Service Dog Training Requirements

Service Dog Training Requirements. A service dog is a special dog. Service dogs must have extremely good temperaments and be adaptable to all sorts of different environments. Training requirements differ, depending on the services each dog is required to perform.

Qualities of a Service Dog

A service dog must have a friendly, outgoing personality. Topnotch social skills are required.

AKC Training

The AKC's Canine Good Citizen program is the place to start for service dog training. Ten different areas of obedience are tested. Sit, stay, come, down and loose-leash walking are part of the testing.

Therapy Dog

In addition to the Canine Good Citizen training, a therapy dog must be comfortable around children, medical equipment and other animals.

Guide Dogs

Guide dogs, which give independence to people who are vision-impaired, are raised from the time they are puppies. Agencies such Guiding Eyes only accept purebred dogs for their program.

Other Service Dogs

Service dogs can offer companionship to those with social disorders. Some offer help to those in wheelchairs. Depending on the needs of the person involved, service dogs can turn off lights, open doors and answer the phone.