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How to Make My Dog a Service Dog

Under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), a disabled person has the right to have and use a Service Dog.

According to the ADA, a person is defined as disabled when he or she has “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment.” If you are uncertain if you suffering from a disability, you may consult your doctor or your therapist.

Disabilities your service dog may assist with –

Limited physical mobility
Anxiety
Autism
Blindness
Depression
Epilepsy
Diabetes
PTSD
etc.

If you suffering from a disability and are interested in making your dog into a service dog, you have come to the right place! The information below will help give you the guidance you may need to make your pet dog into a service dog and provide additional information on living and traveling with your service dog.

Step #1 – Train your dog to provide a task as a service dog

In general, a Service Dog has to be well-trained. They need to follow basic obedience commands and perform their trained task for your disability. Basic obedience skills are the first step to training a Service Dog. This includes the commands such as:

Sit
Stay
Down
Heel
Place
Come

Service Dogs are required to become a ‘good citizen‘ and display good manners in public. This means no jumping, begging for food, sniffing, barking or any other behavior that takes the focus off of their handler.

Once your dog has mastered these basic and important skills, your next step is to train your dog to perform a special task. Training your dog to perform a task for your disability will take time, patience and the know-how to get the job done. If you have limited knowledge in training a canine, you may have to enlist the help of a professional dog trainer. You can seek help from a local trainer or a trainer online.

The dog trainer can give you the steps to training your dog in any task-orientated area. Once you have the knowledge, you can practice the task with your dog throughout the day. Plenty of praise and rewards will help your dog want to continue to learn and soon you will have him performing the jobs you need him to do when asked. If you don’t want to train your service dog yourself, you can look for a local organization that will specifically train your dog for assistance work.

Once your dog is trained to provide a service for your disability, your next step is to decide how you would like to identify to others that your dog is a working dog and a not a pet.

Step #2 – Register your service dog as an assistance tool

Once your dog is fully trained, it may be in your best interest to have him registered. Although not required by the ADA, many communities maintain voluntary registries that can help identify your dog as a service animal. For example, the New York MTA recommends that all Service Dog handler’s carry a Service Dog ID to help identify your service dog to MTA employees. If you are interested in registering your service dog, you may start by clicking on the link below.

Once your dog is registered, you can order them a service dog ID card, service dog certification, and even order a service dog vest. Although it is not necessary to register your dog as an assistance tool, it will make matters easier for you when you are in public places that don’t usually allow animals.

When you are out in public with your service dog, you should know that by law, owners or managers of businesses cannot ask you about your disability. They may only ask if your dog is indeed a Service Dog and if so, what task(s) the dog performs for your disability.

If you are taking your canine to work, your employer must make reasonable accommodations for your service dog. This could include breaks for you to take the dog outside to relieve himself, water/food bowls, extra space if a larger breed, etc.

Once you have trained your service dog and have made the decision on how you want to identify your service dog, you and your service dog are ready to seek housing accommodations, if needed.

Step #3 – Live with your service dog

Service dogs have special housing rights that are not granted to normal pets. If you make your dog your service dog, you are permitted by Fair Housing to live with your Service Dogs even in the following conditions –

Your landlord/HOA does not allow for pets
Your landlord/HOA does not allow specific breeds such as Pitbulls, Dobermans, or Great Danes.
Your landlord/HOA has a weight limit (a service dog can be over a 100 lbs)

Since your Service Dog is permitted in no-pet buildings or apartments they need to practice maintaining their good behavior at all times and in shared spaces. This can be a challenge not only for your service dog, but for you as well. This means they cannot run around off leash in the lobby or bark at people walking by. Remember, your service dog is not a pet and therefore is granted special housing access rights, but that also means your service dog is held to a higher standard. If you want your dog to become your service dog, it is your job to make sure your service dog is well behaved at all times.

If your landlord can show your service dog is not well behaved and poses a threat to others, your landlord may be able to deny access to your animal. However, please note that your landlord and HOA are not allowed to request the following:

For you to prove your disability to them
For your service dog to “show” them the task
To disclose any sensitive medical information

Once you and your service dog have settled into your routine at home, you may be ready to start traveling with your service dog.

