Going to a three day SD workshop should I take my SDIT?

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~Missy~SD~CG- N

~Passed my CGN- test June 17th- 2012~

Barked: Wed May 2, '12 4:39pm PST


	Hi every one You all have been so helpful this past week with all my questions but I have another one. I have registered for a three day SD seminar for the end of this month and you are allowed to bring Service Dogs, SDIT and friendly service dog candidates as well. I was wondering if I should take Missy for the experience of being in a hotel and then to the 90 min seminars/lab that they are having threw out the three days?. (The schedule is 90 min seminar/lab, break, 90 min seminar/lab, Lunch, 90 min seminar/lab, break, 90 min seminar/lab,done its from 9-4 pm) She has had training in obedience but we are just starting her SDIT this month. I just don't want to overwhelm her but I would think the experience would be good for her. Since this is all new to me I would like your suggestions?. Thank you Tina Edited by author Wed May 2, '12 4:43pm PST

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Jazmine- *Jazzy*

1230847

Barked: Wed May 2, '12 9:34pm PST


	Hopefully one of the more experienced SDs will chime in... I think it depends, I know with Jazzy at first 50 minutes was a long time to expect her to stay settled down and not be bored. Now I have no doubt that she could do 90 minute lectures. You'll need a couple relaxing breaks, staying that well behaved is definitely tiring!! And the days we are at school all day used to be really tiring. It depends on how well he can settle down and not be too distracting and how well he'll be with a long day like that. Another thing to consider is needing the bathroom and how he's going to tell you. Otherwise I don't see much of a problem with it. It'd definitely be a dog friendly environment for learning! It also depends how closely bonded you are. Good luck either way!! Hope you have fun!

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~Missy~SD~CG- N

~Passed my CGN- test June 17th- 2012~

Barked: Thu May 3, '12 11:53am PST


	Ty Jazzy I just called and ask a person from the organization that is running the seminars and they said at any time we can get up and leave if Missy needs a potty break or I need a break. She also mentioned that if my hubby is staying at the local hotel he could always come at lunch and pick up Missy if the day is to long or sooner if needed. Since this is so new to me I just wanted some expert advice on what I should do. Tina

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I miss you, U

Barked: Thu May 3, '12 12:22pm PST


	Tina, do you want to take full advantage of the information presented at the seminar, or do you want to split your time between that and training Missy? I think that's the choice you are being presented with. A 90-minute down-stay is something that a dog needs to be gradually accustomed to and if Missy doesn't have her CGN yet my guess is that she is nowhere near that level. So she may need your near-constant attention in order to deal with the expectations and distractions of such a demanding event. You have plenty of time in which to train her, but this seminar is a one-time opportunity. If this were my decision, I would leave her at home and concentrate on learning as much as you can. That's just my $0.02. - NoNameYet

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Jazmine- *Jazzy*

1230847

Barked: Thu May 3, '12 4:15pm PST


	No name yet, awesome response. I completely forgot about that! When I first working with Jazzy at school she had so much trouble keeping settled down and not flip flopping, sniffing, trying to explore, trying to get up, lol believe me you can't fully concentrate on what's going on when you are trying to watch for signs your pup is going to crawl into the next aisle! Now she's great and can do 3 hours with little problem... this took 3 months though. Maybe your husband can watch her in the hotel room and during lunch, before and after lectures you can visit, and do short "training" things like walking with you through all those distractions or staying in a down stay beneath the table. I completely agree with No Name though you won't be able to give even 80% of your attention to what's being said while training your pup to downstay for 90 minutes (believe me in a dogs mind that is a looong time to be laying down with distractions)

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~Missy~SD~CG- N

~Passed my CGN- test June 17th- 2012~

Barked: Thu May 3, '12 7:04pm PST


	You both are so right, I didn't think of it that way. I think I will leave Missy at home and get all I can out of the seminars/Labs and spend the evenings with my hubby with out kids, it has been a while . I am not going to rush Missy to fast, we were suppose to do the CGN last year but I was not ready for it. I contacted a trainer and she said we will start our training in two weeks when she gets back from vacation. I have one concern about Missy it is that she is a Shih Tzu, I have read a few sites on the web that say this breed should not be used as a SD because of their short snout's, this kind of worried me. Tina

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Jazmine- *Jazzy*

1230847

Barked: Thu May 3, '12 8:26pm PST


	I believe the main concern with short snouts is possible breathing problems. I think it should depend on the dog. Honestly a service dog should be able to walk at least across a hot parking lot, through a warm store, back to the car without issues breathing or overheating. That's the main reason that I have found. It is definitely something to be concerned about, and probably something missys vet can give you more insight/help deciding if she's up for it. You have to really think of all the situations she might be in hot, cold, long, sun, rain, etc.

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~Missy~SD~CG- N

~Passed my CGN- test June 17th- 2012~

Barked: Thu May 3, '12 9:11pm PST


	Jazzy thank you for your reply I did take Missy to the vets this past Monday to get her shots and check up and the vet see's no reason that Missy would not be ok being a service dog. She seems to do well with out any breathing issues so far but I gues we will have to wait and see this summer, last summer she was good. I know the cold weather is fine she loves the SNOW,lol. I guess time will tell and I will keep a eye on her breathing as we start training. Thank you Tina

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Scooter

Work hard; Play- harder.

Barked: Fri May 4, '12 6:34am PST


	Something else that didn't really get mentioned, but may be of interest of anyone else that reads this down the road..... Check with the hotel's policy about leaving dogs unattended in the room; aome don't allow it. FWIW, I agree that this is a great training opportunity for you and 90 minute down/stays as a bit much for a dog at the beginning of their training.