Consider having a dog that can turn on lights, retrieve dropped keys, and unlock doors. Adults with physical limitations are paired with Canine Companions for Independence service dogs to help with daily duties and promote independence by minimizing reliance on others. A service dog can aid with business transactions by passing money, receipts, and packages, as well as pulling their partner in a manual wheelchair, pushing buttons for elevators or automatic doors. 

A service dog from Canine Companions not only helps with physical chores, but also with social assistance. Participants learn how to successfully handle an assistance dog throughout a two-week training program in order to maximize the usage of the 40 commands.

Unfortunately, some dogs may not possess the necessary traits to be excellent assistance dogs. If you have a chihuahua and require a service dog to assist you in transitioning from your wheelchair, they might not be the best choice. 

The dog you chose as a service animal must be able to meet the physical standards of a service dog, as well as have the correct disposition. Around 55 percent to 70 percent of canines enrolled in service dog training programs do not turn out to be suitable.

How to Train Your Dog to Be a Service Dog 

There are two ways to train your dog to be a service animal. You have the option of training your dog on your own or enrolling them in a dog service training program.

1. The following are some attributes that your service dog should possess: 
2. Keeping your calm in new environments 
3. Quickly absorbing and remembering information 
4. Adapting to various social situations 
5. Repetition of certain tasks with consistency 
6. Able to concentrate on you
7. Let’s look at ten different varieties of service dogs:
8.  Guide dogs 
9. A Guide Dog assists his owner in crossing the street. 

One of the most well-known varieties of service dogs is assistance dogs, which guide visually impaired and blind persons past obstacles. Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Lab/Golden hybrids are frequently chosen as guide dogs, although other breeds, such as Poodles, can also be well suited for this role.

Mobility assistance dogs

Assistance with Mobility Dogs can collect goods and assist their owners in getting around. 

These service canines can assist persons with a wide range of mobility impairments with a variety of duties. Mobility aid dogs, according to Service Dogs of America, may bring objects to people, press buttons on automatic doors, act as a brace for mobile persons, and even help pull a wheelchair up a ramp. These dogs assist people in gaining independence and self-assurance.

Allergy Detection Dogs

These dogs have been particularly taught to detect and alert to allergies like peanuts, gluten, and eggs. Food allergies are on the rise, and even a small amount of an allergen can cause anaphylactic shock in certain people. Allergy detection dogs can detect a dangerous allergen’s fragrance before their owner even comes into touch with it. 

Children are frequently matched with allergy detection dogs because they are more prone than adults to have severe allergies. This allows children more independence while simultaneously providing comfort and protection to their parents.

Diabetic Alert Dogs

These service dogs are taught to alert their owners to potentially fatal blood sugar highs (hyperglycemia) and lows (hypoglycemia) (hypoglycemia). When the dog barks, the spouse knows to take a blood test and then inject insulin or eat glucose to bring their blood sugar levels back to normal. Diabetic alert dogs, like other service dogs, give their owners a greater sense of freedom and security. 

Diabetic alert dogs are usually trained to alert other members of the home or sound an alarm if their owner requires medical help. 

Hearing Dogs

Hearing dogs are trained to assist their deaf and hard-of-hearing mates, as their name implies. When a dog detects a specific cue, it alerts its owner and leads them to the source of the noise. Smoke or fire alarms, doorbells, door knocking, phones, alarm clocks, and even the person’s name are examples of these cues. 

Hearing dogs, like other support canines, help their owners gain independence and awareness both within and outside the home. Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, cocker spaniels, and poodles are common breeds employed (miniature or standard). While hearing dogs are not needed to wear specific equipment, some owners choose to do so.

Autism support dogs 

These dogs give children on the autistic spectrum a feeling of regularity as they navigate social situations. Dogs can be a tremendous assistance to kids who are having problems making friends with their classmates. In social circumstances, the dog works as an icebreaker. They enhance the child’s quality of life by minimizing isolation and providing comfort during times of stress. These canines have also been trained to prevent youngsters from fleeing and to track them down if they do.

Seizure response dogs

Seizure response dogs, not to be confused with seizure warning dogs, assist people who are having epileptic seizures. During a seizure, these dogs bark for help or to activate an alarm system. They can also help a person get out of a dangerous situation. Also, if a person is coming out of a seizure, they may bring medicine or a phone.