Nowadays, there are many dogs that function as mobility service dogs. Generally, they perform certain task to help their partner individual. While doing those tasks, they demand for the use of safety gears that they can wear in their daily activities. So, to avoid the hassle in thinking of what gear are they going to wear, we have here mobility service dog vest that you might consider for your doggy.
| PRODUCT NAME | PRICE | RATING |
|---|---|---|
ALBCORP Service Dog Vest | Check Price |  |
Industrial Puppy Service Dog Vest  | Check Price | |
But, before proceeding to that, let us try to have discussion about the mobility service dogs. Let’s try to explore everything about this kind of canine, what are their task and how they can benefit us as their human partner.
SERVICE DOG DEFINITION:
Generally, service dogs undergo specific training to aid people who have compromised health conditions. The conditions where service of mobility dogs are most likely needed are those who have eye problems, hearing issues, and mental health concerns to name a few. Moreover, as per the laws governing the use of these mobility service dogs, they should be treated as dogs in duty and not as sedentary house pet.
These canines are special kind of dogs in that they undergo a specific program related to the job that they are responsible to do. Furthermore, a mobility service dog must energetically perform a task given to him by the disabled partner that he needs to accompany with. Moreover, the purpose of this dog is to, at least, decrease the workload of a medically compromised person and allow him to enjoy the brighter side of life.
SERVICE DOG TYPES
When we say service dog, it pertains to dog working a specific task. Moreover, various service dog types are available. The well-known service dog types are the Guide Dogs or Dogs assisting for Hearing. Seizure Receptive Dogs and Mobility Support Dogs are also included in service dog types. Moreover, there is also the Diabetic Attentive Dogs and Autism Sustaining Dogs to include in the list. The Allergy Identification Dogs together with the Physical Aid Dogs are also the types of this dog.
SERVICE DOG TASKS
Mobility service dogs perform various task for his human partner. So, to give us an idea on the job that they are doing, the list of those task are listed here. Further, the possible job of a mobility service dog may include the following:
- Unlock cabinets and drawers
- Notify individuals for telephones that is ringing
- Aiding a person in times of perplexing seizures
- Supporting people to maintain their posture or helping someone to stand up after falling
- Detect foreign substances around the area
- Determine reduced blood sugar level
- Giving medicine to someone to relieve pain
- Prompt someone to take their medicine at a specified time
- Giving water to someone so that he can easily swallow his medicines
- Handing over a phone to someone in the event emergency situations arise
- Supporting to climb up and down the ladder
- Reacting on an emergency alarm in case the individual is uncooperative
- Bringing medical documents and supplies
- Offering material stimulant to disturb the burden of emotions
- Catering stimulants of the outside sources to fight neural damage
- Notifying a person to report to work
- Illuminates dark places and areas
- Notifying serious headaches
MOBILITY SERVICE DOG BREEDS
An amazing fact of being a mobility service dog is that it doesn’t require any breed to qualify for this doggy work. Moreover, the shapes and the size of the canine would not matter as well. But, at some instances, there are breeds that really outshine from this doggy tasks.
Basically, large dog breeds are very helpful in bracing works and supporting those who suffer balancing, movement concerns, and some that needs physical support. Meanwhile, the smaller breeds are applicable as dogs used for hearing services or alerting jobs related to medical conditions. Further, to give you a wider range of dog breeds that are commonly used for this tasks, just check out those breeds that make it at the top.
GERMAN SHEPHERD
German Shepherd is the number one on the list of breeds used for mobility services. This accounts for their numerous roles and functions in the life of their human partner for such a long time now. Moreover, German Shepherd is very smart, reliable and very dedicated animal breed. These characteristics make this breed number one on the list. In Fact, they can do policing dog work, dogs for hearing assist and guiding. The German Shepherd are easily trainable to do such so many tasks.
This dog breed is intellectually observer and is trustworthy and obedient. Being easily trainable accounts for his desire in facing lots of obstacles and new situations. To be able to finish the task assigned, the German Shepherd is very determinate to finish the work started, as well as he has sufficient strength and agility to finish it all. Another advantage of a German Shepherd as mobility service dog is his size and large body built. Because, through this, he is very much capable to give physical assistance.
However, the downside of the German Shepherd for being a mobility service dog is his trait of having a securing gut feeling. This trait can make him distracted in public easily and become aggressive as well. Meanwhile, to prevent this temperament issue of a German Shepherd, they must undergo an individualized and proper training.
LABRADOR RETRIEVER
Usually, this breed are created for sport types of activity. Since, they have high energy level, they can do extremely active task. However, they are always prepared to stay quietly in a corner. They are also good for retrieving work services as well. The Labrador Retriever has a good perception that’s why they are an excellent dog in this field. Whatever their tasks are – guiding, alerting , or aiding people, they can do it all in an excellent way.
