like this?

http://www.leerburg.com/755.htm

(My lovely Malinois Raine is the model )

 Quote: Cindy Easton Rhodes

like this?

http://www.leerburg.com/755.htm

(My lovely Malinois Raine is the model )

That's the one I saw!!

I didn't know Leerburg had it.

 Quote: Cindy Easton Rhodes

like this?

http://www.leerburg.com/755.htm

(My lovely Malinois Raine is the model )

Yeah that is close but with a more sturdy grab handle probably the other way vertically so that it would dissipate weight over the dogs sides not lengthwise down her spine.

Raine must be a sweetheart. Sasha and I train and play with some of Raine's siblings you have yourself a boatload of superb genetics there.

Geoff
Are you needing to push down on the dog to help you get up, or do you need to pull?
Going back to horse saddle fit principles: It doesn't matter which way the handle goes on the dog, if the harness is putting pressure on the spine it will do it whether the handle is vertical or horizontal. The key is to spread the weight over the largest possible area AND not put any pressure on the spine. If you are pushing on the dog's back she will need some pretty good padding under the harness/vest. If you are pulling from behind the main pressure point would be the chest not the spine.
I think she would be most comfortable pulling you up with a tug, I think that is a brilliant idea of yours.

 Quote: Debbie Bruce

Geoff
Are you needing to push down on the dog to help you get up, or do you need to pull? I think she would be most comfortable pulling you up with a tug, I think that is a brilliant idea of yours.

Well I'm still not exactly sure of the ergonomics of the exercise. The way I see it there will be 2 different actions ..

1. Getting up off a kitchen type of chair. That would require if there isn't something solid for me to hold on to, to brace myself on the dog for balance. That would go for the same action if I need to get up off the floor.

2. Being on a low couch or the like that's where a tug or something where she can assist me up.

That's why I am looking at the first harness the Police Patrol Harness it looks a lot more sturdy and I can attach a lead to various points so she can help haul me up . I think adding some sort of small saddlebag or even a larger baitbag to put keys, cell etc in could be easily done.

Though at this point I'm getting a little ahead of myself. I do need first to train the dog before I think of a pile of accessories

I don't know what do you think of my suggestion, but what about getting another dog that is about same size as mastiff? You still can use your mali to bring your objects and another big dog to help you get your back on the feet? I remember watching a t.v. program about a lady who was having a hard time getting up and moving around. She had an english mastiff who helps her with getting up, dragging, or pulling her around so her dog was pretty strong to preform these tasks.

It is just a suggestion and I'm sorry about your health

Hi Lindsay, thanks for the suggestion but getting a second dog would be out for me. I already had a local Service Dog Group offer me an already trained 'Lab' type of dog and I declined. More for reasons of space both in the house and in vehicle. Plus the fact I'd be in declining health and in charge of 2 animals it might be a bit much. My Mali is already is assisting me with balance tasks and when I get a proper harness with a grip handle it will be even easier. I appreciate the concern about my health too, thanks.

Geoff,

Coincidentally, this last weekend I ran into 2 people with experiences that relate to your situation.

The first person is a former training buddy of mine whose main focus is service dogs. She has trained a variety of breeds, mainly (I think) shelter rescues. I mentioned your question and she said the reason most organizations want to give you their own dogs is liability: If they haven't selected and trained the dog themselves, they are at greater legal risk if the dog does something inappropriate. Having said that, her personal demo dog happens to be a Malinois. You won't find a nicer, calmer, more sociable dog.

The second person was competing with a Tervuren against me in a CDX class at an AKC obedience trial. She won the class the first day (but I beat her on the second ). Turns out her dog is also her assistance dog: Helps with balance, getting her up when she falls, walking a straight line, etc. She says her dog, though only 40lbs, has no trouble bracing to help her get up (she's a rather heavy-set lady). Despite the service training, her dog showed a lot of spirit in the competition ring - was a pleasure to watch it work. I believe, but am not certain, that she trained the dog herself for both competition and service.

So yes, Mals / Tervs / Belgians as assistance dogs aren't unheard of. And you don't necessarily need a huge dog. I hope you can overcome the legal / regulatory issues you're facing up there.

Best of luck,

Anita

Geoff

I don't know much about it but have you seen this?
http://www.leerburg.com/417.htm "How to clicker train your own assistance dog"

On one of the DVD's it shows "bracing and fall prevention and recovery". I bet it shows techniques for different sizes of dog and owner but I am not sure as I have never seen it.

Anita! Congratulations on your one HIT at last weekends CDX trial, good job Parek!

My Mali is about 50lbs soaking wet probably closer to 47lbs and I'm 240+ and she has been balancing me like a champ, mind you I am being very careful. Holding on to her collar and back and just using her for balance as without a proper harness to spread my weight evenly I don't think it is fair for me to put my whole weight on even though the dog is more than strong enough. At least I don't feel right about it.

It's nice to see your friend still doing competition with her Terv. I have no plans to not continue Herding and would like to work her up to a BH and Brevet in French Ring next year she is at a CD level now just I haven't had a chance to get to trials. I got a working dog .. so she is going to work as long as I can keep up with it.

I'm working with the provincial government to get a grant that will assist me with the training. So Angela yes I did see Ed's Assistance Dog video just waiting on more info from my government contact. As I'll be purchasing that and a pile of private training from a trainer who can offer specialized training like that.