Service Dog Certification

[kelley182]

Can anyone recommend a good legitimate website for obtaining a service dog certification?  There are so many out there.  It seems like there should only be one.

TIA!

[cmeon]

I'm not sure what you mean? Service dogs- a non-pet dog who works- have specialized training from a young age- to perform a special set of duties. You can't just slap a vest on a nice pet and call him a service dog (well, you shouldn't be- there are a lot of assholes doing just that to take their pets places they couldn't otherwise).

You CAN go through training and certify your dog as a therapy animal- visit nursing homes/hospitals/schools (all require an invite- you can't just walk in anywhere with a therapy pet)- is that you mean? Our obedience clubs all have groups that train and practice this.

[spa]

Building off of Cmeon it depends on what you are trying to accomplish with getting your dog certified.

In our area there are training facilities so that the dog can get their canine good citizenship training certificate

www.akc.org/dog-owners/training/canine-good-citizen/

But I would start with a local search to have your dog and you tested to see if you can get a certificate. Many of the online registries ask you to vouch that your dog will do these items without the need for proof, and because of the way ADA is written people can take their dog as a service dog anywhere. This causes problems though as I have seen dogs with their service vest on causing a lot of trouble in stores, restaurants and malls.

[gourmoo]

No such thing. The AKC CGC is a great place to start! Best of luck!

[kelley182]

Sept 26, 2015 12:13:56 GMT -5 gourmoo said:

No such thing. The AKC CGC is a great place to start! Best of luck!

We did do this.  He was certified earlier this year.  

Thank you!

[labbie]

If you mean therapy dog, check out
Tdi-dog.org for information, including testers in your area. I was able to find a class locally, but if your dog is already cgc you may be able to work with him on your own and just coordinate a test for you and pup to get certified as a therapy team. Local chapters will also have information on volunteer opportunities once you are certified. Good luck!


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