Training my assistance dog & Kinder passed away... now what? | VLOG

[@Maybe_insane]

I’ve watched you ever since I got my first pair of rats 3-4 years ago, and I now have three boys who are living a happy life thanks to you! Can’t wait to see what’s to come with your channel

[@Sincerely_hazelnut]

With the rats, I’m in a very similar situation! around 4 of my rats had past this year alone and it was way too much for me and I haven’t fully processed the fact so many are gone. When it got down to 2 I quickly introduced new girls, but during vacation another girl passed. Shockingly, I was left with my girl from my first ever pair FOUR years ago! Unfortunately, not too long after the last one past she fell very ill and because of her age all the meds from the vet weren’t helping so she passed. I’m now left with the new 2 girls who I feel no connection with because I was still processing multiple passings when I had to add them to the group. Currently, I’m trying to find a nice place to re-home them. It helps for me to know I’m not alone with this tough situation and I hope it helps you too. Rats were a great experience for me and I thank you deeply for sharing your passion online and opening my eyes to the small pet world🫶

[@bunny4rmlove]

Sending lots of love losing pets never get easier. We know you're doing what's best for them. ❤❤❤

[@dawncowan7009]

You helped me so much when a neighbour handed me rats, in stupid cages. I learn so fast about diet etc because of you. Some have gone, due to tumours. That I had a great vet try her best. All lived to around 2 yrs. And my boys are around 3. All thanx to you and my friend isamu rat care. Big hugs are I know it will of been hard for you.

[@kt2906]

I just read the title and got chills 😢😢😢😭😭😭

[@maryoleary5044]

Oh, Emi You explain so well your mixed emotions! Ratties are little bursts of Magic! They'll love exploring their new place. Sending hugs!

[@dawncowan7009]

Ashley is lovely. They are going to be loved so much.❤ from Geordieland U.K.

[@diane9693]

You’ve done such a great job with river I’m so sorry about kinder ☹️ the end of a ratty era is always sad 😞 Hubble is such a handsome boy ☺️

[@josephinastover5785]

So sorry for your loss. RIP sweet Kinder💔😢

[@mymolander]

As a dogtrainer and dogbehaviorist from Sweden, I have to say you're doing so well with River! 👏🤩 It's not about how fast you progress, but that you have fun along the way. All dogs (and people) are individuals, for some it takes longer, for others it goes faster. Don't compare yourself to others, River is super talented 🙌

[@Emiology]

Thank you 🥹

[@cassandra_in_4k]

i cant believe believe Kinder passed 😢😭 I wish you luck in training your assistance dog!! fly high Kinder ❤🕊️🕊️

[@RichardHodges-p4j]

Im so sorry to hear about Kinder. I just wanted you to know I'll be getting my first rats in a few weeks and a lot of that is down to you and your videos, which have helped me a lot already. So thanks to you there is and will be a lot of rats getting a lot of love.

[@rae-333x]

The pain of having to put ur animal to sleep is unreal. Im so sorry for ur loss. Rip kinder i dresd the day this happens to my rats😕. I cant imagine how much trauma uve gone through seeing ur rat in so much agony and pain. Kinder is in a better place now happier then ever i bet! Rip again kinder ❤ As a sister to a dog trainer, ur doing awesome with ur dog! Keeo it up! And ur dog is stunning just like you are ❤

[@RinnsHamsterCorner]

I’m so sorry for your loss We will always remember our dear old kinder🐀🕊

[@cheesenommer360]

The new art is stunning! Im so sorry about kinder. Losing pets feels like loosing family. Im glad to hear you have more video ideas and stuff tho as i love watching your vids. Take care of urself and bave a good day ❤

[@wispawtherian]

I'm so so sorry for your loss😔 you are so good at getting back on your feet and posting for us😊 (ps. I love your car😅)

[@kittyfestt]

did no one else tear up??😭 very sorry for your loss of rats Emi💔

[@josiemorris615]

I've never understood how assistance dogs can be trained to do so many things, you seem to be doing so well with her already ❤

[@eyvindcasco]

I'm so sorry for You loss RIP loved Kinder loved baby You live forever in You humans and brothers hearts fly little angel 🥺🌈 thanks for all memories and love beautiful baby

[@LadyDawnThePigeon]

3:41 on a totally random note your car is so cute and tiny omg!!🫶

[@Hayley0412]

