Dog selection

From Service Dog Training

Considerations in selecting a service dog candidate.

Selecting a puppy candidate

The selection of a service dog candidate is perhaps the most important step in service dog training. If an unsuitable dog is chosen, there is no chance, no matter how much training is given, that it will become an adequate service dog. In the case of training facilities and individuals who wish to start training a puppy, there are special considerations to take into account when screening candidates. Perhaps the first step is to evaluate the health of the parents, if they are known. If the breeder is reputable, they should have all necessary documentation on the parents’ health, including OFA and CREF certifications. If the parents of the puppy are not known, as is often the case in shelter animals, the person selecting the dog is taking a big risk that the puppy will develop conditions such as hip dysplasia later in life that will prevent it from being used as a service dog. The temperament of the parents can also be important. While it is possible to have an aggressive puppy from gentle parents, it is much less likely. If the parents of the puppy have major temperament issues, the puppy should not be considered for service dog work. It is also necessary to evaluate the puppy itself. Tests of the puppy should include a test of its startle response and noise sensitivity, such as a pan dropped behind it when it is not expecting anything. A normal response would be for the puppy to be surprised, jump, and perhaps even run a short distance away, but come back to investigate the noise after a short period of time. If the puppy is terrified, hides, urinates, or becomes aggressive in response, the puppy is likely hypersensitive to noise and would not make a suitable service dog. If the puppy does not respond at all, it should be checked for hearing problems. It is possible that the puppy does not startle easily at all, but it should be evaluated to make sure it is not deaf. Other good tests for puppies involve testing the play drive and retrieval instinct of the puppy. While a strong play drive is not required in a service dog, its presence can ease the training process for many common tasks. It is also important to test the response of the puppy to new situations. A suitable service dog candidate may be shy in new situations at first, but should relax adapt relatively quickly.

Selecting an adult candidate

In selecting an adult candidate, many of the same guidelines for puppies still apply, though there is less emphasis on the parents. It is important to have a complete health screening done on an adult dog to ensure he is capable of safely training and working as a service dog. This health screening must always include x-rays to rule out hip and elbow dysplasia, as well as vision and hearing problems. The social background of the adult dog should be examined if it is known. Often adult service dog candidates are strays or rescues and very little is known about their lives before they arrived at a shelter or rescue. These dogs must be carefully tested to ensure they are comfortable around other dogs and all types of people, and to make sure they are not a menace to other animals they may be around, such as cats, horses, rabbits, and squirrels. A strong play drive in adult dogs, like in puppies, can be a benefit in the training process but it is not absolutely necessary. If the dog is to be trained for retrieval work however, a strong drive to retrieve thrown or dropped items is very desirable. The size and other physical characteristics must also be evaluated in the adult dog. Some types of service dogs such as hearing and psychiatric support dogs can be any size, but others such as mobility and guide dogs should meet certain minimum and maximum size standards. In addition, the degree of noise sensitivity of adult dogs should be tested, as well as their physical sensitivity. A dog that is overly noise sensitive cannot be trained not to react to noises as hypersensitivity to sound is thought to be a neurological condition that the dog cannot control.

Physical criteria

There are several physical criteria beyond basic health that should be considered when selecting a service dog candidate. One of the primary considerations is the dog’s size, both height and weight. A dog that will be used to pull a wheelchair or provide balance work needs to be of sufficient size to withstand the physical demands of these tasks. It is recommended that dogs less than 65 pounds not be used for this type of work. In the case of guide dogs however, small size is highly regarded, as it makes it easier for these dogs to fit under tables, in airplanes, and in other small spaces. Because of this, guide dogs are often bred to be around 45 to 55 pounds. For other service dogs, such as hearing dogs and medical alert dogs, size is of little or no consideration as long as the dog is well-suited to its work. In these cases, the size of the dog may be largely based on the personal preference of the handler. Another physical consideration in selecting a service dog candidate is the amount of activity the dog will need to stay happy and healthy. A high energy breed, such as a Labrador, would be a challenge to maintain if the handler was a sedentary individual. In this case a more laid-back breed would be a better choice. Working dogs often require a lot of activity to remain happy and healthy, so if an individual is not able or willing to exercise the dog themselves, it would be essential for them to have an appropriate area for the dog to run, or have a friend or family member willing to help with the dog’s maintenance. Another concern, especially for handlers with mobility restrictions is the amount of care the dog’s coat will need. Long haired dogs, such as German Shepherds, need regular brushing to maintain appropriate coat health. Other dogs may shed once or twice each year and need very little coat care the rest of the year. The amount of care the handler is willing and able to provide should be taken into consideration when selecting the service dog candidate. For service dog handlers with allergies, more and more facilities are making use of Standard Poodles because of their hypo-allergenic coat and the minimal upkeep their coat requires. These dogs are often excellent matches when the handler has issues with allergies or lives with someone who does. A final physical consideration in selecting the service dog candidate is the suitability of that particular dog and breed to the type of work it will be asked to perform. A dog that will be asked to pull a wheelchair on a regular basis must be a very large dog that has a sturdy enough build to not become injured during this work. For example, while a Greyhound may meet the size requirements for a mobility dog, they are often too fragile for this type of work. A large-boned Labrador or other large, sturdy dog would be a better choice. In addition, breeds that are likely to develop problems relating to their work should be excluded for consideration. One of the most common cases of this is with Dalmatians and their tendency to develop hearing problems. While a Dalmatian may pass all the tests given above, unless their genealogy is known to be completely free of hearing problems, the Dalmatian should not be used as a hearing dog. However, they may still be excellent choices for other types of service work where acute hearing is not essential, such as mobility or psychiatric support work.

Health Considerations

If the health of the dog is suitable for service dog work, the next major consideration in selecting the service dog candidate is whether the dog possesses the temperament necessary to be an effective and safe service dog. A suitable candidate should show no signs of aggression to any person, regardless of age, gender or race. While it is acceptable for the dog to be reserved around new people, it should not be fearful of any type of person. It is extremely important that the dog tolerates the attentions of children without complaint as many children do not know not to approach a service dog and may pull its tail or ears or try to ride the dog. In addition to these criteria, the dog should not show a strong protective instinct, as it can be dangerous to have a service dog try to protect the handler against people the handler may need to provide assistance, such as police and ambulance personnel. The dog must at least tolerate the presence of other animals, and not be aggressive towards them. Along those lines, the dog must have a controllable prey drive. Many working dogs were originally bred for a strong prey drive and certain breeds of dogs are more prone to a high prey drive than others. While it is normal for a working dog to have some degree of prey drive, this drive must be able to be controlled or the dog will not be suitable as a service dog. The dog also needs to have a forgiving personality. It is very common for service dogs to be placed in situations where its paws or tail may be stepped on, its fur may be pulled by small children, or it may be run into by unobservant people. A suitable service dog candidate must be able to bounce back quickly from such events and not hold a grudge against the person. A dog that runs off and sulks will not be an effective service dog. Another temperament consideration is the dog’s willingness to be handled, whether it is by veterinarians, groomers, or the handler. A good service dog candidate must accept handling without complaint and be able to be brushed and have its nails clipped and teeth brushed without excessive struggling.