Hi there! Wanted to come back and get an update on your future service dog!! Is she about to come home??? I want to see new pics! :>) hugs
Ahhhh, I love it! Coco Layne. I love love love waiting for new puppies to be ready to go home. Are they sending pictures every week or so on her growth? Please post one on your profile page, I want to see! :>)))) The only problem with making your dog a service dog is that she/he will no longer be a pet. Does that make sense? Service dogs are doing a job and are treated differently and are not classified as a pet anymore. All the snuggle wuggle love things we do with our pets aren't what you do with a service dog. You can still snuggle with them but they make a big deal out of "please don't pet the service animal" to others, etc. But if this is what you'd like, training is key. Are you wanting to put your dog into training or provide it yourself. Command training is really important. And it would be good to have a professional assess the temperament of your new pup to see if he/she is service dog material. :>)) All dogs, even in the same breed are different.
My dog came to me as a little puppy. Already with some problems. She is terrified of other dogs and men. And has fear aggression. She'd not be a great service dog BUT she is the best pet in our house. Love her love her love her! Your new dog may be perfect in the role of service dog. Or may not be. Worth a shot!
I found this article on the topic. https://www.thesprucepets.com/therapy-dog-training-2804907
One thing I learned the hard way is about socialization. We got our pup in the dead of winter during a bitter one. She came to us skittish. But I really wasn't thinking about all facets. She is by far the best potty trained dog I've ever had. She goes out by nudging a hanging bell on the door and was fully, I kid you not, potty trained by 9 weeks. It was cold so we'd go straight outside and back in. Didn't do a lot of walking. She was not well socialized with other dogs and to this day it is not a good scene when she sees them. I have two sons who were young at the time. What does my dog love? All things boy. She sits in the middle of fierce nerf gun fights with bullets flying, kids running with full speed in the house, the loudness of a group of boys like it is nothing. She sees a 5 pound dog and she has a heart attack. She will greet any boy who is my sons ages now (our household guests grew in age as my kids did, ha) or younger and most female children happily. If you are an adult male (or wearing a hat), forget about it. She'll try to take your hand off. MY bad, I didn't really realize about the socialization thing and exposing them to different people, animals and situations. I guess it happened organically with my previous two dogs. They were very socialized with dogs and people and quite friendly.
Anyway, is your dog black and white?