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Service Dog Requirements

01 February, 2017

How Does My Dog Become a Service Dog?

Training a dog to become a service animal is available to everyone! First step is to know what the requirements and laws are for service dogs. Title II and TitleIII of the ADA defines Service Animal as any dog that is trained perform tasks for the benefit of an person with a disability. This may include physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other emotional disability. Below is a general overview on service dog requirements and how to train your dog to go from your household pet to becoming a service dog. Service dogs are an important part of the assistance animal family and serves an important function in our community. Based on the ADA’s ruling in 1990, dogs that provide a professional service to individuals with disabilities that require their support will be allowed access to public places when accompanying their handlers. This is not limited to seeing eye dogs as commonly believed!

Step 1: Identifying and Understanding What Type of Dog You Have

Any dog breed is suitable for service work! From Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Bully Breeds, Poodles, Huskies, etc. All types of dogs are eligible to become services dogs, each potentially providing a different type of service. Service dog laws do not include dog breed restrictions or weight discrimination. If you don’t know the breed of your dog, you can require a simple dog DNA test. This may give you more information about the behavioral patterns of your dog and can provide you with higher accuracy of breed-related instincts.

You should also be aware of your dog’s health conditions to confirm that the age and health of your dog is suitable for the job. It’s important to understand your dog’s condition to prevent adding strains to a service animal’s health and also to its handlers condition(s). It is also important to test your dog’s personality type to see if he or she has a good temperament for service work. Dogs who are aggressive or easily scared may not work as service dogs until their public temperament improves.

Step 2: Find a Trainer You Trust or Train Your Dog Yourself!

People often search for a reputable trainer that they trust to train their service dog. You can either adopt a trained service dog from a reputable trainer or bring your dog to a trainer. Did you know that you can train your dog yourself under service dog laws? Many people are not aware that service animal tasks can be trained at the comfort of their own home! In the United States, there are no required ADA certification for service animal training. The community is self-regulated and includes minimum government regulated standards for training. If you find that you would rather train your dog yourself, you are not only welcome to it, but it can also help increase the bond between you and your service dog.

Step 3: Training Your Service Dog

Most of your time will be spent here. Putting in enough time to train your future service dog is a crucial step. While the United States has no minimum requirement, international standards suggest approximately 120 hours over six months. We also recommend that at least 30 of those hours should be time spent in public to help train the dog in moments of distractions and any surprises that may come their way.

The most important task for you to teach your service dog is tasking, or learning the specific skill they will be performing to help assist with your disability. Some tasks may include sensing a medical alert, tactile stimulation during a panic attack, or grounding/blocking in public areas.

For additional training support and guides, we recommend Secrets to Dog Training. They provide a simple yet comprehensive guide to dog training so you can successfully train your own service dog.

Step 4: The Public Access Test

Once you feel your service dog is trained, it’s time to put them to the test! Below is a quick list of the most important criteria for your service dog to pass:

No aggressive behavior
Cease sniffing behaviors unless released to do so
No solicitations for food or affection
Over-excitement and hyperactivity in public

The Public Access Test is provided by the ADI via PDF form for your convenience.

Step 5: Certification and Equipping

In the United States, service dog certification and service dog identification is not a requirement. Unfortunately, many public employees and places will still require it. For your own convenience, it’s good practice to present documents that can help show that your dog is a trained service dog. This will help prevent situations where you are meet with hostility when traveling with your service dog. Electing to carry a custom Service Dog ID card and Service Dog Vest might be a simpler solution for you and your service dog. You may also choose not to carry the ID card and stand your ground on principle when you encounter people ignorant of service dog rights.

After you verbally confirm that your dog is a trained service dog or documentation is shown, reasonable accommodations must be legally made for service dogs. Service dogs provide help for those facing a physical or mental disability so they are granted access into public places such as hotels, restaurants, and malls. It’s important to understand these steps to help you or those around you. Good luck!

Unable to train your dog as a service dog?

You may be interested in an Emotional Support Animal instead. ESAs do not require specific training and have access to airplanes and no-pet apartments. Click here to learn more about ESAs.

19 comments

Kathy Thomas says: February 12, 2019

I have a chihuahua who is less than three pounds. He is also 3years of age. I work as a caregiver at my job and i would like to take him with me to work. He is a companion animal but I need him to be trained as a service animal. I want him to be able to access my needs as a disabled person. I have bi polar and I barely know how to see my moods myself. Is there any way you can train my dog to do just that? Katharine E Thomas

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- Dawn Affinito says: March 16, 2019
  
  I too have a chihuahua and have BiPolar Disorder and Anxiety Disorder. My chi is young. I adopted her 7 months ago, at 4 months old. I immediately got her into obedience training with an outstanding local trainer. She has now completed two rounds of beginner obedience. The trainer explained that she needs to be very competent with basic training long before we begin more advanced training. She is now ready for the Good Citizen’s Class. If needed, I will repeat that as well. I’ve learned that clicker training is such a positive and consistent way to train her. Two books that I have found quite helpful are “Clicking With Your Dog” By Peggy Tillman and “How to Train a Service Dog” by John Maxton. There are also some good videos on training a service dog on You Tube. Just be sure you choose one training method and be consistent, patient, and positive with your dog. The ONLY negative reinforcement I was taught to use was for her growling and barking at people. Any aggressive behavior must be extinguished as quickly as possible. Our trainer impressed my pup with what are called “throw chains”. Used sparingly, and thrown on the floor for the aggressive behavior, my chi learned within days to stop growling and barking. The chains do the work, so be sure not to yell or be angry. Your Dog will need to be impressioned and you trained by a professional trainer to do this correctly. It can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years to successfully train a service dog. And we have to decide that we are okay with them becoming a “working dog” with their focus on us and our needs,unless we release them for short times when they can interact with other people. If you don’t want to be that strict with your dog, then I’d recommend helping them to simply be an emotional support dog, which requires much less training and doesn’t require the restrictions and undivided attention on you that a service dog requires. The ADA requires that a Service Dogmust perform very specific tasks to assist a person with a disability. Good luck!
  
