What Are Service Dog Requirements?
If you plan to get a dog, or you already have a dog that you want to train to become a service animal, below are the requirements associated with owning a service dog:
1. A person is qualified for a service dog if they have a physical or mental disability.
2. A service dog must be under the control of its handler.
3. A service dog is trained to perform specific tasks that assist the handler.
4. When it is not apparent what service an animal provides, these two inquiries are allowed to ask the handler. (1) is the dog a service animal required for a disability, and (2) what task has the dog been trained to perform.
How To Make Your Dog Become a Service Dog: THE OVERALL PROCESS
We will put you in the right direction and let you know how to make your dog become a qualified service dog in this step-by-step guide.
1. Determine The Best Dog Breed For You
2. Find a Service Dog Provider or Train Your Dog Yourself
How to Train Your Own Service Dog
The ADA does not require service dogs to be professionally trained. Individuals with disabilities have the right to train a service dog themselves and are not required to use a professional service dog trainer or training program.
A service dog candidate should:
Individuals who wish to train their own service dogs should first work with their candidate dog on foundation skills. Start with house training, which should include eliminating on command in different locations. Socialize the dog with the objective of having it remain on task in the presence of unfamiliar people, places, sights, sounds, scents, and other animals. Teach the dog to focus on the handler and ignore distractions.
The AKC Canine Good Citizen program can provide guidelines and benchmarks for foundation skills. Another good source for learning foundational puppy raising skills for working dogs is the Confident Puppy e-learning course.
In addition to socialization and basic obedience training, a service dog must be trained to perform work or specific tasks to assist with a disability.
Under ADA rules, in situations where it is not obvious that a dog is a service animal, only two questions may be asked: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
The reply to question (2) must affirm that the service dog has been trained to take specific action when needed to assist the person with a disability.
How I trained my pet dog to be my service dog
Having a pet means that you are responsible for their life. You take them outside, feed them, bathe them, play with them, and integrate them as a part of your family.
As a service dog owner, however, it’s important to understand that they have a responsibility to you (based on what they are taught to do). Some service animals are for the blind, some are for those who are hard of hearing, and some help people with PTSD. Regardless of the service the animal is trained for, service dog training can be expensive; so can paying for an already trained service dog.
Many people don’t know that you can train your own service dog. That’s why we’ve put together this guide for learning about and training them yourself. It doesn’t just save you money; it gives you valuable bonding time with your animal. It’s important to note that once a pet has been trained to become a service dog it is no longer considered a standard pet, but a working animal. Read on to learn about how to train your own service dog.
To learn about how to train your animal for the job, you must first learn what a service dog does. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has defined a service dog as one that has been trained to perform tasks that benefit a person with a disability. There are dogs trained to perform services for those with PTSD, autism, seizures, blindness, and several other disabilities.
Because of the nature of service dogs and how important their jobs are, getting one that is already trained can be very expensive. They are often highly specialized in their fields and have been training for years, which makes them extremely valuable for those with disabilities. Some dogs are sponsored by charities and corporations so some people can get them for free, donated, covered by insurance, or at a low cost. No matter, the need for these animals often outweighs the supply.
The waiting lists, expenses, and matching process for these animals often makes them out of reach for those who need them most. That’s why many are turning to a more DIY solution: creating their own service dog bootcamp at home.