Step #4 – Travel with your service dog

Service dogs are also allowed to travel and fly with their handler. This means they can ride on public transportation, travel with you in taxis, and even fly with you on planes.

To make your dog a service dog, you have to take the extra step of keeping your service dog familiar with different types of transportation methods. This can be a stressful process, but is a step you cannot skip over. Your service dog needs to be exposed to different situations so when they encounter them, they can stay calm. For example, we recommend short travel trips on a plane or the bus so your service dog can learn to maintain their composure when flying with you through turbulence or on a bus or train when it is crowded and bumpy.

When you are ready to fly with your service dog, be sure to book your flight in advance and let the airline know you will be traveling with a service dog. Airlines do have specific regulations and seating for those traveling with Service Dogs such as:

Service dogs must be seated on the floor
Service dogs cannot block the aisle
Service dogs cannot be seated in an emergency exit row

Some parts of the world, like Hawaii, have stricter policies when it comes to animals. Check to see if your final destination requires a quarantine period to protect local habitats, especially for international destinations.

When you are traveling with your service dog, you may also want to have all of your documentation with you at all times. We recommend carrying your service dog certificate. This is especially helpful if your disability is not visible.

Are you thinking about taking a cruise? Not all ships will allow animals, so be sure to find out if your ship will accept Service Dogs and their policies for having one aboard. You may not be allowed to bring your service dog if you are traveling to islands that have a protected habitat.

Follow these four steps on how to make your dog a service dog and don’t let disabilities stop you

Don’t let your disability keep you from living. Make your dog your Service Dog and enjoy your new life.

If you are ready to register your service dog, click on the image below.

21 comments

Jessenia says: February 18, 2019

Hi how are you I want make my dog a service dog I deaf and I have sizers too he know a little about me he know went some comeing in the door or if I have a sizer but he not a service dog at all but I want make him one

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- Yesenia says: February 2, 2020
  
  I want to very much i neef her but iam homeless i dont have money
  
  Reply
Andrew Pastor says: February 19, 2019

I am trying to get my dog fully registered for. Service. I need to provide a letter to my apt manager. I need help

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- Service Dog Certifications says: March 2, 2019
  
  A letter is not required for a service dog.
  
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  - Mary says: May 30, 2019
    
    If you have your dog certified and get a badge for him, that is all you need. I got a photo ID badge for my service dog.
    
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Tammy Swain says: February 20, 2019

I am about to buy my son a German Shepherd and wanted to have him trained to be his service dog. My son has cerebral Palsy and he will be turning 18 years old the 23rd of this month and I just feel like it is a great idea to go ahead and get him a puppy and start working with them. His cerebral palsy is not got him where he can not live a normal life. I just feel having a service dog would do him a world of good. The biggest issue my son really deals with outside of some mobile skills is he has a very high level of Anxiety and I think having this service dog could help him with that the most. I have read about people having service dogs for issues such as these. Can someone get back to me with help on what direction I can take this? I don’t have a lot of money to spend so that is another issue is there any programs that will help people in situations such as this?

Sincerly,
Tammy Swain

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- TJ Smith says: November 15, 2019
  
  Not sure about programs for assistance. Check with a local trainer, your doctor or disability. You can train the dog yourself to do the task necessary for him as long as the dog has the right temperment and you have the time. Remember it takes about 18 months of regimented training to prepare them properly. There are good books available to assist you but if time is an issue, get a trainer.
  
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Mariah Sanchez says: February 25, 2019

Hi how are you I want make my dog a service dog .I’m hard hearing and struggle with hearing knocks or doorbells when guest arrive. My dog Athena is good on letting me know when someone is at the door but she usually barks , so how do I fix that. Since I know most service dogs don’t bark .

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- Service Dog Certifications says: March 2, 2019
  
  Alerting a hearing impaired person with a bark may be an acceptable task for a service dog.
  
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- TJ Smith says: November 15, 2019
  
  A service dog alerting you in your home to a knock is not a bad thing. Public barking is what you need to make sure the dog understands is not not acceptable.
  
