This is what I'm working on right now. 
There are several areas I'd like for the dog to help out, if possible.
Of course, the seizures are a big one, but I understand that that's a harder thing to train as a do will either naturally recognize a seizure or it won't. But we'll just wait and see and then go from there. But yes, I'd love to have the dog come alert me to Cole having a seizure.
In terms of bolting/veering/wandering, it is my understanding that "body blocking" would be a useful technique in that the dog could/would use its body to gently prohibit him from stepping farther away. I will also employ a harness with handle which will give Cole a "job" to hold onto, while I retain the leash (obviously).
I watched some YouTube videos of the tethering thing, and while I'm not a fan of it, I can see why some parents are desperate to employ the method. I remember one day when Cole bolted from my mother and nearly made it to a 4-lane highway before an adult living nearby was able to catch home. The decisions a parent of a special needs child makes is made after much thought, and there is ALWAYS second guessing. But we do the best we can do, so rely will I ever scrutinize someone else in my position unless it is true laziness or is a form of abuse or neglect to the child or is detrimental to the child. It's one of those "walk a day in his/her shoes" things.
I'd also like for the dog to alert Cole (some way) when he's stuck in repetitive tics or self-stimulation. Often times it just takes a gentle touch from me and some redirection to get him to get back to doing whatever it is he was doing.
Cole has anxiety, and anxiety makes the above behaviors more prominent, so I'm hoping that having the dog will also help the anxiety, which in turn will reduce the behaviors.
I also want to train the dog to pressure response, such as lying across the legs. A lot of dogs are trained to lean against the chest, but is just worry of that move being more intimidating to Cole since he's a young child and not a full-grown adult.
Cole is still not completely independent in the bathroom, and while he usually tells me before he goes in, there have been times that I didn't hear him and he was stuck sitting there calling my name and I was in the other part of the house. There were also several times at night that he tried waking me up, and I didn't respond. I've cried many tears over those times where I've found my son asleep on the toilet or crying his eyes out over being all alone in there. No one understands the pain and guilt I've felt in those moments. So I also want the dog to alert me when Cole is in the bathroom.
And I also want the dog to alert Cole to when someone is calling his name. He especially has a hard time if there is a lot of noise, but sometimes he's just so zoned out that it goes right over him. But the minor hearing loss definitely results in him not really hearing clearly when there lots of noise around him (other kids being loud, toys making noise, tv on, etc.)
And of course I want the dog to come alert me/get me when something Hellenes and he sends the dog to come get me. For example, he's fallen out of bed and gotten stuck.
ETA: I'd like to remind everyone that the addition of a service dog does NOT mean that I will get to do less work or that I think my job as a mother is temporarily over. If anything, my responsibilities will be increasing. I will still continue doing what we're doing, if not just slightly modified. But agains, this is all 2 years down the road.
There are several areas I'd like for the dog to help out, if possible.
Of course, the seizures are a big one, but I understand that that's a harder thing to train as a do will either naturally recognize a seizure or it won't. But we'll just wait and see and then go from there. But yes, I'd love to have the dog come alert me to Cole having a seizure.
In terms of bolting/veering/wandering, it is my understanding that "body blocking" would be a useful technique in that the dog could/would use its body to gently prohibit him from stepping farther away. I will also employ a harness with handle which will give Cole a "job" to hold onto, while I retain the leash (obviously).
I watched some YouTube videos of the tethering thing, and while I'm not a fan of it, I can see why some parents are desperate to employ the method. I remember one day when Cole bolted from my mother and nearly made it to a 4-lane highway before an adult living nearby was able to catch home. The decisions a parent of a special needs child makes is made after much thought, and there is ALWAYS second guessing. But we do the best we can do, so rely will I ever scrutinize someone else in my position unless it is true laziness or is a form of abuse or neglect to the child or is detrimental to the child. It's one of those "walk a day in his/her shoes" things.
I'd also like for the dog to alert Cole (some way) when he's stuck in repetitive tics or self-stimulation. Often times it just takes a gentle touch from me and some redirection to get him to get back to doing whatever it is he was doing.
Cole has anxiety, and anxiety makes the above behaviors more prominent, so I'm hoping that having the dog will also help the anxiety, which in turn will reduce the behaviors.
I also want to train the dog to pressure response, such as lying across the legs. A lot of dogs are trained to lean against the chest, but is just worry of that move being more intimidating to Cole since he's a young child and not a full-grown adult.
Cole is still not completely independent in the bathroom, and while he usually tells me before he goes in, there have been times that I didn't hear him and he was stuck sitting there calling my name and I was in the other part of the house. There were also several times at night that he tried waking me up, and I didn't respond. I've cried many tears over those times where I've found my son asleep on the toilet or crying his eyes out over being all alone in there. No one understands the pain and guilt I've felt in those moments. So I also want the dog to alert me when Cole is in the bathroom.
And I also want the dog to alert Cole to when someone is calling his name. He especially has a hard time if there is a lot of noise, but sometimes he's just so zoned out that it goes right over him. But the minor hearing loss definitely results in him not really hearing clearly when there lots of noise around him (other kids being loud, toys making noise, tv on, etc.)
And of course I want the dog to come alert me/get me when something Hellenes and he sends the dog to come get me. For example, he's fallen out of bed and gotten stuck.
ETA: I'd like to remind everyone that the addition of a service dog does NOT mean that I will get to do less work or that I think my job as a mother is temporarily over. If anything, my responsibilities will be increasing. I will still continue doing what we're doing, if not just slightly modified. But agains, this is all 2 years down the road.
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