i am disabled and have chosen to get a service dog. for medical reasons, i cannot train the dog myself. i am needing a mobility assistance dog. however, i don't know what to look for in an organization. $ is not an issue, and i am physically able to care for a dog. however, i want a well-trained dog trained for my individual needs. i have heard that a lot of larger organizations train common tasks but may not be as individualized as smaller groups. i am willing to travel wherever i need to go.
are there warning signs that i should look out for? should the organization be affiliated with any larger groups? do they need a certification to do this? should i visit their center & look at dogs that they are training/have trained (what should i look for there)? i don't care about breed, or whether it is purebred. how much say should i have about what dog i get (should i let them chose one for me, or should i have a say)? are there any worrying signs about the organization itself i should look for (how do i make sure they are legit)? anything else i should look for or be wary of?
Would Purchasing a Dog Book Or Dog Training Book Be Useful?
Recommended Answer:Warning signs:
Any failure to give a direct answer to a direct question
Lack of transparency: any refusal to allow you to examine veterinary or training records, or the organization's annual financial report, any refusal to put you in contact with past clients or to visit the facilities
Any failure to provide support: they should have an orientation program where they teach you how to work with your dog. Ideally it will be at least two weeks long, but don't settle for less than one week. They should offer life long support and be willing to do tune up training if the dog develops problems. They should readily be available for telephone support.
Some are affiliated with Assistance Dogs International but over the last few years that has come to mean less because they now allow anyone to join who is willing to pay the fee and do no screening of members. They also will take no action if a member organization does not live up to ADI's own policies.
No certification is needed. You should definitely visit the center and observe the facilities and some training sessions. The facilities don't need to be fancy, but they should be well maintained (reasonably clean and in good repair). The dogs also should be reasonably clean, showing signs of daily brushing and trimmed toenails. The dogs should be happy. They should show obvious fondness for their trainers and a desire to please out of that fondness. They should not shrink away from a trainer, or avoid eye contact. Just because you don't see harsh methods used doesn't necessarily mean they aren't. But you can't hide the way such methods damage the dog's bond with his trainer. A dog who is consistently happy in his work is being well treated.
Ideally you should take a current client out to lunch and observe them with their dog. Ask a million questions about their experience. Is the dog well behaved? Is he happy? Does the handler appear to know how to handle their dog? Does the dog hoover (scavenge food off the floor under the table)? Yes, it is okay to casually, accidentally, let a bite of food drop from your fork and see how the dog reacts.
You'll have little or no choice on breed. It's hard enough to come up with suitable candidates that one generally takes whatever dog works out, regardless of breed. There are so many factors that go into building a service dog team and making a good match that breed should be very low on the list of important qualifications.
A good program will give you very little choice in the dog you take home. Why? Because they'll do the matching for you. People are notoriously bad at choosing service dogs for themselves. They are drawn to the dog with the personality that attracts them as if the dog was a pet. It's fine to go with a dog who has an endearing expression for a pet, but it is not a good criteria for choosing a service dog. You've hired the program to do the hard work for you. You've hired them because they are experts. Let them use that expertise to match you with the dog that is right for you, even if it is not your favorite dog at the center.
You should check them out with the Better Business Bureau and with the local animal shelters and animal control office. If they're doing something hinky odds are one of those resources will know about it.
You should ask them as many questions as possible. There are no dumb questions and there cannot be too many. They should be delighted to hear you are putting this much thought into the process. They should also be asking you about a million questions. Not just about your ability to care for a dog, but about your own personality and lifestyle as well as detailed information about how your disability affects you. They must know these things to match the right dog and the right training to you.
Observe how they answer your questions. Are the answers clear? Are they happy to expand if you ask for further information? If possible, observe them working with other clients and dog candidates, ideally in an orientation class. How do they address questions posed by the students? Are they patient? Do the answers make sense or lead to confusion?
Here's an article with some tips and links to some lists of service dog providers. You're still responsible for checking out a program before committing to it, but the lists are a good place to start looking.
http://www.servicedogcentral.org/content…
Tested Dog Training Tips That Improve Your Dog's Behavior
- Here is a excellent site for your questions. It would be the best place to start.
http://servicedogcentral.org/content/
- Most organizations will choose the dog for you, and you may not have much if any say in it- but they are in a much better position to choose appropriately, knowing the dogs well, than you are. Consider talking to some people who have gotten SDs from the organizations, see what they like, and more importantly, what they didn't like. Ask for some references, and follow up.
While I'm sure there are some shady organizations, if they are a legitimate 501(c)3 organization, their finances are open to the public, and most are doing their best- but some bests are better than others.
In most cases you will need to spend 1-3 weeks working with your dog at the organization headquarters, or in some cases, in your hometown, so plan on taking some time off for that,
- I would start by researching service dogs and the lifestyle. It's not for everyone. You will be stopped when you're out in public, have access challenges, etc. You really need to know the laws and be prepared to advocate for yourself.
You didn't mention what kind of dog you need. Depending on what you need the dog to do, will depend on the type of program you go with. Someone linked to Service Dog Central above. This is a fantastic resource and I suggest you utilize it. There are articles about choosing a service dog program on the site.
