If you’re considering getting a Goldendoodle as a service dog or therapy dog, you may be wondering if they’re up to the task. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at what makes Goldendoodles good service dogs and how to determine if a Goldendoodle service dog is the right fit for you.
We’ll also discuss some of the benefits of having a Goldendoodle as a service dog. So, whether you’re just starting to do your research or you’re already convinced that a Goldendoodle is right for you, read on for more information about why these furry friends make great service dogs!
Table of Contents
- What Is A Service Dog?
- What Makes Goldendoodles Good Service Dogs?
- Can I Train My Goldendoodle To Be A Service Dog?
- How Do You Train A Goldendoodle To Be A Service Dog?
- How Much Does It Cost To Train A Goldendoodle Service Dog?
- Goldendoodles as Service Dogs: Frequently Asked Questions
- Goldendoodle Service Dog: Final Thoughts
What Is A Service Dog?
A service dog is a dog that’s been extensively trained to perform specific tasks and assist people. Most commonly, service dogs work with people with disabilities. By the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service dog is a dog that’s individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.
For instance, some Goldendoodle service dogs have been trained to guide people who are blind. A Goldendoodle service dog could also be trained to alert people with hearing disabilities. Similarly, they can also be trained to calm a person with PTSD during an anxiety attack. Or, remind a person with a mental illness to take prescribed medications. There are many ways how service dogs can assist a person with a disability, but they’ll be trained to focus on one area specifically.
There are also therapy and emotional support dogs that provide comfort for people in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and retirement homes. However, dogs whose only function is to provide comfort or emotional support don’t qualify as service dogs under the ADA.
What Makes Goldendoodles Good Service Dogs?
You may have heard that Goldendoodles make excellent service and therapy dogs, and there’s definitely truth to that. After all, the Golden Retriever-Poodle mix was first created to achieve a hypoallergenic guide dog.
The Goldendoodle can be created with either Toy, Miniature, or Standard Poodles. This means that these pups come in all shapes and sizes. From their parents, they inherit some of the best qualities that make them ideal service dogs.
High Levels Of Intelligence
First and foremost, both Golden Retrievers and Standard Poodles are highly intelligent breeds. They’re quick learners who pick up new commands and tricks easily. They also have a strong desire to please their owners, which makes training that much easier. A Goldendoodle service dog has to be eager to please its handler so that they’re motivated to work hard and perform their tasks well.
These traits are essential for any good service dog. After all, service dogs need to be able to understand complex commands so they can help their handlers in a variety of situations.
Wonderful Temperament
Goldendoodles also inherit some other excellent qualities from their parents. For instance, Golden Retrievers are known for being calm, patient, and good-natured dogs. They have a relaxed disposition, which helps them remain calm even in high-stress situations. This is an important quality for service dogs since they often have to deal with loud noises, large crowds, and other potentially stressful situations.
Goldendoodles also tend to be friendly and outgoing, which helps them bond easily with their owners. They’re sweet, loving, and affectionate by nature, which helps them excel as service, therapy, or emotional support dogs.
Allergy-Friendly
Finally, Goldendoodles inherit the Poodle’s hypoallergenic coat. This is a big advantage for people with allergies since they can still enjoy the companionship of a dog without having to worry about triggering their allergies.
Keep in mind, however, that not all Goldendoodles are suitable for people with severe dog allergies. If you or a loved one does have dog allergy, make sure you mention this to the breeder.
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Can I Train My Goldendoodle To Be A Service Dog?
Training a Goldendoodle to be a service dog is a long and complex process. It usually takes between 18 and 24 months to fully train a service dog.
Technically, a Goldendoodle service dog does not have to be trained professionally. You can absolutely do it yourself. Of course, you should also know what you’re doing. Professional help could be very helpful in case you need to teach your dog very specific tasks that carry a lot of responsibility.
