Service Dog
Service Dog Information
Service dog means any dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals who are blind or have low vision, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, fetching items, assisting an individual during a seizure, retrieving medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and assisting individuals, including those with cognitive disabilities, with navigation. Includes individually trained dogs that do work or perform tasks for the benefit of individuals with psychiatric, cognitive, and mental disabilities.
There is an alternative, to waiting many years to get a dog, and to getting a dog that may not be trained to your needs. If you have the experience, or if you can get the help of a professional dog trainer, you can train a dog yourself. Even if you've trained dogs before, I STRONGLY suggest you get the help of a professional dog trainer, or a program that helps you train your own dog. There are some programs out there, that allow you to train a dog to meet your needs, either using a dog you provide, or providing a dog for you. There are many advantages to this, as well as disadvantages.
Advantages include:
1. No waiting list. If you have your own dog, you can begin to train it immediately.
2. May be cheaper than getting a program trained dog. You won't have to pay for hotel, meals, and plane fare to the facility to receive your d og.
3. Has the same access rights as any dog from a program.
Disadvantages:
1. There is no such thing as the "MAGIC" dog. You have to train the dog.
2. If you're training a puppy, you must wait for it to finish growing before teaching tasks such as wheelchair pulling and bracing (Mobility Service Dogs)
Buying an already trained service dog ~ Look at their:
References (call and talk to these references)
Policies, contract (will they take the dog back if it isn’t working out)
Better Business Bureau complaints
Google or internet search them
SERVICE DOG TRAINING CRITERIA
1. A letter from a licensed physician or psychiatrist prior to training a Service Dog. Please do not inquire about training a Service Dog if you simply want to be able to take your pet dog into places that otherwise would not allow him. This is an ABSOLUTE requirement.
2. The applicant must have the proper dog to do the work. The dog must not be overly fearful or aggressive to humans or other dogs. If the applicant’s dog does not pass the temperament test a new dog will be a requirement.
3. The dog must pass a CGC (Canine Good Citizen) test. This test is available, but must be conducted with the owner of the dog as the handler. The dog and owner must pass a public access test for certification.
4. The dog must prove to be good in public. It must not be aggressive to dogs or humans, must stay by the owners side without being a nuisance, and must follow commands without need of forceful correction. The dog should be able to navigate through crowds of people, in and out of doorways, and calmly lay down next to or under a table as appropriate.
How to choose a trainer
Whether or not you get an already trained dog or one you will work with and train yourself, there will be training involved. Find a trainer that is familiar in the field of service to assist you. Look for a trainer that is certified to show they have done their work in canine learning theory as well as the practical ability to work with and train a dog. Check on their experience and ask for references. The training of a service dog is critical and needs to be motivating.
The Videos are made by Stacey Ayub. Training by Stacey Ayub
There is an alternative, to waiting many years to get a dog, and to getting a dog that may not be trained to your needs. If you have the experience, or if you can get the help of a professional dog trainer, you can train a dog yourself. Even if you've trained dogs before, I STRONGLY suggest you get the help of a professional dog trainer, or a program that helps you train your own dog. There are some programs out there, that allow you to train a dog to meet your needs, either using a dog you provide, or providing a dog for you. There are many advantages to this, as well as disadvantages.
Advantages include:
1. No waiting list. If you have your own dog, you can begin to train it immediately.
2. May be cheaper than getting a program trained dog. You won't have to pay for hotel, meals, and plane fare to the facility to receive your d og.
3. Has the same access rights as any dog from a program.
Disadvantages:
1. There is no such thing as the "MAGIC" dog. You have to train the dog.
2. If you're training a puppy, you must wait for it to finish growing before teaching tasks such as wheelchair pulling and bracing (Mobility Service Dogs)
Buying an already trained service dog ~ Look at their:
References (call and talk to these references)
Policies, contract (will they take the dog back if it isn’t working out)
Better Business Bureau complaints
Google or internet search them
SERVICE DOG TRAINING CRITERIA
1. A letter from a licensed physician or psychiatrist prior to training a Service Dog. Please do not inquire about training a Service Dog if you simply want to be able to take your pet dog into places that otherwise would not allow him. This is an ABSOLUTE requirement.
2. The applicant must have the proper dog to do the work. The dog must not be overly fearful or aggressive to humans or other dogs. If the applicant’s dog does not pass the temperament test a new dog will be a requirement.
3. The dog must pass a CGC (Canine Good Citizen) test. This test is available, but must be conducted with the owner of the dog as the handler. The dog and owner must pass a public access test for certification.
4. The dog must prove to be good in public. It must not be aggressive to dogs or humans, must stay by the owners side without being a nuisance, and must follow commands without need of forceful correction. The dog should be able to navigate through crowds of people, in and out of doorways, and calmly lay down next to or under a table as appropriate.
How to choose a trainer
Whether or not you get an already trained dog or one you will work with and train yourself, there will be training involved. Find a trainer that is familiar in the field of service to assist you. Look for a trainer that is certified to show they have done their work in canine learning theory as well as the practical ability to work with and train a dog. Check on their experience and ask for references. The training of a service dog is critical and needs to be motivating.
The Videos are made by Stacey Ayub. Training by Stacey Ayub
