With a Bit of Training?
Recently, I have told you about my daughter mentioning the possibility of a helper dog to watch out for me, when I am living alone again. With a bit of training, I think I have found the perfect dog for the job.
Recently, a friend sent me an article about the biggest Great Dane EVER. He is bigger than many men and tops the scales at over 250 lbs. He dwarfs his owners.
Doesn’t this little guy look simply adorable?
Last year my niece got a Great Dane. She is an animal lover with 2-3 dogs already. So, I was skeptical of her latest addition. But, he is really a big baby and family dog.
Duncan just turned a year, and her youngest son is about the same age. I was a bit worried that the puppy would sit on one of her boys and do some big hurt. But, if anything the opposite is true. The baby crawls all over him, shares his blankets with him, uses him as a lounge chair, etc. It seems that the pup and the babe have really bonded. Although my niece is the one who really wanted a Great Dane, I would say that this dog belongs to the babe, and the babe belongs to the dog.
So, I was thinking . . .
Since Great Danes are such people animals and really family oriented, wouldn’t they make great helper dogs for people in wheelchairs – like me?
For example, when I am transfer from place to place, and the furniture moves, I wouldn’t have to crawl to a place where I can pick myself up without sliding. I could just put my arms around the dog’s neck and he could lift me up, so I could grab onto the wheelchair. He could also sit on my feet and keep them from sliding during transition.
Think about trips to the grocery store alone. I wouldn’t have to ask strangers to reach something on the top shelf. If the Dane is a helper dog, he could reach the top shelf for me. His mouth would be big enough to grab anything I could need. Of course, this is definitely where a bit of training would be necessary. Otherwise, we could make quite a mess of the groceries.
The Downside
Unfortunately, there is a downside, apart from the cost of the dog and finding someone to train him. How would I shop for approximately 100 lbs of dog food a month.
Who would scoop the yard?
Well, now you know how my mind wanders, when I am doing chores around the house. I still think a Great Dane would be a great help to me, with a bit of training.
January 26th, 2012 at 11:58 am
Hi tina have you considered applying to one of those service dog schools or are you set on a great dane the training would therefore be done for you? I have done some exstensive research on the subject for myself so let me know if you would like some resources
January 26th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
Thank you Laura. No. I am not set on a Great Dane. I am not even sure if I would qualify. I know virtually nothing. My daughter made the suggestion. However, I do have a small dog and will probably still have my kids’ cats. It would be nice to have a dog that could retrieve my cell, if I drop it, and it rolls under my bed, etc. My biggest problem is furniture sliding when I am transitioning. It is very hard to get back up, and my feet slide. I am trying to lose weight, to make it easier. But, it is a discouraging process. If you think a dog could help me remain independent, I would love any information.