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**RedFawnRising** · 06-30-2008, 01:30 AM

"A dog that is entirely focused on me, in tune with me and not easily distracted."

Well, I am not sure how many Ridgebacks you've known--maybe a lot, being a vet tech, but, erm, the above description you gave is, IME, not a typical Ridgeback.

Remember, they are sighthounds and keep in mind all that goes with that. (Sighthound lovers, don't bash me--I like them, just don't see them as enjoying service work.)

They also have a reputation for being a tad independent of their owners and also highly sensitive--which is not a trait that works well in service dogs--old ladies with big handbags bumping your dog's head, folks crowding you with their carts, loud voices, etc.

Now, me, I will admit, having said all that, I'm a tad biased.

I work a Dobe currently--he's a bit over 27 inches and that works great, as I'm tall. I have a two inch handle on the assistance harness.

My retiring dog is a Lab, and while he outweighs my Dobe by *twenty pounds,* I need a four to six inch handle to comfortably partner with him, as he's shorter than my Dobe.

The only potential pitfall I see in your plan for working a Dobe is the exercise thing. If you get a dog younger than four to five years, I think you'll have to amp up the "free run" time quite a bit from what you're used to.

I find, even after a few hours of work, my Dobe needs to go blow off the zoomies WORSE than on a day we've just sat around and held down the couch.

I liken it to needing a good game of raquetball after a hard day of concentrating at the office!

06-30-2008, 01:30 AM	#7 (permalink)
RedFawnRising Alpha Posts: 2,431 Dogs Name: Better Than Ezra, "Ezra," and Kylie Boomerang, "Kylie," and Mudshovel, The Lab Titles: Ezra-Working Service Dog; Kylie-Champion Compeller of Humans to Train Better; Mudshovel, Retired Dogs Age: 2 yrs, 1 yr, 13 yrs Gallery Pics: 3 Visit RedFawnRising's Gallery Thanks: 2,929 Thanked 3,025 Times in 1,340 Posts Images: 3	"A dog that is entirely focused on me, in tune with me and not easily distracted." Well, I am not sure how many Ridgebacks you've known--maybe a lot, being a vet tech, but, erm, the above description you gave is, IME, not a typical Ridgeback. Remember, they are sighthounds and keep in mind all that goes with that. (Sighthound lovers, don't bash me--I like them, just don't see them as enjoying service work.) They also have a reputation for being a tad independent of their owners and also highly sensitive--which is not a trait that works well in service dogs--old ladies with big handbags bumping your dog's head, folks crowding you with their carts, loud voices, etc. Now, me, I will admit, having said all that, I'm a tad biased. I work a Dobe currently--he's a bit over 27 inches and that works great, as I'm tall. I have a two inch handle on the assistance harness. My retiring dog is a Lab, and while he outweighs my Dobe by twenty pounds, I need a four to six inch handle to comfortably partner with him, as he's shorter than my Dobe. The only potential pitfall I see in your plan for working a Dobe is the exercise thing. If you get a dog younger than four to five years, I think you'll have to amp up the "free run" time quite a bit from what you're used to. I find, even after a few hours of work, my Dobe needs to go blow off the zoomies WORSE than on a day we've just sat around and held down the couch. I liken it to needing a good game of raquetball after a hard day of concentrating at the office! __________________ It takes more than a baby and a box to make a normal monkey.—Harry F. Harlow
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