Got paid today from SSI, and it's basically already spent. Ordered my boys' food, more of his training treats, some ear protection to start desensitizing him to them, and a new leash I've been eyeballing for a while. Oh, and cat food! The rest is for his health insurance and possibly some more medical stuff for me or maybe comfy clothes. Those moments you realize most your money goes towards your #ServiceDogInTraining but that's just how it be. He deserves the best.
#Disabled #Disability #ServiceDogHandler #MobilityAids

Everyone! BIG NEWS! Birger and I just started the alert behavior training for my high heart rate yesterday. Done the training yesterday and some today. I was doing dishes and he walked over and nose booped my ankle! Checked my heart rate and it was spiking! I immediately sat down and jackpotted him and praised him. Im so over the moon proud of him!
#ServiceDogInTraining #ServiceDogHandler #Dachshund #MiniDachshund #DogsWithAJob

Just made up some lick mats for my boy to be frozen, got some bone broth ice cubes going for him, and im thinking I wanna get some toppls set up for him too. This week has been nothing but hot out, so puzzles and morning walks. Was supposed to go to socialize with him today but with this hear I'm unable to for now. Let's hope tomorrow is better for socializing. So today, probably more relaxation protocol practice and some more basic command firming up. Always gotta stay active with stuff, even on the hard days.

#ServiceDogInTraining #ServiceDogHandler #MentalHealthMatters #AsthmaBadDays #ActuallyAutistic #MiniDachshund #Dachshund #KeepingPositive

Some lick mats are freezing for Birger currently, just redoing my hair currently. Gonna shower and get dressed later today, Birger has a photo shoot tonight with a local photographer. He's so handsome and I can't wait to see how the pictures turn out! He got his walk in this morning, and I managed to get a doctor visit to talk about my asthma. So for now more steroids, some antibiotics just incase I have like pneumonia that didn't get caught, and im supposed to stay out of the heat and stay well hydrated. Next appointment is on the 24th to talk about getting me in to see pulmonary if my asthma still hasn't gotten better. Also, had to order an air purifier. Woo!

#ServiceDogInTraining #ServiceDogHandler #MiniDachshund #Dachshund #Asthma #AsthmaAwareness #StayCool

Welp, finally got laundry taken care of, did my physical therapy this morning, my husband took Birger for a walk for me, and now im gonna need to tackle dishes, and another day of relaxation protocol practice for my boy. We've moved on to day 3 of it, we shall see how that goes. Day 2 was pretty good, except he doesn't seem to like me jogging on his right side, left doesn't bother him. Took us three tries but he did well yesterday. Can't wait to see what day 3 brings for him today. And of course rest for me, because fibro sucks butt (day 4 of flair for me), and needing to call my doctor cause my steroids to help me breathe are helping some, but I only have one more left for tomorrow and I'm thinking I'm reliant on it for at least now.

#Asthma #ServiceDogInTraining #ServiceDogHandler #ActuallyAutistic #HealthMatters #MentalHealthMatters #ChronicPain #Fibro

Got done some training with the relaxation protocol day one today, along with exercise, and enrichment is in the freezer waiting for dnd time. Lick mat of the night, frozen salmon stew.

#MiniDachshund #ServiceDogInTraining #Dachshund #ServiceDogHandler #DogsWithAJob #DogsOfMastodon

Another hot day, so chilling inside with the ac. Did a walk earlier and boy was it hot! Time to chill and stay cool. Went to urgent care, turns out my asthma has gotten worse and that means less time out in the heat. Apparently it triggers my asthma horribly. So some steroids to help me breathe for now with my inhaler. I see a pcp visit in my future, and possibly another inhaler. Boy is this terrifying...especially after watching my dad go through this stuff. I'm terrified, and my life is being dictated by my health, not something I'm happy or OK with. What does one do with this info? I see myself falling into my father's asthma journey, and since I just lost him to it even after a double lung transplant I just....im not doing the best. It's like I have to watch life pass me by now...anyone have any ideas on how to deal with this heat with my asthma without just staying inside with an ac constantly? And yes, I've been drinking tons of water

#MiniDachshund #Dachshund #DogDays #DogsOfInstagram #ServiceDogHandler #ServiceDogInTraining #Asthma #AsthmaAwareness #HealthMatters #Venting #SupportNeeded

Happy Pride Month from Birger! Just got him his new pride bow tie when I was at a pride event yesterday. Very well made, and the owners own four dachshunds! They're the reason they opened their shop. Wonderful people, will be getting more from them
#PrideMonth #Pride #ServiceDogInTraining #ServiceDogHandler #MiniDachshund #Dachshund #ShopSmall

I have officially gotten Birger his crash tested harness for the car, and I ordered him his wag wellies, aka his doggy crocs. So two more things are crossed off my checklist of stuff I need to get him. So yay! I also got him some bone broth and stews for lick mats, along with tons of long lasting chews and some short timing chews. I also got him a new bed for downstairs so he has one in front of his window he loves to look out of and sun in front of. He seems to be enjoying everything I got him, and he went with us to his first pet friendly store. He did get stressed so we left because there was a ton of dogs, but he was accepting treats, coming when called, and pretty decent when I redirected him. Overall, a decent win in my book. Especially for his first experience. We ended the day with a pup cup, and play time.
#ServiceDogInTraining #ServiceDogHandler #LittleVictories #MentalHealthMatters #DogsOfMastodon #MiniDachshund #Dachshund

