I know Ed sells a assistance dog training DVD that looks interesting.

Reason I'm asking is my medical condition has taken a downslide the last few monthes and I will need more help in the future.

The people who hand out the cards is the Provincial Attorney Generals office they say that the dog needs to pass an accredited course and be signed off from a school to obtain a card. I've done a few enquiries but it seems that any accrediated schools just want to donate an already trained dog to me. Me I think it is hogwash that I have a young healthy very trainable dog and these people won't even consider putting her in a program.

My obedience coach has agreed to help in the training once we jump through the hoops that government may throw at us :re accredidation.

We've done some initial stuff such as her holding the stand and bracing me when I get up so I won't fall and are working her on the "bring it" for keys, the cane etc.

I've seen Malinois that are therapy dogs but I've never seen or heard of a Malinois Assistance dog. Am I barking up the wrong tree?

I am sorry to hear that your health is declining, that's bad news.

The assistance dog dvd has excellent information, I watched the whole thing and am going to implement some of the tasks into my training just so I know how to train them!

I think any breed of dog could be a service dog, if it has the right temperament and training. depending on what the dog needs to do for the handler, I'd say the Malinois I have, especially Raine, would get an A+ for being easy to teach and giving a huge effort to do what I ask.

Since you already have a Malinois, and you have a good repoire and knowledge of all her strengths and weaknesses I would say you should work with her.

Please keep us updated! Good luck to you.

 Quote: Cindy Easton Rhodes

I think any breed of dog could be a service dog, if it has the right temperament and training.

A brand-new experience for me: I helped with a group of service dogs last year (seizure alert, hearing, etc., etc.). This was a motley crew indeed, from Labs to Goldens to a terrier to a Dutch Shepherd to a GSD. :> These dogs were chosen because they demonstrated ability (especially seizure alert).

What I took away from the experience was that the breed is not high on the list of important points. Although Labs, Goldens, and Shepherds may be the most often used and seem to be particularly suited, there are a lot of exceptions.

Thanks Ladies,

I figure that yes my Malinois can be trained to do assistance duties as she has shown ability ie: bracing me in the stand etc.

Even though she is totally obsessed with tasks that I give her since she is such a drivey dog. My OB coach and I feel we can use that to our advantage as she catches on so fast when we are training her especially using markers/clickers.

Connie that Dutch Shepherd was it a physical assistance dog or hearing/seizure dog? I'm just cross referencing seeing that a Dutch and a Mal are close in stature. If the Dutchie is indeed a pyhsical assistance dog what duties has it been trained for and the handlers size stature in comparison to the dog?

I wish I remembered better. I know he was not a seizure-alert dog and that his owner was in a wheelchair.

I'm sorry. I'll email the certification trainer and ask.

A Mal can most certainly be an assistance dog... any breed can.

My agility instructor also assists people in training their own assistance dogs. She trained her own (a Flat-coat). If you would like more info, PM me.

 Quote: connie sutherland

I wish I remembered better. I know he was not a seizure-alert dog and that his owner was in a wheelchair.

I'm sorry. I'll email the certification trainer and ask.

OK, got the answer. He is a she (I'm old; the memory goes first), and she is a "mobility assistance" dog. The wheelchair is electric, so no pulling it up ramps, etc. But she picks up dropped things, gets the telephone and brings it, wears a backpack with items in it for the owner, and knows how to use the dog door to go to the next-door neighbor if sent. I understand that she is learning an alarm button (I gather it's like those push-button summons alarms that people can wear around their necks).

I'm sure there's more, but this was the email reply.

 Quote: connie sutherland

I'm sure there's more, but this was the email reply.

That's a start for sure Connie, I'm looking at the dropped things and bring it i.e. phone, keys etc.

My only concern for my girl is the actual physical bracing for getting out of chairs or off a toilet since I'm over 6' 3" there is a big height differance between me and her when I'm standing. I'd be looking at a harness with rather longish 'D' Handle which in turn that could possibly get in the way of a saddle bag to carry meds, cell phone, keys etc.

 Quote: geoff empey

 Quote: connie sutherland

I'm sure there's more, but this was the email reply.

That's a start for sure Connie, I'm looking at the dropped things and bring it i.e. phone, keys etc.

My only concern for my girl is the actual physical bracing for getting out of chairs or off a toilet since I'm over 6' 3" there is a big height differance between me and her when I'm standing. I'd be looking at a harness with rather longish 'D' Handle which in turn that could possibly get in the way of a saddle bag to carry meds, cell phone, keys etc.

I'm not sure about that physical bracing. I think I'd be looking at two things: A bar for gripping and leaning by the toilet; careful choices of chairs.

They have those chairs with a mechanism for helping the person to rise, but also, I learned while working with service-dogs-in-training, one can be careful about having chairs around that are high enough so that the person doesn't get trapped in a low, soft seat. Also, sturdy arms on the chair seemed invaluable. Oh, and one man in the group of handler/owners used a very sturdy collapsible walking stick or cane..... it was like a camp cup, where it goes into itself, rather than folding. Then it locks open. Anyway, he opened it only halfway to use it as a prop to get out of his wheelchair. The dog carried this folded stick in her backpack.

I also saw something called (I think) a backback harness-vest. It was in two pieces. I could find out where those are procured if you want. I don't remember a brand or anything.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

I'm not sure about that physical bracing. I think I'd be looking at two things: A bar for gripping and leaning by the toilet; careful choices of chairs.

They have those chairs with a mechanism for helping the person to rise, but also, I learned while working with service-dogs-in-training, one can be careful about having chairs around that are high enough so that the person doesn't get trapped in a low, soft seat. Also, sturdy arms on the chair seemed invaluable. Oh, and one man in the group of handler/owners used a very sturdy collapsible walking stick or cane..... it was like a camp cup, where it goes into itself, rather than folding. Then it locks open. Anyway, he opened it only halfway to use it as a prop to get out of his wheelchair. The dog carried this folded stick in her backpack.

I also saw something called (I think) a backback harness-vest. It was in two pieces. I could find out where those are procured if you want. I don't remember a brand or anything.

Yes I totally agree about the chair and toilet thing just it's the times when you least expect it is when you are stuck. I'd like to train the dog to either use a tug like device to help me out of those fluffy chairs that I have been trapped in. A lot better than me rolling onto the floor and crawling to a wall for support.

I've never seen a collapsable cane or brace like you describe, I have something like that but it is a baton that carry when I can walk or scooter in case a stray decides to interfere with the dog and myself!

As well I have just seen saddle bag harnesses but without a 'D' handle or a flimsy looking handle. I envisioned something with a weight distributing handle not unlike Ed's Patrol harness with the longitudinal center handle. http://www.leerburg.com/777.htm with the handle maybe in the vertical done in mesh with provision for one or 2 small saddlebags.