How to Adopt a Failed Service Dog

Dogs have an amazing capacity for pleasing and protecting their humans, which, combined with their aptitude for training, means they often make great service pets. But sometimes, even the most emotionally and cognitively intelligent pups — specifically, 50 to 70 percent of them — won’t pass service training. So, what’s a failed service dog to do? As the expression goes, when one door closes, another opens up: Lucky for you, these adorable pups become available for adoption. 

Canines protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) can be taught to support disabled people in navigating the world around them. This includes helping their humans spot things they can’t see, identify things they can’t hear, and open and move things they can’t reach. Additionally, they may provide critical assistance to people with autism, medical issues (such as epilepsy), and mental health disorders.

They are different from working dogs, who are typically trained to help people with tasks, from herding other animals on farms to supporting police and military officers in their pursuits. That said, some handlers find that dogs who don’t make it as service dogs actually thrive in these kinds of working roles — a kind of career change.

Here’s how you can adopt failed service dogs, affectionately referred to as “career-change dogs.”

Common reasons some dogs fail service dog training

Becoming a service dog requires unwavering attention to protect their pet parent. When dogs fail to qualify to be service animals, it’s not because they’re bad seeds. On the contrary, it’s usually because these dogs are too social, playful, curious, or otherwise easily distracted.

Here are the most common reasons why a service dog fails their training.

• Too friendly: Their good-natured social ambitions divert attention away from the job at hand.

• Reactivity to cats: Certain pups have issues taming their prey drive or are scared of cats, which can distract them.

• Fearfulness: A fear of unknowns, such as strangers and sounds, compromises their ability to focus.

• Lack of drive: It takes concentration to get the job done, so a lack of energy can be a big problem.

• Health issues: The dog may unexpectedly develop a physical impairment (impacting mobility), an issue with their faculties (such as their eyes or ears), or allergies.

What happens to dogs who drop out of service dog training?

When service dogs fail their training, they have to find a new purpose — thus their reassignment as career-change dogs. There are many different paths they can take from there.

• Adoption: It’s very common for organizations to place these dogs into loving forever homes.   

• “Job” reassignment: Occasionally, when service training doesn’t work out, these dogs can become emotional support animals, which requires fewer tasks and far more snuggles.

• Re-training: In rarer cases, they can be trained to be working dogs in roles requiring specific skill sets, such as search and rescue.

How to adopt a failed service dog

They may have flunked out of service dog school, but these pups are still special. That’s why several rescue organizations are devoted to placing these pups into caring homes. (Not surprisingly, most of these adoption programs come with waiting lists.) 

Here’s everything you need to know about adopting a failed service dog, including where you can adopt a failed service dog, as well as important details to keep in mind during your failed service dog adoption process.

Organizations specializing in their adoption

Many organizations specialize in finding failed service dogs forever homes. Below are a few, but you can certainly search for animal rescues closer to where you live. 

• Dogs for Better Lives: Formerly known as Dogs for the Deaf, they’ve been training and matching assistance dogs with people all over the U.S. since 1977. While their Career Change dogs are not suitable for working dog careers, these dogs can become wonderful family pets.

• Guide Dogs for the Blind: Though focused on pairing service dogs with vision-impaired people, this California nonprofit helps their career-change pups, who are typically 10 to 16 months old, find forever homes. 

• Guide Dogs of America: This California organization trains dogs to assist the visually impaired, people with autism, and disabled veterans. Dogs who can’t pass their requirements get reassigned to their popular adoption program.

• Canine Companions: Founded in 1975, this California-based group trains service dogs for civilians and veterans alike. Their Released Dog Adoption program ensures that any dog who doesn’t live up to standards still finds a safe, comfortable home.

• Service Dogs Inc: In addition to training service dogs, this Texas-based company trains courthouse and first-responder dogs. Those who don’t pass muster get lovingly moved to their Adopting a Career Change program.

• NEADS: Located in Massachusetts, this nonprofit provides fully trained service dogs to those in need. Their Furloughed Favorites program places failed service dogs (all are Labrador Retrievers) into vetted homes.

• Freedom Service Dogs of America: The Colorado nonprofit is focused on providing service dogs to veterans and military service members. Their FSD Pet Program adopts out dogs who are best suited to be pet dogs.

How much do failed service dogs cost?

Most failed service dog adoptions will cost $1,000 to $3,000. The higher fee accounts for health-related services (including spaying/neutering, vaccines, medications, and any surgeries if necessary), the daily expenses associated with raising a service dog, and, of course, their extensive training. According to the American Kennel Club, “The cost of training a service dog can exceed $25,000.”

What breeds are available for adoption?

Service dog breeds and their mixes are chosen for their calm personalities, reliability, willingness, and ease of training. The most common breeds, whom you’ll most often see come up for adoption through service dog programs, include:

1. Labrador Retriever

2. Golden Retriever

3. German Shepherd Dog

4. Poodle (standard size)

Every dog is unique. So, if their temperament is amenable, any pup can theoretically become a service dog. Less likely breeds you’ll encounter (and are harder to find for adoption through service dog programs) include:

• American Staffordshire Terrier

• Bernese Mountain Dog

• Cocker Spaniel

• Collie

• Great Dane

• Mixed breed

• Pomeranian

What is required for adoption?

