In this multi-part piece, I tackle using your dog as a service dog, from different perspectives.

In Part I we discussed whether or not your dog can ignore everything going on in the environment (smells, dogs, activity, everything!) and focus on you and your needs. And how the best service dogs are acutely aware of what’s going on but only reacting to those things that may affect you.

So how about those dogs who are nervous, scared, shy, reserved or completely focused on you? You know the one’s that jump or lean on you with every step or don’t let anyone pet them without a growl or snarl. It seems that we’re seeing more scared dogs, more unbalanced dogs, and more post traumatized dogs out in public than ever before.

When I began private dog training I was shocked to discover how many people were living with an unbalanced or neurotic dog. “Oh, he’s always under the bed, don’t mind him.” “We have to feed them on different floors or they’d kill each other.” “Don’t look at her, she’s only aggressive if you look at her.”

Having lived with this type of dog myself I know how difficult it can be. Always being on edge, never knowing when a thousand-dollar vet bill is around the corner or never being able to bring him or her anywhere are just a few of the issues in managing these pups. But there are others, dogs who anchor to us and seem to be fine, as long as we’re at their side, or in charge of the situation. How about these dogs, can these dogs be balanced service dogs?

I think the answer depends on three factors:

• Their level of trauma – or ability to heal, trust and regain confidence again. Are they uber reactive? If so then getting them over their reactivity has to come first, how long did it take you to stop flinching at a loud noise or unpredictable person??
• Your level of involvement – these dogs often need time to heal themselves before being asked to help another, do you have the time and patience and will you follow thru on what they need to succeed? Consider daily outings to different locations over and over and over again until your pup is completely comfortable in any setting.
• What specifically you’re asking them to do – Service Dog, Therapy Dog or Emotional Support Dog? Are you asking them to be a service dog who has to go everywhere with you – that may be too much for many dogs, but perhaps as a therapy dog, where they’re going to hospitals, nursing homes, even airports and bus stations these days, to provide emotional support to stressed out people. If that’s still too much then maybe they’re more suited to be an Emotional Support Dog, those dogs who help you (typically b/c you focus on them and not yourselves) but who don’t have the privileges of the other two categories. Often these dogs are allowed to live with you but beyond that their rights extend as far as any of our dogs.

Training a dog to get used to a lot of things – smells, noises, people, vehicles, life – which operates typically 3’ above their heads, takes practice. Lots and lots of practice. There’s no quick trick and no special formula, getting your dog to places, focusing on them and allowing them to get comfortable at their own pace is the only way to succeed with these dogs. Patience!!!

Next time we’ll discuss the rights and responsibilities of the different types of service dogs and their owners.