Pets – Getting Started & Next Steps

What You Will be Able to Expect from a Service Dog

The service dog is one kind of dog which is specifically trained to help those with disabilities like hearing impairments, visual, seizures, autism, post traumatic stress disorders, mental illness and those with ambulatory issues. A service dog must have desirable character traits that include psychological makeup such as being in good health and trainability. It is required as well that the dog has a good temperament. The dog must be physically fit and should also have sufficient stamina.

So many of the service dogs are trained and bred by a certain organization. So many common breeds aren’t difficult to train and they would include German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers. But, it is also worth noting that any breed or mix of the breeds is capable of being trained as service dog but this will have to depend on the health status and temperament qualities.

In the US, service animals are those dogs which are trained to perform various tasks that include guiding the blind, pulling a wheelchair and doing other things. Moreover, such may alert those who have seizure or the people who are mentally ill so that they will be able to take their medication. Also, the dog is responsible for calming those with PTSD or post traumatic stress disorder if they are under attack. The service animals are known as working dogs instead of pets. The dog should be trained in order to offer service to those persons having disabilities. They are going to provide emotional support, comfort and also other duties.

The dogs that are well-trained are really expected to do such things in public. The dog should focus on the handler at all times unless it performs the task that is trained to do. The dog is expected no to be anxious and should not react aggressively. This must walk nicely and should not be forging, circling, lunging or lagging. The dog should also ignore distractions and must be quite unless it is performing a task that it is trained to do. Moreover, the dog should look professional and should be well-groomed and must be taken care of.

You should know that registered service dogs can be your friend and constant companion. The service dogs would get such classification from being able to help the owner with so many mental or physical issues. This classification is not only limited to service dogs. You must know that service animals also be classified as having similar abilities as the service dog. This kind of dog should be able to help someone with disability. This is why you will see service dogs in the workplace and other areas where the pets aren’t permitted.