Touch/Support dog?

fit44

fit44

Cathlete
We are expecting a bully(Bullmastiff) pup this summer around late July/August. :)In the meantime, I've been researching possible schools for puppy and obedience. I found a school with qualified trainers (AKC CGC evaluators & members of APDT). The school also trains support/service dogs and has a Touch program for dogs 2 years and older. :cool:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gisNQTLK0o

I would love to prepare my bully for this program!!! The thing is, I've never seen a support Bullmastiff.:confused: I've seen a few boxers, but never Bullmastiff.
I googled and found this beautiful guy...
http://www.ssegal.com/donvito.html


Anyone here in a Touch program? What advice could you give me to prepare my bully for this program?
 
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Thanks Laura! How is your new fur baby doing?
I've been keeping Maximus busy with lots of walks. I took him to visit with my sister's corgi pup the other day. All I can say is I was surprised by all the puppy energy! :eek: I'm walking Maximus more so he is in good shape for the new arrival.;)
 
Congrats on your new pup!!! My big babies are my heart .. they are truely gentle giants .. and will wrap themselves around your heart at first sight - lick - or slober!! LOL

I am not sure on the training or touch training .. I trained my VERY spoiled big babies myself .. they are just my huge lovable furry family members (my babies)!!!

But what a wonderful service to train them to heal people .. that is a wonderful idea and I wish you all the best luck in it!!! :)
 
Thanks Poochy!
I peeked inside your picturetrail album.:)
Oh my goodness, your babies have the most wonderful wrinkled faces!!!! I want to give those faces a big smooch.:D
 
YUP... they are my big luvy babies ... nothing but heart ... although the male is a bit protective of his mama .. they are my sweety pies!!! The male is 8 now .. and getting older .. I cant even imagine my life w/o him .. so he is extra babied now.. LOL ..

they are "kin" to a bullmastiff .. in fact they are the French version of the bull mastiff .. Dougue de Bordeaux's (aka: French Mastiff) .. I added a couple of pics to the misc doggie pics today .. not sure if you got to see those ..
 
I went back to look in your album, I did see them! I LOVE the picture of your two with Elmo..:) They look so sweet laying together.

They look like they enjoy a good nap.:D
 
Seems like Touch Dogs are very similar to Therapy Dogs in the work that they are doing. You will want to socialize your puppy as much as possible and as early as possible. Busy public places like amusements parks and such are great (if they allow dogs.) One thing you will have to keep in mind is your puppy's personality, many dogs are suited for this type of work but not all. Obedience training is always a must for this type of dog to get certification and that can be started as early as about 14 weeks, you'll want a good, experienced trainer to help you with that and it sounds like you've done some good research on that part. Sounds like you are greatly looking forward to this puppy and being a wonderful dog parent, I'm sure the 2 of you will do great things. Enjoy!!!
 
I know Pitbulls who are search and rescue dogs, so why not a Mastif who is a therapy dog?

I honestly think it has more to do with the dog's personality than the type of dog. Of my two Aussies, my first one would have made a fabulous therapy dog. Jimmy, the one in my avatar, would not. He's attached to the family but other people don't interest him as much - and he was heavily socialized. It's really personality more than training.

Yes - read up on socializing. He'll need to be socialized to dogs, people and noise. Take him everywhere you can. Introduce him to as many people and situations as you can. Dogs don't generalize very well, so a human wearing a hat is very different than a human not wearing a hat.
 
andtckrtoo said:
I know Pitbulls who are search and rescue dogs, so why not a Mastif who is a therapy dog?

I honestly think it has more to do with the dog's personality than the type of dog. Of my two Aussies, my first one would have made a fabulous therapy dog. Jimmy, the one in my avatar, would not. He's attached to the family but other people don't interest him as much - and he was heavily socialized. It's really personality more than training.

Yes - read up on socializing. He'll need to be socialized to dogs, people and noise. Take him everywhere you can. Introduce him to as many people and situations as you can. Dogs don't generalize very well, so a human wearing a hat is very different than a human not wearing a hat.
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Thanks Christine. I've always wanted to participate in this program, but my boxers would have never qualified. Mercedes was too nervous. Maximus sounds a lot like your Jimmy. He loves his family, loves children, but for the most part not interested in people. He's very laid back like a mastiff. My vet's office can't get over how calm he is for a boxer. They told me they call all the boxers "crazy boxers", but not Maximus.:)

I have high hopes for my bully, but if he doesn't qualify, I'll still love him.:) I'm warning my hairdresser, UPS man, mail carrier, everyone I know, that I will need a lot of hands on with my bully!
 
fit44 said:
Thanks Laura! How is your new fur baby doing?
I've been keeping Maximus busy with lots of walks. I took him to visit with my sister's corgi pup the other day. All I can say is I was surprised by all the puppy energy! :eek: I'm walking Maximus more so he is in good shape for the new arrival.;)
Click to expand...

Bella is doing awesome! Thanks for asking :) She is 4.5 months now and calming down a wee bit. Long walks 2x a day really help. It was so cute, she just discovered the ground without snow and grrrrs at the grass and scratches it, then she runs around in the crazy pug run :p Her and Lilly are really getting on well too!

Laura
 
That is soo cool! My neighbor has a whippet that she rescued from grey hound dog racing. She is a therapy dog and her person takes her to the Veterans Retirement Home to visit with the sick . .I don't know if she is a "touch" dog though. I would LOVE for my Georgie to do something like that but he would be all over the place. He's 99.9% muscle and strong as heck at 5 months old and has teeth like a pit viper. I can't wait for your new family member to come home. Please post pics when you can!
 
Morningstar,
Touch is an acronym for "Therapy of Unique Canine Helpers", volunteer dogs and handlers who visit nursing homes and hospitals. The dogs must be at least 2 years old, have basic obedience, have not received any type of protection training, pass a temperament test, and have the willingness to be touch.
It's not the same as a service dog. Service dogs are generally breed specific and they are trained to help people with various mobility problems.
Touch dogs are for petting only.


Janie, It sounds like your friend is in a touch.therapy dog program. I'm guessing the programs have different names. Georgie could be a touch dog! He's too young now, but he could grow into it. :)

We are getting excited about our new family member. Trust me, there will be pictures!:D
 
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