Service dogs provide invaluable support and assistance to people who require their services. These dogs may help guide the blind or provide emotional therapy to adults and children. Some service dogs even perform tasks around the house for people with mobility issues.
Puppies trained for service work start out as bubbly animals just like any young dog. However, they will require additional obedience work and specialized training in preparation for their future duties.
Service animals are in high demand, and many organizations reach out to volunteers to help foster pups who will go on to provide help to people in need. This usually occurs when the dog is between one and two years old.
Organizations like Canine Partners of the Rockies in Colorado and Susquehanna Service Dogs in Pennsylvania often place service dog puppies in homes. They may have a few dozen receiving care and training by fostering families at any given time. Anyone who has a love for animals can volunteer, and many such volunteers benefit from the knowledge that they helped contribute to the development of dogs that will go on to do so much good.
To decide if raising service dogs is something you want to do, consider the following information.
· Puppies will need a secure environment, so homes with fenced yards that are free from hazards are ideal. Much as you would baby-proof a home, you will need to puppy-proof it, too. Puppies are curious and can get into mischief if not supervised.
· Empty nesters may be drawn to service dog training because they find they have more time on their hands than they did when children were still in the house. Puppies will need a lot of attention to be wellrounded service dogs, and they will also need to be put into different environments to learn how to behave. Such situations may be easier to arrange in homes with fewer residents.
· Service dogs will need to have impeccable manners; therefore, you will have to enforce rules around the house that may run lax with a regular pet dog. These dogs must not jump on the furniture or other people. They will need to respond to commands well, and they should not be encouraged to chase as part of play.
· Puppies will need to be handled regularly and grow accustomed to grooming and touching. Because they will go into stores and other places regular dogs will not, a neat and clean appearance is a must.
· Socializing the puppy may include taking him or her out in public to stores, on mass transit, to parks, and even to schools. The more situations these puppies experience, the more easily they will adapt to adverse environments when they become full-time service dogs.
When fostering a service animal, remember that they are not pets and they will eventually need to leave your home. Separations can be difficult, but you can rest assured that the dog will help provide a full life to a worthy owner. Plus, if you get lonely, you can volunteer to train a new puppy for the service organization.
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