PetFinder Adopt a Pet ASPCA

Military Working Dogs were trained for use in the army. They have been deemed safe to live in a normal household environment and may be adopted for free from the Military Working Dog School in Texas. Occasionally, police departments or security organizations, such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), will offer retired work dogs for adoption. Service dog training organizations occasionally have younger dogs who were trained but who did not fulfill all of the requirements of their certification. They usually have been trained well enough to live in a normal home.

While training academies typically do not sell trained dogs themselves, they can still point you in the right direction. Furthermore, by contacting them, you might find a good trainer to help you if you do end up buying an untrained dog.

Do you have any dogs that are already housetrained? Which dogs are good with children? May I see dogs that are leash-trained? Are there any dogs that have been crate trained already? Which dogs have lived in a house or apartment before? Are there any dogs that already respond to their name? Which dogs are responsive to commands? Was this dog a stray or surrendered by their owner? If they were given up, why?

Keep in mind that older dogs may have more health issues than younger dogs. It may take a few weeks for your dog to feel comfortable around you after adoption. This does not necessarily mean that they are poorly trained, but rather that you will still need to take the time to bond with and interact with your new pet. [6] X Research source

Remember that the dog may respond to many different commands. Try several out to see which they answer to. For example, say “sit,” “down,” “lie down,” and “stay” to see which one works on the dog. Older dogs may be anxious around new people. You may never know what happened to them before they came to the shelter, and living in a kennel can be traumatic. Remember to keep an open mind and be patient with these dogs. With time and care, they may turn into a loving pet.

The American Kennel club offers a listing of approved service dog organizations.

“How long is your waiting list?” “Do you offer training programs to the new owners to help them bond with the service animal?” “Why type of certification and documentation do you offer for the dog?” “How are the dogs trained? Are they housebroken? Crate trained?” “How much will it cost to buy a service dog from you?” “How old will the dog be when they are released to me?” “What are the procedures for adopting?”

The Assistance Dog United Campaign is a charity that helps raise funds so that eligible people can afford their service dogs. You may have some luck using a crowdfunding website, such as GoFundMe or YouCaring, to help raise the money. [10] X Research source You can claim any expenses toward buying or taking care of a service dog on your taxes. [11] X Trustworthy Source Internal Revenue Service U. S. government agency in charge of managing the Federal Tax Code Go to source