Because of the amount of resources and effort put into raising these dogs, the vetting process to adopt them can be rigorous. Generally, you’ll fill out an application that asks about:

• Where you live, including the size/type of housing, yard, and fencing

• Your income and employer information

• Your history (if any) as a pet parent, including being denied an adoption, as well as surrendering or rehoming a dog

• Your lifestyle and schedule, especially how long the dog will be left alone each weekday and weekend

• Specifically where the dog will sleep, play, and hang out

• Your commitment to making this adoption work, such as how you’ll exercise the dog and/or train them should problems arise.

• Other adults, children, and pets who’ll cohabitate with the dog in your home

• Why you are interested in adopting this dog 

They will likewise ask to interview you. Meanwhile, some organizations may even offer you a trial period to make sure you and your new dog are a good fit.

Each organization will differ, so thoroughly read the requirements listed on their websites to give them exactly what they need. Also, prepare to be added to a waitlist: Given these pups’ manageable dispositions, service dog adoptions are usually quite popular. 

How much training has the dog received?

The amount of training a service dog dropout has received varies. Because the qualifications required to pass these programs are rigorous, some may have failed very early on, while others may have failed midway through training, lacking a few physical or behavioral traits that would qualify them as steadfast service dogs.

In many cases, these dogs simply exhibit all-too-canine instincts, which don’t work in a service environment but shouldn’t present major obstacles in a domestic one. However, most failed service dogs will require further training to soften undesired behavioral traits (such as fears, a prey instinct, poor leash skills, high energy, and so on).

Consider adopting from an animal shelter

While applying for a career change dog can be a great option, it’s not the fastest path to finding a new companion. Waitlists can be long, and placements are limited.

Some service dog organizations, such as Dogs for Better Lives, actually pull dogs from shelters to begin their training programs. There are so many friendly, social dogs of all sizes, ages, and backgrounds who are just waiting for homes at shelters and rescues across the country. And your local shelter might already have dogs who are just as capable, affectionate, and ready to become someone’s best friend. Start your pet search on Adopt a Pet.

Commonly asked questions

What happens if a service dog fails?

If a service dog fails (typically midway through their training), the training organizations often put them up for adoption. Because of their temperaments and prior training, these adoption programs are quite popular, and most of these dogs will find forever homes.

How to rehome a failed service dog?

To rehome a failed service dog, you can contact the organization that initially trained the dog. They will likely take the pup back because adoptions of failed service dogs are often in high demand. Alternatively, you can use Adopt a Pet’s platform as a safe way to find a responsible, loving home for the dog.

Can a dog fail service dog training for being too friendly?

Yes, a dog can fail service-dog training for being too friendly and, therefore, too distracted to protect their human. This is a common reason why they may fail their training program and be offered for adoption.

How do people get failed service dogs as their pets?

To become a pet parent to a failed service dog, reach out to a service dog training facility that hosts the adoption of dogs who didn’t pass their requirements. You can start by contacting organizations specializing in their adoption. Additionally, you can search on Adopt a Pet for organizations near you that help adopt failed service pets, such as Animal Farm Foundation, Dogs for Better Lives, and Canine Support Teams, Inc.

References

Anders, Caitlin Jill. “Failed Service Dog Won’t Stop Bringing Mom Random Things to “Help” Her.” The Dodo, 10 Jan. 2024, www.thedodo.com/daily-dodo/failed-service-dog-wont-stop-bringing-his-mom-random-things. 

Bauhaus, Jean. “Most Popular Service Dog Breeds.” American Kennel Club, 15 July 2021, www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/most-popular-service-dog-breeds. 

Dugal, Genevieve. “10 Remarkable Service Dog Statistics in 2024: Training, Costs & FAQ – Dogster.” Dogster, 17 July 2024, www.dogster.com/statistics/service-dog-statistics.

Emma.‌ “Most Remarkable Service Dog Statistics in 2024.” Pawsome Advice, 9 Jan. 2022, pawsomeadvice.com/dog/service-dog-statistics. 

Karetnick, Jen. “Service Dogs 101: Everything You Need to Know about Service Dogs.” American Kennel Club, www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/service-dog-training-101.

McGinnes, Meagan. “What Happens to Service Dogs That Don’t Complete Their Training? | Boston.com.” www.boston.com, www.boston.com/culture/animals/2014/11/15/what-happens-to-service-dogs-that-dont-complete-their-training.

Mueller, Laura. “How to Adopt a Failed Service Dog.” The Spruce Pets, www.thesprucepets.com/how-to-adopt-a-failed-service-dog-4584287.

‌Reisen, Jan. “Service, Working, Therapy, and Emotional Support Dogs: What’s the Difference?” American Kennel Club, 24 Feb. 2021, www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/service-working-therapy-emotional-support-dogs.