I have an owner trained handicapped service / personal protection dog (>5 years now). When someone knocks on the door he goes to the door and barks loudly until I arrive to tell him to be quiet, sit, and stay. Then I open the door and greet or send away whoever is there. It's good advertising for people to know I have a large German Shepherd that obeys. Even when it's friends they talk to people I don't know and I've been amazed at who knows about Jäger.

I decide based on the situation if I want to let the dog loose to meet and greet (he/she wants to be friends {in German}) or got to your crate, the bedroom, or outside.

I control the meeting and so should you. It's not a matter of vest on or off. The law doesn't require a vest and we frequently forgo it. Jäger's behavior is predicated on what I want and not on what he's wearing. He's not always at my side, but he can see me and if he's sleeping and I've moved away I simply call out "Wo bist du" and he comes a' runnin.

As Connie mentioned owner trained service dogs are a lot of work. With Jäger turning seven next week we bred him with Darling Bride's GSD for a replacement. Arrow (like the old Beatles song "Me and My Arrow") is six months old (45lbs @4mo) and I have to constantly remind myself that he's not ready for anything but be near me and play. But all games have a service dog/PPD component.

By the way; Ed's police leash and the padded agitation harness are the best. The police leash allows me a hands free tethered dog with many length options and the padded harness is good for pulling. Jäger has been wearing one all day long, sometimes for days at a time for about five years now without any problems for the dog.

I was thinking of making "Drago" suspicious of people at the door. he's seven months and he lit up on me on a full run when I came upwind and out of the sun the other day and I truly though I was going to get bit but he checked himself very quickly when he saw it was me. His father "Brago" did the same exact thing with me so I'm confident the genetics are there.

I would guess how your dog should act at the door depends on why you got the pupper. For me I wanted a very visable/audible layer of home defense.

OK. Got it. Yes, I want basic home protection too, and he seems to be good at that. Following the other GSDs example in the house.

I am doing basically what you all are doing at the door. Just didn't know if a 7 month should have that attention. The pup is better than the older GSD that was a rescue.

My state requires a vest. I will get the harness you suggest for in house, so I have more to grab on when he is balancing my walking in the house and when I need to use him to climb up off the floor.

Thank you all very much for your patience with me. I am posting a lot of questions lately.

Regards,
Ken

Edited by Ken Eric (07/21/2011 10:08 PM)
Edit reason: redundant reply

Connie,

Yes, that was exactly what I was asking....So you use a release. How does the dog know he is back on the job in the house then?

It doesn't ruin the socialization process at 7 months? I don't want to confuse him early and have to start over.

I am currently using PLAY and WORK, but he doesn't get it yet. I will stay consistent. I put him back on the HOUSE leash for WORK. I have an outside walking leash, an inside leash, and a outside vest. He knows the vest means work.

I would like to here what others do.

Yes, I have read that site. I have worked with other trainers, but, I can find no one that can train beyond basic obedience in my area so far. Still waiting to see if Veterans K9 Corp. will help. Right now, I consider him trained enough to go out in public.

My state protects "Trainers" who are training to the same extent as if the dog was trained, even if it is just socialization. That I am good on. He is great in public, and who is too say he isn't trained. He never growls or shows teeth. He is very friendly. Of course he can be and will be trained more, but for now, he serves a basic function of keeping me steady when walking....missing part of my right leg...use a cane.

Ken:
The ADA trumps your state and it's a violation of your civil rights to be compelled to provide proof that your dog is a service dog. They are allowed to ask if you're disabled and what does the dog do. But they cannot require proof of your service dog's training. See page two right hand column http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.pdf

I have a pet peeve about petty bureaucrats forcing citizens to comply with ad hoc rules. Making your dog wear a twenty dollar vest that can be purchased from dozens of vendors on the web no-questions-asked as proof they are a service dog if foolish. The service dog schools here in AZ all make their own IDs anjd there's companies that sell the same. I used to carry one made on toilet paper and dared them to prove it a forgery.

 Quote: Red Thomas

Ken:
The ADA trumps your state and it's a violation of your civil rights to be compelled to provide proof that your dog is a service dog. They are allowed to ask if you're disabled and what does the dog do. But they cannot require proof of your service dog's training. See page two right hand column http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.pdf

I have a pet peeve about petty bureaucrats forcing citizens to comply with ad hoc rules. Making your dog wear a twenty dollar vest that can be purchased from dozens of vendors on the web no-questions-asked as proof they are a service dog if foolish. The service dog schools here in AZ all make their own IDs anjd there's companies that sell the same. I used to carry one made on toilet paper and dared them to prove it a forgery.

100% correct. I've worked in a hospital as security for the past 12 years, and we are not allowed to request any form of service animal identification, certification, or licensing, even coming into the E.R , or to visit. Only if the animal presents a significant safety risk, or impedes normal operations can we ask that the animal leave the premesis. We do ask if it is a service animal, but we don't require any proof because of the ADA laws.

I find it amazing how many business owners know little to nothing about service animal laws, and open themselves up to alot of potential lawsuits. I've even had to correct jr. officers, physicians, administrators, nursing staff, and everyone in between it seems from making that mistake.

Non-dog ninnies get no greeting, good dog people get a good dog greeting. Easy-peasy!

Red, Ben, et al.,
Thank you for your replies. I carry the ADA print out wherever I go. I went back and read it again, and I see exactly your point. I am in the process of registering my dog with the Local Town, per dog ordinances. No charge for Service Dogs, but they require:

"SERVICE DOGS INCLUDE POLICE, BOMB SNIFFING, N O F E E
WORKING, THERAPY, DETECTION, SERVICE DOGS FOR DISABLED (PROOF MUST BE SUBMITTED)"

I called and asked, and it was proof for the dog, not me being disabled. Maybe a affidavit that I have to sign. We will see, but they will actually give me a State Tag for the dog. Since it is no cost it can't hurt. I travel to hunt and train with firearms and it will make it easier on the plane and train.

BTW I agree with your view on "Petty Bureaucrats". I am trying to cover all my bases since I have a situation with my local Civic Assoc. and our Private beach (deeded rights) and my dog.

 Quote: Ben McDonald

.... They are allowed to ask if you're disabled and what does the dog do. ...

Yes. In fact, the language in Red's link (above) is very clear:
Staff may ask two questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability, and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform. ...