Doggy Stars

Doggy Stars is in the process of major website updates and this article goes into a few more details about what is happening and why.

A brief explanation of the recent changes to the Doggy Stars website!

Having an autistic-owned business is hard, but there are things you can do as an autistic small business owner to try to make it easier.

You're thinking about getting a service dog, but not sure if it's for you? Here are 6 questions you can ask yourself to help decide if you really do want to add a service dog to your life.

As a service dog handler, what etiquette should you keep in mind when interacting with the public? What does the public expect from service dogs (and what should you do about it)?

In order to have a well-behaved dog (whether you're hoping to train your dog to be a service dog or not), it's important to have firm, established house rules that all humans follow. These are also useful for all ages of dogs, not just puppies, though the earlier you start, the better it can be.

Let’s make sure that, as you begin prepping for a new puppy, you have supplies and plans prepared ahead of time to help make the transition as easy as possible. You want to avoid mistakes and set things up for success from the very beginning.

This article is about the changes the US Department of Transportation made to the rules regarding service dogs on planes in December 2020 and discussing the positives and negatives of the changes.

You’ve decided that you want to get a service dog and that owner-training just isn’t right for you. How do you actually go about getting a fully-trained service dog from an organization and what do you have to consider?

* Update 2/8/23: Changed "wheelchair" to "oxygen tank" as wheelchair users do, unfortunately, have their chair moved and touched without permission. * You see that cute dog walking around somewhere dogs normally aren’t allowed (maybe the grocery store or the mall) and all you want to do is squeal and pet the pupper. That’s understandable. But you have to remind yourself that that dog is highly-trained medical equipment. If you start distracting that dog, you could very well s

Every person with a disability is unique. Even those with the exact same diagnoses may have different capabilities. Some can hold down full-time jobs. Meanwhile, I’m sitting here, extremely nauseous and barely able to type this new article out, even while taking breaks. And that’s okay. It’s important to consider your own capabilities and not compare yourself to others. Just because someone else can do something doesn’t mean you should expect yourself to be the same. Especial

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command...

In the service dog world, “registration” is seen as an ugly term. But why is that? And is “certification” any better? Well, it depends on...

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command...

Crate training is a much maligned practice. I can’t count how many times I’ve heard people say they don’t want to “trap” or otherwise “harm” their dog. In reality, crate training can be super helpful, especially for puppies, but even on to older ages. My oldest dog absolutely loves his crate and will sleep in it frequently because it gives him a break from the younger, more rambunctious pups. The crate should be a calm getaway for your dog. A place where they can escape and r

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command...

Depending on where you are, you may or may not still be in lockdown due to covid-19, but there are other reasons you could be in...

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command (visual or verbal), it’s called a “task.” If the behavior is triggered via an environmental cue (a sound, a change in the partner’s body, etc.), it’s called “work.” This is part of a series on various service dog tasks/work behaviors, their purpose, and how to train them. You can find a glossary of terms here and the whole list of behaviors c

There are several common cutlery-based theories regarding chronic illness (which can include mental health illnesses) and what a person can handle. There’s Spoon Theory by Christine Miserandino, Fork Theory by Jenrose, and Spork Theory by Lizzie (there’s also several variations of knife theory, but we’ll leave that alone for this article). Spoon Theory, in basic terms, states that someone with a chronic illness has a limited amount of energy, that every little thing costs ene

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command (visual or verbal), it’s called a “task.” If the behavior is triggered via an environmental cue (a sound, a change in the partner’s body, etc.), it’s called “work.” This is part of a series on various service dog tasks/work behaviors, their purpose, and how to train them. You can find a glossary of terms here and the whole list of behaviors c

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command (visual or verbal), it’s called a “task.” If the behavior is triggered via an environmental cue (a sound, a change in the partner’s body, etc.), it’s called “work.” This is part of a series on various service dog tasks/work behaviors, their purpose, and how to train them. You can find a glossary of terms here and the whole list of behaviors c

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command (visual or verbal), it’s called a “task.” If the behavior is triggered via an environmental cue (a sound, a change in the partner’s body, etc.), it’s called “work.” This is part of a series on various service dog tasks/work behaviors, their purpose, and how to train them. You can find a glossary of terms here and the whole list of behaviors c

Service dogs are life-changing, but they can be very expensive, so more and more people are choosing to owner-train their dogs. The question then becomes should you get a puppy, an adolescent, or an adult? My recommendation is to get a dog that’s 2-3 years old, with a known temperament and vet checks, but each age has its pros and cons. Why do I recommend starting with an adult dog? It’s much easier and, in general, less stressful. Puppies go through several behavioral change

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command (visual or verbal), it’s called a “task.” If the behavior is triggered via an environmental cue (a sound, a change in the partner’s body, etc.), it’s called “work.” This is part of a series on various service dog tasks/work behaviors, their purpose, and how to train them. You can find a glossary of terms here and the whole list of behaviors c

