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I don’t know if anyone remembers but UPDATE re assistance dog in training

8 replies

Digglesthedog · 09/06/2025 19:36

So, early last year I posted(possibly under a different name) I was getting a partially trained Labrador to hopefully be my assistance dog as I’m autistic/adhd etc.

i have had the dog in question for 11 months now, and he is wonderful, like so so wonderful. He just slotted in easily.

his training is still pretty much impeccable (bar recall which I let slip a bit, we’re working on it though). He has now started wearing an assistance dog in training vest out of the house. For short Public Access (dog friendly only) sessions with and without our trainer. He almost has one task learned and second is being taught to change it up slightly (I’ve been doing tasks without our trainer, as we’re concentrating on public access with the trainer).

So, basically we are getting on great, it’s not been without its hardships obviously, but it is the best thing I’ve ever done I have to say. Would not be without him now.

I can cope in a garden centre for longer than 5 minutes, I can’t even hear the music whilst he’s with me, which is strange as usually I focus completely on the music.

i attach a photo, with myself very badly scribbled out 😂 he does have3 in training detailed things (chest slip, lead slip and the in training tab on the left hand side) it’s obvious he’s still in training.

im not sure if anyone remembers but thought maybe people would be interested regardless.

I don’t know if anyone remembers but UPDATE re assistance dog in training
OP posts:
Bupster · 09/06/2025 20:32

This is wonderful. Thank you for the update - I'd love to know more about the tasks he's doing, if you're able to share them 🙂

amber763 · 09/06/2025 20:40

Aww this is wonderful. Thank you for uploading the photo. What a handsome boy. Happy for you!

solvendie · 09/06/2025 21:33

This is brilliant - so glad it’s worked out so well for you

Twiglets1 · 16/06/2025 21:04

I’m interested and that’s lovely.

I’m raising a guide dog puppy at the moment. He’s going into proper training soon as is 14 months old now. We’re going to miss him a lot but I love hearing positive stories about how assistance dogs help their owners. Thanks for posting.

user28288 · 28/06/2025 19:24

Thanks for sharing, we have just bought a lab puppy who we hope to be an assistance dog for my autistic son one day. How much have you paid your trainer if you don’t mind me asking?

Digglesthedog · 28/06/2025 19:50

user28288 · 28/06/2025 19:24

Thanks for sharing, we have just bought a lab puppy who we hope to be an assistance dog for my autistic son one day. How much have you paid your trainer if you don’t mind me asking?

My trainer is £60 an hour. Which is the going rate for my area, not sure about other areas though sorry.

OP posts:
Digglesthedog · 28/06/2025 19:55

Bupster · 09/06/2025 20:32

This is wonderful. Thank you for the update - I'd love to know more about the tasks he's doing, if you're able to share them 🙂

Hi, sorry for slow reply I just never quite got round to replying.

I frequently drop things (I’m exceptionally clumsy due to my autism and adhd and my Tourette’s often drops stuff) so I’ve taught him to pick stuff up on command. We’re still working on some objects like car keys. But he’s got socks, shoes, my phone, water bottles, packs of crisps and a variety of other things he’ll happily pick up for me. I haven’t trained each item specifically, I just want him to pick up anything I drop.

and we’re working on deep pressure therapy. Which is for if I’m overwhelmed or upset or anything,he’ll lie on top of me.

OP posts:
abracadabra1980 · 10/09/2025 04:57

This is an amazing insight into an assistance dog - thank you so much for the insight into your partnership. I am hoping to train one such dog in the future. Canine behaviour is my absolute passion, but at the moment I have one very over excited Labrador to teach to calm down. It's very challenging but she too, is very good at picking things up that I ask her to, and her favourite thing is to find something. For me, I don't think my commands are consistent enough though so I need training myself! Wishing you a long and happy journey together. I LOVE the lying on top of you - just like a real life furry weighted blanket - wonderful!

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