Would My Dog Make a Good Service Dog?

It seems everyone wants to make their dog a service dog for many reasons.  Some have a legitimate disability that a dog can be trained to help with, and some people just want to take their dog everywhere they go.  

First, it is important to know the difference between a Service Dog and an Emotional Support Dog.  Both types of dogs must have exceptional, impeccable manners in public.  This is the definition of a service dog by the ADA; “Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.”  Also, the ADA says, “Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.”

Service Dogs are allowed anywhere the public is allowed. EMOTIONAL SUPPORT dogs Do NOT have the same rights of access.  Even certified Pet Therapy Dogs are NOT Service Dogs and are not afforded the rights of access to public places that a Service Dog has.

I am continually asked to “certify” someone’s pet as a Service Dog.  In almost all cases, a pet does not have the temperament or training to be a Service Dog.  Service work is extremely stressful.  If I were to go pick a dog from the shelter for service work, on the average, it takes evaluating 250 dogs before one is the right temperament for service work and to go into public. That does not mean that shelter dogs are not the best pets on the planet!  What it does mean is that the work of a service dog is very difficult and not many dogs “have the right stuff”.

Some of the attributes I look for in a service dog is that he should be spayed or neutered or have plans as such.  A service dog must be confident, but not overbold.  A dog should be highly trainable and not extremely willful or over-excited about seeing people or other dogs.  He should want to please you more than chase squirrels, balls, or any other animal he could see while working.  A service dog is calm in every circumstance, and does not “posses” you around people or other dogs.  If a service dog is put into an unknown environment, he must approach is calmly and confidently, and he must be a problem solver.  

Service work takes YEARS of training. I expect at least 2 years of consistent training.  He must learn perfect public manners and be always easily controllable no matter what. He must be desensitized to highly unusual things in life.  And, he must learn specific tasks to help his owner’s disability.  Buying a vest, or registering your dog with an “official registry” does not a service dog make. 

Emotional support dogs should have a minimum of a Canine Good Citizen Certification from AKC to show he has good manners and controllability.  But, emotional support dogs have limited areas they can go.  They are not service dogs.

If you think your dog would be a good service dog and you have an ADA recognized disability, talk to someone experienced in evaluating and training service dogs.  A dog improperly trained or an inappropriate dog can create a huge liability for you.

Caption:  Baewulf was in training for 2 years before he was placed with a deaf woman as her hearing assistance dog.  His manners were impeccable in public with perfect obedience.