The Working Wigglebutt

Join us on the journey from lovable “wigglebutt” and chronically ill dog mom to (hopefully!) full-fledged, legitimate service dog team.

[theworkingwigglebutt]

MY DOG WANTS TO BE A SEAL, APPARENTLY. Sorry Mikka...I don’t think “service seals” are allowed under the ADA.

[theworkingwigglebutt]

My Dog is a 1%er...Service Dog MC😂

Soooo...trying out a new harness type that’s kind of vesty, more of a y-front KINDA shape,& has velcro on it to allow for the addition of patches. But WHY DOES MY SDiT LOOK READY TO JOIN SAMCRO?!?😅 Seriously, is it just me, or does it fit her like a cut? Already said we’ll need to make room for her to get a 1%er patch...she’s part of the Service Dog MC 😎

[theworkingwigglebutt]

Would definitely recommend a hands-free leash of some type, if you’re training a dog to heel - or just need a leash in general - and either have disabilities, or are often busy carrying things, etc. I got this custom-made off Etsy to fit around my wrist, and with pretty colors, because with me most things are punk rock or super femme😎...my first time walking her without the chair and using it, and I loved it! (Though I had it wrapped a few times around my hand to bring her closer to me, once we hit the street.) I also have one from Amazon that’s supposed to go around the waist, that I put around my powerchair instead (didn’t want to chance her pulling on my EDS body), and then I hold the leash for that with my hand...the chair is my “backup” in case my hand were to slip somehow, before she learned a heel.

I feel safe attaching her to my powerchair on flat ground, given my current state, the weight of me and my chair, her weight, and the fact that there’s also handles and bungee in between.

But if your dog isn’t trained to be attached to your chair for mobility (some some VERY large dogs help to pull chairs), ⚠️ATTACHING A DOG’S LEASH TO A MANUAL WHEELCHAIR, OR TO A ROLLATOR, can be a MAJOR HAZARD, especially if you have ANY condition that may make you faint or fall out of your chair, or fall when using your rollator⚠️ If the dog gets spooked and runs, they will do so ATTACHED TO YOUR MOBILITY AID. With a rollator, they could pull it out from under you, and then spook them out following them. With a manual chair, it would also follow them and freak them out, and they could get hurt, hurt others, or smash up a customized manual wheelchair (which are very expensive!), or other things that the chair crashed into! Be careful! More about my first walk to the corner in TWO YEARS in a future post, here, or on @chaoticcollagen PS, whatcha think about my RAD ROLLATOR STYLE? WOOT! 🐶💕🐾

[cheese24k]

Walter is my cousin’s dog. He really has a thing for swimming.

[nasty-twerp]

that was a religious experience

[mightyfemme]

me

[pseudo-human-deactivated2021061]

I’ve never seen a butt-mounted camera, but damn, this dog knows where he wants to go, and goes there fast.

[hoediac]

His little ears flopping in he wind

[cuttleskulls]

THIS IS THE QUALITY CONTENT I WANT TO SEE

[theworkingwigglebutt]

OMG!!! This is enough to make me happy I joined Tumblr 😂😂😂

[theworkingwigglebutt]

Super Successful Public Access Training at the Mall!! So Proud!! 🐶💕🐾

These are the faces of one SUPER proud SDiT team!! We took her to the mall for a walk-around for the second time (the first run on a public access place was the same mall, but for about 10 minutes right before closing on a Sunday, when it was empty). She did great then, but even better this time!!

Firstly, in the past few days she’s suddenly gotten an understanding of verbal “stand” and “down” cues (even though she knows to stand to follow me, and is pretty much always in a down-stay at my feet, or at my side in the chair, since we’ve had her). No idea why these took so much longer than “sit,” but once the lightbulb went on, she’d start doing them right away...and the downs came with a big proud smile that she’d turn to show me😂

So we got to play with those in a different setting, aced em all. Also aced her known walking commands of “stop” (which she’ll follow even before I stop moving), “turn,” “behind” to get behind my chair in a tight space, and “with me” to come back next to me, or a reminder to stay with me. Those she’s all solid on, and she usually does the last three automatically. Continuing to work on the “working” command to remind her that we’re working, if she’s looking towards a store too long, or turned to look at something, which only happened once or twice.

Was SUPER excited with the fact that she 1) ignored food on the floor while we were walking, 2) went into a down-stay and waited for us while some lady who didn’t know how to stop talking stopped us to ask if she was a Goldendoodle (nope, she’s a Labradoodle)...her butt/half her body had a little wiggle, but she HELD THE DOWN-STAY, even though we’ve never officially TAUGHT it yet, since she does it so much at home...we were so excited!! 3) No problems with excitement over little boys, which can be a distraction for her, cus she loves them...even when some kids walked into our path, right after ANOTHER couple did, and then another wheelchair had to pass and blocked us near them...no problems, overexcitement, or confusion.