You’ve been considering getting a service dog for yourself, you’ve researched what a service dog is, but you’re not sure if one is right for your situation. We’re here to help. The very first step is to take out a pen and paper (or a note-taking app) and list out the things you struggle to do yourself. For example, remembering to take your medicine, picking up dropped things, walking without losing your balance, etc. Also list out the problems you experience in day-to-day lif

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command (visual or verbal), it’s called a “task.” If the behavior is triggered via an environmental cue (a sound, a change in the partner’s body, etc.), it’s called “work.” This is part of a series on various service dog tasks/work behaviors, their purpose, and how to train them. You can find a glossary of terms here and the whole list of behaviors c

One term you’ve probably heard is “fake” service dog. Many places and people rail against these fakes causing trouble in stores and other public locations. I’ve previously written about what a service dog is and why only service dogs are given public access, but what is a “fake” service dog and should we be worried about them? A “fake” service dog is any dog that doesn’t meet the definition of service dog, whether it’s because the handler isn’t (visibly) disabled, the dog isn

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command...

Whether you have a service dog, an ESA, or a pet dog, finding a good dog trainer can be daunting. There are so many different techniques...

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command...

Being invisibly disabled can be a real struggle, even when just trying to get the care you need. When I was around 20, I literally had a doctor tell me that she wasn’t going to diagnose me with anything else because I already had so much wrong with me for someone who was so young! More recently, my problems with my balance got bad enough to finally get the attention of my doctor(s) and I found myself referred from one doctor to another, from one test to another. I had my brai

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command...

The spring and summer months are full of hazards for our dogs, from toxic plants to blood-sucking pests and even increased trash and...

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command (visual or verbal), it’s called a “task.” If the behavior is triggered via an environmental cue (a sound, a change in the partner’s body, etc.), it’s called “work.” This is part of a series on various service dog tasks/work behaviors, their purpose, and how to train them. You can find a glossary of terms here and the whole list of behaviors c

There are so many different types of service dog equipment, but what’s the right one? Does it matter if you use a cape vs a vest? What’s...

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command (visual or verbal), it’s called a “task.” If the behavior is triggered via an environmental cue (a sound, a change in the partner’s body, etc.), it’s called “work.” Sometimes, behaviors are trained that will eventually become tasks or work, but they start as tricks, like this one. This is part of a series on various service dog tasks/work beha

There’s a phrase used in the service dog world: “public access.” This term is used to mean that a dog has the rights to go into places that are otherwise non-pet-friendly. So, a dog without public access could go to PetSmart or Home Depot with their handler, but only a service dog has public access rights and can go to, for example, a restaurant. I’ve explained the rights of various dogs to go into public in another post. In the US, only service dogs are allowed public acces

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command...

As a dog trainer, I have often been asked about pet insurance. Is it necessary? Is it worth it? My opinion is that any animal should have...

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command (visual or verbal), it’s called a “task.” If the behavior is triggered via an environmental cue (a sound, a change in the partner’s body, etc.), it’s called “work.” This is part of a series on various service dog tasks/work behaviors, their purpose, and how to train them. You can find a glossary of terms here and the whole list of behaviors c

*Update Jan. 2021: Psychiatric service dogs are no longer separated from other types of service dogs when it comes to airplanes and ESAs are no longer allowed on airplanes without a fee .* A frequently misunderstood topic is what is a service dog. Especially when you throw in Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) and psychiatric service dogs, the terms can get confusing. So this is a brief post explaining the difference between service dogs, psychiatric service dogs, ESAs, and the

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command (visual or verbal), it’s called a “task.” If the behavior is triggered via an environmental cue (a sound, a change in the partner’s body, etc.), it’s called “work.” This is part of a series on various service dog tasks/work behaviors, their purpose, and how to train them. You can find a glossary of terms here and the whole list of behaviors c

One of the problems that those of us with invisible disabilities struggle with is belief that we’re disabled. We have to struggle with ourselves over why we can’t do the things that others can seem to do so easily, whether it’s hygiene or cooking, work or social activities. It can ruin our whole day when something changes unexpectedly and we often compare ourselves to others around us who seem so much more capable than us. Especially when our symptoms may vary from day to day

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command...

The temperature is rising again, so it’s time to think about the temperature of the ground that your dog is walking on. Humans (normally)...

About six months ago, I realized that I needed to add a cane to my daily life for safety reasons. I wasn’t able to stand in place for long periods of time and my stumbles from balance problems were becoming more common. I knew that I needed to add one and I even approached my doctor to get a prescription. I had to figure out where to get a cane and realized that I didn’t know anything about them: there are specific ways to walk with them, they need to be a certain height to p

*The changes have been decided as of Jan. 2021. See more here.* The DOT has a proposal to change how service dogs and Emotional Support...

*Updated 6/22/23 to add a link for more information about SSI/SSDI* What the US defines as a disability—and when they’ll offer help—is...

An introduction to who I am, my experience, and what I'm passionate about.