R.I.P Kinder, he was such a sweetheart! I can’t keep rats because I have major death anxiety and they don’t live very long, I would be wearing black clothes like Lydia in Beetlejuice! You have done so well with Rivers training, I can’t believe that you have not done it before, don’t worry about being behind other dogs as a mother to human children I can tell you that they all learn at different speeds. I love your channel I must check to make sure I am still a patreon, my card was used in Maryland USA to buy a house, I live in wales and I didn’t have enough money to buy a months groceries so I am pretty sure they got mad about using my account! I Absolutely love your new banner it looks amazing, I love the little pictures on the walls, I will be checking it out when I come to your channel! I thought you were saying that you were going to euthanise your last two rats, it took my slow brain a few seconds to catch up, your babies are going to an amazing new home and your allergies will be eased or completely stopped! ❤❤❤

[@melemisu3259]

So sorry for your loss ❤❤😢 I can't wait to see your new videos!

[@maryoleary5044]

"He was tired, he'd had enough!" - Bless Beautiful Tinder 💞

[@the_willoww]

Oh my goodness river is just wonderful!!! She's truly so impressive and a complete credit to you and your training. Well done!

[@Abbayabbadoo]

I'm so sorry 🫶 kinder was so lucky to have you

[@colleenandres3800]

RIP Kinder!!

[@mintywolfcrafts]

Awwww lovin that fresh banner! You could maybe have Rue in one of the photo frames on the shelves. Have a fun time meeting the other boys Kinder💖🐀🌈

[@Emiology]

I did think that but i don't think you'd be able to see it once it's uploaded :(

[@esthersanchez2264]

​@@Emiology Want to know if U have any recommendations of books or videos for basic dog training. I may consider raising one or two in the future although I'm not sure what breeds or when. Most likely i will be adopting a rescue. Thank U for all U do to raise the awareness of pet care. ❤

[@marzettik]

It's been a long month for you. Big hugs. ❤

[@amandafryar]

Hi Emiology, Ive been watching you since I started owning rats at the beginning of this year and absolutely love you and your admiration for your animals! You did a fantastic job with your rats and gave me a ton of ideas to keep my boy rattos happy and healthy. As someone who deals with severe allergies not only to certain animals, but food as well, keep your head up and you are doing the right thing. However, if you are ever open to owning rats again in the future, allergies in ones lifetime changes quite frequently. Get allergy tested regularly and who knows, you may outgrow the allergy to rats you developed. Just wanted to share in case you ever have the desire to own rats again in the future and give you a little hope. Will always continue to support your channel even with the absence of your rats. Keep up the great work and sending you lots of love at this time!

[@runningoutofhay]

Awesome job with River. You are building a great foundation for her. Going at her pace is going to be very worth it.

[@laurenedge6392]

My boy jerry is reaching then end of his time on earth ❤ it's so hard deciding whether to let them pass on their own or take them to the vets. Also I didn't know you were training an assistance dog and coming from a new assistance dog owner trainer too it really is the hardest thing I've ever done too. Adolescence came way earlier than expected with my labrador Olive, and I honestly just let her go through it and stopped doing public access prep training. I had to stop because she had sudden reactivity and barked at anyone who talked to her and almost every dog. So, I just decided to let her work through her teenage time and worked on her reactivity. The few times I did take her out to dog friendly places, she did not do well at all, and I got frustrated out of self-consciousness. And for that reason, I just put a halt on training. And now our bond is strong, and every training session, good or bad, is infinitely more positive.

[@Emiology]

Sounds very similar to our struggles! Lots of dog excitement reactivity with fixating and at it worst barking and lunging to get to other dogs (which only lasted a week thank god) but i've spent all my time working on her being neutral around other dogs and havent had the capacity for anything else. Our current struggle is her fear barking at things that surprise her like sudden noises or people carrying 'weird' things, and my frustration and stress through it all has definitely affected our bond. It's really hard to do it and do it right :(

[@laurenedge6392]

@Emiology there's so much pressure when we gear our pups up, too. Like they have to be 100% perfect or we'll get called out for "faking". I don't know if you feel this too, but I get massive imposter syndrome too, where I feel like I'm not worthy enough for an assistance dog, which only adds to that pressure. But we have to remember that the aren't robots. They aren't perfect and they never will be. But we can help them be the best that they can be, and that's enough ❤️. And realising that took alot of that pressure off :)

