The Reality of Living With a Service Dog

This article expands on the long-term realities that follow after the understanding of what to know before training a service dog.

1. It's your responsibility to protect Your Service Dog

Just as your service dog plays a crucial role in keeping you secure medically, it is incumbent upon you to ensure their safety.

Remaining vigilant for potential threats to your dog, whether from other animals or individuals, is vital. If an unfamiliar dog approaches your service dog aggressively, you must be prepared to shield them from harm. Additionally, watch out for hazardous plants or debris that could pose a danger if consumed. If your dog cannot be trusted alone at home, using a crate is a reliable safety measure.

Ensure that the gear you use fits your dog properly and is suitable for their needs. Some training tools may impede movement and harm your service dog's joints. Verify that any tasks you assign your dog are safe given their size and physique.

Service dogs often exceed their limits in their eagerness to please us, unaware of the risks involved. Dogs are inherently selfless and loyal, so it is our duty as responsible handlers to prioritize their well-being.

2. Maintain Your Service Dog's Fitness

To ensure your dog's longevity and well-being, it is crucial to keep them in good physical condition. Service dogs experience more physical strain than typical pets, making their fitness level of utmost importance. It is essential not to engage in any mobility tasks with an overweight service dog, as even a slight excess weight can increase the risk of injury, illness, and a shorter lifespan.

Despite the challenges posed by your disabilities, finding ways to exercise outdoors with your service dog is vital. Body awareness exercises can be performed in limited space and can also benefit your dog's public accessibility skills. If needed, consider hiring a dog walker to help keep your service dog active.

3. Explore Alternatives Beyond Utilizing a Service Dog

While a service dog is beneficial, it may not always be the most suitable option for managing your disability. It is essential to engage with a healthcare professional and a skilled trainer when considering acquiring a service dog. These professionals can evaluate whether the advantages of having a service dog outweigh the disadvantages for you and determine if a dog can effectively aid with your specific disabilities.

While dogs can be trained to carry out various tasks and may push themselves to please us, it is crucial not to overload them. While a larger breed dog may offer physical support, using assistive devices like a cane, walker, or wheelchair might be a more appropriate solution. Regardless of the dog's size, placing strain on their body, such as for bracing purposes, can significantly reduce their working lifespan and result in future health issues.

On the other hand, a service dog may not be the most suitable option for certain disabilities. For example, if you have social anxiety, the attention attracted by having a dog with you constantly could exacerbate your condition more than the benefits it brings.

4. Having a Service Dog is Challenging

After reading this article, you may now understand that having a service dog is no walk in the park. It can be tiring, especially if you opt to train your own service dog.

You will have to tackle tasks like housebreaking, dealing with puppy behavior, teaching manners, attending training sessions, and ensuring they are well-socialized. Service dogs come with a high cost and can attract unwanted attention and access issues. Running errands will take longer with a service dog by your side. Remember, service dogs are still dogs, so there's no need to feel self-conscious about having them in public.

If you have physical limitations, you will need to figure out ways to keep your dog active and healthy. Training and caring for a service dog is physically strenuous.

Service dogs require a significant amount of effort. Don't underestimate the commitment required.

5. You May Not Have an Immediate Bond (and That's Perfectly Fine!)

Do you become best friends with everyone you meet right away? Probably not. Building relationships takes time, and the same goes for service dog teams. Don't feel discouraged if things don't click immediately. The bonding process can sometimes take as long as a year!

Whether you're beginning with a young puppy or receiving a fully trained adult dog, invest time in getting acquainted. Training sessions can be incredibly beneficial. Take it easy and progress gradually at a pace that suits your bond. What works for one team may not work for another. Avoid rushing! Learn each other's cues, routines, and how to communicate effectively. Investing time initially to establish a solid foundation will significantly enhance your chances of success and cultivate a strong partnership.

6. Empower Yourself (and Others)

Information is power. You can’t exercise your rights if you don’t know what they are. Many people believe that the laws governing the use of service animals in the United States need to be changed to help cut down on “fakers.” However, what they fail to recognize is that the root of the problem lies not in the laws themselves, but in the widespread lack of awareness about them. There is a significant lack in education on this subject.

Education serves as our most potent weapon. The majority of misunderstandings stem from ignorance rather than ill intentions and maliciousness. People just don’t know. They are very willing to learn though! If you are able to take the time to teach someone about service dogs, you may be met with surprise and gratefulness. For the most part, people are so thankful to finally know and understand the laws. If you are able, take the time to educate those you come in contact with and you will be giving them as well as other handlers a great gift.

7. Prioritize Needs Over Breed

When selecting a potential service dog, the breed plays a significant role. Breeds have been carefully chosen over generations to enhance specific characteristics suited for particular tasks. Whether it's independence, retrieval skills, swimming capabilities, herding instincts, protective nature, or other traits, these qualities will become evident over time.

It's important not to be swayed by appearances or personal preferences when choosing a prospect. The primary focus should be on how well the service dog can assist with your disability. They must possess the essential traits to function effectively in public and manage various situations.

While a flashy sports car may look appealing and impressive, it may not be suitable for a family with four young children. Similarly, a Belgian Malinois might seem impressive and exciting to train, but it may not be the best choice for a disabled individual with limited training experience who spends most of the day in bed. Although Australian Shepherds or German Shepherds are beautiful and highly responsive to their handlers, they may not be ideal for individuals prone to anxiety or psychiatric conditions.

Choose a dog that fulfills your service dog requirements above all else. If they also happen to belong to a breed you adore, that's wonderful! If not, that's perfectly fine. Be confident that you are making the best decision for your health and overall well-being.

8. Not Everyone Will Give Their Approval

Receiving your service dog or prospect can be an incredibly thrilling moment in your life. It's easy to assume that everyone around you shares in this joy, but unfortunately, that's not always the case.

Just as it's hard to comprehend chronic illness/pain/injury when you're healthy, not everyone grasps the positive impact a service dog has on its disabled handler's life. Some may only notice the attention the dog attracts in public or the perceived inconvenience they bring to various activities. Allergies to dogs present another set of challenges.

You may discover that you lose touch with some old friends or get excluded from family gatherings if you insist on having "the dog" with you. This can be a deeply painful experience. Ultimately, you must determine what is best for you and your circumstances and choose your battles wisely.

The people who truly care about you will embrace and support you, dog included. If having a service dog is crucial for your well-being, you'll need to toughen up a bit and advocate for yourself. Your health should always come first, even if others fail to understand that. 

9. Dealing with Doubts

Just like in any partnership, there will be highs and lows when working with your service dog. If you are training and raising your own service dog, you will have to navigate through their adolescence phase. When faced with challenges like negative attention and access disputes, you may question if the efforts are worthwhile.

At times, the advantages of having a service dog may not seem to outweigh the disadvantages. However, there are instances where having a service dog is the right decision for you. It is crucial to carefully consider this before embarking on this journey. Remember, you are not alone. Doubts are a common experience for every disabled individual with a service dog. When you find yourself in a difficult situation, having the support of those around you is essential.

About the Author:

T. is an International Dog Trainer School (IDTS) certified Dog Trainer, Calming Signals Approach practitioner, and Dog Behavior Specialist focused on canine welfare, behavior, and real-world reliability.