Deciding what you need in a dog

From Service Dog Training

How to figure out what you need in a dog.

Remember the task list you made in the Is a dog right for me? article? Pull that back out. This is the foundation of what you need in a dog, and we'll start with that.

How big of a dog do I want/need?

I have a few points in the article Big dog little dog. This is a good starting place. Do you need a dog that can support your weight? The dog must then be proportionally sized to you, but probably at least 60 pounds. Do you want a "laptop" service dog that can run and fetch small items from his seat on your lap? The dog should probably be 15 pounds or less for that. If the tasks you need are not size dependent (hearing dog, certain psychiatric service dogs), then personal preference and convenience will come into play.

What breed of dog should I get?

There is no one breed of dog that will guarantee you get a good service dog. With this in mind, many service dogs are Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and German Shepherd Dogs. Collies and Standard Poodles are also being used more and more. If you go through a program, you will likely get one of these breeds, or a mix of these breeds. However, these breeds are not the only ones that can be successful in service dog work. Many people have had great success working with pitbulls, Dobermans and Rottweilers, as well as Chihuahuas and Pomeranian. My service dog is a Border Collie/Great Pyrenees mix. The breed of dog is not really important as long as the dog is suitable for the work it is intended to do. The only thing to keep in mind is that certain breeds evoke strong public sentiment (pitbulls especially) that will lead to more access confrontations. However, if you have decided this is the right breed for you and you have found a suitable candidate and are ready for the great amount of public education you will be doing while working with that dog, go right ahead.

Do you need a dog to perform retrieval based tasks?

Most dogs, with enough training, can be taught to retrieve. However, some dogs love to retrieve and do it naturally or can be easily trained to do it. If you need a dog that can do a lot of retrieving, it would be in your best interest to select a dog that has at least a little bit of a retrieval drive. Keep in mind though that many dogs retrieve, not just breeds with "retriever" after their names! If this is important to you, make sure you throw a ball for the dogs you are considering and see if they bring it back. If the dog will not be performing retrieval based tasks, a dog without a retrieval drive, or with less of one, will still make an excellent service dog.

How active do you expect to be with your service dog?

Your activity level and your expected daily routine is an important consideration. Do you work at an office job where your dog will be sleeping under your desk for hours at a time? Do you have an active job where you are up and about for most of the day? Dogs are as individual in their activity levels as people are...if you have a dog that needs frequent stimulation and activity and you sit behind a desk all day, the dog will not be happy. However, if you have a dog that enjoys his naps but is still ready to go when the day is over, then you have the perfect office companion. In the same way, if you are very active and your dog is not, you will find yourself dragging your dog along everywhere you go, and no one will be happy with that. Keep in mind though that all dogs do need some level of physical activity to stay healthy and happy, and if you cannot provide that you may want to reconsider getting a service dog.

What kind of personality do you like in a dog?

Each dog is an individual, and much of the success of your partnership will depend on how compatible your personalities are. For instance, my dog is the stubborn, independent type. I like that in a dog, and I know how to train and work with dogs with that personality. However, someone who is used to a people-pleasing type dog would be miserable with my dog. A few main personality traits to consider:

Hard or soft? A soft dog is a sensitive, responsive dog. They are usually easily corrected and want your approval and praise. They work because they want to make you happy, and they are satisfied when you are satisfied. This is often (but certainly not always) a good type of dog for a first time dog user, or a sensitive, quiet who does not want to try and "talk" an independent dog into working. A hard dog is the opposite. They are stubborn, independent and self-motivated. They can be hard to correct and frustrating to train. They work because they want to, and because they like their jobs. They like praise, but don't necessarily need it. They are happy when they feel they have done a good job. Hard dogs are often the best dog for an experienced owner/trainer, or a handler that is more outgoing, loud and assertive or someone that wants a self-motivated independent thinker in a dog. Realistically, most dogs fall somewhere in between these two extremes, but most will lean one way or the other. Look critically at your preferences, personality and training experience as you evaluate your preference for a harder or softer dog.

Independent or social? Like the difference between hard and soft, most dogs will have some times when they need both their own space and close companionship. Some dogs though will prefer to be by your side at all times. These are the dogs that always want to be in the same room as you and share the bed with you at night. They are cuddly and close and crave attention. Some people like this, others find this really annoying. An independent type will wander off the second they get out of harness and find a quiet corner to sleep in. These dogs definitely need time alone to be dogs, and will not be happy if showered with constant attention. These dogs will not be begging for your attention and are usually pretty happy on the floor at night. Like a more social dog, some people really like having a more independent dog while others feel neglected if the dog prefers solitude to their company. When you evaluate how independent or social of a dog you like, make sure you take into account the preferences of the other people you live with. If you like an extremely social dog, but your family or significant other does not, it might be best to find a compromise and look for a slightly less social dog.