Comparison of Owner Trained vs Program Trained Service Dogs |
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Owner-Trained Assistance Dog | Program-Trained Assistance Dogs |
1. Stays with original handler throughout raising and training: no adjustment to new people/environments | 1. Dog is usually handled by at least 3 different people: puppy raisers, trainers and handlers (may lack continuity) |
2. You deal with puppy adolescent issues | 2. They deal with puppy and adolescent issues |
3. You choose the breed that suits your lifestyle & needed tasks | 3. They choose the dog breed (either bred by organization or rescues) |
4. You select and test (breed, mix, puppy adolsceent or adult) | 4. They select and test potential dogs |
5. You choose the training approach you want to use | 5. They use whatever training philosophy they ascribe to |
6. Start benefiting from dog after first task is trained | 6. Waiting lists 1 year or more |
7. You learn how to train a dog and can train other tasks as your needs change | 7. Many organizations only train dogs for one or two types of disability and some don’t retrain new tasks at later date |
8. You can train your dog to be any type of assistance dog you need (including tasks for several disabilities). | 8. Some types of service dogs are not available |
9. You bear the costs of dog while raising and training puppy and adolescent (some fundraising may be needed) | 9. High cost or must be heavily involved in fundraising |
10. If dog proves to be unsuitable you must either rehome or maintain costs of a pet dog | 10. They take back dog and rematch, retrain or rehome |
11. Steep learning curve, effort and dedication required to train | 11. Shorter learning curve |
12. Have to find/figure out training structure on your own | 12. Program guides you through the basics (but still have to figure relationship out on your own) |
13. Reliance on others to assist training and public access (transport etc) | 13. May have ongoing contact/follow-up |
14. You choose/arrange for your retired service dog | 14. Most organizations have rules about what happens to retired dogs (if they can be kept or must be rehomed) |
15. You choose which trainer you work with, find other if doesn't work out | 15. Some companies/organizations are not reputable and dogs are not trained to the standard they claim they are |
16. Need to be resourceful to obtain physical resources and help to train dog | 16. They supply physical training and human resources |
17. Change your life while dog in training-focus on dog, not you | 17. Your focus is more on your life than the dog's needs. |
18. You have a choice to use dog for inhome service only or public access (certification may be required in some areas) | 18. Most go through some sort of pubic testing/certification and are expected to be used in public as well as home. |
19. You may be able to deduct expenses related to keeping a service dog in Canada, but not in BC | 19. You can deduct income tax expensese related to maintaining a program-trained service dog (In Canada and the US) |
20. Can be hard to find moral and local support (when it comes to access issues, family taking OT SD seriously etc) | 20. Can be hard to get moral and local support even with a program-trained dog. |