I’m looking into buying a (insert breed) to be a potential assistance dog. But before I make that step, I want to be sure I can afford the cost of training etc. I’m diagnosed with (insert disability). I’d like an assistance dog to alleviate (insert effects of disability on daily life and impacting functioning). Are you able to provide me with further information on how old the dog must be to start training and how much training and assessments cost?
What a great frequently asked question!
I can only give you a place to start. Here are some key considerations for those looking into getting a retriever as an assistance dog:
1. Prospective Nature of Assistance Dogs
Are you training your own Assistance Dog? Any dog you buy will be a prospect—you’ll only know success after the fact. It’s important to understand that you won’t really know until after their maturity, around 2 years. For instance, there are reports that about 70% of dogs bred and trained to be guide dogs do not successfully complete the training or pass the final evaluations to become certified guide dogs. Any dog will be an assistance dog prospect until the end of training and successfully passing the Public Access Assessment (PAT). So remember success is never quaranteed!
Are you buying a trained Assistance dog? Looking at the information provided by Assistance Dogs Australia: “Each assistance dog costs $60,000 to train, including everything from purchasing a puppy, vaccinations, training, and placements.”
2. Age for Training
Puppy vs. Adult: It’s best to start developing a puppy as early as possible. Early development should focus on socialisation, cultivating attitudes like a love for learning, a curious mind, and resilience. Observing your puppy’s temperament during the developmental stages is crucial. Specific assistance dog training can start around 8 months to a year old, depending on the dog’s maturity and development. It takes up to 2 years for a professional dog trainer to train a dog to the standards of the Public Access Test – so you think about how long it might take you?
An adult dog has it’s own challenges, since you are working with a dog that is fully developed and has its own habits – so you will be working on using training to cover any issues rather than ‘fix’ most behavioural issues. If you have a resilient dog, then you are at a far greater advantage, but rehabiliation, unlearning and relearning is going to be your obstacles to get through.
3. Temperament Suitability
Puppies are more malleable, so you are looking for patterns over extended periods of time, where adult dogs are already form and stable in their temperaments. You are looking for an individual:
- That is aloof towards other sentient beings but loves to be with its handler.
- That is not easily over-stimulated by the environment without your interference (e.g., fear, anxiety, frustration, or excitement). When stimulated, the dog should easily return to baseline without much input from you.
- With the types of drives your dog naturally has and that are more conducive to the tasks you need from the dog.
Assess how much training and development your dog needs to meet the PAT standards and how much maintenance will be required to continue meeting these standards. The more work your dog needs, the more work it is for you in the long run. Characteristics to look for from a Canine Cognition perspective:
- A dog learning mainly memory under distractions rather than inference. This implies the dog is not overly active but may be more prone to separation anxiety.
- A quick learner that is solid in their behaviours but may require more work with generalisation.
- A dog that prefers to be cued to do tasks rather than making decisions independently. A great test is the unsolvable task, where the dog will quickly look to the handler for success.
- A dog that can think through any level of arousal—this skill needs cultivation, but the dog’s resilience will dictate its ease.
- A patient dog that doesn’t get frustrated easily.
4. Cost of Training and Assessments
The cost varies depending on where you go. Approach each company, organisation, or trainer separately to get specific figures. At Perth Canine Craft, we offer two programs: NDIS-based or private-based. Travel costs are not included and will be added. We start with an initial consultation to meet face-to-face, see if we are a good fit, and provide some initial skills and knowledge. If we agree to proceed, we recommend a probationary 5 lessons focused on puppy development if you get a puppy.
To train an assistance dog takes time. The dog must be at least 1 year/2 years (depending on maturity) to complete the PAT. Assessments can start at around $150 per assessment and can go up. Note that annual assessments are required to maintain public access rights.
5. Ongoing Costs
In addition to initial training and assessment costs, consider ongoing costs for maintenance training, health care, food, equipment, and insurance. These costs vary and depend on the dog’s health, any accidents, the quality of diet, and the physical, mental, and behavioural maintenance you provide. You can also pay professionals for some of these services.
Food is a significant factor. Depending on your budget and convenience, you might save on food but incur higher vet bills or spend more on high-grade dog food and save on vet bills.
I hope this gives you a rough idea of what to consider when looking into getting a dog as an assistance dog. The journey of training and developing an assistance dog is a significant commitment, both emotionally and financially. It’s crucial to thoroughly research and prepare for the various aspects involved, from selecting the right dog to understanding the costs and ongoing maintenance required.
If you have any further questions or need personalised advice, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you every step of the way. To discuss your specific needs and how we can assist you in this journey, feel free to schedule a free 30-minute call. Your path to having a well-trained assistance dog is just a conversation away.
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