Suitable dog

[LuxuryBed]

I am thinking maybe a Lab.

I am going to move next year, and want to get a dog after I move. I want to do my research and get everything lined up.

I want a dog to be a semi working dog and a guard dog. I have a disability and an electric scooter.

The waiting list was closed from the charity I was looking at in the past.

I have trained a rescue dog before, do you think I could train a puppy myself? Where is the best place to buy a puppy?

What would your plan be if the dog didn't make the grade as an assistance dog? Even a noticeable proportion of guide dogs, which are specially bred and trained by very experienced trainers don't make the grade. Would you keep the dog as a pet?

What specific disability related tasks do you want to teach the dog to do, and will you physically be able to teach these?

Labs aren't natural guard dogs, and if I'm honest I'm not sure the two very different jobs are going to be compatible with each other; personally I'd stick to the one job for the dog.

There was someone on here a week or two ago asking questions about owner trained assistance dogs. Unfortunately they had really struggled to find a trainer who understood what they were trying to achieve, let alone how to achieve it. People here didn't have a clue where to start if I'm honest; it certainly isn't easy and it's not a task I'd want to embark upon without the back up of a trainer experienced with assistance dog training.

Would you keep the dog as a pet?

Yes, we like the company of animals.

I struggle with bending down, so loading the washing machine and picking up dropped keys, that type of thing. Train the dog to use a specific area in the garden to do their business and to walk next to a powerchair. I can walk short distances and have become isolated.

I am moving to live with a family member, we are both selling up and moving to a new area.

I would be content with a dog that barks on command, hopefully that would scare undesirable people away.