QUESTION: So a few months ago I had to pull my dog from public access training for stranger fear and issues guarding the house. We’ve been working on it and it’s been getting so much better! I think I’m ready to slowly start public access training again. Do you have any suggestions? I don’t want to do too much too fast.
Fear of strangers should be an automatic wash out. You shouldn't be spending months trying to get a dog over such issues, this dog should be washed out. Not only are you trying to force a square peg of a dog into a round hole, that dog shouldn't be forced to take on a role as service dog that he is not suited for and isn't comfortable performing. Also a consideration – what happens in case of emergency when this dog is stressed to the limit by a situation and you as handler are not fully up to helping him cope with his fear of strangers? Why should a service dog NEED so much support in coping with strangers? By definition, a service dog is supposed to help the human cope with tasks or skills, not the other way around. And what if you are unconscious or injured and the dog is aggressive towards or refuses to permit access by emergency responders?
It's not fair to insist on forcing a dog who is clearly uncomfortable with basic elements of service dog work into being a service dog.
~Alexandria Dog Training Company
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