And 4), my absolute SUPER fave proud moment...took her into Dave and Busters for MAYBE two minutes, a quick lap through and around some machines, in a circle about a third of the way in...she had NO problems. With the kids, bright lights, loud sounds (which even I MYSELF have issues with - hence the tinted glasses - and which I didn’t want to over-expose either of us to)...my Mikka didn’t lose a step, and followed every “behind” and “with me” despite all of the distractions and cute kids, even in narrow aisles.

I’m SO super proud of my girl! She was great in the car both ways, and even gave me medical response on some POTS presyncope from all the action after we got home. There’s a lot ahead to teach, work on with trainers...but I still feel like I always have, like she was BORN to be a service dog...she just has such a perfect, unflappable temperament, a love for her mama, an amazing nose, and is so trainable, on top of what seemed to come as “pre-programmed” SD behaviors😂

My advice to anyone that may read this, with a younger/newer SDiT...read your state laws, and see what the laws are, regarding SDiTs!! Far too many people in the SD community will shame others for taking SDiTs out for public access training...but the truth is, many of us - such as those of us in NY - have the STATE-GRANTED RIGHT to take our SDiTs into public (and which, duh, is necessary to train them!!).

In NY, an SD is described is any dog that “has been OR IS BEING TRAINED” to perform tasks to mitigate disability” (or something along those lines). The phrase “OR IS BEING TRAINED” are KEY!! If you have a well-behaved SDiT, the more experiences you can show your 🐶, the better! It will keep them from being fearful from things that they might not see/hear/smell until they’re much older, which can be VERY problematic (this training is a big part of socialization, which is KEY). As long as my SDiT behaves during public training, I have the right to do so, and it’s for the benefit of my dog. She did so well that I also think it reflected well on all SDs/SDITs in general, for anyone that might have seen her or been watching us...and that’s one of ANY handler/trainer’s goals, when working in public. Yay Mikka!!!

Any typos will be fixed later...I’m exhausted! But a SUPER PROUD, HAPPY exhausted!! 🐶💕🐾

[chaoticcollagen]

Chillin on her first trip out in the car! In her cute pink harness and her car buddy, Mr. Monster 😂

[theworkingwigglebutt]

Posted to the wrong page. Oh well. EDS brainfog...and since she’s my SDiT, she’s part of both pages anyway...my BFFLOFL (best friend on four legs!)...maybe my BFFL overall. I am a mostly bedbound agoraphobic, after all...

[of-sights-and-snoots]

I got Barclay a new costume and he is not 100% on board with my humor.

[theworkingwigglebutt]

OMG...this is AMAZING. I need to see how Mikka reacts to dog costumes 😂

Also, though, I need to see how she reacts to OTHER dos in costumes. Part of the glory of training an SD...you need to socialize them to seeing a TON of weird stuff, so that they don’t potentially freak out if/when they actually DO see it.

Luckily Mikka is usually calm as a cucumber...she’s not thrilled with birds (it’s the one sound that startled her on her first trip outside, and she even turned her head away from them on a public access practice outing to PetSmart 😂)...but, funny enough, neither am I 😦

[theworkingwigglebutt]

Can I Graduate...?🎓

Yay! We found out that PetSmart is willing to rollover the fee I paid for Mikka’s 6-week beginner puppy training classes, from when I was super sick! When we called them a while back to mention that I’d actually needed to go to the hospital and all, they were immediately very helpful, so I’m glad I kept their word, since it’s been another 2 weeks or so!

Yay! We found out that PetSmart is willing to rollover the fee I paid for Mikka’s 6-week beginner puppy training classes, from when I was super sick! When we called them a while back to mention that I’d actually needed to go to the hospital and all, they were immediately very helpful, so I’m glad I kept their word, since it’s been another 2 weeks or so!

This is where Mikka will learn some fundamental beginner basics (though training always continues at home!), which will be REALLY important in terms of Mikka learning some more basic commands, and having good behavior, especially in public...so we’re REALLY glad to have a pro help us directly (despite the fact that we’ve already taught her some things, and have even trained and shaped some at-home tasks, around things she was already alerting and responding to).

With SD owner-training, many (if not most) enlist the help of professional trainers, during at least some point(s) during an SDiT’s training period - which is about 2 years! (unless it’s cost prohibitive). They may do so to set strong foundations, by first training new commands and behavior expectations...to work on any problematic behaviors...to make sure that a dog is properly socialized, seeing/hearing/smelling different people, places, other animals, and more without being reactive...or later, first training tasks that might be difficult. This trainer has a highly trained Golden Retriever, Mickey, that will be joining us at times, to model good behavior...along with whatever other dogs may be in the class. I already joked that he will be her little doggie boyfriend...just because Mickey and Mikka sounds cute 😂

All I can say is that I’m SUPER looking forward to this, and really praying that my health holds out on these days (the top reason for me missing appointments/etc.). It may sound silly, but after the three classes they have - beginner, intermediate, and advanced - they get a little doggie diploma📜...and if we like these classes and feel like they’re the real deal, I’d love for her to finish the other two and “graduate!!” This is especially since service dogs don’t technically have specific paperwork SHOWING that they’re service dogs (and online registries are a scam).

