Anyone know about alert dogs?

[hale710]

hi iv just heard about alert dogs. but i dont know how to claim one or how to get hold of one
i live in coventry if anyone knows how to claim one id be grateful
thanks gem

This is the OP [original post] above to remind all .
Alert dogs are AMAZING gifted animal's and a mans/ladies loyal best friend .
I myself "have one" so am here encouraging this thread to please return to a
much more positive mode and stance .

Thanks Anna .

I think they're a fantastic idea for those who need one! The link posted above gives the info needed.

Unfortunately it doesn't appear that they're widely available though, so I imagine you would have to have a REAL need for one and tried every other way to regain hypo awareness yourself.

Anna you're very lucky your dog has taken on the role without training!

Hi Hale .

Because there is a cut off point with a hypo alert dogs training age being 3yrs or more .
I was soooooo lucky to have some extra help and training done with 'Gracey' .

I learned that I was too slow to recognise her indicators towards me with an imminent hypo or infection/illness .
I had to be trained to recognise these markers and indicators from her .
She was and still is always ahead of me in scenting/sensing the changes .
This way I could see her responses sooner and treat myself accordingly .

It does become a team effort between us - she will alert - I have to then treat myself
and immediately reward her .
Lots of love,praise cuddles,contact and a toy/chew afterwards .
She never leaves my side till am well again ...

This is sheer devotion and her scent/sense instincts ingrained in her .

Anyone enquiring about a hypo alert dog will need to fill in applications forms
and agree to a full assessment into their diabetes and lifestyle

Anna .

Ok.... So my puppy is 10 months old. In theory I could maybe get some help with him so he could become hypo alert? I'm fairly certain he has no idea if I'm low, and I'm lucky in that I am very aware myself! But as you say maybe I'm not reading the signs right! He's my boy and I love him regardless, but I didn't realise you could get extra help with a pet you already have!

 

[anna29]

Hale .

IF - he your puppy is showing real Hypo alert or when you are ill awareness smell/sense traits ?

Contact them , explain all about your dog [puppy]
Fill in all they send in terms of paperwork , your DSN/consultant team also have
to submit their reports on you. [there can be a lot to fill in and submit ]

In excepitional situations/circumstances after your dog [puppy] has been
assessed they may be able to help .
They will let you know if this is possible

I got lucky as it WAS so clear 'Gracey' had the skills in her to a very high level .
It really is more about the right dog with the correct skill set abilities .

Hope this explains more .
Anna .

 

[hale710]

Hale .

IF he is showing real Hypo alert or when you are ill smell/sense traits ?

Contact them , explain all about your dog [puppy]
Fill in all they send in terms of paperwork , your DSN/consultant team also have
to submit their reports on you.
In excepitional situations/ci

Well he's never really been around me when I've had a hypo, they're rarely when I'm at home. So I actually don't know haha

It's purely hypothetical. Ill keep an eye on him and see! It's difficult though with his age as all the things I imagine I would have to look out for can be passed off as normal puppy behaviours haha I got him 2 months before I was diagnosed, almost exactly the time I can trace my symptoms back to starting!

It's fascinating what a dog can do, I guess it's also to do with the bond they have with their owner. You never know, as he matures he may start showing some signals!

 

[Robinredbreast]

OK...BUT...What you guys describe as bad behaviour that won't be tolerated-I see as a very stressed man who is dealing with more stress and worry than he has a right to and is venting off accordingly and he has a right to defend himself...personally I'm seeing more empathy on this site aimed at dogs than I'm seeing empathy towards Mart and his family which says a lot really :roll:

Paul ,the point of my post was aimed at members, as it was clearly stated and NOT addressed to a particular member as the thread was being derailed and not being positive about the original question, regarding a fellow diabetic's help regarding an alert dog.

No one, I repeat, on one, would dismiss another member's family related sadness. I'm sure many members will be thinking of Mart and his family, as do I.

Lets get back on track helping and supporting each other.

Regards

RRB

 

[martwolves]

Thanks Paul. Sue has come round now!

 

[anna29]

Thanks Paul. Sue has come round now!

Please use the PM function to relay any personal info to other members .
The PM facility is for this reason :thumbup:

Thanks Anna .

 

[hale710]

Can we PLEASE go back to talking about dogs now?!

Update : just home from two weeks away. Rodney is insisting on trying to lick my feet. Checked my BG.... This is definitely not a hypo alert situation, he's just a weirdo haha

 

[Robinredbreast]

Can we PLEASE go back to talking about dogs now?!

