Rider swap ok when with service dog ?

[cinderella73]

3 suprises ( 1 related 2 not )

I just wanted to add that I may have some really exciting news that will totally change everything , in a good way though. I am anonymous so I guess I can post it. I mean the people that cant know dont go on here anyway so there is no way they can know . And I never mentioned any names on here soooo...

There is a possibility that the trainers may join us ! I cant say more yet but it would be very exciting and wonderful because my son would love to meet his trainer who has gotten to know and adores but has never met in person. And that would also really help me in every way. Dont know if it will happen because they are super busy and my friend is offering to buy their tickets and airfare ( extremely generous) but its being discussed.

Oh and totally off topic but to add to my unusual day I just wanted to share to more suprises with you all.

My other suprise was my husband saving a sick kitten on the side of a road ! we brought him to the animal hospital and he is on a Iv but he is now doing better they said ( was barely a pound) . And even though we cant have cats we may now be the owner of one intil we find it a home. Since I am getting ready to go get our dog soon I hope we can figure something out fast! I am working on my mom taking him in but not sure its going to work yet. I just hope he continues to improve.

And the last one is a I got a box of suprises from the Disney moms club today. Tons of stuff and totally unexpected.

Today is one of those everything out the blue days!

 

[zimom]

I just wanted to add my story as my 6 y.o. daughter and I just attended two weeks of team training this May in Orlando where she graduated with her skilled companion/service dog. The graduation ceremony was held at Sea World, after which we spent the afternoon enjoying the park, without her new dog. Although it was just an incredible two weeks, we definately were not ready that soon to take her to the parks so the organization took all the dogs back to the campus.

Please do not take this as an attack, I'm just trying to share our recent personal story. Yes it will be hot, yes, as a black lab, it is more of an issue for our dog, but its more that here now two months later, as much as she is a part of our family, I train with her daily, I supervise my daughter feeding her, I'm the one that takes her outside to toilet, I would still not be totally comfortable in that high stimulation environment of a park situation. We return for our follow-up on campus in September, followed by a day at Universal Studios (provided to the families), and I would bet every family will be leaving their dogs at the kennel on campus.

I know there is a brand new kennel opening up at WDW. Enjoy your time at Disney. You will have a GREAT time at your training. It will be hard work, you will learn more in those two weeks then you can imagine, but I really would suggest not stressing yourself out at Disney. Consider the kennel for a few days (not overnight, just during the day) so the whole family can enjoy the parks together. I don't know the rules about posting links, so contact me if you would like information about the new kennel.

I don't remember when you said you would be at Disney but we will be in Orlando 8/30-9/4 and 9/9-9/12. BTW, we homeschool too!

 

[cinderella73]

I just wanted to add my story as my 6 y.o. daughter and I just attended two weeks of team training this May in Orlando where she graduated with her skilled companion/service dog. The graduation ceremony was held at Sea World, after which we spent the afternoon enjoying the park, without her new dog. Although it was just an incredible two weeks, we definately were not ready that soon to take her to the parks so the organization took all the dogs back to the campus.

Please do not take this as an attack, I'm just trying to share our recent personal story. Yes it will be hot, yes, as a black lab, it is more of an issue for our dog, but its more that here now two months later, as much as she is a part of our family, I train with her daily, I supervise my daughter feeding her, I'm the one that takes her outside to toilet, I would still not be totally comfortable in that high stimulation environment of a park situation. We return for our follow-up on campus in September, followed by a day at Universal Studios (provided to the families), and I would bet every family will be leaving their dogs at the kennel on campus.

I know there is a brand new kennel opening up at WDW. Enjoy your time at Disney. You will have a GREAT time at your training. It will be hard work, you will learn more in those two weeks then you can imagine, but I really would suggest not stressing yourself out at Disney. Consider the kennel for a few days (not overnight, just during the day) so the whole family can enjoy the parks together. I don't know the rules about posting links, so contact me if you would like information about the new kennel.

I don't remember when you said you would be at Disney but we will be in Orlando 8/30-9/4 and 9/9-9/12. BTW, we homeschool too!

awesome! We will be coming in toward the tail end of your stay . It would be cool to run into you. We totally have no problems using the kennel for the bigger part of the day . In fact the trainer also said that would be a good idea . I know they keep it cool and we also have a clip on kennel fan as well.

I dont know f you caught my update but it looks like there is a chance the trainer might possibly join us which would be a tremendously amazing learning experience. And believe me they are super strict about what I can and cant do with the dog so they will make sure I dont screw up. And I will feel so much better also.

But even if not looks like it might be 3 of us moms with our SD's on one day which means 2 can rest and we can take more breaks. But of course I still wont take him out much , just evenings a couple times even at that.

