4 minute read
Ask The Expert
ASK THE Dog EXPERT
EXPERT TIPS FROM A SERVICE DOG TRAINER Q: What really makes a service dog a service dog and an emotional seriousness, service dogs need able to work reliably in public due a service dog? support animal? training so they can enjoy working in to a potential for fear, reactivity, or A: The real answer is hundreds and A: There are a few very important stressful public environments and be aggression. hundreds of hours spent training that differences between a service dog good at their job. Most service dogs animal as well as the person holding and an emotional support animal. are raised from puppyhood over the Q: What is the deal with fake the leash. Service dogs as defined The first difference is the kind of course of several years to become a service dogs? by the American with Disabilities animal. Only dogs and miniature working service dog. All service dogs A1: There is no such thing as a Act are dogs that are individually horses can be used as service animals need lots of positive socialization fake service dog. There are only trained to do work or perform tasks with public access in America. The with public environments, and irresponsible humans that are for a person with a disability. “Doing law that recognizes a person’s right advanced obedience training. Service bringing untrained or uncontrolled work or performing tasks” usually to use a service animal is called the dogs need to stay calm around intense dogs into public places where these means that the dog has been specially American with Disabilities Act. distractions, while also being focused dogs misbehave. When someone trained to do something for this The ADA states that an animal on their handler and performing their enters a non-pet friendly store with person who is disabled that they whose sole function is to provide potentially lifesaving task work. a dog they are essentially stating cannot do for themselves safely or emotional support is not considered The task training depends on the that the dog is a service dog required at all. In addition to task training, a service animal, and the handler is type of service the dog provides. because of a disability. It is up to a service dog needs extensive not allowed to bring that animal into There are guide dogs for the visually the service dog handler to maintain public access training, to ensure the public. impaired, hearing-alert dogs for control of their dog while in public. dog is calm, under control, and as deaf individuals, medical alert and If a service dog is out of control, unobtrusive as possible. Q: What kind of training should a medical response dogs which can damages property, or is not house real service dog have? include psychiatric response dogs, broken, a business can ask the Q: What’s the difference between A: A whole lot of it. In all and mobility assistance dogs. handler to remove the dog.
Q: What qualifies someone to use a service dog?
A: The first and really only qualifier is that you have a life-altering disability. If a service dog can be trained in tasks that mitigate your disability and provide more independence in your life then you qualify. A service dog is essentially a type of medical equipment. Service dogs require special handling, continued training, and are actually a whole lot of work. It is up to each person to determine if the assistance of a service dog is worth the effort of handling and maintaining the service dog.
Q: Can any dog be a service dog?
A: Yes and no. Any breed of dog could be a working service dog, it would depend on the person’s needs and how their disability affects their daily life. However, most dogs do not have the right temperament for public access work. A lot of dogs can be trained as home-helpmates and learn to do tasks for their owner at home, but these dogs may not be A2: The deal with fake service dogs is actually irresponsible humans. Unfortunately, when you see a dog misbehaving in public the dog is either a real service dog who needs more training or re-training, or it is a person’s untrained pet. This person is actually impersonating someone with a disability to bring their pet into what is a very stressful environment for the animal.
Service dogs are incredible animals who help their handler’s achieve new levels of independence. Anyone can work on training their dog to be a helper at home, and teach them to be calm around distractions. If you would like to learn more about service dogs and dog training in general, contact us at Arizona Dog Sports.