The Labrador Retriever has sufficient energy and strength to perform various workload and to be with his human partner always. His loyalty to his partner maintains for a long time without developing any gut feeling of security. They also do not get aggressive in public, and that’s what makes them unique from the other breeds. In fact, they are a very sociable breed and always try to befriend everyone.
GOLDEN RETRIEVER
The Golden Retriever is a breed of hardworking dog. They have a delicate spirit, always aim to learn new things, and strive to delight people around them. Being a breed that outshines in service work area, the Golden Retrievers are vigilant but with some patience. Their characteristic of having agility with slight gentleness help them to do their work in the best way.
They have this natural characteristics of being sensitive to the feelings of their human partner. This breed is also a brilliant breed and very trainable for various jobs. They love to do and complete the tasks and challenges given. Because they are not dominant, they love to mingle with kids and animals. Their size is also a big contributor to accomplish their job. Moreover, they are very active but not having lots of energy. They are trustworthy and loving as well.
STANDARD POODLE
This dog breed are extremely trainable in nature and a very reliable one. Moreover, their low maintenance coat is also a great help for patient who have allergies for pets. This characteristic makes them stand-out from the other. And aside from being intelligent and well-behaved doggy, there size molds them to be perfectly fit for this work. The Standard Poodle has a natural behavior of eagerness to learn. This desire for achieving new knowledge allows them to do their job well done. They are very much willing to solve problems and always try to relate their learnings into each and every situation that they are facing.
This breed really loves to accept challenges of the mind and body. Moreover, retrieving things is one of their forte. They are able to cope with various surroundings while being still responsive at home and in various situations. Being sociable but not being enticed by strangers or animals is the trait of the Standard Poodle that makes them a well mannered breed. They are also very alert and focused on their job in the outside environment.
However, the Standard Poodle doesn’t want to be alone for a long period of time because they always look for someone to communicate or interact with most often.
POMERANIAN
The characteristics of a Pomeranian that put them on the list of mobility service dogs are being keen and alert dog. Despite of being small, they are courageous enough to face problems. They are very alert and confident dog breed. Aside from being a service dog, they also excel as mobility support dog. Mostly, because of their size and body built, they are good in assisting people with psychiatric conditions, or those who are autistic, diabetic, and epileptic.
BECOMING A MOBILITY SERVICE DOG
The work of a mobility service dog requires a serious and dedicated dog to perform the assigned task. During times of their work, mobility service dog should not be easily get disturbed by surrounding noises, even by strangers and other animals. To become a mobility service dog, the dog go for training related to the tasks given to him by the health compromised individual. Naturally, there is a more comprehensive process involved in becoming a mobility service dog.
1. Identify the health condition of a service dog
The most vital thing to consider in order to qualify a service dog is its temperament behavior and their overall wellness. This is important to know because assigning tasks to a dog with compromised health status may bring additional stress to him. So, before engaging and allowing your dog to be in service necessitates for a vet’s advice.
In order for a dog to qualify and pass the first step, check for the following recommendations:
- The dog’s age must be 6 months old and older. He should be over the stage of being a puppy.
- Undergo neutering or spaying to prevent aggressiveness or working in times of heat.
2. Examining the dog’s behavior
The appropriate behavior of a service dog is being relaxed in times of stress and pressure. Also, it is crucial that they are attentive and reactive as well.
3. Looking for a dependable service dog instructor.
A list of array of educating school for dogs become available. They offer certain strategies and online courses for training mobility service dogs. Behavioral training programs are also catered. This is very important most especially to determine if your canine have a temperament behavior or not, as this may be an identifying factor for being a service dog. Moreover, signs of aggressiveness should be look for as well. This aggressiveness may either be to people or to other animals.
More so, there is no established standard being approved. Further, any standards for training might be set readily. Moreover, that’s also the reason why many people claim that they are a trainer, even if they are lack of skills and experience. It is advisable to look for dependable and skilled trainer. It is a must to talk with trainer or even the vets.
Another acceptable thing to do is to train-it-yourself. This only means that you can even educate your dog by yourself, instead of going to have a trainer. But, it is still best to communicate with a trainer. The advantage of this is to understand the excellent technique in training dogs in duty.
4. Educate your canine for work
A 120 hours minimum for 6 months or even for as long as 24 months is the standard training time for a service dog. The 30 hours out of that 120 hours should be dedicated to training in the general public. The purpose of this is to get your dog familiarize with possible disturbances that they may encounter. However, there is really no set standard time for service dog training. But, the time stated above is recommendable to come with.
