When it comes to the treatment and use of service dogs, citizens of Idaho must follow the laws laid out by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which is a federal policy and thus supersedes state laws. However, the state of Idaho follows the ADA’s laws to a T rather than having separate laws of its own.
Under these laws, service dogs must be allowed to accompany their users to any public place, including (but not limited to) hotels, restaurants, resorts, and businesses. Personnel at such places can only ask two questions: “Is the dog required for a disability” and “What work is the dog trained to perform?”
Service dogs are required to always be under the control of their handlers; this means being leashed, harnessed, or tethered except for in instances where a leash would inhibit the dog from performing their work. Service dog users cannot be charged extra for their dogs, and service dogs cannot be turned away unless they pose a threat to the general public.
Under the Fair Housing Act, service dogs also have the right to live with their users at no extra charge in any type of housing, even rentals that do not allow dogs. Having a trained service dog means always having support with you, no matter where you go.
Service dogs are life-changing, but they can be difficult to get as organizations often have long waiting lists. Training your own service dog can be a cost-effective and time-efficient solution. Though neither the ADA nor Idaho law requires you to show proof of your service dog’s training, getting your service dog registered or certified can sometimes prevent arguments with those who are ignorant of the law.
What to Look for When Choosing Service Dog Training
There are always risks when training a dog for service work; some dogs just aren’t cut out for it, and this isn’t always evident until they’ve gone through some training. Choosing the right service dog trainer can help increase your chances of success.
Not only will a trainer’s expertise in training techniques be invaluable, but some trainers can also help you choose a dog or can assess a dog you already own to determine whether the dog has a promising disposition for service work.
Aside from expertise, you should consider what methods a trainer uses and if you are comfortable with them. Some trainers use tools like e-collars or techniques like balanced training that couples positive reinforcement with punishment. Here at USSA, we believe in force-free methods, so you can be sure our service dog training will not require you to hurt or intimidate your dog.
Finally, when choosing a trainer, you should consider the distance you’re willing to travel. If there are no service dog trainers nearby or you just don’t want to deal with traffic, then online courses like ours are also a viable option.
