This might be a bit long because I need to explain the situation, so bear with me.
The dog I was training to be my psychiatric assistance dog was super unluckily diagnosed with hip dysplasia a month ago, aged 15 months. This means he can't be an assistance dog as he needs a vet to sign him off as being fit to work. I can't leave the house without the help of my dog, who is now officially a pet. What is more, I won't be able to keep him because I still need a working dog, but I live alone and if I kept him and got a working dog, he would be left alone far too much and be unhappy. My friend has said he will do an "open adoption", so I can still see him sometimes but he will be my friend's dog. That's the best situation I could hope for, really.
The reason I am at my wits end is because he is still an adolescent, so behaves like one (sometimes ignoring me, pushing the boundaries etc.) but now I know I will never see the fruits of his training when he grows out of it (because he will be my friend's dog), it's really hard to put up with the silly behaviour. It makes going out a misery because my ability to cope if he ignores me and tries to chase a bird or something is nil. I often walk out the door with him, turn around after 30m and come home. What is more, since he is a pet now I'm really lonely because I can't go anywhere except the park as he can't go with me to the library or anywhere people congregate, especially now it's getting cold. I have also been out of the blue verbally attacked by strangers when out and about twice in two weeks, which adds to me not wanting to leave the house.
I think things will get a little bit better at the end of May when I have my Ps test, so at least then I'll be able to drive to places other than the park (can't take public transport because dogs aren't allowed, so I can only go where my feet can take me, plus because of the hip dysplasia my dog shouldn't walk as far as he used to). But it's still really difficult.
I need to brainstorm ideas that will enable me to cope with the isolation and frustration, which will also make my dog happier until he goes to live with my friend in around July/August. I am a bit stumped. I have plenty to do at home because I am studying online, but I need to get out sometimes and so does my dog.
