Deciding where to purchase your service dog from may be a difficult and tedious task. What a makes one service dog training program better than the other?
A great place to start your search would be your local vet office. They may be able to point you in the direction of a reputable service dog training program. You may also want to research online. Beware, however, even though a site looks and sounds great, that doesn't mean it's a credible program. Always ask for references and check the Better Business Bureau who can validate if the business is legit or if they have had complaints filed against their organization.
Factors to consider
- How far are you willing to travel to get the perfect service dog?
- What is the service dog program's reputation?
- How is your service dog selected?
- Are the service dogs enrolled in the training program healthy?
- Do the service dogs require follow-up training?
Most professional programs choose your specific service dog for you. Trainers will use the information they collect from you and your doctor to choose your perfect service dog. Such information includes details of your condition, living situation, and your lifestyle. Before you accept the dog they assign to you, however, you should make sure of a few things. A rescue is a GREAT place to find a possible service dog for those who are self-training or selecting a private trainer to do the work.
What to ask before you accept a service dog
- What tasks is the service dog trained to perform? If the dog you receive is not trained to help you with tasks you need help with, their purpose is non-existent.
- Ask to view the dog in action. Training centers may visit or, if far away, may send you a video of the dog in training and at ease. This allows you to see how focused the dog is when working, its temperament when at ease, and the types of training methods used by the trainers.
Once you receive your service dog, be sure to try out a service dog vest. This identifies your service dog, allows for extra storage, and helps with performing tasks. Knowing you conducted the proper research and asked the right questions will give you complete confidence in your dog's training!
A great place to start your search would be your local vet office. They may be able to point you in the direction of a reputable service dog training program. You may also want to research online. Beware, however, even though a site looks and sounds great, that doesn't mean it's a credible program. Always ask for references and check the Better Business Bureau who can validate if the business is legit or if they have had complaints filed against their organization.
Factors to consider
- How far are you willing to travel to get the perfect service dog?
- What is the service dog program's reputation?
- How is your service dog selected?
- Are the service dogs enrolled in the training program healthy?
- Do the service dogs require follow-up training?
Most professional programs choose your specific service dog for you. Trainers will use the information they collect from you and your doctor to choose your perfect service dog. Such information includes details of your condition, living situation, and your lifestyle. Before you accept the dog they assign to you, however, you should make sure of a few things. A rescue is a GREAT place to find a possible service dog for those who are self-training or selecting a private trainer to do the work.
What to ask before you accept a service dog
- What tasks is the service dog trained to perform? If the dog you receive is not trained to help you with tasks you need help with, their purpose is non-existent.
- Ask to view the dog in action. Training centers may visit or, if far away, may send you a video of the dog in training and at ease. This allows you to see how focused the dog is when working, its temperament when at ease, and the types of training methods used by the trainers.
Once you receive your service dog, be sure to try out a service dog vest. This identifies your service dog, allows for extra storage, and helps with performing tasks. Knowing you conducted the proper research and asked the right questions will give you complete confidence in your dog's training!
I would just like to say how much I agree with the idea of rescuing a dog for service work. My Boxer/Lab mix is a perfect service dog and we had rescued he and his sister from Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue when they were pups. He is the perfect service dog and his training went well. I did much of it myself, with the specific duties trained by a local service dog trainer. Whenever I meet a fellow disabled person, I urge them to find their own dog (with help if needed) and train them for their needs, again working with our local trainer as needed. Thanks for the article, service dogs need all the publicity they can get!
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