[@Emiology]

@@laurenedge6392 I relate to all of that! Once she barked at someone slightly obscured by a frosted glass door and I ripped that vest off her so fast out of embarrassment lol

[@laurenedge6392]

@@Emiology bless her ❤️

[@Kitty-k4j]

I hope you find your peace RIP Kinder

[@dawncowan7009]

I'm going to have one lone male soon,his brother is terminally ill. And I have 2 younger females. Who I got to be my older girls company. Sadly I lost my older girls due to cancerous tumours, me and my vet tried. But one girl died in her bed. Then I had to have two pts at same time. It was my 1st time being there for ratties. My Frenchie used to high 5 and the vet put her hands on mine as her heart stopped. Frenchie even after treatment jumped into my arms and licked my tears. Sandy my Ist ever ratty went peacefully. After them both being hugged so much that morning, chocolate, and chicken nuggets for everyone. I'll never forget them. But I don't know of anyone In North East England to trust my ratties to.

[@lisabaker1569]

Big Hugs! Then nice.

[@tachish11]

There should be a little rat in one of the picture frames on your banner. Would be a cool memorial 😢

[@khanhhm5762]

Hi Emi, As someone who has quite a bit of experience with assistance dogs and also owner training several myself, it is one of the hardest things to do. I haven't read through all the comments on this video, but I hope you have gotten some support throughout your journey. I know from personal experience that there are plenty of people in the service dog community that can be very critical. It isn't about how fast you progress but more about your individual journey and needs. For some people, it takes several years to have a fully trained assistance dog, depending on the tasks and needs, and for others, it is a shorter time. It can also be a very lonely journey, even with trainers involved. I have found that sometimes, the best thing to do is to allow a dog to just get older and some of those behaviors that are undesirable will at the very least lessen. Sounds like you are doing the best that you can, and that is what ultimately matters.

[@Emiology]

Thank you 😊 I’ve found some really lovely people in the community that have been a huge help. Unfortunately things have got way worse and I’ve now got a dog that I don’t even recognise some days, but we’re thinking she’s now got some underlying pain causing her behaviours 😭

[@khanhhm5762]

@@Emiology Oh no!!! I'm so sorry to hear that. I have never dealt with issues that involve the dog being in pain at such a young age. I have had other experiences though, like barking, chewing, etc. etc. I'm really glad you have found some lovely people to help you, but it is still hard! Anybody who says it isn't… well, I can respect that they are speaking from their perspective, But that can also be a problem. The reality for every person looks very different, and I personally am never ever quick to judge anyone except myself. After all, I live in my own head. Maybe that's not always a good thing! Anyway, Thanks for your response. I'm currently looking at a successor service dog breed to find a candidate and train, a Keeshond. As puppies, they are insanely intense, but the ones I have met have grown up to be fantastic. So… Here's hoping. My current service dog is a male German Shepherd who will be retiring sometime next year in the autumn. I love the big guy, but holy smokes! At six years old, he is still as intense as ever, and we constantly have to work on impulse control. But he is a fantastic dog, and I feel incredibly grateful and blessed for all of the years he has given me. Now if I can only convince him that not every human likes their skirt being lifted and his nose being suddenly shoved in their bum crack, we would be good. I do very quickly correct and redirect him, but the last time this happened, I was paying for a purchase, and he didn't move, keeping a nice sit. Suddenly somebody let out this giant yelp because he had turned his head to the side and somehow managed to poke them in the bum with his nose and the person yelled like a chicken in a blender.. Sometimes, I do really miss out on seeing the expressions of people's faces because I don't have any usable eyesight. #SortOfBlindGirlProblems

[@Adriannakas]

I got my dog for physical exercise. I need to exercise, but usually, that comes easiest in the form of training animals. I lost 10 pounds now and am now living pain-free. To say having a working dog (A spaniel with ADHD no less) on your off days is so difficult but so fun! Enjoy the little moments. Today's activities were: - Playing in the hose - Walk in the park - practicing recalls - Heelwork with distractions, etc. - Dinner in slow feeder frozen

[@Caviidae]

Rest in peace Kinder

[@LulaMae21]

