While a lot of work goes into producing litters that have the best chance of being grade-A service dogs, even the most prestigious programs have a high failure rate. This is because a lot of the traits that qualify a dog for service work come along with their personality and how they interact with the world, and genetics can only do so much.
This list doesn’t guarantee your dog has everything it takes to be a service dog, but if they check all the boxes then they’re off to a great start!
1. They Enjoy People Without Getting Too Excited
First and foremost, service dogs should have a friendly and easy-going nature. They need to be able to be around people without becoming reactive, stressed out, or too excited, especially when they’re in population-dense areas or unfamiliar territory.
Because dogs are friendly by nature, the bigger issue here might be a dog getting too friendly when they are out in public. They might prioritize getting attention or meeting new people over clocking in and focusing on their work, which could lead to a disaster.
Service dogs often do a good job of switching between their work mode and understanding when they are free to search for social interaction. If your dog already waits for the okay from you to let loose, they might be ready for the challenge.
2. They are Adaptable and Quick Learners
It is not enough to learn the basics of dog training. Service dogs have to learn plenty of new commands, all tailored to their handler’s specific needs. Your dog doesn’t need to have dozens of fancy tricks under their belt, but they should show a predisposition for wanting to learn and catching on quickly.
That said, service dogs must also be able to think on their paws. They will be dealing with plenty of new environments and situations every day, and part of their job involves making decisions instead of taking commands. They should have baseline intelligence that allows them to assess a situation and move forward based on the information they gather.
3. They are Confidence, Calm, and Composed
There is a fine line when it comes to confidence in dogs. While timid, unsure dogs are not suitable as alert dogs, the same can be said if a dog is too confident, or if that confidence exists without the decoding skills that help them make the right decision–confidently.
Just as with people, the best outcomes come from service dogs who can remain cool, calm, and collected during an emergency event. They need a level head to make the right decision or keep guiding and assisting in stressful situations.
They also need to be sure of themselves as they make the decision to alert a trigger, perform a task outside of their handler’s commands, or search for help. They should not be easily swayed from their job (although they should not be too stubborn either).
4. They Have a Close Bond with You
Service dogs are on the clock, but that doesn’t mean they should be indifferent towards their handler. You will have a greater chance of success if you have a close connection with your service dog, and they will be better attuned to your triggers and needs.
This close bond also helps motivate your dog to stay locked in during work and dedicate their time and attention to you. It’s something that training can’t replicate easily, and it’s one of the benefits of training up your personal dog for specific service work.
5. They Already Respond Well to Needs
If your dog already seems keyed into your physical and emotional changes, they just might have what it takes to be a service dog. This is another thing that technically can be trained, but it’s much easier if the dog is naturally attuned.
Your dog may already be alert to certain behaviors, such as:
- Physically connecting with you when you’re anxious
- Providing deep pressure therapy or pawing at you when you space out
- Stimulating you when you get chills
- Bracing you when you get dizzy
- Nosing or pawing at you when your health declines
These behaviors can (and should) be refined, but it is much easier if you have a strong baseline with a dog who naturally understands what they should respond to. They will have plenty of service tasks to perform as they move through training, and this predisposition helps immensely.
6. They Are Healthy and Strong Enough to Handle Tasks
Small dogs can be service animals too, but it’s important to consider whether they will be able to perform the necessary tasks. You want to make sure the extra stress won’t exacerbate any health conditions they’re predisposed to, such as hip dysplasia, and you want a service dog that has plenty of time left for training and active duty.
They should be fairly young (about 6 months to 2.5 years old) with adequate health testing and evaluation of their bones and muscles.
Not every dog will need to brace their handler, but they may need to be tall enough to reach certain areas of the home or door handles, and they should have enough stamina to keep up with their handler through daily tasks.
There are plenty of traits that may disqualify your dog from service work, but if they have the ones on this list then they’re on the right track.
