Yes, the Australian shepherd can be a service dog. They are intelligent, trainable, and have a natural herding instinct, making them well-suited for different tasks. Australian shepherds make excellent service dogs for people with physical disabilities and mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression.
Contents
Australian Shepherd Service Dog — Characteristics & Traits
- Service Dog
- Qualification for Service Dog
- Australian Shepherd as a Service Dog
- Temperament & Traits
- Training For Service Dog
- Early Socialization
- Certification and Legislation
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Service Dog
Source: allthingsdogs.com
A service dog is any dog that has been specially trained to help people with disabilities. The most common use of a service dog is to help the blind and visually impaired. Still, the dogs can also help those with mental illness, epilepsy, diabetes, and other medical conditions. Veterans also use them for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients and military members with injuries sustained in war zones.
Service dogs are trained by their owners or volunteers to perform specific tasks like opening doors, turning lights on and off, helping people cross the street, or retrieving items from shelves. In some cases, dogs perform tasks that other animals cannot do. For example, a seizure alert dog might alert its handler if the handler’s body goes into convulsions during an epileptic seizure.
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Qualifications for a Service Dog
A service dog must be qualified to complete certain responsibilities, such as pulling a wheelchair or fetching items for its owner. A service dog should also be able to follow instructions from its handler, such as “sit” or “down”. A service dog is trained not to bark unless it must do so (such as alerting the handler of an intruder).
When around strangers and other people who may approach you, your service animal should always be well-behaved and under control. It means your pet should never jump up on someone or nip at them without reason (as in self-defense). Service animals are also expected not to bark unnecessarily when they are out in public places with their owners or interacting with others who may be nearby.
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Australian Shepherds as a Service Dogs
Source: allthingsdogs.com
The Australian Shepherd is a herding and working dog that also makes a great companion. They were bred to herd sheep and other livestock and had an uncanny ability to work independently. But it’s important to note that this breed is unsuitable for every situation or owner.
For example, if you have small children at home and want something more than just a family pet, then maybe an Australian Shepherd isn’t suitable for your family. Aussies should not be left alone with young children who cannot handle them properly because the dogs may try to herd them by nipping at their heels or jumping up onto them. According to K9 Rocks they say its ok for families with kids at age 7 and above. Likewise, suppose your lifestyle requires constant travel (such as military personnel). In that case, this breed may not work out either because they thrive on having routines in their lives rather than being frequently uprooted from place to place.
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Temperament & Traits
The Australian Shepherd is an independent, vocal, loyal, alert and protective breed, which means they can be trained to respond to commands quickly. Additionally, because of their protective nature, these dogs make excellent service animals for individuals with a disability that requires using an animal assistant in public settings. While Australian shepherds are known for their ability to herd livestock, they also make great companions because they are playful and independent. It makes Aussies perfect candidates for assistance with everyday chores or simply companionship.
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Training For Service Dog
Source: certapet.com
Australian Shepherd learns quickly, adapt to new situations, and follow directions well. They are also very outgoing and active canines that enjoy being around people. Because they are so intelligent and energetic, Aussies can be trained to perform many tasks that help people with disabilities live more independently. These include:
- Guiding visually impaired people with their voice commands.
- Alerting deaf and hard of hearing people when there’s someone at the door or someone calling them on the phone.
- Warning anxious patients for an oncoming panic attack.
- Helping you maintain a healthy diet by reminding you not to overeat or eat unhealthy food (e.g., snacks) before bedtime.
- Opening doors and drawers for you when needed.
- Retrieving keys/phones/wallets/etc. If they fall behind furniture or get stuck under something else.
- Reminding physically disabled people when to take medications at specific times of the day (e.g., when it’s time for lunch) or when symptoms of certain medical conditions arise (such as seizures).
Note: If you are interested in training your service or therapy animal, we recommend contacting a professional trainer. It is a difficult task and requires particular expertise.
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Early Socialization
As with any service dog, socialization is crucial for an Australian shepherd well-being, mental health and ability to function. Socialization involves exposing your dog to various people, places and things to give them confidence and make them comfortable around new experiences. Service dogs need to interact with many different types of people without becoming aggressive or fearful. Starting socialization at an early age will help your Australian Shepherd become more familiar with the world around it as they grow.
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Certification and Legislation
Source: pupvine.com
Suppose you plan on getting an Australian shepherd as a service dog. In that case, it’s vital to understand the rules and legislature concerning service dog training and registering in your state or country. You’ll have to register them with your local council or government department. You’ll also need certification from an accredited authority such as Guide Dogs Victoria or Canine Partners Australia. You may also need to register your Aussies as a therapy or emotional support animal (ESA).
Final Verdict
Australian shepherds are popular service dogs for people with disabilities. The intelligence, agility and trainability make Aussies great for people who need a service dog. Australian shepherds can be trained to perform various tasks to assist their disabled handlers, including retrieving objects, opening doors, and providing balance and stability. If you are looking for a service dog, consider an Australian shepherd.