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Brian says: March 7, 2019

Hello. I am diagnosed with PSTD and would like to have my dog be with me during a flight later this year. I have read the guidelines but I have a couple questions. After submitting mine and my dog’s information through the form on here, when and where do I have my dog “test” his commands and how he responds to them? I am traveling to Hawaii, which is very strict when it comes to traveling dogs. Is filling out the form and paying for the certificate, vest, etc. enough to provide for Hawaiian authorities? This may be more simple that I make it out but I would greatly appreciate any pointers. Thank you.

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Tasha Gray says: March 13, 2019

I want my dog to be a service dog. I am physically disabled. Multiple ligament replacement. I am PSTD/ANXIETY issues, and I live alone.

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Marvin Gregg says: March 29, 2019

Hello, I’d like to make my dog a service dog my wife has PTSD and I’d like to take her around a hospital or hospice setting to make people happy how can I accomplish this?

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SANDRINE FAMILARO says: April 26, 2019

Hi,
I am diagnosed with PTSD and my husband is deaf. We have 2 Boston-Terriers and we would like to make them service dogs. They obey the tasks required to be service dogs. Can we register them both? We always travel together almost everywhere, and making them officially service dogs would greatly help us. Can it be done?

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Arielle says: May 13, 2019

Thank you for your advise. I am moving into a new apartment and they new landlord is asking for a note from my physician. What should I do? And what would be the steps to do that? Should I go to the vet or my actual physician. And if I go to my physician how would I go about it? Thank you!

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Jamie Cartmill says: November 6, 2019

I got me a small dog because I have PTSD Bi-Polar depression anxiety and schetzefrenia and social anxiety and I got kicked out of Wal-Mart in my town because I had my dog with me

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Catharina Berrios says: November 18, 2019

Can a service dog be trained to assist with more then one disability at a time. For instance I have many health issues some including diabetes where my sugars go high an low also anxiety and depression. Would they be able to be trained to give warning an service with all?

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- Peter U says: November 22, 2019
  
  Yes! Your service dog can provide more than one tasks for you. You can train your Service Dog yourself or you can request help from a local trainer.
  
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Myrna says: November 22, 2019

You go to your actual physician and they will give you a letter

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- Peter says: December 2, 2019
  
  Yes, your doctor can write you a letter if they are treating you for a mental or emotional disability. You can get your letter online, in case your doctor is unavailable. Just make sure the online service you choose sets you up with a real licensed medical health provider who will provide a letter with verifiable contact information. Don’t fall for any letter mills that promise a letter within a couple hours. For more information, you may find this article helpful – https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/how-to-qualify-for-an-emotional-support-animal/
  
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Melissa Burns says: December 20, 2019

I LIVE ALONE. I FALL ALL THE TIME AND BREAK BONES. I READ AN ARTICLE THAT A SERVICE DOG CAN HELP WITH THAT. I HAD A MRI A MONTH AGO, AND I AM AT 100% RISK OF BREAKING A BONE IF I FALL BECAUSE I HAVE OSTEOPOROSIS AND OSTEOARTHRITIS. I ALSO HAVE CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE, COPD, ASTHMA, NO CARTILAGE LEFT IN MY RIGHT SHOULDER, WITH 7 THINGS WRONG, INCLUDING A BROKEN SHOULDER BLADE . THESE THINGS SHOWED UP IN THE MRI. I ALSO HAVE DIABETES AND MY EYESIGHT IS GETTING WORSE AND WORSE. I AM BI-POLAR, WITH HIGH ANXIETY AND BAD DEPRESSION, ESPECIALLY SINCE I LOST MY HUSBAND OF 33 YEARS 10 YEARS AGO 12/17/2009 TO PANCREATIC CANCER. WE GOT MARRIED AT 18 YEARS OLD. THEN THE LAST DOG HE BROUGHT HOME TO ME, HAD TO BE PUT TO SLEEP ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. I WANT A GERMAN SHEPHERD BECAUSE I AM A LARGE WOMAN AND NEED A LARGE DOG. I HAVE HAD 2 AND THEY ARE EVEN TEMPERED. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND ONE ALREADY HOUSE-BROKEN, THEN I WOULD TRAIN HIM/HER FROM THERE. ANY SUGGESTIONS? PS I RENT A LARGE MOBILE HOME.

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