Why have these dogs exploded in popularity recently? Perhaps it’s because as well as being friendly, family-oriented, and affectionate, they all make excellent service dogs.
Are you thinking of adopting a new friend soon but have no idea where to start your search? You’ve come to the right place. Here are all the important facts on service dog qualifications.
Keep reading!
Healthy and Vaccinated
A service dog must be healthy and vaccinated in order to be eligible for certification. The dog must have a clean bill of health from a licensed veterinarian and must be up to date on all vaccinations.
The dog must also be free of any contagious diseases.
Well-Behaved
This means that they must be able to perform specific tasks or behaviors that have been trained to help their handler with a disability.
Service dogs must be able to focus on their work and not be distracted by other animals or people. They must be calm and tolerant in all environments in order to promote mental health.
Knows Basic Obedience Command
Get a service dog who will be able to follow instructions and stay calm in stressful situations. Service dogs must also be able to perform certain tasks that their owners may need assistance with, such as opening doors or picking up items.
Service dog certification organizations typically have a list of required tasks that a dog must be able to perform in order to be certified.
Handles Distractions and Crowds Well
A service dog must be well-trained to handle distractions and crowds. They must be able to focus on their handler and ignore other people and animals.
They must be calm and not be easily agitated. They should also not be fearful of loud noises or crowds.
Individually Trained
To be considered a service dog, the animal must be individually trained to perform a task or set of tasks that mitigate the effects of the disability.
The dog must be trained to perform the tasks directly related to the individual’s disability. Service animals are not required to have public access rights (e.g., they are not allowed in restaurants or on public transportation) unless they are individually trained to behave in a public setting.
These dogs are not trained by an organization, but rather by an individual or a professional trainer. Click here to get started on getting your own service dog!
Service Dog Qualifications for Your Needs
There are a few things to keep in mind when wondering if your dog has what it takes to be a service animal. The most important factor is that your dog is well-behaved and can obey commands. They should also be friendly with other people and animals.
If you think your dog has service dog qualifications, then contact a professional to see if they can help you get started on the process.
Want to learn more? Check out the rest of our blogs!