Hello from Austin

[Everybody Luvs Eddie]

Hello everyone! I'm Ella, a new member. I have an 8 month old Jack Russell named Eddie. We got him from a breeder in Golden, Colorado and then immediately took him on a road trip to Austin. Eddie is AKC certified and his father was awarded "Best of Breed" by Colorado Kennel Club in February 2012.

Although we don't plan on having a show dog, we would like to train Eddie to be a good canine citizen and do some things that service dogs do, like fetching keys or putting his toys away. Eddie is obviously too small to do all the things that service dogs do. Are there any schools that provide classes for that? I've researched service dog schools in Austin and it seems like they only provide dogs that are already trained to be a service dog; they don't provide classes to train your dog to be a service dog. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Our lives in Austin will end soon mid-January 2013. Then, we're off on the road again. My husband is a consultant so we travel all over the world. Not sure where we're headed next, but we're excited to include Eddie in our traveling adventures. You can follow Eddie on face book: Everybody Luvs Eddie.

Thanks for your attention.
Ella

[kian]

Hi Ella,

I show and compete with my Aussie, Ice and it is fun. As for Service Dog Training, I do know two but they are in New Mexico. Your best bet is to contact some local and state clubs, they may know. Also contact some Canine Training Centers, they maybe able to direct you to someone who can help you out. They won't certify him, so you can't take him anywhere you want, however, he can learn to do what you need to at home. To certify you must have a reason to have a Service Dog.

If you want to do these things for fun, many trainers can work with that. I am a Professional Trainer and have done a few things for clients just for fun. Good luck on your adventures!

[manitwo]

Welcome to DP Ella and little Eddie.Eddie sounds a smart and cute guy.
I have two little ones,a Lhasa and a Mini Fox terrier ,they keep me busy.From Manitwo,Mimi and Badge in Australia.

[Nileska]

Greetinings Ms Ella',A prerequisite for a CGC degree is the completion of a basic obedience course.The dog is then tested for proficiency before the CGC certificate is issued.Your dog will then be welcome at Hospitals and Nurseing homes as a therapeutic visitor for the patients ( size of dog does not mater )....Visit one of your local Obedience Training Clubs for classes and advice,they will be listed in your phone book...

I have trained dogs which were then donated to service dog groups who did the advanced training and placement they must be large and sturdy enough to assist the handicapped although smaller dogs like your JRT are trained to assist the hearing impaired...You will not be qualified for an actual service dog unless you have a certifiable medical need .

[Everybody Luvs Eddie]

thank you everyone for the responses and good advice!! we're going on the road in 2 weeks so i'll check into schools and trainers once we settle down again.

for now, i need to revisit all the commands i've already taught eddie. at 8 months, he seems to be going through the adolescent rebellion phase. when i take him out to the park, he neglects to respond to simple commands like "come" or "stay". i'm a bit frustrated. especially because yesterday, he ran out the door and crossed the street. two cars were coming and he just stopped in the middle of the street like a "deer with headlights". thank goodness the cars stopped! (it's a side road so people are driving pretty slow) the first driver offered to help but stupid me said, "no thanks." then for the next 10 minutes, eddie ran around in circles in the lawn and wouldn't "come" at all. finally a stranger came to help. all he had to do was walk towards eddie and eddie ran to his feet. argh!!! why won't he do that with me?

[Nileska]

Ms Ella.Although I had trained dogs for a while,my breed was blessed with " selective hearing ".( they are also escape artists )
When one of the girls sliped out of the kennel yard and ignored all commands,which she well knew,I grabbed a lead and started out in hot pursuit.

.Around the neighborhood we went,she stayed in sight but conveniently out of reach.The chase circled around by home again and through a large field behind our place.At the house across the field a lady was puting her dogs out in their pen.The lady spotted the pursuit and greeted the miscreant as she stopped to visit the other dogs.I circled an outbuilding to stay out of sight,when I emerged the lady had my dog by her collar.I thanked the lady attached the lead and we had heeling drill all the way home. SO DONT FEEL LIKE THE LONE RANGER

.If you can find a good training club where you will be,some classes would be helpful.As Kian has said " training is never done ".

HAPPY NEW YEAR !