I have a 2 year GSD that started as a wheel chair assistance dog, but since I've graduated to walking again, she now is my mobility dog.

I am wanting to attain her AKC obedience titles.

I am wondering though...if I train her in this, will I somehow ruin her service dog purpose?

I know to use a chain instead of her martingale, and to not use her vest even for training. I've titled other GSD's over the years, yet none of them were mobility dogs. I am just afraid that she will go into her service mode, if I stumble, or become shaky. I cannot in good stance, correct her for doing what I need her to do, even in the OB ring.

Has anyone ever dual trained a service dog, or seen one used in both arenas? Will correcting her in the ring somehow confuse her work for me as a service dog?

I also am considering letting her try fly ball. She has great drive, and I think fly ball will be great fun for her. Her favorite toy is a hyper-dog slingshot. There are no other GSD's in this area doing this sort of sport, and I am wondering if there is a reason for that. She has no joint problems, and I am wondering if this would be too much stress on a normal, very driven, active girl. Play time for her is such a release of energy!

Thank you so much,

Vicky

I am so sorry to have put this on this forum. I found the forum for obedience work. If possible, could this post be moved to that area of the board? Forgive my new-ness. I'll look closer next time.

Vicky

IMO, if she performs her service duties while training or showing in OB, I believe there is no reason to attempt to change it. Hopefully you have a good day in the ring and she titles.

Regarding flyball, as long as you train the dog to hit the box while turning (called a swimmer's turn) it's not too bad of an activity. I saw a Turveren that had not been trained to turn and it absorbs the full shock of hitting the box in it's neck. It is painful to watch!! In my understanding, most serious flyball injuries are caused by colliding with another dog.

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I am wondering though...if I train her in this, will I somehow ruin her service dog purpose?

Only you will know for sure, but my feeling is if it is enjoyable for you both to work AKC OB then you whould go for it.

As you have already alluded to, i would work very hard on making some distinct associations for when you are doing OB and when you are dong service work. This need not be limited to vestor no vest. Also think of things like a particlular toy/reward that is very diff for OB and searvice dog work.

Of course I would not correct my dog for falling into service dog mode if I really needed it. That is your dog's primary job after all. You will have to work extra hard on your body language in the ring, and try your best to not ask for service dog tasks while you are doing your X minutes of obeidence a day.

I have heard of a couple of service dogs with OB titles in my breed (Duck Toller). As long as you both feel up to the task and are having fun, I would try it

Cheers,

Vicky, If you are going to be doing AKC Obedience you can't correct your dog in the ring at a trial. So actually if she doesn't respond to your obedience command, it really won't confuse her service dog work. At best in obedience, you can give a second command for heeling and lose some points. The judge will really "come down on you" if you correct her.

Try out a match or practice show where mild corrections are allowed, then you will get a better idea of her performance.

Good luck and have fun.

Thank you all for the input. I will take all of the suggestions to heart. If this were a different situation, this would be so much easier. I love doing obedience with my girls, and will give fly-ball a whirl with her. I did not know about the possible injury to her neck. I will pay close attention to that, and will train her to turn when she grabs the ball. Thank you for telling me that!

I am going to try and do this, and hopefully things will fall into place for us. If it doesn't go well, she will go back to doing what she does best, and that is help me live an independant life. But, I will surely try my best. I am not too sure that it is she that will need the work, rather it will be me that has to give the best effort. I just know she'll find this all great fun!

Thank you all so much.

Vicky