Did anyone else watch this PBS documentary about assistance dogs? I found it really moving. (Ok, ok...I cried buckets all over my dog while I watched.) PBS.org is showing the full episode online now in case you'd like to see it. Well worth an hour in front of the tv or computer.

Edited by Meredith Hamilton (04/24/2010 08:32 PM)
Edit reason: eta

A good tear-jerker with assitance dogs? I've now got it set to record tomorrow at 6:00 PM. Thanks for the head's up - I would not have seen it otherwise.

i watched it.
naturally now i would be super emotional, and yes, i was crying.

that being said, i found these dogs lack of reliable basic OB just frustrating. I have a good friend training her golden through the eyes for the blind program, she was commenting on the show, and how she had never seen dogs placed with clients with that poor behavior before, and i do agree, most look like they couldn't even get through a CGC.
now, i know not all the programs out there are like this one at all, and there was probably lots of stress with meeting/going home with the new owners, cameras, etc, but again, imo, service dogs should be able to handle that without those problems...

BUT, it did have lots of good points, it really exposed how they work with the pups, exposing them to the differnet noises, terrains, equipment, etc. It also really highlighted that the program is out there, and how many differnet jobs these service dogs can have, like the girl who got the dog for her seizures, really shows you don't have to be blind or confined to a wheelchair to get use from a service dog.

We get 5 PBS stations here. Over the next few days there are stories about frogs, humpback whales, green houses, Clifford the Dog, and Barney the Dinosaur. Hopefully I'll find this program - I really want to see it.

When I do see it, though, I'm not going to cry. Well, even if I did, you wouldn't know cause I'm not going to tell you.

To Mallory's point re: lack of ob skills in the service dogs---I told myself it was due to the fact that kids were issuing the commands, they were hard for the dogs to understand and inconsistent. The show certainly was not edited to show off skilled dogs actually working.

thats a good point, i did think about that. lots of new handlers, some with possible issues with vocalizing like the dogs are used to, that may well have been part of it, it just seemed odd that it was across the board.

Mallory, Just typed you a response twice and it went away...computer problems

Mallory, This show hit home with me!

Because each child has unique challenges, what you mentioned as the good points are just the dogs foundation training, that combined with extensive temperament evaluations comes first. Next would be insuring a proper fit with dog/child. Much of the actual fine tuning of the training occurs upon placement, after foundational behaviors have been established, the family, including the child needs to be on board for the actual OB. Most Service Dog Organizations offer ongoing support, guidance, and training over the entire lifespan of the placement. The dogs OB will progress as they settle into well established routines that best assist the child. I condensed...it's late, I am sure you get the point!

Meredith is correct, and again they will work with the child on commands.


"The show certainly was not edited to show off skilled dogs actually working."...It never is!

Kids training: the dogs in the film looked confused, a look I've seen on my dog's face. He likes kids, but commands in their voices don't register with him. (Little ones almost always put an extra syllable in his name, it becomes "Rip-a-lee").

We do reading therapy at an inner city library. Most of the kids are really scared of dogs. I don't know how he knows to modify his behavior, but he moves really slowly and carefully around the kids. It amazes me every time I see it.
His behavior with kids "in the wild" is very different. He knows they have tireless arms for ball-throwing and he works at getting the kid to chase him to get his ball. I so enjoy watching him manipulate these games. Pure joy.