Going On Holidays

[Ann]

Hi everyone. I was just wondering if you take your shorkie on holidays with you and if so where do you go. Do you have any trouble getting into caravan Parks or holiday places.

[Mai Tai]

I haven't taken Mai Tai anywhere yet, but I intend to take him to family outings, etc.  I was wondering how to go about making your dog a service dog so he can go anywhere with you.  My daughters have sensory issues, and animals are of great benefit to them, so I am really looking into this.  The shorkie definitely has the temperament for being a service animal.

[Ann]

I do agree the shorkie would make a good service dog. Maybe you need to contact your local obedience traing club and ask them. When I take Toby to training they have service dogs their and they are trained to assist people. Thase dogs are usual lab's or golden retreavers. 

[Rosey373]

I've taken Scruffy with on vacation. He is so small and cute not many places make a fuss about him being there. The airline charged a few for bringing him and he had to ride under the seat the whole flight, but he was very good. So have a great time on your trip.

[stacy15]

ive taken chewy on vacation too. he was the best doggie.

[Mai Tai]

I looked more into service dogs and it seems that according to the Americans with Disabilities Act, you do not need any certification for your dog to be a service dog.  He or she just has to be able to do some service for the disabled person.  Stores are not allowed to ask you for a certificate of any kind.  I was not aware of this.  Of course, if you just bring your dog in and say it is a service dog, you can be fined and jailed if the store calls the police.  I think you have to have some proof of a disability (such as a doctors note or diagnosis) if the police become involved, but you DO NOT have to share this info with the store or anyone else because of privacy issues.  Some training courses give out certification, but it is not necessary and it seems a lot of unreputable places take advantage of the fact that people don't know they don't need certification and charge a fortune to train and certify these dogs.  Interesting. I think I will consider it for Mai Tai for my girls when we have to go places that freak them out. 

[Ann]

Yes I agree if it helps with your girls go for it. I beleive that these dogs are quiet capable if trained correctly to go into a shopping centre and behave themselves. After all they do not look threatening at all do they.

Here in Australia we are haveing trouble with cab drivers wanting guide dogs or service dogs to ware mussles in their cars. I don't know what people are thniking these days, these dogs under go intense training for special peoples needs. There is no way they would allow these dogs to even be with these people if they were in any way dangerous.

 In Australia these dogs are identified by a coat that they are to ware when out in public. This coat has on it I'm a special needs dog or I'm a guide dog.

Unfortunately Shorkies are to small for guide dogs but as far as special needs I beleive they would make a great dog in that situation.

[Mai Tai]

I agree.  Based on the temperament you all describe here, they are excellent.  I have only had Mai Tai for about a month, but so far he has been a sweet calm playful puppy.  He does bark at other dogs, but we start puppy socialization classes at the end of this month, so hopefully, we will get that under control.

[Ann]

Yeh Toby still barks at dogs and people but it is not to be agresive it's to say hay look at me don't you want to play with me.lol

I am trying to stop it too as when I go abedience training he tends to bark at other dogs so far I have been unsuccessful but he is getting better, I just growl at him when he barks. I find Toby is worse when he is nervous. i guess that is one point about these dogs that may not be a good thing but I wouldn't call them excessive barkers and after all they are dogs Hey.

I'm trying very hard to get Toby to be calm when around other dogs and people as he gets so excited.
 

[Studiogirl]

Benji only barks when he's on the balcony and sees someone walking their dog. He's quiet as a mouse up close and personal...like at the park...not a peep. LOL

[Ladywrite]

Christie barks at "everything."  But all I have to do is say "no" and she stops.  Well except when I say the "S" word - squirrel.  She goes crazy!

[stacy15]

The vet will give you something for him or her to take so that they can be calm.  My vet gave me half of a pill and i gave it to chewy and it knocked him out for the whole plainride.  Then i felt so horrible that i didnt give him anything on the way back and surpisingly he was the best lil puppy.