How to Train a Service Dog

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) explains a service dog has been trained to perform tasks to support a disabled person. It can include blindness, autism, hearing loss diabetes, and more. 

A service dog is trained to meet any particular requirements for their companion, such as opening doors and drawers, carrying objects, turning lights on and off, and many more. This distinguishes service dogs from emotional support dogs or other working dogs. They can be of any breed or size, as long as they can assist their owners effectively. If you have a dog and want it to be your service dog, it is possible but it is better to adopt a dog, already trained as a service dog. 

How Much Do Service Dogs Cost?

The cost of training a service dog is around $25,000, including sessions to educate the owner and follow-up work. Some groups that provide service dogs are non-profit organizations, whereas others make money as a business. 

They are trained to work with people with disabilities, assisting in their daily routine work. The disabilities might affect physical, sensory psychiatric, intellectual, or mental well-being. 

They can be trained to pull the wheelchairs, get medicine, remind you to take medicine, help you stay stable while talking, and alert you to suspicious sounds in your way. Types of service dogs include hearing dogs that alert people with hearing problems, dogs that help people with physical disabilities, and those who help people with vision issues get around. 

Common Service Dog Breeds

People started to train service dogs in the early 1900s. German Shepherd used to be the most popular service dog, but many other breeds of service dogs are there as of now. 

Here are some common service dog breeds listed below:

• Golden retrievers
• Labradors
• Australian shepherds
• Boxers
• Great Danes
• Pomeranians
• Bernese mountain dogs
• Collies
• Standard poodles
• Dobermans

Not all dog breeds are capable of being effective service dogs, so before you can train your dog to be one you will have to consider the following things:

Age

Your dog should be old enough to enter into formal training, but young enough that you can rely on him for many years of service after his training completion. 

Vet's Advise

Ask your vet for a full assessment of our dog to determine his fitness for the work. Health conditions like inflammation, arthritis, and diabetes in your dogs can be taken for adding in service animal responsibilities. 

Spayed Or Neutered

All service dogs should be neutered so males are less aggressive and females don't face working when in heat. 

Temperament

Successful dogs show a desire to work with a calm demeanor have the intelligence to perform complex tasks, and possess a friendly and loving disposition. You can check for these traits in your dog with a test. 

Disability Your Dog be Trained to help with

Someone who needs a dog to help them with balance may need a larger breed, while a smaller dog could make an excellent diabetes-alert service dogs. Therefore, you should know for which purpose your dog is trained to. 

There aren't any laws against training one yourself. However, it is recommended to have your service dog trained by professional instructors. 

Training

No matter how you get a service dog, they usually go through a tough training course with an experienced trainer. In the last month of training, they spend time with you and the instructor. The instructor will guide the dog to help you, especially by teaching how to command, handle, and care for the dog. 

Organizations

Some training organizations are nonprofits that provide you with a free service dog or a grant to pay for one. Some might charge a fee. It is crucial to work with experienced organizations ask for recommendations and carefully check them out before choosing a service dog for yourself. 

Where To Get A Service Dog

You can find several non-profit groups, businesses, and individuals who train service dogs almost everywhere in the United States. 

It is crucial to work with an experience and reputable source to get your service dog. Assistance Dogs International is a mixture of several non profit organizations, which lets you search for providers by region. 

Service dogs need obedience skills as well as other specific skills. When you think about how to get a service dog you should consider finding one with the following mentioned traits which include:

• Be calm
• Able to learn and hold onto information
• Be alert, but not reactive 
• Be ready and willing to please
• Capable of handling different situations and areas
• Trained to work with you directly for your disability

Training a service dog is a complex and time-consuming process. To train a service dog, you should start with basic obedience skills. But before you start with basic obedience training, you should choose the right dog to train for your service evaluating their health conditions, breeds, and temperament. 

Choosing The Right Dog

Service dogs need to be calm, patient, and obedient. They should be able to handle various situations and distractions. While certain breeds are commonly used for service dogs, you can train any breed if they show the right temperament. Also, they should be healthy physically and mentally. 

Basic Obedience Training

You should teach them essential commands like sit, stay, come, heel, leave it, and drop it at first, which are common commands to follow through in later stages. While giving commands, your voice should be clear and consistent, and provide them rewards and corrections during training. 

You can reward them with treats, praise, or toys as a positive reinforcement to make them feel motivated during training. Also, let them be exposed to various people, places, and situations to build confidence and adaptability. 

