Choosing the right service dog prospect is a very important first step in the journey of obtaining a life changing companion. While temperament is essential for both puppies and adults, their evaluation differs slightly. First, let’s look at what you want overall, then dive into getting a puppy or adult.
Temperament Traits
Trainability: A willingness to learn and eagerness to please are vital for successful service dog training. A biddable breed will take to the training best, but isn’t a requirement for an experienced trainer.
Focus: The ability to concentrate on tasks amidst distractions is essential for service dogs working in public environments. While focus can be trained in, a dog that is wildly distracted is unlikely to be a good choice. If you need medical alerts, handler focus is especially important.
Calm Demeanor: A steady temperament ensures the dog remains manageable in stressful or unexpected situations. The dog should display no fear, anxiety, reactivity, or aggression. You don’t want a hyperactive dog.
Adaptability: Service dogs must adjust to various environments and social interactions. You need a dog that can take it all in stride.
Puppy vs. Adult Service Dog
Puppies
Pros: Extensive moldability, potential for deeper bond, influence over fear periods and environmental temperament, lack of “baggage” (such as abuse, dog attacks, etc)
Cons: Requires significant time investment for training and socialization, unpredictable temperament, higher risk of health problems.
Adults
Pros: Established temperament, proven trainability, often housebroken and have basic obedience skills.
Cons: Less moldable personality, may have ingrained habits that require correction, shorter working life expectancy, lessened bond initially.
The Right Choice for You
The ideal choice depends on your lifestyle, needs, and preferences. Don’t forget to consider what size dog you need for your tasks. Think about your ability to dedicate time to training and socializing a puppy (can you wait at minimum 2 years for a fully trained service dog?). Adult dogs offer quicker integration but may require more adapting to your needs.
Additional Considerations
Regardless of age, ensure the dog is healthy and has undergone a veterinary evaluation. Look for breeders or shelters that prioritize temperament testing for service dog prospects. A third party temperament test will give you a lot of information.
