Training A Dog

Question: Has anyone ever trained a dog for use with kids with autism?

(Posted by: on 2010-08-13 03:41:11)

We are looking at getting a dog. It would be great to be able to teach the dog to look out for my daughter with autism and other kids too. My daughter has no fear of water and is actually attracted to it. She has no sense of danger, and can be oblivious to the world around her sometimes. Will eat plants and non edible things etc. Wondering if we could train our dog to help be another pair of eyes just in case. What traits would you look for in a dog, and how would you go about training it? If I were to train it myself where would I learn what to do? Or would I need a special puppy school? I am in Australia thanks

Posted by: Jayse Ö Think before you breed on 2010-08-13, 03:45:54

Funny you should mention that. My husband is currently working with a family with an autistic boy. They own a Ridgeback (not the best chosen breed for this task) but the dog is being taught to find the child if he goes and "hides " which he does frequently around their farm. Time will tell how well this works out. Ö