Comet Assistance Dog Types
Questions about Our Assistance Dog Breeds & Types
What breeds of dogs do you use?
We prefer Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherd Dogs. We believe that these breeds have the appropriate temperament, versatility and size to be Assistance Dogs. They also have a history of reliable, willing and intelligent performance. These breeds and mixes of these breeds are generally people-oriented and are easily motivated with food, toys, and praise. They have a tendency to be quietly confident, but neither dominant nor submissive.
How do you select your dogs?
Comet Canine is very discriminating about the dogs we select. We make no excuses for any dog accepted into our training program. Comet looks for Assistance Dog candidates that, first and foremost, have the physical and mental capacity to perform the tasks needed to do the work. They must be structurally sound, including healthy hips, elbows, and eyes.
We prefer a dog that weighs between fifty and eighty pounds because they are large and strong enough to assist a client in a wheel chair yet are inconspicuous enough to fit comfortably under a restaurant table, on a bus, or on other forms of public transportation.
Our dogs must be teachable and able to respond to operant conditioning. Therefore, they must be free of any serious anxieties, fears, or obsessions. We perform an extensive evaluation before we accept dogs into our program, and make certain they are confident and well-socialized.
Will my Assistance Dog protect me?
Generally Assistance Dogs are not trained for protection work. However, simply having a dog with you reduces your risk of being victimized. Most clients do not need a trained protection dog, but if you happen to have the need, and we believe that you are capable of handling the dog, we can provide a dog that is suitably trained.
What happens to dogs that don't graduate from your training program?
Dogs that do not complete Assistance Dog training are re-evaluated for an alternative placement. Typical placement opportunities include skilled companion, facility (assisted living and rehabilitation homes), or therapy work. We often have partially or fully trained dogs available that are suitable for companion pet, competition, or working uses.
Did you know that you should try not to repeat commands? Learn from Comet Canine's dog training tips and advice in our online dog training articles.