I have two older boys who are 2 years, 6 months and 2 years, 5 months, and the younger has developed hind leg degeneration to the point I'm beginning to consider whether it's time to let him go. I don't think we'd get any sweet cuddles though, because he bites me, ever since he was a pup lol. Only rat I've ever had to do that. RIP sweet Kinder ❤

[@tinamcguire3660]

❤

[@sofiafilova7335]

Thats gona be a painfull time when its my rats turn im getting two on my b day rest in peace kinder😭

[@Smw006]

::hugs::

[@wp9949]

Sorry to hear about your loss and such a tough decision💔 I’d like to ask how comes that you are allergic to rats but not mice, chinchilla, cats, dogs etc.? Don’t get me wrong, no offense, just curious.

[@Emiology]

Don’t know 🤷🏻‍♀️ it’s specifically male rat urine I’m allergic to, but a lot of people are the same where they’re fine with other pets. I’m not allergic to animal hair / dander

[@wp9949]

@@Emiology thanks for reply. This makes sence. Ratties love peeing on everyone and everything😅

[@crazycat1166]

I'm on the same journey- self training my 7 month old cockapoo to be my assistance dog. I completely relate to feeling alone! I've chosen to pay for individual training once a month as I find I learn better that way. I'm working with an organisation called Pawsable which I think is a slightly different process to the assistance dog UK process. We haven't started specific task training yet we are more working on basic training and desensitizing to different environments. Even though my pup is still very young I often feel "behind others" too. It's definitely an intense journey with lots of highs and lows. Id love to know how old River is and what age she started her journey?

[@Emiology]

I've started having an in person trainer come with me once a month, I've not found much value in being with any online organisations and if anything they've just held me back while I've been crying out for help with problems and getting nothing back from it. I started the foundations of assistance dog stuff as soon as she came home, did a lot of pet friendly places when she was around 4-5 months old and then had to stop because she was randomly fearful, too excited around other dogs, and now at almost 18 months old i'm only really just trying to go back out and start doing it again

[@mussitate]

Apologies if you've answered this in another video, but what made you choose a Toller for a service dog over a Fab Four breed? Was it the size? Just curious :)

[@Emiology]

The size for our house / my car, I also wanted a dog that I wanted as a dog above anything else, I didn't want to get a breed that I wouldn't be happy with when it could equally not work out and I'd end up with a breed I didn't want. I'd love a golden in the future but could not imagine one fitting in our current downstairs and garden

[@elodielawrence3338]

I'm a dog trainer training my own assistants dog and even I'm worried and struggling and working with other trainers to help me so your not alone

[@colleenandres3800]

Why am I crying???😢

[@Azrael_And_Val-chan]

ur german!! same

[@Emiology]

I’m not 😅

[@Azrael_And_Val-chan]

@@Emiology oh well sry the stuff were on German XD

[@sofiafilova7335]

Btw its not halloween yet🥲 6:38

[@colleenandres3800]

Please try and do some rap videos in the future because you’re the big reason why I started owning rats in the first place. I don’t think I could’ve started owning rats without your knowledge guiding me along, so I’m so sorry that this is happening to you because I couldn’t imagine Giving my little men away!!! Thank you for all your guidance and knowledge!!

[@KiniaM2025]

1 min gang

[@amandadeprey4250]

I’m also going through the end of my current rat keeping era :-( the last time I got rats for intros I rescued 8 females that I was told were ~1.5 years old and all from the same litter that I introduced to the 3 remaining girls I had at the time, now 7months later my life has been turned upside down by a huge medical situation leading to my being in and out of the hospital for long periods of time. Due to this and the fact that the remaining 5 girls being so old, my plan is to love and care for them until they are only 2 before humanely euthanizing those last 2 together. They are already showing their age and I don’t think it would be fair to them to go through the stress of moving to a new home at this point but I also will not allow them to be alone. All this to say I really feel what you are going through. My girls were recently downsized from a x3x3x3unit critter nation mansion with 2 ft plexiglass substrate bins down to the floor that i put so much time/love/money into making. To a plain old double CN due to my inability to keep up with it and the girls health decline and every time I go into their room all I can feel is sad for them :-( it will be hard but we can get through this. My thoughts will be with you during this difficult time

[@LulaMae21]

I can relate to health struggles and how difficult it makes it to function and care for your animals, and that's without the added pressure of hospital stays. ❤