As you begin the journey with your service dog, incorporating them into your routine requires adaptation and can be challenging. Knowing what to expect may help ease your transition, setting a foundation for a fantastic relationship with your new teammate.
- The concept of personal space changes as you now have a friend following you everywhere
While there may be some places you choose not to bring your service dog based on disability, your new best friend can always be by your side. They train to move when you move and respond to environmental cues. Over time most people adjust and enjoy their woof’s constant support.
“As someone who lived with three large dogs before getting my service dog, I enjoyed having dogs in my space. While training in tight quarters like stores, I paid more attention to my dog and practiced patience. Running errands took more time during the training phase which required adjustments to my schedule. Overall the lessons I learned through teaching my dog her responsibilities helped me to regain personal strength and confidence.”
- Highly intelligent working dogs not properly stimulated are prone to boredom, however too much activity leads to a decrease in skills
When training or acclimating to a service dog, we spend lots of time with them. Use that time to learn your dog’s behavior, body language, and patterns. Doing this will increase your bond and help to develop healthy behaviors.
Too much downtime can create restlessness leading to behavior problems. Mindless exercise is likely not enough for these working woofs. They need to be mentally stimulated. Exploring new environments will create opportunities to avoid boredom and practice skills.
“I aimed for five-minute training sessions 3-5 times per day when introducing new concepts and my dog was young. Other exercise needs were accomplished through our day to day activities, some of which included fun outings to tighten our bond. Part of socialization process involves bringing your pup everywhere This can lead to fatigue for a young dog. At times if my girl was exhausted I would carry her. Energy levels are highly correlated to focus. Expectations were adapted based on what I observed from my pup on a day to day basis. Incorporating balance and fun are essential to improve life for both members of the team.“
- Your woof will need continuous training to keep their skills sharp
An experienced service dog trainer can help identify where you stand in terms of progress and help you reach long–term goals as a team. Training often takes one to two years to complete using continuous reinforcement over time to prevent skill extinction. A dog’s behavior continues to evolve until they mature around three years old. Most often, practice opportunities will arise through natural day-to-day activities with their person. Occasionally, extra time is needed for a refresher on certain skills. Maintaining established boundaries at home for public work also retains the rate and probability for success.
“Mistakes happen and as long as safety is ensured they are not a big deal. Don’t expect perfection. Dogs are not robots and believing they should act like one because they are a “Service Dog” is unrealistic. Be patient. There are many lessons we can learn about ourselves through this enjoyable process.
Our woofs will have off days when they are not as interested in working or learning. They test the limits of boundaries as we all did in adolescence. Some skills can seem to erode during this time period however it’s just part of the maturation process and their ability to do more expands. As maintaining composure, consistency, positivity, and an openness to learn are keys to success. The pressure to succeed or fear of failure can cause anxiety however if you commit to the process a confidence will replace that and help with self-growth as well.“
- Service dogs should be well groomed since they are in public places more than most dogs
A big reason for this is a courtesy to the public. People are generally very accommodating to service dogs and handlers. Using a professional groomer might be an easier option if bathing your woof is a difficult task. It is common for groomers or vets to perform services away from owners. Separation may create stress for you or your dog because they train to stay by your side. Communicate your needs with their veterinarian and groomer. The right professional will accommodate you. It’s our job to take care of ourselves and our dog while leaving no trace that someone else would have to clean up after.
“When traveling on a plane, a full-body suit will prevent allergens from spreading, potentially affecting those with allergies. In my experience, the public is particularly kind to help accommodate my service dog. I think part of the reason is due to my dog’s exceptional behavior so people are less likely to feel threatened or annoyed. By returning the courtesy and not interfering with lives of the public just because I have a service dog; we help them feel comfortable as well as ourselves and other service dog teams.“
- Service dogs attract attention in public
Interacting with the public when out with your dog can be emotionally taxing. When you have an invisible disability, strangers may question your need for a service animal. Answering questions is time consuming and a little frustrating when in a hurry. Legally, there are only 2 questions you are obliged to answer, and only to authorities in spaces where the general public can go such as an employee in a store. The questions are:
- Is the dog a service dog for a specific disability?
- What task(s) is the dog trained to perform?
You have no obligation to answer other questions or engage with the public and can politely decline attempts to interact. Service dogs exist in public spaces to help their person navigate the world. Not for any entertainment purposes. Healthy boundaries can be established while maintaining respect. Let others know they cannot pet your dog because your dog is working. Vests with messages saying “working dog do not distract!!” can help avoid these interactions. You can allow people to interact with your dog. We caution you about doing this frequently during the training phase since inviting interaction can interfere with the proficiency of a dog’s skills.
“When working in public with my dog as a puppy, I knew we were getting looks. Some people approached us to interact at different levels. I became shamelessly uncaring if other people wanted to question what we were doing, our training sessions, or inappropriate attempts by others to get my dog’s attention. Adjusting to the attention is a freeing feeling. As this becomes more regular, it becomes natural, increasing the psychological benefits of having a service dog.
My attention in public shifted to focus on her, myself, and our tasks. We were actively training to be in sync together. After she was four months, I only allowed children to pet my dog in an appropriate situation. Adolescent dogs can view children similar to themselves and attempt to play with them. As a result, children were the only people in public who were allowed interaction. Making sure my dog knew safe boundaries to interact with and a need to be delicate with children was critical.“
- Legally, you are not required to show documentation. “Service Dog Registration Paperwork” or “Kits” affirming “certification” that you can buy online are a scam!!!!
Store employees or law enforcement officers have questioned the legitimacy of my service dog at least 50 times, and there was only an issue twice. Animal control and police departments are not always up to date with service dog laws. Understanding the law makes these interactions smoother. I find being knowledgeable about the law and courteous resolves questions quickly. Having a picture of my doctor’s note on my phone is an easy way to medically validate our actions. A personal preference I’m comfortable sharing. It can simply state that an individual has the right to utilize the assistance of a service dog due to a disability. Learning your state and federal rights will help you become comfortable accessing public spaces with your service dog.
For more information about service dog guidelines check out our article What Constitutes a Service Dog? – Wise Woof
You and your service dog are a team and depend on each other. Dogs need love, food, healthcare, mental stimulation, and exercise. It is your responsibility to keep them healthy and safe. Earning your dog’s trust means you are providing proper care for them. A trusting relationship will develop over time and is essential to deepening a successful bond between you and your woof.