Also...I can’t lie, I would definitely be buying her a little graduation outfit. 😆

Wouldn’t you...? 🐶🎓📜

[theworkingwigglebutt]

Yeah, that’s right

[theworkingwigglebutt]

Lay...? Lie...? Some Tumblr paragraph spacing hijinks 😂

And BTW...what IS a real service dog?🤔❓

❓🤔What is a service dog, as outlined by the ADA?🤔❓

In case you’ve wondered what TRULY qualifies an SD AS an SD, the answer, under the ADA, is the fact that a service dog can perform tasks that mitigate their handler/partner’s specific disabilities. An SD has one handler (they’re not shared), and the owner must have a disability that the dog can help with.

They DO need to have the right temperament, that perfect behavior in public, and an ability to focus on their partner and let many things just slide off their back, without distraction. But they also need to be trained to perform specific TASKS, and full training for behavior and tasks can take two years! And there are MANY different types of tasks! First I’ll share an example of what is (and isn’t) a psychological SD task.

So, for instance, take the idea that I can pet Mikka and feel calmer/happier, or that I’ll feel better/more secure with her near me in public, because of agoraphobia...those things would qualify her as providing emotional support, but would mean jack in terms of tasks. And those examples would not allow her the right to public access (in most states). SDs are the only dogs that have the right to public access, aside from airplanes (which DO allow emotional support animals - ESAs - as does the fair housing law).

However, it IS a task for Mikka to be trained to provide a disability-mitigating medical response...such as a response if I’m crying in hysterics, having a panic attack. When this happens, Mikka runs over to me, and will lick at my face until I stop crying, while climbing gently into my lap, with her paws up submissively, in a way that comforts me, due to being grounded by her weight - though with her being gentle enough not to sublux my hips or knees. This feeling, as well as the tactile stimulation/distraction of petting her and getting doggie kisses, calms me down faster than ANYTHING EVER, and has helped me to get through even the worst panic attacks. Mikka WILL NOT leave my lap or stop leaning on me, or turn to play with a toy, until the panic attack (or any medical issue she senses) has passed. She has even dropped the kibble FROM HER MOUTH to come running from the kitchen and guard the door to try to get to me, even though it was closed, right from the beginning, before any shaping! (Here’s a pic of her doing this after we had her about 6 weeks!) This task is definitely something that helps to MITIGATE my panic attacks, and that Mikka is very consistent on. (Wait why is this space below here, no matter what I do?!?!)

This is a psychological RESPONSE task, but one that she has always naturally performed for me (at home...so she will need ongoing practice, especially in public). Since it’s a natural response, it’s one of her stronger tasks. Over time, I would like to shape it into her providing a response/distraction from panic with only a cue (such as putting my head down, with my hands to my face) that lets her help me BEFORE I start to have a full-blown panic attack, as well...a pretty common psych task. Another is DPT (deep pressure therapy), which is when dogs are trained to lie (lay? lie?😂) on a handler in a certain way, that provides deep pressure to specific places, to help ground the handler. (Another space below that can’t be changed, WHYYYY??? Having OCD spacing issues to the max here...)

More details on the task-related ways that Mikka helps me as an SDiT in a future post, including her natural medical ALERTS (which are different than medical RESPONSE tasks), AND a response that she was TAUGHT, that is now one of her most-used tasks! And I’ll figure out what’s up with this wacky spacing, that Tumblr won’t let me fix! Till then...🐶💕🐾

[theworkingwigglebutt]

Follow Me, Lemmings!

Just kidding. My health might have gone off of a cliff, but not leading anyone else there😂 But a follow on my other account would be appreciated!

One of my main goals in life is actually to help others suffering from chronic illnesses, especially the MASSIVELY under-diagnosed Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and it’s common co-morbidities, like MCAS and POTS. Will be sharing my own story, and all I can think of that’s helpful, with my sister page, @chaoticcollagen...give it a follow! Being this sick means that anything I share will be few and far between, especially since I’m new to blogging and nearly all social media, and have been trying to get a lot of health issues addressed. But I’d follow the page if I were you...wouldn’t want to miss anything awesome!! 😜

[theworkingwigglebutt]

Goddamn, I’m Tired

So I’ve been wanting to share my story, hopefully help others along the way, and maybe even become a “real” blogger down the line.

But after maybe a total of 60-90 minutes of focusing over the past few hours...not even moving from my bed except to pee...I’m already exhausted, just from setting up some social media accounts. Not sure if it’s my normal fatigue, or being overwhelmed at doing techie stuff, or thinking about truly engaging with people in the future...which I desperately want AND fear at the same time. Oy.