Had some success today with Birger despite the heat. I had physical therapy this morning so Birger and my husband were out in the car with the windows down in the parking lot. Birger passed the time by watching people and sniffing out the window, not a single bark and was calm and not stressed or scared at all. Big win considering it's a brand new place he's never been before, different environment entirely than what he's used to. Now were just relaxing with the fans on, plenty of water and some frozen treats to help keep my boy cool. Thinking #vegan burritos tonight, though I do still need beans.
#ServiceDogInTraining #ServiceDogHandler #DogsOfMastodon #MentalHealth #MiniDachshund #Dachshund

Welp, 5:42am here in Massachusetts, and I'm already up and showered for the day. Hmm, what else to do today? I know it's gonna be hot as all get out, possibly another socializing outing for my boy? I will also schedule a session with the trainer so we can talk more about scent detection training. He feels my boy is ready for it, so we've been taking things slow. Primarily focusing on his socializing though.
#MentalHealthMatters #ShowUpForYourself #ServiceDogInTraining #LifeAndTimesAsAServiceDogHandler #ServiceDogHandler

Just had a major win with Birger! The first unit were out in the backyard with their dog, mind you Birger always gets frustrated because he can't go out and play with her because she's much bigger, is never on a leash, has no experience with small dogs, and she's not a safe dog for him to play with. So he will sit in the window and bark and whine the whole time she's out there. Brought it up to the trainer and he said to move him to another room and focus him on something else to help deal with his frustration with this situation. Generally we put his harness on and his leash, pick him up and move him to the new room, and then we try to do some training. BUT! Today he willing came to us when we called his name, continued to take verbal redirecting when he would start going to the window again, and did amazing with my nonverbal signaling to work him through his commands for training. THIS IS A HUGE IMPROVMENT AND A GREAT STEP! IM SO PROUD OF MY BOY!
#ServiceDogInTraining #DogsWithAJob #ServiceDogHandler #ProudPapa #MiniDachshund #Dachshund #DogsOfMastodon

I'm so proud of my boy and how smart he is! I've been having a lot of #SelectiveMutism days because of my #AutisticBurnout I'm experiencing since my father passed. Because I've been mute for a few days I realized I was having issues communicating with my boy Birger. He knows hand signals for things like sit, down, stay, up, etc, but redirecting him and getting his attention I realized I was depending only on vocal commands such as focus or using his name. This was proving to be a problem so I reached out to my trainer and asked for some advice on the matter. He suggested with the focus command that I add a clap or whistle, something I could do that wasn't verbal related. So because I had some words today we worked on him coming and focusing on me when I whistle. And it's working! He went under the couch today and I didn't know where he was. I whistled and he came right out to me and looked at me! Praise and treats were given of course, im just so proud! It's only been a short training session of this and he gets it!
#ServiceDogInTraining #ServiceDogHandler #MothersDay #DogsOfMastodon #MiniDachshund #Dachshund #Autistic #ActuallyAutistic

So im wicked excited but also anxious, I just put a deposit down on a Carnival cruise for April 2026! I plan on bringing Birger with me, I know he has more training till then so I'm sure he will be good by then. Gives me even more extra motivation! I will admit if I don't think he's ready by then, then I will leave him home. His best interest is what's important for me. So, anyone have any tips or recommendations on stuff I should work on or pack etc? First time cruising for me, and first time for Birger obviously.
#ServiceDogInTraining #CruiseWithAServiceDog #DogsWithAJob #ServiceDogHandler #PsychiatricServiceDog #MedicalAlertServiceDog #FirstTimeCruiser

Just got home from an outing with Birger. His longest outing he's done so far. Had to go to the library to print stuff, went to the cell phone company so I could ask questions about a bill, and we did half an hour of my counseling session. By the time I was at counseling he'd been out and about for around an hour, so half an hour into counseling I had to excuse myself to bring Birger home. Overall he did really well! Need to get him more use to the car, and he did great today. Only a few hiccups which is wicked good for his age right now.
#ServiceDogInTraining #DogsWithAJob #DogsOfMastodon #MiniDachshund #Dachshund #MentalHealth #ServiceDogHandler

Hey all you #ServiceDogHandler and #DogTrainers, I need some #DogTrainingHelp. I'm at a standstill with my mini dachshund. His prey drive is high and he continually chase after my cat and chews on him when he sees my cat. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can fix this issue? I've never worked with a high prey drive before.

Hey everyone! Reaching my feelers out to see if there's any cool #servicedoghandler #servicedogteams in the #Massachusetts area? I'll be moving down that way probably next year and would love to meet up with some fellow handlers and get a better lay of the land.

I am so thankful to have this view out my front door. I still suffer from cabin fever post-surgery, so Storm and I wheeled down to the mailbox.

That’s the farthest we’ve gone for a while, and we will try to make this a habit. My leg still hurts like hell, but the doctor said that my leg looked good. Progress!!

#servicedoghandler #spoonie #wheelchairuser #dogtrainer #servicedog #servicedogs #servicedogsofmastodon #chronicpain #germanshepherd

i don’t feel like this place is exactly my jam but hi, here’s an intro post i guess???
im salem/alex, 21, #nonbinary #lesbian (any pronouns). physically disabled #cripplepunk, #autistic #wheelchairuser + #servicedoghandler. some of my interests: #animals (yes including #insects + #entomology), #animalbehavior, music (
mostly #tradgoth, rock, metal, punk, etc.), #gaming (mostly #NintendoSwitch and #steamdeck), #horror, #forensicpathology, #furbies, #writing, etc. always feel free to hmu 🖤