07/28/2025
Oliver here:
Been a while since I did one of these but we saw an uptick in service dog inquiries lately and noticed a common pattern between the families.
Let’s get into it.
Service dogs are absolutely wonderful. They provide assistance in specific ways for a range of different needs: mobility assistance, seeing eye dogs, psychiatric services, medical alerts, and so much more. Due to their training, they are dedicated to their handler, and are not viewed as pets, but rather, an addition to the handlers needs ie. Medical equipment. With their advanced levels of training, these animals can accompany their handler anywhere.
This is the selling point to many families.
“I want to take my dog everywhere.”
Probably one of the most common inquiries we get. Also one that tells us you truly have no additional needs. No offense intended, but the amount of service inquiries we get is astronomical and only a few have actual extra needs.
Of those few, even less are capable of training their own dogs.
“Service dogs do not need to be professionally trained.”
This has gotten many families banned from parks, restaurants, stores, etc. due to falsely claiming their dog as a service animal. Some have even put themselves on a no fly list due to arrogance and ignorance combined. I, to this day, will never understand, nor forget, the United Airline Service Peacock incident.
Yes. Anyone can train their own dog to the level of a service dog. Yes. There are many breeds out there capable of service work. But do you have the proper knowledge, experience, time and patience to pull it off? In my personal experience, a large majority of handlers do not have that capability.
Let’s face it, if you need a service dog, truly NEED one, chances are there are things you are incapable of doing that your dog needs access to to learn properly. That’s where a trainer comes in. A trainer can guide most to their desired goals. But in some more severe cases where we have a disabled person, an amputee, something where they are just physically incapable of doing what’s necessary. That’s where you are better off looking into a service that provides a fully trained dog. Cheap? Not at all. But neither is hiring a trainer for service dog training.
In most cases, we start with a two month old puppy, and even then, we want to ensure we are looking at the temperaments of the litter. On average, service animal training is a 15-18 month long process. Puppy basics are one thing, but tasking training is entirely different and entirely unique for the handler. Tasking training typically starts around 9 months of age.
Reliably tasking for the handler is expected between 18-24 months of age.
Does this mean your older dog cannot be a service dog?
No. But it does mean we have years worth of routine to deprogram and in my experience, not many are capable simply due to the families inability to sway from the old routine. But the possibility is there!
So, if you are thinking about getting yourself a service dog; think about your lifestyle. Why do you feel the need for a service dog? What tasks do you expect your dog to learn? Are you ready for the responsibility that comes with a service dog? This doesn’t even tackle all the normal questions of handling a dog: breed choice, climate, daily/weekly routines/obligations, and of course, $$$.
The truth of the matter is that when you fake a service animal, you detract from those that need theirs. When your dog acts out in a private area where typically only well-behaved service animals are permitted, you even run the risk of retiring/recareering a service dog. We have far too many stories of fake service animals charging legitimate working animals and causing serious training issues.
Remember, service dogs are a lifelong commitment, not an item you check off a list. Training is ongoing, continued education is a must, and sticking to a routine that provides for you and your dog’s’ needs are vital to success.
Thanks for reading and as always,
Keep moving forward!!!
✌🏻❤️✌🏻❤️
