling, new environments, and new people— all of course while maintaining focus on his job/person, John!
Thank you Service Dog Project!
Tanya
- on behalf of Team Oz and John
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Hi Carlene,
This has been quite the upheaval year with COVID coming and going and coming back again, it seems like a never-ending story.
I have some great news to share with you. After visiting Service Dog Project to complete my research paper two years ago on Great Dane Service Dogs and Breeding Standards, the school has listed my research as part of the school genetics and research department reference.
This May, I have graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree from Bergin University of Canine Studies in Penngrove California and I have also passed my National exam from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and am becoming a Certified Canine Behavior Consultant from the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. I am starting my Great Dane Service Dog Integrative wellness agency in October when I will obtain my first breeding dog to train as a Service Dog.
I thought you would be pleased to know that my visit with you was inspirational and as a long-time breeder of AKC Great Dane Show Dogs, I knew I wanted to do more with the breed. I appreciate your hospitality to me at Crazy Acres as well as all the work you continue to do with Great Danes. Please know that in the years to come, Great Danes will continue helping more people in the capacity of Service Dogs on the West Coast.
Thank you,
Dan
