There’s a unique connection between a person and their dog. While it’s common to train your dog to respond to basic commands or to behave properly, that’s only scratching the surface of what a dog and human relationship can look like. Since the early 20th century, and likely dating back even further, people have been training dogs to assist people with specific tasks, whether they be for mental comfort or physical disability; these dogs are known as service dogs.
Service dogs can make an immediate impact on your life if you have a disability, so it’s worth having a companion you can rely on. Read on to learn about how to get your dog to be a service dog.
What Is a Service Dog?
Service dogs are dogs that are trained to help people with a specific task. They can be trained to help people with multiple tasks as well, so it’s not something that’s set in stone. For example, some service dogs may be trained to fetch medications, while others might serve as guide dogs that can perform multiple tasks like opening doors, guiding people in public, and much more. Ultimately, the primary requirement for a dog to be a service dog is their training.
It’s also important to note that service dogs have unique legal protections compared to other animals. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), for example, allows service dogs to accompany you in public. Other laws like the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) allow your service dog to live in apartments that don’t typically allow pets and on airplanes.
Can Any Dog Be a Service Dog?
Any dog is eligible to become a service dog. There are no size or age requirements, so it comes down to training and temperament. Service dogs need to be calm and well-behaved in public settings. Otherwise, they can also lose their status as service dogs.
Still, you need to make sure your service dog can fit your needs. If you need physical assistance, you’re better off with a larger dog that can support your weight. On the other hand, smaller dogs can be better for mental health disorders because they can accompany you on planes and navigate better in public.
How to Get Your Dog to Be a Service Dog
Learning how to get your dog to be a service dog isn’t difficult as long as you know how to get started. There are a few things you should consider first, but it all comes down to training and registration for peace of mind.
Consider Your Dog’s Breed and Traits
Before you can get your dog to be a service dog, you have to be sure that you have the right dog for the job. This isn’t to say that your adorable Chihuahua isn’t up for the challenge, but it might not be feasible for them to push a wheelchair if it gets stuck. Therefore, take some time to consider the dog breed that you need for your unique needs.
How to Train Your Service Dog
Training your service dog is the most important aspect of making your dog a service dog. You need to spend the time and make the commitment to provide your dog with obedience training, socialization training, and specific training for your disability.
It is best to work with a professional in order to accomplish this training. However, you can also train a service dog on your own if you know what to teach them. For example, psychiatric service dog training may require teaching your dog deep pressure therapy (DPT) or how to fetch your medications. If you plan on training your service dog on your own, make sure you train them well; we recommend going through something like this course to make sure your service dog is adequately trained.
Register Your Service Dog
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) doesn’t require any legal documentation of a service dog. However, it’s important to speak with a professional and to have a paper trail in case anything happens. For this reason, it’s a good idea to register your service dog, get a recommendation from a doctor, and pass the public access test.
While these steps aren’t required, you can rest easy knowing that your dog is up to the challenge.
Get Your Dog to Be a Service Dog with the Proper Training and Care
Getting your dog to be a service dog comes down to giving your canine companion the necessary training. We always recommend working with a professional or taking a course that educates you on what a service dog must know to be effective. It’s also a great idea to register your service dog to avoid any potential legal problems.
