Training Dogs: Methods, Careers, Policies

In my blog series we have discussed the general knowledge around working dogs. We will now come to know working dogs lives after service. Service Dogs The average lifespan of our canine companions is 10-13 years, most working dogs get retired around 10. Service dogs become retired for a variety of reasons such as: Medical Conditions  Hearing, smell, and vision loss are common in the old age of dogs. When this happens they can no longer serve their owners safely. Owner's Health Decline Sometimes when services animals owners get sick it becomes impossible for them to care for their animal. In this case, the dogs are either retired or reassigned to another home.  Unmet Expectations Not all pups that go into service dog jobs are cut out for the work. The majority of retired service animals continue to live with their owners or their relatives. Others are adopted out through the organization that trained them. For example, guide dogs are usually rehomed to a...

Ty The last group of working dogs I will be reporting on are military dogs. Together we are going to learn about how these dogs are defined, their certification requirements, training, etc. Military Dogs Dogs have been involved in war since ancient times in Egyptian, Greek, and Persian culture among others. These animals have played various roles in war efforts such as, scouts, trackers, and detection. Many duties that were assigned to dogs in past warfare is obsolete and not practiced today. However, dogs still have a place in modern warfare and are a highly valued tool.  Supply and Demand The U.S. military's need for canines has steadily grown over the years. America's need for military dogs was unable to be met without acquiring dogs from Europe's stock. Europe's dogs have a history of working dog pedigree's, which is why the U.S. was pulling dogs from there. Thus, a breeding program was created by the Defense Department to help ease the imbalance. E...

In my efforts to educate the public on working animals, this article will be dedicated to search and rescue dogs. We will explore how these animals are defined, their certification requirements, training, etc. Keep reading to gain a full grasp on the lives of search and rescue dogs (SARD). Search and Rescue Dogs Search and rescue dogs (SARD), otherwise known as rescue and recovery dogs, use their training to find lost or missing people and guide them to safety. These dogs are incredibly important in natural disasters and other emergencies. Dogs natural sense of smell make them exceptional trackers with the correct training. Handlers are basically just enhancing their natural skills to perform tasks. Certification The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says that search and rescue handlers and canines must complete and pass a national certification. After passing the teams must re-certify every three years in order to continue to perform. Dogs attempting the national t...

There is a lack of general education regarding working dogs. Here, we are going to talk about how service animals are defined, where they are allowed to go, their certification requirements, the animals training, etc. Read along for all the general knowledge about service dogs you are being deprived of in your daily life. Seeing Eye Dog Service Dogs As defined by the ADA , service animals are dogs that have been trained to perform tasks for a person with disabilities. These animals are not pets and must be able to complete work that is specific to the handlers disability. While the ADA states that these animals are not pets, most handlers feel an emotional connection to their dog and consider them family. Where are They Allowed? Handlers must always be in control of their service animals. As long as the animal is behaving and is on a leash/harness (unless a persons disability prevents that) it is pretty much allowed anywhere. To be more specific, these animals are al...