Qualities of a Service Dog

• A service dog must have a friendly, outgoing personality. Topnotch social skills are required.
  
  

AKC Training

• The AKC's Canine Good Citizen program is the place to start for service dog training. Ten different areas of obedience are tested. Sit, stay, come, down and loose-leash walking are part of the testing.
  
  

Therapy Dog

• In addition to the Canine Good Citizen training, a therapy dog must be comfortable around children, medical equipment and other animals.
  
  

Guide Dogs

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  Guide dogs, which give independence to people who are vision-impaired, are raised from the time they are puppies. Agencies such Guiding Eyes only accept purebred dogs for their program.
  
  

Other Service Dogs

• Service dogs can offer companionship to those with social disorders. Some offer help to those in wheelchairs. Depending on the needs of the person involved, service dogs can turn off lights, open doors and answer the phone.