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At one time dogs were considered the beast of burden for mankind, turning spits and pulling carts for transportation. Today many breeds are considered work animals: herding cattle and sheep; working for the police and military; and helping those with disabilities. Meanwhile, on a daily basis we become more and more aware of dogs that are being mistreated and neglected due to the internet and television, allowing us to see what is going on throughout the country.  History has shown us that dogs have worked for people in many ways, adapting slightly over the years since they were first domesticated. Over the centuries, dogs have been used in every part of the world, being bred for everything from companion to meat. But once the industrialization age began, dogs were used much less in the first-world countries for hunting and traditional agricultural areas and more for companion and other forms of work.

Today, dogs have been breed to be used in assorted capacities, for both low tech and high tech divisions. For close to 100 years, dogs have been used in the United States for those who are physically challenged in some manner, and for those who are deaf or blind. Additionally, dogs are commonly being used for the police department as they are naturals in pursuing suspects, missing victims, or detecting narcotics and weapons. They are also excellent in rescue efforts---lost hikers, victims of natural or human-made disasters, or deceased victims in collapsed buildings.

History has shown us that if it were not for the ability of the versatile dog to hunt, guard or herd for us, they would never have been domesticated as much as they have been. Specific dog breeds thrive when working or have a specific job to do. What many dog lovers do not realize is that there are certain dog breeds developed for a certain task or job over hundreds or thousands of years. Today, taken into a home as a companion that same working dog unless handled correctly will display signs of depression, anxiety or aggression when denied a similar working exercise or manner they were originally bred for. Therefore, they will "make up" a job to do on their own---chewing furniture or the owner's shoes, digging up the flower garden, continuously barking, "heeling" the children or family car, or chasing joggers or the visiting children.

HERDING DOGS

This breed of dog will work tirelessly all day long doing a specific task they have been bred for over the years, such as separating or moving livestock from sunrise to sundown.  These dogs consist of the Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Blue Heelers along with many using the Welch Corgi breed. This particular active-breed of dog, unless handled correctly or having their breed respected and honored by their owners, will fill the idle hours with digging obsessively, roaming, herding children or becoming aggressive and depressed if they are left along in the house or kennel with nothing to do.

ASSISTANCE DOGS

The assistance dogs have no specific breed involved, and help individuals who have some form of physical challenge---mobility related, or a challenge with their hearing or sight.  The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) covers these dogs which began in 1990, protecting them from being unable to gain public access with their disabled handlers. This involves guide dogs, service dogs, and hearing dogs.

Trained by individuals who work for non-profit organizations, this dog belongs to non-profit organizations and will enter into assistance training of some form or another. Adopted from shelters or donated by certain organizations, as young puppies they live in a foster home until they reach 18-months of age. At this time, they will be returned to the training organizations for basic good citizen training and a specific form of training for the future job. Older dogs will enter the program immediately without entering foster homes. Training for assistance dogs will require approximately six months of training, after which they will enter training with their handler to train as a team. Unfortunately, less than 25% of the dogs will be successful enough in their training to enter this final training period with a handler, being placed with new owners who want the dogs. But many dogs demonstrate the ability to work in another area of assistance or serice, able to transfer over for another type of training.