Service dog

[hardr0ck68]

We have a shepherd (mix?) that we took off the streets and have been looking for a home for. A friend back home suggested I get him trained as a service dog, then I would have no problem putting him in a good loving home. Sounds reasonable to her (she trains dogs back in NY) but I am wondering if it is possible, practical, and affordable to do in Korea?

He is a great dog, the only thing he does that concerns me is whenever we hit his nose for doing something wrong he runs away in terror.... I think his last "owner" was hell on him.

What do you all think?

[Ryan]

Although they are great as service dogs, I would never train a dog with suspected past abuse and/or trauma. You never know when something stored in the back of their brain will come out. Also, I have never seen a service dog here in Korea (i assume you mean service as in guide dogs, etc). also, I believe that they need to be purebred, and there are pretty strict guidelines in choosing dogs to be trained as guide dogs. I may be wrong, but I remember something along these lines from a friend of mine who trains guide dogs in LA. I'm sure he'd make a great pet, but I don't know if I would want to chance a dog with a sketchy past as a service dog, as the people put their full trust into them. just my two cents worth.

R

[Harris17]

Hello there,
I know for a fact that service and therapy dogs do NOT have to be purebred. Although, there is intense training and the dogs must be certified. Service dogs are also different than therapy dog and can be trained for specific purposes. I am actually having a similar problem finding an assistance dog trainer in Korea. There are plenty in the states, but for me, I'm only allowed to have a dog in my military family housing if the dog is a service/therapy dog. I'm trying to find someone to train a therapy dog. One who can work with rehabilitation patients and handicapped children on our base. If you find someone to train your Shepherd, please share your info. Also any other suggestions from others would be most helpful! Good luck to you!

[sarah24]

If you look on the Samsung website for seeing-eye-dogs they must ALL be golden retrievers OR Labradors, i am not at all sure of why, and they must be taken away from thier mother at 7 weeks and placed into a dog walker, a family that trains them, and a person must watch the dog 24/7 which is alot of work. So if your in Korea im pretty sure you cant get him trained to do so at any of these facilities that train special seeing-eye-dogs.