What Makes a Great Service Dog? (And What About the Ones Who Don’t Fit the Criteria?)
Living with invisible disabilities and depending on a service dog daily, while dedicating my life to championing accessibility and inclusion, this subject resonates deeply with me. As a certified service dog trainer, behaviour consultant, and leader of Woofability Service Dogs, I’m frequently asked, “What makes a great service dog?” Equally important, though, is understanding what becomes of the dogs who don’t meet the standard.
A great service dog possesses a unique blend of temperament, intelligence, focus, and adaptability. They must remain calm under pressure, respond reliably to commands, and maintain a strong bond with their handler. Beyond obedience, a service dog’s ability to read and react to subtle cues from their person is what truly defines their partnership.
But not every dog can fulfill these demanding requirements. Some dogs may struggle with distractions, others with anxiety or physical limitations. At Woofability, we believe in ethical training and placement, which means recognizing when a dog’s skills are better suited for different roles or a loving pet home. Dogs that don’t meet service standards often thrive as therapy dogs, emotional support animals, or simply cherished companions.
By focusing on strengths, offering tailored support, and honoring each dog’s unique potential, we ensure every dog lives a purpose-driven, happy life, whether or not they continue on the path as a service dog. This compassionate approach benefits not just the dogs, but the people who depend on them, and the wider community we all share.
There’s a lot of misunderstanding around service dogs. Many people think if a dog is loyal, smart, or loves their person, that’s enough. But the truth is, the bar for service dog work is extremely high, and for good reason. The stakes are high too: service dogs are tasked with supporting their handler through daily medical events, navigating complex public environments, and doing it all with calm focus.
Let’s break down what really makes a dog suitable, and what happens when they aren’t.
It Starts with Temperament
A great service dog begins with one essential quality temperament. This is the foundation. It’s not just about whether a dog is friendly or relaxed. It’s about:
How they respond to stress
How quickly they recover from being startled
How they handle new sounds, textures, people, places
Whether they can remain calm and focused under distraction
This is why we do robust temperament evaluations, and not just once. At Woofability, we start at 7–8 weeks old. Then we repeat it at 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months. That might seem excessive, but dogs, like humans, grow and change. A puppy who was confident at 8 weeks might develop fearfulness or anxiety during adolescence. And sometimes, that never truly resolves.
That’s not because they’re “bad” dogs. It’s because their dogs and dogs were never designed to accompany us into bustling airports, crowded hospitals, or noisy shopping malls. We’re asking them to do something extraordinary, and it’s our job to make sure they are capable, confident, and willing participants.
Why Temperament Can Change
There are many reasons why a dog’s temperament may shift:
Developmental stages like fear periods during adolescence
Genetics, some dogs are predisposed to anxiety or sensitivity
Life experiences, including trauma, lack of socialization, or injury
Medical issues, such as pain, that manifest as behaviour changes
When dogs change, we reassess. And sometimes, we have to make the difficult but ethical decision that this dog is no longer suitable, for service work.
What Makes a Dog Unsuitable for Service Work?
There are several red flags we look for during evaluations or as the dog develops:
1. Medical Concerns
If a dog is recovering from an injury, like a broken leg, and was intended for mobility work, it may not be fair, or physically safe, for them to continue. The physical demands on a working dog are intense.
2. Separation Anxiety
This one’s often misunderstood. A dog who can’t be left alone might seem perfect because they “always want to be with you.” But separation anxiety is actually a form of distress. These dogs are more likely to struggle when routines change or in emergencies when they might be separated from their handler for care.
3. Noise Sensitivity or Reactivity
If a dog becomes anxious or overstimulated by new environments, loud sounds, or other dogs, this is a red flag. Service dogs need to be stable in busy, unpredictable environments.
4. Lack of Resilience
How a dog recovers from a stressor is often more important than their initial reaction. If they stay worried or shut down, it means their nervous system may not be equipped for service work.
Not Every Dog is Meant for This Life
I’ve seen dogs “wash out” from programs after a year or more of training. It’s devastating, for the handler, the trainers, and the dog. The time, energy, and financial investment is significant. But at the end of the day, we owe it to these dogs to listen to who they are, not who we want them to be.
And no, it doesn’t make them failures.
So Now What?
What happens to the dogs who don’t make it?
They thrive.
Most of them go on to be amazing pet dogs, emotional support animals, or therapy dogs. They enjoy life running through fields, playing fetch, curling up on the couch. Some go on to careers better suited to their skills and personality.
Sometimes our clients keep their dog and start again with a new puppy. And sometimes the dog is rehomed to a carefully chosen family who can meet their needs and celebrate who they are. Either way, we ensure they land exactly where they’re meant to be.
Choosing the Right Puppy for Service Work
If you’re selecting your own service dog candidate, please don’t do it alone.
At Woofability, we provide comprehensive puppy temperament evaluations, not just looking at who walks up first or who seems chill in the corner, but at the nuanced behaviours that indicate long-term service potential.
We compare pups across a litter, assess for environmental responses, handling tolerance, sociability, and more. This greatly increases your odds of choosing a suitable candidate. And no, it’s not a guarantee, but it’s the best way to start strong.
A Final Word from the Heart
As a service dog handler and a professional trainer, I’ve felt the heartbreak of retiring a dog early. I’ve stood beside clients making that painful choice. But I’ve also seen the joy of a dog living their best life in a pet home, thriving and happy.
We ask so much of these dogs. The least we can do is honour who they are and what they need, even if that means letting go of the original plan.
Because a great service dogs, are not just trained.
They are temperamentally suited, behaviourally resilient, medically sound, and ethically supported every step of the way.
And the ones who don’t fit that mould? They are still great dogs, just meant for a different path, just as fun and rewarding.
April Sauvé CPDT-KA, CDBC, FFCP