A service dog can be a huge benefit to a person with disabilities, allowing them to move more freely, experience life more fully, and live more safely. If you think that your dog would make a good service animal for you or for someone else with disabilities, you can train them to perform service animal tasks. In order to properly train your dog, you'll need certain equipment that is used during training and while the dog is working. Take a look at some supplies that your service dog may need.

Vest or Harness

You've probably noticed that most service dogs that you run into out in public are wearing some type of vest or harness. These serve a couple of different purposes. One simple reason for your dog to wear a vest is that it helps to identify them as a service dog when they're out in public. Although you're not required by any law to identify your dog as a service dog with a vest or harness, doing so can help prevent misunderstandings and discourage people from distracting your dog.

Some harnesses are also built to help your dog perform their duties. For example, there are harnesses that can help your dog pull a wheelchair or guide a person using a cane or walker.

Head Collar

A head collar is a training tool that helps to redirect your dog's focus so that the dog learns to give you their full attention when walking. These collars help you teach your dog to heel and to walk with a loose leash.

Though they're primarily a training tool, some owners choose to continue using the head collar when the service dog is working. Although the collar isn't strictly needed once the dog is fully trained, it can be useful to have it just in case. Plus, like a vest, a head collar is often considered part of a service dog's uniform and signals to others that the dog is working and should not be distracted.

Nail Caps

Depending on the types of tasks you want your service dog to perform, nail caps may be a very useful investment.

Service dogs can be trained to perform tasks like closing doors, pushing elevator buttons, and operating light switches, but their nails can leave scratches. Nail caps help protect your own furniture and possessions and others while allowing your dog to do their job properly.

The right equipment can help you effectively train your dog to perform useful service tasks, and the earlier in their training you start using the equipment, the more accustomed to it they'll be once they're fully trained. A good pet supplier can help you find the best service equipment for your dog. 

Click here for more information about how to make your dog a service dog.