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How-to; Service Dog info 2025
- Thread starter BGpa
- Start date
Here is another example of how scientific advances in breeding by better use of genetic tools (betterbred- see recent comments by Soluna)
Are being put to use in Service Dogs...
Part 1:
www.betterbred.com
"The term ‘service dog’ has become very popular in recent years, particularly with more people embarking on the journey of Owner-Training – acquiring a service dog prospect which they will personally raise and train for their specific medical needs. Let’s take a closer look at what a service dog is, what is required of them, and the role of a breeder in this process."
Good explanation of terminology:
"Side note – technically ‘assistance dog’ is the proper umbrella terminology for a dog assisting a partner with any sort of disability; a ‘guide dog’ assists a blind handler, a ‘hearing dog’ assists a deaf handler, and a ‘service dog’ assists a handler with any other disability including needs such as physical assistance, alerting or response to chemical changes or allergen detection, and response to psychological state. The terms were muddled during the writing of some laws, and now ‘service dog’ has become the more recognized term in the US. This article will shift to proper terminology after describing the different categories of assistance."
Are being put to use in Service Dogs...
Part 1:
Considerations for Selecting a Pup as a Service Dog Prospect part 1- introduction to service dogs
The following blog post was written by Jillian Emerson, owner and breeder of American Poodles at Work, APAW. Jillian’s program is currently on hiatus, but you can learn more about it here. The term ‘service dog’ has become very popular in recent years, particularly with more people embarking on...
www.betterbred.com
"The term ‘service dog’ has become very popular in recent years, particularly with more people embarking on the journey of Owner-Training – acquiring a service dog prospect which they will personally raise and train for their specific medical needs. Let’s take a closer look at what a service dog is, what is required of them, and the role of a breeder in this process."
Good explanation of terminology:
"Side note – technically ‘assistance dog’ is the proper umbrella terminology for a dog assisting a partner with any sort of disability; a ‘guide dog’ assists a blind handler, a ‘hearing dog’ assists a deaf handler, and a ‘service dog’ assists a handler with any other disability including needs such as physical assistance, alerting or response to chemical changes or allergen detection, and response to psychological state. The terms were muddled during the writing of some laws, and now ‘service dog’ has become the more recognized term in the US. This article will shift to proper terminology after describing the different categories of assistance."
Part 2 here:
www.betterbred.com
Considerations for Selecting a Pup as a Service Dog Prospect part 2
The following blog post was written by Jillian Emerson, owner and breeder of American Poodles at Work, APAW. Jillian’s program is currently on hiatus, but you can learn more about it here. This blog post is the continuation of the first, which can be found here.Overall Characteristics of
www.betterbred.com
"
- A service dog for mobility needs to be calm, handler-focused, content to just follow along like a shadow until assistance is needed; they still need confidence but not in the ‘taking charge’ sense that a guide dog has; the size can vary greatly based on the handler’s task needs, but overall energy is on the lower side and the dog prefers to observe rather than participate when there is fun in the environment; again, raising from puppy-hood is usually best, in order to avoid challenging habits but also because it is very difficult to find an adult dog of the proper temperament – this is a sweet, easy dog, not one that an owner is likely to give up. "
@BG1 - you seem to be including all the ways a dog can be of service. I doubt that I will be training my dog for this, but I'm thinking of ordering this book since it could be a possibility. I already have hearing loss and it runs in my family on the maternal side: Grandmother, mother and older sister all had/have major hearing loss by mid to late 70's. Have you any experience with this type of training, or your trainer-friends?
No @Ravenbird
Re: hearing assistance training,
I personally do not, (although I'm also hearing challenged due to some time on the flight deck and around things that go boom!)
And I'm still reading and searching for good trainers: if one were interested- the best tip is check out Atlas, as they are accredited under ADI, as one of a few that provide SD Owner Training to DIY.
I hope its ok to share here some interesting stuff, if only for conversation, on what I'm finding as a dog nerd going down rabbit holes of interest, as it applies to our Dobe now.
I'm certainly NOT any kind of an expert, not as dobe owner on #2, not as a trainer, and not as a breeder...but a life long learner and this stuff is fascinating on a couple of levels, and based on your long experience, its something you are setup to do, conceivably as Owner Trainer. The base of the work that goes into Service Dog making is all about breeding, training including the working dog sensibility, bred and trained to functional task(s).
I've posted some similar stuff elsewhere, hoping for comments by others with experience in dobes in service dog roles.
One giant in the breed was Joanna Walker...who raised dobes, including supplying some and other support to "Pilot Dogs" in 1950, which still exists today:
About Pilot Dogs
Pilot Dogs provides world-class guide dogs and other services to help people who are blind or visually impaired achieve greater independence and mobility, all at no cost to our students.
www.pilotdogs.org
Who many here may recall
wrote a definitive book on dobes:
The Doberman Pinscher: Brains and Beauty
The Doberman Pinscher: Brains and Beauty gives potentia…
There is a TON of info out there about "Assistance Dogs" the more correct umbrella term, that includes Guide Dogs (for the blind) and Hearing dogs, Psychiatric Service Dogs, Mobility Dogs.
What I have found has most traffic if thats an indication of current interest, is reddit r/service dogs.
That is more "social media" like, and is available both in web browser format and in an app.
The ADA does allow for Owner Trained Service Dogs, and there is a lot to consider if one wants to go that way, vs a "program dog".
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PS: great book! I just ordered in kindle format, and happy to discuss here in forum or offline in direct message format.
PS2: here is another article found on DCF about Joanna Walker and her contributions to the breed and Pilot Dogs
Thread 'Joanna Walker - we have lost a very important advocate for Dobermans as Service Dogs'
Joanna Walker - we have lost a very important advocate for Dobermans as Service Dogs
There is an entire sub reddit devoted to people so irate about fake Service Dogs that they take pictures and shame post them...r/fakespotting
The innertubes are getting so weird...
Here's a recent article from the working dog side, for fellow dog science nerds:
Was doing some searching on SD science per @Ravenbird post today on a comment by Martha Hoffman, who studies SD from Shelter Dogs.
One thing I notice is some "gatekeeping" on the topic in various places, well meant advice, in some cases.
Here is a PhD Dissertation in Philosophy on that very topic:
researchrepository.wvu.edu
One thing I notice is some "gatekeeping" on the topic in various places, well meant advice, in some cases.
Here is a PhD Dissertation in Philosophy on that very topic:
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