[~Karla~]

I've been thinking about all of the points raised in my last thread and have had plenty of conversations IRL with various people. If we go the rescue dog option, I think we are best getting a puppy or doing a private adoption through one of the breed rescue groups. The problem with a young puppy is that it is more of a gamble, health and temperament wise and it may take us 12 months of training to realise the dog just isn't cut out for service work. Otherwise I think an older pup from a good breeder is the other option.

My brother mentioned that he saw a group for rehoming service dogs if something happens to their owners. I've looked, but can't see anything and thought that most groups have a condition that in the event of the handler dying, either another family member adopted the dog as a pet or it was returned to them. My brother is quite invested in this - he was the one who first suggested I look into this 18 months or so ago - as he tried to get an assistance dog for his wife before she died (brain tumour). Apparently back then he did find a group that rehomed service dogs and he thinks this would be a fantastic option for us. Does anyone know any groups like this? If there is one, I think it could be a fantastic option for us - i wouldn't feel so guilty about not saving a dog from death row and we would have a dog that we know is suitable temperament wise.

I am also looking at labs and goldies as well as shepherds now although I would prefer a shepherd. So, for those that thought I wasn't listening, I was and as I said, I do appreciate the time you took to share your opinions with me.

[Oriental lily]

I imagine if these dogs were still faily young then they would be fairly valuable. I imagine they would be quickly snapped up by another family or person with the same condition.

For example if a ms suffer passed away and the family of the person did not want the dog as a pet then the person who passed away would have friends and associates also with ms also wanting such a dog. And it would be placed with them.

I just don't think their would be fully trained assistant dogs 'on the market' long enough to need a service Rehoming them.

Wouldn't they also be taken back by the organization who originally trained them? Who would sell them on?

Karla have you contacted service dog associations to see if such dogs ( perhaps older ones) are sold at a cheaper cost?

Or if you could go on a waiting list?


Also have you thought about fundraisers or having some sort of appeal to raise funds to be able purchase a fully trained dog out right.

Your situation is pretty special.

I know our school has fundraisers for families to purchase specialist equipment for children,

And raising funds to purchase a dog would really spark the excitement in a community when it's for such a good cause and really assist your sons.

[~Karla~]

That's what I thought too OL but I promised my brother I'd look into it. He's adament he's seen rehoming services for service dogs.

There's a 3 year wait for a fully trained dog. I have no issues with doing the fundraising, but I don't want to wait 3 years!

[epg]

It's also worth considering taking on a "failed" assistance dog! The training is pretty rigorous and not all dogs ultimately prove useful enough. Contact some of the associations and ask about the dogs that don't complete the training program.

[Sinister Bonnet]

Why would Karla who needs a trained assistance dog consider taking on a failed assistance dog?

Would the agencies you have talked to know about that kind of networking?

[hiddensecrets]

That's what I thought too OL but I promised my brother I'd look into it. He's adament he's seen rehoming services for service dogs.

There's a 3 year wait for a fully trained dog. I have no issues with doing the fundraising, but I don't want to wait 3 years!

I am in the same boat OP....if you find out if there are rehoming services for service dogs PLEASE let me know

[Oriental lily]

Karla I think service dogs such as ex police dogs and ex sniffer dogs might have a Rehoming service. Often theses dogs are trained a certain way that makes them hard to place because they are trained to be highly driven.

However they are totally different to assistance dogs. Which need a more more placid, intelligent temperament.

So maybe that is where the confusion is?

My sil recently adopted a lab x the other month from a foster carer,the pup is about five months old.

He is the sweetest, most biddable, calmest, friendliest, pup I have ever met. I met him for the first time on the weekend.

Funnily enough I though about you lol.

She also has two young kids.
He does not even jump up on them!

And he is already huge.


So really I think an older pup would be your best bet. This pup came to her desexed and only for 300 dollars.
Bargain!

[Guest_~Songbird~_*]

,

This post has been edited by *SnowFlower*: 20/02/2013, 05:21 PM

[Dylan's Mummy]

You should co tact Guide Digs Australia or another of the assistance dogs organisations. And like a PP said, there are probably plenty that don't pass the testing, I'm sure they need homes.

[bubba boo]

I would not recommend getting a failed assistance dog. I got a failed assistance lab for a pet and even as a pet the dog was really difficult. These dogs fail for a reason and often it is a problem with training or temperament. You really don't need a dog which could have these problems as it would just add more issues.