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Danielle george says: February 13, 2019

I have a Labrador golden retriever one to two uear old a male. Trying to get him to be a service dog for my daughter and me. My daughter is three and Tourette syndrome and autistic. And i have ptsd and anxiety. I was trying to find somewhere to get him certified for us as a service dog.

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- Amy says: March 3, 2019
  
  A service dog can only assist 1 person legally
  
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- CN says: March 11, 2019
  
  Generally, as I’ve been aware, a service dog can’t provide service for 2 people. If the child goes to school then who does the dog go to serve? It’s confusing for the pup and may be too much too handle.
  
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- abby greene says: May 6, 2019
  
  I am starting the process of getting a service dog. I am planning on training it myself. The trainer I talked to does service dog training with k9 good citizen and AKC. Is there any other classes that are required?
  
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Sherryl Miller says: February 24, 2019

I am completely unable to walk. I have been bed-ridden for over 4 years. I am getting a power chair which will allow me to get out of bed & go places. I have an AWESOME long-haired dachshund who is 15 years old. I have had him since he was 3 months old. Is there anyway I can register him as a Service Dog? He has truly gotten me through so many hard times, & even stopped me twice when I tried to kill myself!! I want to be able to take him with me wherever I go. Please, can you PLEASE tell me what I can do? Thank you so very much for your time!!!

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Kelly McLeod says: March 6, 2019

Hello, I suffer from anxiety and was thinking about getting a service dog for myself. Can I train my dog at home, and will she have to be tested by someone else to confirm that she meets the requirements? Thank you

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- Amanda says: April 11, 2019
  
  hi, i also have an anxiety disorder, and depression and it has been limiting my life, i cant go in public places anymore because of my disorder. i was looking into registering my 6 year old dog as an esa but later realized i can only have her on the aircraft and not in public places which is where i need her the most. I do believe you need a doctors note that you need a service dog. You can train your dog at home but it is extremely hard and requires a lot of patience! I would recommend hiring a professional
  
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Emiee says: March 21, 2019

I’m trying to get my 4 year old dog American Bull , certified as a service dog but not sure which category he would fall in I have daughters 10 and 4 my 10 year old suffers from ADHD depression and anxiety my 4 is having behavioral problem due to our current situation and separation from their dad I had to enroll both of them to see a licensed therapist! My dog is very well trained listens on command! He is great with both of my girls etc. Do I qualify for any of the categories?

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- Service Dog Certifications says: March 22, 2019
  
  If your dog does not provide a service for their depression or anxiety, he may qualify as an emotional support dog.
  
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Dominique Barrientez says: March 24, 2019

My boyfriend has a in training service dog and a doctors letter but his apartment complex is not allowing him to have his dog with him because she’s a American pitbull terrier. They said they don’t allow that breed at all. But he has a doctor letter and everything can they do that to him or does my boyfriend has rights? He is training her for his seizures brain damage and depression. He is disabled. Please help!

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- Kylie Beckwith says: March 31, 2019
  
  Technically, a service dog is allowed in any apartment or complex, no matter the breed. They should not be allowed to refuse the dog if it is helping a person.
  
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- Jodi says: April 6, 2019
  
  Under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) both service and emotional support dogs are protected under the Fair Housing Act, regardless of breed. So if he has a letter from a treating medical provider expressing need for the dog, he is allowed to have it at any housing complex available to others (apartments, condos, etc). I would recommend informing them of his rights, and if they continue to fight it, you may want to pursue legal retribution because he is indeed allowed to have his dog regardless of any breed restrictions.
  
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Gladys says: April 2, 2019

I have a Labrador retriever and I have a 3 year old who is legally deaf and may be autistic. Could I train my dog to be a service dog for her?

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Chris bush says: April 6, 2019

Hello. I’m mainly interested in getting my dog licensed how to do that. I have promision from my dr that my dog is a service dog but I’m just learning that I will need her lisenced.

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Alexis Tyson says: April 17, 2019

I have endometriosis and ovarian cysts…I have very hard days and sometimes cannot even get out of bed. and days that I am very weak and have fainting spells…Would I cover for a service dog or just a therapy dog

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Kristie L. VanHoesen says: April 28, 2019

My Husband has had two major back surgeries which has left him with debilitating muscle spasms which cause him to fall or drop, chronic pain, cannot straighten up, and has a difficult time try to look up at people when he is talking to them. If he sits to long, he has a very difficult time standing up and usually needs someone to help him walk if he is able to at all at that time. Our shiz-tzu- Chin alerts and barks when he has these attacks or falls and helps keep my husbands panic levels down. Does this qualify as a service dog?

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Trevor says: May 11, 2019

Me and my fiance have a service dog in training. Can a renter deny her just because shes still in training?

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