[nagdu] Cross-training a Guide to do Mobility work

[Shanna Stichler]

Hello all,

I have a lovely 3.5 year-old GSD that I trained myself as my working 
guide. She is very good at her job, but I have a progressive auto-immune 
disorder that will make it necessary for my dog to learn mobility work 
on top of guiding. The main thing I need is a harness that has a rigid 
guide handle along with the mobility handle. I know some people on this 
list have trained guide/mobility dogs before, so I'd love to know where 
you got your harnesses, or if anyone here would be willing to make one 
for some extra cash. If you don't feel comfortable giving out vender 
names on list, my e-mail address is
slstich at gmail.com

I have done all the necessary health screenings to ensure Diamond can 
safely do weight-baring tasks, and she was cleared by an orthopedic 
specialist, so we're good to go in that respect. Right now, I plan to 
teach her to help me keep my balance going up and down stairs or on 
uneven terrain, to use her body to prevent me from falling, probably 
just by leaning into my left side, which typically is weaker, and to 
stand in a particular way to help ground me when I have vertigo episodes 
and become disoriented or unsteady.

Diamond already knows how to retrieve and brace for me along with doing 
some light counter-balance work. I'd love to know if others have trained 
tasks I haven't thought of yet, as well as any tips people have for 
making the training go as smoothly as possible since it is new for both 
of us.

Thanks for any input you all can give me.

Take care,
Shanna and Diamond