Needing some info/

[SHH 1313]

I have 5 puppies, they are Shepard / Border / Collie mix I have 3 females and 2 males. They were born on June 23rd. Lady Bella, the mother unbeknownst to me when I got her went into heat the first week and chewed through my chain link kennel and the rest is history.

I would like to place them in some form of being a service dog to be of help for the blind disabled or search and rescue. I do not know where to start. Can someone please direct me to the proper resources.

I am in the Ft Hood, Copperas Cove, Lampasas area. I would be willing to drive further if necessary.
The last thing I want to do is have to take them to the pound. These dogs will be big! Gomer the father was close to 70 lbs but lost weight from the summer heat and Lady Bell is easily 60 pounder Black/Tan Shepard. They are great with small children and kittie kats. However they will protect you and their 12 acres and then some!

Any resources when you have time please respond, as I am looking for these beauties, if they can make the grade to be service dog's!!!!

Stephanie Herring, a proud loving mom...

Stay cool if you can.

[JoetheGI]

All manner of working dogs are generally selected from specific breeding programs, and it is rare, though possible, for a typical pet breeding to result in a pup with the characteristics and working drives desired for work. Most working dog folks wouldn't even bother doing an assessment, as it is hard enough to get a good dog from proven breeding stock, let alone unproven.

You may have a better chance with service animal groups, however, the pups will still need to meet the requirements of a potential service.

Ask these folks: Working Dog Forum -- Discussion of Working Dogs, Training & Breeding

While you will have to register and post an intro, the folks on this forum are involved with everything from military and police working dogs, to search and rescue, protection training, livestock working dogs etc...

Good luck.

[SHH 1313]

Appreciate the link, I am going to try and get in touch w/ Gatesville prison, the they have a program where female inmates train stray's from pounds to be service dog's there was a blurb on the local news it was a sucess story. I am looking into any and all areas so feel free to post any other ideas.

Shh.

[SANE-A30]

Appreciate the link, I am going to try and get in touch w/ Gatesville prison, the they have a program where female inmates train stray's from pounds to be service dog's there was a blurb on the local news it was a sucess story. I am looking into any and all areas so feel free to post any other ideas.

Shh.

That is really great that they do that I wish we had a program like that here, we have a lot of animal shelters. I own a 13 week old female German sheppard and she demonstrates very very loyal and loving characteristics she would make a excellant service dog but I would like to get my sheppard trained in pet therapy..Since I just recently started a part time Job with hospice I'm hoping to introduce her to their program if its possible. I'm sure there is training she would have to receive but not sure where to start

[SHH 1313]

Might check this:
Therapy Dogs International
I am checking it out myself..Looks like a good organization ..

[SANE-A30]

Thanks for the link there is actually a Hospice section on there too... very cool. I start my first clinical day on Monday so I was going to ask my boss about the program that they have. Molly is going to be a big girl I have posted pictures of her in the random pictures thread she is huge much bigger in person then in the picture so she would make a great cuddle bug.