Service Dog Training Certification

Service dog training certification is not required to become a service dog. It does offer advantages to the dog's owner, which makes it easier to take the dog to public places. Certification improves a dog's training while offering more services to the master. Approval for dog certification requires an owner with one or more chronic medical conditions and a dog with task training. Consider benefits, training and testing for dog training certification.

Benefits

Anyone can train a dog to become a service dog, but hiring dog trainers familiar with the needs of handicapped individuals may provide better training and more skills for the dog. The main benefit of service dog training certification is to make it easier for a person with disabilities as they travel about a city or in their home. After a dog passes all the tests and becomes certified, the owner of the dog will receive certification papers and a badge that denotes the dog is certified. 

Documentation showing the dog provides necessary services can make it so much easier to attend public places such as movie theaters, grocery stores, libraries and shopping malls. In addition, papers and a badge make it simpler to take public transportation such as buses, taxis, trains and airplanes.

Training

Service dogs are almost always trained as young pups that are easily trainable and have not developed bad habits. To find a puppy with the right personality for training several dogs may be considered. Socialization skills will be studied as well as his ability to interact with children and strangers. A well-mannered dog will be chosen that is not afraid or nervous around vehicles and objects used in every day life including cars, buses, shopping carts and wheelchairs.

Official training for service certification normally begins when a dog is a year old or about 18 months. The needs of many people with disabilities can require a variety of specialized services and no two people may require the same type of training from a dog. Therefore, training for some dogs may take as little as six weeks or as long as 18 months.

Testing 

Field tests may be performed by dog trainers to test the dog’s ability to handle public areas, navigate through traffic, people, stores and deal with transportation. The dog’s handler will study every move the dog makes in various situations and note how well he performed. Generally, the dog trainer who provides testing will supply certification of the dog’s skills and abilities. There is no established organization in place within the US that provides certification.