NewDog

You've discovered that a "Service Dog" can mitigate your disability and can go almost anywhere with you.

You are sure you found the cutest puppy or that ragamuffin young dog at the animal shelter will die if you don't rescue it. One of them could be a good Service Dog for you.

Stop right here and
take stock of what
you are about to do.

Only 30-40% of dogs started in training to be Service dogs work out. The rest simply can't cope with the stress of being a working dog 24 hours a day seven days a week to help you no matter where you go or what you need.

So what do you do? First you take stock of what you really need help with. Then you consider whether or not a dog can do what you need. Then you start researching breeds. What size do they mature to be? What are their breed characteristics? What kind of veterinary problems can they have? What kind of grooming do they require?

Look for a breed that matches the 'tasks' you will need - one that retrieves naturally if you drop a lot of stuff, one that is laid back and quiet if you stay at home a lot or are weak or sick, one that will have a personality that you like. Size matters if you need a 'balance/counterbalance, walker dog'. If you need a 'Hearing Dog', 'Seizure Alert Dog', 'Seizure Response Dog', or a 'Psychiatric Service Dog', then size really doesn't matter. What you need your Service Dog to do for you is exactly what matters! The living quarters he will share with you matters, too. If the dog needs running room for exercise and you don't have it, stress increases for the dog. If you have a small home or apartment, even a LARGER breed might suit the bill IF his personality or breed characteristics include chilling out and napping at your feet. If the dog can do the job you need, then it is the right size!

Start researching reputable breeders and find out what bloodlines they are breeding. You must realize that just because you think a particular breed is beautiful, smart, or you just are crazy in love with the breed, doesn't mean that breed is what you NEED. If you are fairly mobile and ambulatory you may want a higher energy dog to be 'on the go' with you. If you are laid back and like to stay home and only do the outside shopping chores, etc., then perhaps a 'laid back, able to sleep unless awakened' dog is a better match for you.

Consider the value of the puppy's parents having good OFA reports and other veterinary tests the breed might require. If you choose an older pup consider having a vet take x-rays that can be sent to the OFA for evaluation for hip or elbow dysplasia. Also have your trusted vet do whatever other diagnostic tests would be indicated for the dog's "breed problems". Taking 2 or 3 years to train and start using a Service Dog only to find out at that point that it has serious medical issues is a heartbreaker!

Established 1998