supplies to keep a dog happy when alone

Does Your Dog Have What It Takes To Become A Service Dog?

17 July 2017 by Jennifer Barrett

If you've recently gotten a puppy, you may find yourself marveling over the speed with which he learns new skills. Certain breeds like German Shepherds, border collies, and golden retrievers are among the most intelligent dog breeds in the world, making them well-suited for work as a certified seeing-eye dog, comfort dog, or other type of service canine. Read on to learn more about the process of having your dog certified as a service dog and how you can determine whether your dog has what it takes to spend his life providing care and comfort to others.

What training is required to have dogs certified as service dogs?

There are a wide variety of opportunities for service dogs, from law enforcement-owned drug and bomb sniffing dogs to therapy dogs used to comfort children who must testify in court or who are dealing with terminal illnesses. Other dogs can detect low blood sugar levels in diabetics or an impending seizure in those with epilepsy, making them a crucial medical companion for those battling chronic ailments.

The process for having a dog certified as a service dog can depend on the specific service being provided; however, no national standards exist for service certification, so most professionals depend on the recommendations and regulations of an applicable nonprofit organization. For example, to become a seeing eye dog, dogs are required to undergo an intensive four-month training course at the age of one year to teach them basic commands and the exercise of "intelligent disobedience" to keep their blind owner safe. Other service dogs may be trained in their specific specialty (like medical detection) or simply socialized and provided with lots of affection.

How can you decide whether becoming certified is right for your dog?

To evaluate whether a life of service is right for your dog, you'll want to consider a few key factors.

The first is your dog's personality. While friendliness is always a desirable trait in pets, a dog that is too friendly or extroverted to focus on his or her job may not be ideal for service work. By that same token, a timid dog or one that is obstinate about obeying commands even after being trained from puppyhood may not have the right combination of obedience and diligence to thrive in this role.

Finally, you'll want to make sure your dog is in good health and isn't dealing with any congenital issues that could make service work harder on his body. If your dog is on the heavy side, losing some weight before embarking on a training regimen may be a good idea. Click here to read more about service dog certification.

Share