Autism/anxiety support dog for a teenager

[servicedog]

I am looking for a dog friend for an autistic 13yo teenager who's become really isolated and anxious. Waiting lists for real support dogs from good orgs who train dogs to support autistic people all seem to be closed. We don't really need a very specialised dog really, just one that's calm, loyal and playful and able to exercise my son.

I'm wondering if we just get a nice Labrador or similar from good breeder and found some dog training classes could we'd get most of what we're looking for? I grew up with border collies, so I'm used to them, but we live in city now and have cats. What breed would be best?

Also where do I look for a 'nice dog'? KC breeders? retired working dogs? If we wanted a puppy it looks like i can spend anywhere from a few hundred to 3k.
If I spend more am I more likely to get a dog who's going to be calmer and easier? Would i be better off looking for a mature dog who's character is known?

Of course not.

But there is no such thing as a low-maintenance dog.

Golden retriever!! Can be giddy as pups but they have such a beautiful temperament and are great at picking up on emotions and being supportive. Wonderful breed. Just check health scores and find a responsible breeder.

My autistic teen daughter has a cat;he's her best friend;théir bond is incredible.

My friend's daughter is autistic and does not dislike dogs, nor is she scared of them but no dogs like her; they are all suspicious of her (including mine), so it doesn't always work out. Cats like her, though!

It is a bit odd if you're expecting the dog to be an Assistance Dog, though. The whole point is that they go everywhere with their owner and provide support for their disability. The only exception, generally, is if the environment would be unsafe for the dog, or if the dog's presence would threaten the well-being of others and that can't be mitigated (e.g. a zoo could refuse entry to a small rodent handling area, but not the main routes through the zoo).

If there is a problem at home a cat can run off and hide. Most dogs can't or won't do that indoors and may stay and become fearful and anxious.

Given that teenagers who are not autistic can be dramatic and difficult during and after puberty, if there are additional needs then it's not in the dogs best interests to be in that environment.

A cat is a far better option in my opinion.

Right, yes I see. By training up a Support Dog you've trained yourself a really dependant dog. I'm not sure my son needs a dog with him 100% of the time for the next 14 years.

Why not forget about the assistance/support aspect and just get a family dog and train it to be a good, well-rounded pet?

All dogs (and cats) provide some element of support and comfort to their owners - you don't need to train them specifically for that.

No, but to be an assistance dog, the owner has to require the dog to mitigate their disabilities. If you just want the dog to be a really amazing pet dog who provides companionship, then get a dog and train it up to kennel club gold equivalent. But to be an Assistance Dog, it needs to be trained beyond that, and to do specific tasks that mitigate the disability. E.g. fetching small items, or interrupting harmful behaviours, or giving deep pressure therapy, or creating space around you in a queue, or leading their owner to a suitable chair. If you don't want the dog to be that much a part of your every day, then it probably isn't worth trying to train the dog as an AD, because it's hard work.

My ASD daughter is about to be matched with an assistant dog from one of the charities that supply them. She'll be getting a working line lab.
For us, this is the right thing as we simply don't have the skill to train one ourselves. The dog will be two and a half and has a huge amount if skilled training under their belt.
I think you need to reframe your thinking and decide whether you need an assistance dog or a therapy/emotional support dog. I think Dogs for Good have a family based programme where they support you to train your own pet dog to meet your child's emotional needs

a friend has a Havanese (mentioned upthread) he’s an accidental cross, neighbouring dog managed to get through the fence etc, so wasn’t super expensive but he is a really adorable easygoing low maintenance boy. He’s definitely my friend’s dog but he’s good with her two autistic children and their many other animals, inc cats.

we have a border collie, we’re in the city but near woods/parks/playing fields. She’s a good girl with my autistic daughter but I sense it is more tolerating the cuddles rather than really loving them but she will go over to her if she’s distressed. She (the dog) absolutely hates cats.

We have a rescue lhasa apso and two young autistic adults. She has had no formal training but she is so tuned in that she knows and gives them what they need at any time. She's happy to lie on them and be stroked to give them the sensory feedback, she's also happy to leave them to their own devices if they want some space, she doesn't moult and has little smell which suits dd who couldn't cope with that and she is very gentle which suits ds who used to be scared of dogs. She is a sweet dog who they both love dearly and who they both greet and fuss before acknowledging my existence each day.

We got a lab/ golden retriever cross puppy 2 and a bit years ago and it was the best thing we've ever done but very hard work and a shock to the system after being cat owners (servants). It was pressure from my son then a young teen and possibly lightly on the autistic spectrum that was the driving force behind getting a dog. I think he maybe like your son envisaged lots of cuddles on the sofa and a few active games now and again in the garden when he fancied.

The reality was very very hard work with a puppy who was either fast asleep or a bitey nightmare. My son never really got his confidence up with our dog and while he likes her, he spends very little time with her and never takes on her on walks or helps out with her in any way. She is though the absolute joy of my life. I do almost all the walking, feeding, classes, financing though my DH does pitch in too. If you do get a dog, go into it knowing that the dog may well end up entirely or almost entirely your responsibility.

TBH I was very surprised my son didn't take to her more. He adored my parents' dog, a little docile shih tsu who was very cuddly, a decent walker and loved running about in the garden after balls. I think he just found our dog too active and overwhelming. I don't know much about Bassett Hounds but they may be better suited. Maybe have a look at clumber spaniels if you think a calmer temperament would suit. I've met a couple and they were adorable.

Hi I would recommend Dogs For Good family dog service. Dogs for good is a charity that provides therapy/assistants dogs for ASD but also offers this too to help. It covers breed, puppy v rescue, food, training etc. It's about £50 for the training course and you get life long support from the charity. https://www.dogsforgood.org/how-we-help/family-dog/
It's for families with children with autism - it helped us decide if a dog was the right thing for us but you can also use the service if you already have a dog.

Expect to yes, but it can take months of training to get to that point to avoid a dog with separation anxiety. I got my girl as an older dog, with already ingrained separation anxiety from just being left for hours on end, either alone or with another dog (she is also now reactive to other dogs).

You can have a perfectly well behaved dog one day, but it just takes a second for something to happen to ruin that and you end up with a dog that needs human support help rather than the other way round!

It may be worth reading the ‘Does it get better’ thread and the ‘Puppy survival’ thread in the doghouse section to realise how hard puppies can be (not trying to put you off, but be realistic, ).