Task-Specific Training

Determine the specific tasks that your dog will perform based on their individual's disability. You can break down the specific tasks into smaller and manageable steps. Also, you should make your dog consistent to master task-specific skills. It may take months to achieve proficiency. 

Public Access Training 

Gradually take your dog to various public places and distractions to see how they react to those unfamiliar social surroundings. Help your dog to maintain focus on the handler even in crowded environments. Also, ensure that your dog behaves appropriately in public, without barking, jumping, or seeking attention. 

Legal And Ethical Considerations

Before you prepare a dog for service, you should familiarize yourself with the service dog laws in your area. Being a trainer, you should know your rights and responsibilities as a dog handler. Also, you can't use aversive training methods that can harm the dog or create behavioral issues. 

Hire A Professional Trainer To Help

You can hire a professional trainer or dog training organization to work with you and your dog. The only requirement is for the dog to be trained to perform major life tasks you have issues performing yourself. 

The professional trainer should include a training program focusing on disability tasks, public access, and gaining confidence as a service dog handler. Dogs are eligible for the public tests at the end, which determine their fitness for carrying out their duties in public, and are certified as service dogs. 

The ADA doesn't require you to register your service dog. They have guidelines for what the business owners can ask you related to your dog and disability. If a disability is not obvious, they may ask these two questions:

• Is the service animal required because of a disability?
• What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

They can't provide a training certificate, or registration or ask anything specific about disability. You can choose your dog as a service dog by using a harness that mentions his special status and helps your dog understand his role. Many pups are trained with their harness on, and when the harness is off, its time to rest. However, if you wants to register your service dog, you can visit an organization such as Service Dog Certifications or the National Service Animal Registry. Also, you can order an ID card for them to identify your dog, educating the public that your pup is essential to carry certain tasks and shouldn't get distracted while at work. 

If you have a service dog. some laws apply. Generally, they are allowed to go with you anywhere you go, even if regular dogs are not allowed.

Local Laws

Service dogs must meet local laws to be licensed, registered, vaccinated, and must obey public health laws. This means they can't swim in the public swimming pool, but are allowed on the pool deck with their owner. 

Also, you can't be forced to register your dog as a service dog. They can't be neglected because of their breed. 

Controlled 

Service dogs must be under the control of their handler at all times. They can't be left alone in hotel rooms or public spaces. They must get attached to a leash and be obedient unless they are working without a leash. They could be off-leash to play fetch or check unfamiliar surroundings. 

Privacy

An employee in a public area can only ask you if the dog is a service dog required for a disability and what work the dog is trained to perform. Staff members can't ask you to show your service dog doing the tasks. Also, an employee has no right to ask you for documentation or ask about your disability wherever you visit. 

Vests

Your service dog doesn't have to wear a vest in public, However, some owners with service dogs like to use vests so that other people in public don't touch their dog without any permission.

Places Your Service Dogs Can Go

Here are some places where your service dogs can go mentioned below:

• Shops
• Restaurants
• Hospitals
• Housing at public and private universities
• Schools
• Emergency shelters
• Salad bars and self-serve food lines
• Hotels
• Public housing run by state, city, or county governments
• In the plane's cabin with you when you fly, with certain exceptions

Knowing The Law

Many programs offer service dog certification programs but these certificates don't prove that the dog is a service animal. The ADA doesn't need any certification or proof that your service dog is well-trained. 

You should be aware of the programs offering service dog certifications. They charge higher prices and provide no legal protection or recognition. The main evaluation of service pups is their ability to perform tasks related to the handler's disability. 

Research Before Choosing Training Program

Before choosing any training program, you should first weigh the costs against the benefits and ensure the program matches your budget and expectations. You should look for programs with experienced trainers and positive client testimonials and visit facilities to observe training methods. 

You should ensure the program emphasizes the specific tasks and training relevant to your disability, rather than just general obedience training. 

Answering Key Questions

Businesses may inquire about your dog as a service animal and the tasks they perform effectively. You should stay calm and concise and be prepared well to answer these questions. Also, provide a clear answer without any excessive explanations about your disability and focus on the dog's role in assisting you in everyday work. If your dog is not granted access, you should know your rights and consider documenting the incident for potential legal recourse.

Service Dog Registration 

You should be aware of the mandatory registrations as it is illegal under the ADA. The registration can restrict dogs from having access to public places for individuals with disabilities. 

While service dogs don't need registration, they are subjected to general pet regulations like vaccinations and licenses.