My Frequently Asked Top Ten Questions
- What breed is Willow?
- He is a Catahoula Leopard Dog, German Shepherd and Siberian Husky mix.
- What breed is Anakin?
- He is a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Do you recommend a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog for service work?
- The short answer is no. I go into more detail here.
- How did you decided on a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
- I knew from the start I’d need a breed large enough for mobility work; that knowledge was my foundation. I took 3 months to narrow down my top 3 breeds (Doberman, Golden and Swissy). From there I took another 2 weeks to decided which breed best fit me. After that it was another 2 months to find my top 3 breeders and pick one I’d like to partner with for the next 13 years of my dog’s life. From there it was another 2 months until I met my breeder and another 3 months until Anakin was born.
- So choosing a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog wasn’t a whim?
- Absolutely not. From the beginning process to Anakin coming home was 13.5 months total. So well over a year went into choosing and planning Anakin.
- How long does training take?
- This depends completely on your dog and its breed. The average for most commonly used breeds for service work is 18 months to 2 years.
- How did you teach your dog to do This?
- Practice, practice, practice everyday. For more details on how I trained my dogs to do a certain Task check my training category.
- How often do you train?
- Everyday we do something. Always.
- Do you have public access issues with 2 dogs?
- Now that I take 2 I’ve had less issues than when I had one. I suppose establishments think that if someone is gutsy enough to walk in with 2 large dogs they must be legit, right?
- Does Anakin learn from Willow?
- Having a seasoned dog around really does help with training and settling in new situations. As a puppy Anakin observed Willow and copied him. Now Anakin figures things out for himself and likes to show off once he’ understands what I’m asking.
The Service Unicorn 