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The Lowdown

When you think of training a dog, you might just think of simple obedience such as potty training and basic commands. In this blog we will be discussing advanced training that correlates with specific animal careers. Those careers being service dogs, military dogs, search and rescue dogs, and police dogs. While all of these dogs require advanced training, the means of training differ. For example, search and rescue dogs are not trained to perform the exact same tasks as a seeing eye dog. There are innumerable ways to train dogs and every handler thinks their method is the best. This tends to minimize the integrity of research-based practices. Wouldn't it be great if there was a national, ethical standard for training working animals?
ZETEO TECH/ U.S. ARMY
Differing opinions are traditional in conversation about what is humane for pet partners. This is especially true in policies/policy making regarding these animals. Recently, the Department of Transportation (DOT) decided that ESA's should no longer be allowed to freely fly. It has become common amongst the US to falsely claim your dog as an ESA. People are doing this just to get their pets on a flight for free or take it into a shop with them. They go to their doctor and get a note so they can bring their dog, no matter the behavior of their dog. Meaning that a dog with no training can be held to similar standards of an actual service animal. Currently, there are no policies saying that ESA's need specific training. It's pretty obvious that holding these animals to similar standards is just wrong, they can't compete when one of them isn't required training. This behavior reflects negatively on the service animal community and it causes complications for people with disabilities. 
https://www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com/training-behavior/seeing-eye-dogs/
Seeing Eye Dog
It is important that policies regarding service animal abilities and access to public spaces protect each pet partner and its rights. A national standard for training working animals would delegate effective training methods while maintaining an ethical system. Some current forms of training are not considered socially adequate, as the techniques often require the animals to endure immense stress and pain. See my future posts for more details on the history of training dogs, ethical training, and protective policies.

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