Update : just home from two weeks away. Rodney is insisting on trying to lick my feet. Checked my BG.... This is definitely not a hypo alert situation, he's just a weirdo haha

Ahhhh Now, I have just thought of something...........does your dog like cheese by any chance :lol: :lol: Weirdo animals are so funny

RRB

 

[hale710]

Can we PLEASE go back to talking about dogs now?!

Update : just home from two weeks away. Rodney is insisting on trying to lick my feet. Checked my BG.... This is definitely not a hypo alert situation, he's just a weirdo haha

Ahhhh Now, I have just thought of something...........does your dog like cheese by any chance :lol: :lol: Weirdo animals are so funny

RRB

Mmmm cheesy feet!

Aside from that lovely, I hope the original poster has gotten what they needed to out of this thread the link at the top seems to contain the necessary info

 

[hale710]

Although I've just read the small print and they're not licensed in Scotland, so it seems even if my pup was a natural hypo alert genius I couldn't get help anyway!

So instead we'll have fun!

 

[anna29]

Can we PLEASE go back to talking about dogs now?!

Update : just home from two weeks away. Rodney is insisting on trying to lick my feet. Checked my BG.... This is definitely not a hypo alert situation, he's just a weirdo haha

Rodney has missed you and the taste of your lovely tootsies !

Anna .

 

[mrman]

Can we PLEASE go back to talking about dogs now?!

Update : just home from two weeks away. Rodney is insisting on trying to lick my feet. Checked my BG.... This is definitely not a hypo alert situation, he's just a weirdo haha

Ahhhh Now, I have just thought of something...........does your dog like cheese by any chance :lol: :lol: Weirdo animals are so funny

RRB

Mmmm cheesy feet!

I think I was just sick in my mouth!



Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

 

[hale710]

Can we PLEASE go back to talking about dogs now?!

Update : just home from two weeks away. Rodney is insisting on trying to lick my feet. Checked my BG.... This is definitely not a hypo alert situation, he's just a weirdo haha

Ahhhh Now, I have just thought of something...........does your dog like cheese by any chance :lol: :lol: Weirdo animals are so funny

RRB

Mmmm cheesy feet!

I think I was just sick in my mouth!



Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

That's the beauty of my pup, he loves all parts of me no matter how stinky!

 

[mrman]

Lol

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

 

[scot5man]

Why u looking for alert dogs? U unable to take bg readings.

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

 

[tettenhall boy]

That's the beauty of my pup, he loves all parts of me no matter how stinky![/quote]


Soz, that does sound a bit wrong, lol.

 

[lauren_gee_x]

My 5 year old German Shepard cross has never received any training and can alert me to a low reading. She can also alert my family before my brother takes an epileptic fit she can sense his fits about 20 mins before they happen. She also lies with him while he fitting if its safe for her to do so

 

[catherinecherub]

hi iv just heard about alert dogs. but i dont know how to claim one or how to get hold of one
i live in coventry if anyone knows how to claim one id be grateful
thanks gem

Looks like there is a 3 year waiting list.
http://www.nhs.uk/news/2013/08August/Pa ... sugar.aspx

As so many people here are talking about their pets being able to detect hypos, any chance of buying a dog?

 

[Hooked]

Looks like there is a 3 year waiting list.
http://www.nhs.uk/news/2013/08August/Pa ... sugar.aspx

As so many people here are talking about their pets being able to detect hypos, any chance of buying a dog?

Some people hit it lucky having a pet dog that alerts them to hypos/fits etc before they realise themselves. However, to buy a dog in the hope of training it to become a medical alert dog yourself could prove futile for the average owner. Just as many of the specially bred, reared and trained dogs can fail for Guide dogs for the blind and other organisations with top class trainers specialising in their field. Even if you do manage to teach your dog how to alert you to a hypo it doesn't get an automatic license to go anywhere and everywhere with you out and about. Assistance dogs get a lot of training on how to behave in public places, as well as their specialised tasks.

That is not to say it cannot be done with assistance from the appropriate organisation, BUT: I would hate to see someone buying a pup/dog in the hope of it becoming an assistance dog only for them and the dog to fail. What happens the dog and person then? Or what happens if it CAN alert them, but clearly isn't allowed into public places as it hasn't been trained through the appropriate channels? The person is left minus their alert dog.

Going through the proper channels to get a properly trained dog and the support in place by the relevant organisations is very important, imho.

(From someone who has worked with both assistance dogs and animal rescue.)

 

[Indy51]

This Aussie mother of a diabetic child is writing about training their own alert dog/family pet. It's early days yet, but if the training goes well, she plans on adding details of the training methods to her blog:

http://diabeticalien.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/maya-perfecting-her-hypo-alerts.html