Of course, a potential service dog should possess certain traits, such as a calm temperament and willingness to learn new information. Proper emotional and behavioral development is vital here. For that, your puppy should start early socialization, training, and desensitization as early as possible.
Fortunately, many reputable breeders already start with early training, socialization, and use various forms of enrichment methods to raise their pups into well-rounded and confident adults. All of this hugely contributes to training excellent Goldendoodle service dogs.
Nonetheless, if you’re set on getting a Goldendoodle service dog, we recommend you look for reputable breeders that specialize in raising puppies that go on to become service dogs, therapy dogs, and emotional support dogs.
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How Do You Train A Goldendoodle To Be A Service Dog?
The first step in training a Goldendoodle to be a service dog is socialization. This involves exposing the dog to different people, places, and situations so they can get used to being around new people and unfamiliar environments. This step is important because service dogs need to be able to remain calm and focused even when they’re in new and potentially stressful situations.
After socialization, the next step in training a Goldendoodle to be a service dog is obedience training. This involves teaching the dog basic commands such as sit, stay, come, down, and heel. Obedience training is important because service dogs need to be well-behaved and responsive to their handlers’ commands.
The final step in training a Goldendoodle to be a service dog is task training. This involves teaching the dog specific tasks that will help their disabled handlers. For instance, a Goldendoodle service dog could be trained to pick up dropped objects, open doors, or turn light switches on and off. Task training is important because it allows the dog to perform specific functions that their handler may need help with.
In case you’re wondering about training a Goldendoodle therapy dog or emotional support dog, then these pups don’t necessarily have to go through extensive training for that. However, reaching out to a professional trainer or getting in contact with an organization could be very helpful.
If you’re considering getting a Goldendoodle therapy dog, you’ll want to make sure that they come from an ethical breeding program with a focus on emotional and behavioral development. Early socialization, training, and household desensitization are all crucial here.
How Much Does It Cost To Train A Goldendoodle Service Dog?
The cost of training a Goldendoodle service dog varies depending on a number of factors, such as the trainer’s experience and location, the length of training, and whether the dog is being trained for a specific task or for general assistance.
On average, it can cost between $5,000 and up to $30,000 to train a service dog. However, some trainers charge more or less than this depending on their experience and location.
Some service dog training programs are non-profit organizations that offer financial assistance to help offset the cost of training, and scholarships to cover a portion of the cost of training a service dog. In addition to that, there are quite a lot of reputable Goldendoodle breeders that give discounts for veterans or people with disabilities.
Goldendoodles as Service Dogs: Frequently Asked Questions
Needless to say, the Goldendoodle is without a doubt one of the best service dogs. Thanks to its high levels of intelligence, calm nature, and friendly disposition, the Goldendoodle makes an excellent service dog. However, other Poodle mixes can also perform well as service dogs, such as the Labradoodle or Bernedoodle. And since most Doodle breeds come in various sizes, even people living in apartments can get a low-shed Goldendoodle service dog.
Thanks to the Goldendoodle’s super friendly and outgoing personality, they aren’t exactly considered the best guard dogs. Instead, they tend to make friends everywhere they go. On the other hand, due to their excitable nature, Goldendoodles may have the tendency to bark when they hear or see someone at the door.
Goldendoodle Service Dog: Final Thoughts
No matter what type of service dog you’re looking for, a Goldendoodle is definitely a great option. They’re intelligent, easily trainable, and have a gentle disposition – perfect for those who need assistance and care. Goldendoodles also inherit hypoallergenic coats from their Poodle parents, which is a big advantage for people with allergies.
Training a Goldendoodle to be a service dog is a long and complex process, but it’s worth it for people who need the assistance of a loyal and hardworking partner. With the right training, a Goldendoodle can make an excellent service dog.
If you think a Goldendoodle service dog is right for you or your loved one, be sure to do your research and find a reputable breeder or training program. And in case you’re considering getting an emotional support dog to bring you joy and comfort, a Goldendoodle therapy dog would perform this task better than anyone.