I am just so happy that things are looking up a little! Maybe this trip will work out after all.

Oh the kennel sounds nice. You mean the luxury one right ? Do you have any good pics of it ? I just saw a press release but it sounds like pet heaven. I cant find info on the rates either . Any info you have would be wonderful thanks!

 

[zimom]

tried to pm you more information but it says I have to have 10 posts

 

[cinderella73]

tried to pm you more information but it says I have to have 10 posts

oh shoot , yea it did that when I joined also... Just post 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , lol

 

[LockShockBarrel]

You can find those treats sometimes labeled as "training treats" or sometimes they'll have treats labeled for small dogs and those work fine. Even a couple pieces of their normal food works. Its just you don't want to be giving them one of those milkbones that are as long as your hand several times through the day you know? The Pet Supplies Plus nearby us has little treats that are about an inch long in bulk, and they're not expensive so if you have one of those stores around you that may be a place to check.

When you go on the safari vehicle you do have to tether your dog with a leash. One year our dog slept through it, the other year he was a little more interested. His nose went a mile a minute through the walking trails at AK, but he was sniffing everything at all the parks so it wasn't a new thing for him. The other animals were much more interested in him than he was in them. One year when we were by the glass where the tigers are in AK, he just watched them and wagged his tail like "Hey, there's lot of room to run in there..could I go in there?" while a tiger started to walk towards the glass. The next year on of the tigers was up lounging on something in the exhibit seemingly asleep, then it raised its head and was sniffing the air and looked down to where we were so I guess he smelled the dog. When you go to the glass underwater viewing area for the hippos, the came from clear across the tank over to the glass to check things out. The parrots/macaws out on the trails near the entrance of AK weren't too happy with the dog, and squaked when we went by. At Epcot, the sea turtle in the Living Seas followed us around for a little while.

Every dog is different with what they'll like and what they won't, and both our dogs were set off or grumpy with different things. Dog 1 didn't mind moving platforms, Dog 2 got a little weirded out by them. Dog 1 was more interested in the animals, Dog 2 wasn't. Both dogs had ride vehicles they had trouble getting into, but not the same ones. Dog 2 loved the boat ride in Living with the Land. Both dogs would completely sack out at restaurants and most times when we would sit for any length of time. Both dogs were also a little freaked out with loud noises for the first day or two, but then were fine.

 

[SueM in MN]

I don't think anyone meant to make you feel attacked or question your motives. Dclfun and I just speak from experience with having a dog down there (I feel like Sue's DD has one too, not sure though) I'm sure everyone will be at least comforted to hear that you're willing to do what you need to in regards to the dog's safety and comfort. Our concern doesn't come from a place of "oh well she's clueless and can't handle it" or anything like that, just us knowing the challenges we've had being experienced dog owners and being there with well established service dog/human teams. Plain and simply as even you've said, it's less than the ideal situation, but sometimes you have to just make things work. I think I speak for all of us in that we just want you to be as well informed and prepared as possible, and make the best choices you can for your family and your new family member.

My DD does have a service dog - black British Lab named Niles.
This is him (the hunting couch is not ours - it was at one of the trainer's house).

We have not brought Niles to WDW with us because the services/tasks that he does for my DD are not things she really needs at WDW. It's mostly picking things up for her if she can't reach, staying in her room or going to her when she rings her bell to see what she needs, getting us if she needs us.
For our family, the benefit of having the dog with is not worth the 'cost' of having him with us. So, when we go to WDW, he vacations at the trainer.

You can find those treats sometimes labeled as "training treats" or sometimes they'll have treats labeled for small dogs and those work fine. Even a couple pieces of their normal food works.

We use pieces of food or another thing our trainers recommended was little treats called Charlee Bear treats. A few of those treats or pieces of food are good because they are low calorie and are not going to fill your dog up (so he's not hungry when it's time to eat) or stimulate him to need to poop (like some of the huge treats can do).
Niles had some allergy problems, so we had to stop giving him rawhide chews - which was great. He liked the rawhide chews, but they are expensive, messy and many of them are not very healthy.
To replace the chews, the vet recommended a treat dispensing toy. Niles has a Busy Buddy toy or a Kong toy. We put the Charlee Bear and pieces of food in them and he will play with/chew it for a long time.
(Working dogs need some fun too).

 

[LockShockBarrel]

We had a treat dispensing ball but our dog only ever wanted to play catch with it. What he does love is the actual bones filled with the hard pastes inside them where the marrow would normally be. They have flavors like chicken and peanut butter and whatnot and he'd sit and hold it upright between his paws and all his focus would be on licking that stuff out of the bone.