Can your dog be a service dog?
The right temperament is key
Friendliness, Confidence, Trainability Before starting any service dog training program, the first step is to make sure that your dog has the right temperament to be a service dog. It’s not about how much training your dog has, it’s about measuring how well your dog can handle different situations.
Assessing Your Dog's Temperament: Beyond Training, It's About Their Reactions
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How does your dog react to strangers? Does your dog want to greet everyone or are is he/she a little timid and needs time to warm up to new people? How would your dog react if a toddler came running towards him/her?
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How does your dog react when seeing another dog? Does your dog get agitated, pull on the leash and bark? Does your dog try to engage the other dog in play or simply ignore the other dog?
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How does your dog react when hearing a loud noise? Does he/she run away? When he/she startled does your dog quickly recover and investigate the source of the sound?
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How would your dog handle going into a busy mall?
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How much effort is your dog willing to make to get a small treat?
Assessing these questions is crucial to evaluating your dog's trainability and their ability to remain safe and focused in public settings. While some dogs are eager to begin training, others may require additional support, while some might find the demands overwhelming, making them unsuitable for service dog roles.
While we are committed to supporting your success and welcoming your business, it's important to note that if your dog doesn't possess the necessary temperament for service dog work, regrettably, we won't be able to accommodate them in our training program.
Evaluating If Your Dog Can Be a Service Dog
No matter where you are, we can assess if your dog is suitable to become a service dog. To start, book a video chat with one of our trainers using Zoom. During this chat, the trainer will see if your dog has the right qualities for service work, talk about what you need, and explain our program.
To assess your dog, we need you to send videos of your dog in different situations, as we'll explain later. Even if your dog has been trained or tested by other people before, we have our own way of doing things, so this step is important.
After you fill out our form to set up a chat, we'll send you a list of videos to make for the assessment.
During the chat, we'll discuss the videos with you to decide if your dog could make a good service dog. If we think your dog is a good fit, you can join one of our training programs. But remember, passing this first test doesn't mean your dog will definitely become a service dog. Young dogs can change as they grow up, even with training, so we can't be sure until later.
This consultation costs $120 and will take between 30 min to 1 hour.
During the chat, we'll also figure out what kind of training you and your dog need. If your dog is right for service work, we'll suggest the best training for your situation and talk about a training plan that fits your needs.
This chat gives you time to talk to a service dog expert who can answer your questions and help you figure out your goals and options
The tests show how your dog reacts in different situations. But remember, your dog's reactions can change as they get older, so tests for very young puppies don't work well. Your dog should be at least 5 months old when we do the assessment.
If your puppy is too young for the assessment or our training programs, we have online puppy classes to help them get started on the right track.
Your Guide to Selecting and Training a Service Dog
An easy to read book to help you get started on the right path
Thinking about a service dog or already have one? This guide is here to help you create a wonderful partnership. Jennifer's training approach is easy-going, focusing on the enjoyable side of making your dog shine in public. Find practical tips for picking the right dog and navigating service dog laws effortlessly.