Choosing a dog for service work is one of the most important — and challenging — decisions a service dog trainer can make. Service dogs must navigate complex environments, often in high-stress situations, and the need to remain calm, responsive and focused. Most dogs are not suited to work in demanding public access settings such as grocery stores, public transportation or crowded areas. Due to the complexities of this process, service dog trainers are often called on to support owners and programs by helping them select candidates that are likely to succeed in a wide range of complex public access environments.
Key Characteristics of a Strong Public Access Candidate
Ideal service dog prospects:
- Are physically sound and appropriately sized for the tasks needed
- Exhibit friendliness and sociability with people
- Do not exhibit aggressive behavior toward people or animals
- Show resilience and an ability to recover from stress quickly
- Are confident in varied environments
- Can be easily trained and are food motivated
- Are calm and easygoing
- Show optimism and have a generally “happy” demeanor
- Are able to focus on the handler in distracting settings
- Do not exhibit intense predatory behaviors
- Do not have serious fears or other behavior issues
Additionally, in most cases, handlers need dogs that are low to moderate energy and easy to groom. However, occasionally a handler will benefit from a higher energy dog.
Behavioral Deal Breakers
Few dogs have all of the above characteristics, so it is reasonable to consider service dog candidates who possess many but not all of these traits. However, there are some behaviors that cannot be tolerated in dogs who are expected to succeed in public access work:
- Aggression toward people or other animals
- Unsafe behavior due to extreme arousal or intensity
- Serious behavior problems (e.g., compulsive behaviors, severe fears)
Stress tends to exacerbate behavior problems. Even when a service dog candidate is trained using positive methods, the demands of public access work can worsen existing stress-related behavior issues.
Behaviors That Can Potentially Be Addressed
While certain behavior challenges should be considered deal-breakers, some may improve with training. For example:
- A distractible dog might learn to check in and focus
- Specific fears can be addressed through counter-conditioning and desensitization
A Note About Adolescence
Owner-trainers need to consider the dog’s behavior during adolescence when selecting the dog. For example, if they have a mobility disability that increases their likelihood of a fall, a dog that is large enough to provide balance support may also be large enough to knock them off balance in a moment of exuberant adolescent behavior. Therefore, owner-trainers often need to balance their needs with what is realistic in terms of their ability to raise, care for and manage the dog.
Even excellent dogs may go through “rough patches,” especially during adolescence. Temporary dips in confidence or stress tolerance are normal. Ongoing evaluations and time to mature can help prevent unnecessarily career-changing a dog who just needs more time. Dive into this aspect of working with service dog candidates on my blog, Behavior Problems in Service Dog Candidates.
More Than Just a Checklist
Choosing a service dog prospect takes more than checking boxes — it requires an in-depth understanding of what is needed for a dog to succeed in public access. In Part 2, we’ll explore breed options, discuss the pros and cons of common and uncommon choices, and take a look at the logistics and breeder dynamics that impact success.