Train your “service” dog
by Pets
Raising a potential service dog is a daunting task. Puppy raisers receive an eight-week-old puppy from an organization like Canine Companions for Independence and then commit to more than a year of raising the dog.
I did this a few times and also cared for a breeder who gave birth to puppies for CCI, so full disclosure here. My commitment to the organization sparked my later interest in dog training.
Zip forward more years than I care to admit and people are asking if I will train their shelter dog to be a service dog. At first the question threw me.
My definition of a service dog was of an animal bred, trained and then trained some more before being paired with a person, who in turn had been trained to care for the dog.
But increasingly I was coming across people who had just adopted a dog and went directly to the licensing counter to get a service dog tag.
That was a service dog? No way. But wait! Shouldn’t you train the dog first?
Were people really just looking for a way to get around restrictions on dogs in public places? Probably.
But then as I mellowed and became less judgmental, it struck me that not all dogs of service fit into little tight categories nor do needs fit into prescribed guidelines set by a large organization.
These canardly dogs (can hardly tell what they are) are often wonderful companions and yes, of service to their people.
Yes, people should train the dog to sit on command, settle quietly and be well groomed before entering public places. Why ruin it for everyone else?
Service dog tags from Sonoma County Animal Care and Control should not be just for the elite of service dogs, but whether from CCI or trained by yourself, do it right for the greater good of all.
Sue McGuire 
Thank you for this article. I have a hearing disbility in both ears. One of my dogs is able to alert me to sounds or movements while we are outside by her movements. This is especially evident when she is on leash, which is a short 18 or 20 inch leash. She is a mixed breed of who knows what. Our new GSP puppy has quickly become very protective of our home and yard. He is able to awaken me at night while I am sleeping without being obnoxious and bark when necessary to get my attentiong (we’re still working on when to and when not to bark, but he’s still a puppy!) I now sleep much better when my husband has to travel out of town on extended business trips.
I am very interested in recieving more training for myself and to help others in the future. Schooling at CCI or ADI/Bergin University of Canine Studies is not an option at this time due to other commitments.
I am a firm believer that almost any dog can be of service in one way or another. I hope that humans don’t ruin this program just so they can take their pet to any public place.
by Janice Goodman
I agree, all breeds have the potential to be trained as a service dog. a companion dog should not be confused with a service dog. training for specialized skills should come before the license.
by Lynn Holmes
There should be some training, but the pickle is who is to decide how much is enough.
One idea is to have applicants for service dog tags have their dog pass the Canine Good Citizenship test of a variation of that.
by Pets
(c0nt) place. no one has the right to judge another. if you have a problem with it ask a manger to check for the proper tags and leave the disabled alone. and i do train my dogs to fit the appropriate venue of a service dog. for you animal haters……sad so very sad…you will never understand what a service dog can do for some one. i pray a member of your own family never needs one. pity you for what you find out about the needs of the disabled person….rock on pet lovers and disabled…..be kind and don’t hate.
by Lyra