Further, as part the training process, practicing simple obedience should be next in line. This should include paying respect inside the house, in the park, pet shops, or other establishment that accommodate doggy. Also, engaging your pooch into social groups is very difficult during the moment. He must be able to be familiar and feel relaxed with everyone in all shapes, color, and sizes. And even, to other animals, as well.
Just a friendly tip, better to have a training record of the exact thing that you practiced or trained.
Phases of Mobility Service Dog Training
Mobility service dogs perform a lot of works in everyday life. Because of that, training or educating your canine is the very crucial decision that a dog might undergo. That is why the training for a mobility service dog is branched out into 3 phases.
I. Heeling
This is the hardest phase in educating a dog. Heeling is a phase in keeping an applicable place to other people no matter the movement of the handler is.
II. Proofing
Compared to the first phase, this is the most exhausting of all. This is because it demands for educating your canine to fully deal with the disturbances around.
III. Tasking
The third phase is the learning process phase. It is the stage where the canine know a particular job that he is doing. And, because of that, most pet owners say that it might be a hard one.
However, after passing through the two phases, this one becomes the easiest. The usual job that is being taught here at this phase is guiding someone or determining a medical symptoms.
5. Going to the public
Exposing out to the general public needs to undergo an examination called as the Public Access Test. This is a test done right after the canine familiarize their entrance to public places in conjunction with their tasks. It is recommended to document the test through video taping it.
Moreover, engaging your mobility service dog to a Public Access Test, you must anticipate to observe the following:
- Barking and biting are not shown by the service dog.
- Able to wee and pee as instructed
- Refrain from sniffing habits
- No food entreaty
- Suppress feeling of excitation
MOBILITY SERVICE DOG PROTECTIVE GEAR
The Federal Law does not necessitate a mobility service dog to secure and wear an identification card or a service dog vests. However, almost all of this service dog-disabled human tandem want them to be easily recognized by many. The purpose of this is to allow the dog do their job well by leaving them and not befriend and pet them.
For those who want their service dogs be recognized, we have here two of the best service dog vests that have a unique style that you’ll surely love. Special features of these vests are discussed as well. Come take a look!
BEST STYLISH MOBILITY SERVICE DOG VESTS
ALBCORP Service Dog Vest
With reflective tapes and stitches
Lightweight
Unmanageable and not so good fit
The ALBCORP Service Dog Vest is fabricated using a strong nylon or polyester material. It makes your service dog visible and safe even in dark places because of its reflective feature. This dog vest is also made with a fluffy padding, buckle and a D-ring made from stainless steel. Being safe and secure in the dark, as a pet owner, it also creates a feeling of security.
This vest is made with durability and toughness that has a broader range of flexible chest and belly straps. Moreover, it has a handle which is purposely for training and manageability on emergency situation. It has lightweight feature that makes it comfortable for service dogs. Because of this, it will not just protect your doggy but may also pamper him while on duty.
The padding material component of ALBCORP Service Dog Vest contributes in the prevention of rubbing. Moreover, 2 patches are also available for replacement. So, if you are amazed by its enticing feature, grab one now, and let your service dog be recognized.
Industrial Puppy Service Dog Vest
Heavy-duty
Unmanageable fit and heavy
This service dog vest is made from an excellent and standard materials. It is very sturdy yet cozy at the same time. The mesh allows a breathability. The straps on the loop and even the patches have reflective material for additional safety purposes.
The Industrial Puppy Service Dog Vest is identifiably marked for immediate recognition in public accommodations. Also, while at rest and when not working, removable patches are present for easy replacement. This feature let your dog be safe. The buckle around the belly is quick-release which creates a very easy and comfortable gearing wear.
The sizes available for this vests come in medium and higher sizes. It has a heavy-duty lining and the nylon material has double stitching. The handle has an available D-ring for more control. An interesting feature of this vest is that it is the only available dog vest in the market that can be inserted with backpacks. However, they are being sold separately.
The harness at the belly has an easy-to-use feature. This allows the wearing in and out in a fast manner. That’s why this product is great for service dogs that are always on the move. In case of emergency, you can still have a full control at your dog due to its handle that is firmly fixed on the top. So, this dog vest is worth trying by your doggy in duty.
CONCLUSION
Now that we have discussed some important information about mobility service dogs – the best dog breeds for that specific task, the particular job of a mobility service dog and the process to take in becoming such kind of doggy, it will definitely up to a pet owner like you if you want to engage your canine bud into such a busy but fulfilling task. Even not mandated by the Federal Law, the use of mobility service dog vest might be considered. It is not just simply to be recognized but, also, to keep them away from distractions as other people in public may want to pet them.