I just shared on Facebook that Jim, Teddy, and I are privileged to adopt Teddy’s little nephew, Bear. There will be so much to share about their adventures. But first, I had the opportunity to meet Teddy’s birth mom, Matilda, for the first time, and what a wonderful dog she is! Teddy has her pink nose, fluffy coat, and sweet disposition. They have similar behaviors too. I told Matilda that her son was a superstar and I loved him. But Matilda is a superstar; Matilda is a noble service dog. I want to discuss service dogs in this blog.
Golden retrievers are often considered the “perfect” dog breed. They are intelligent, empathetic, and friendly and make the best companions. They are gentle, loving, and great with children. But did you know that they can also be service dogs? In this blog post, I will briefly discuss the process of training a golden retriever to become a service dog.
Golden Retrievers have traditionally served as service dogs, particularly for assisting people who are blind or have low vision. They are bred for their gentle nature and calm temperament, which makes them perfect for this role. Golden Retrievers are also highly trainable and love to please their owners. This makes them ideal candidates for service dog training.
Service dog training involves teaching the dog basic obedience commands and more advanced commands that may be specific to the person’s needs. Service dogs must also be able to perform tasks that help their owner, such as retrieving items or guiding them around obstacles. They may also be trained to provide emotional support to their owner in times of need.
In addition to being well-trained, service dogs must also be very well-behaved in public. They must be able to calmly and politely interact with strangers and never bark or create a disturbance. This is why it is so important to begin public access training early on in the dog’s training.
Service dogs can provide an invaluable service to their owners and often make a huge difference in their quality of life. They are truly noble creatures and deserve our utmost respect.
To summarize, Service dogs are bred for their temperament and learning ability. They undergo a rigorous training program that starts with basic obedience and advances to more complex tasks. These dogs must remain calm in stressful situations, follow commands, and navigate busy environments. Service dogs are an invaluable asset to those who have disabilities. Service dogs provide independence, assistance, and emotional support to those who need it most. They undergo years of training and socialization to do their jobs well. If you ever have the opportunity to meet a service dog, I hope you are as impressed by their intelligence and dedication as I am! They deserve so much respect!
If you or someone you know could benefit from the companionship of a service dog, please reach out to a reputable organization like Canine Companions for Independence or Service Dogs by Warren Retrievers. These organizations place service dogs with qualified individuals at no cost. And remember, service dogs are not just golden retrievers! There are many different breeds.
Note: This blog focused on Golden Retrievers because they are my perfect dog.
© 2019 I Don’t Know All The Answers, Nikki Mastro
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