What keeps a dog from being placed as a service dog?
Not all pups have the temperament or health required to become service dogs. Some pups are too shy, others too assertive. Large breed puppies, such as Labs and Goldens, may have hip or elbow issues that limit their working life as a service dog. Unfortunately, it is not possible to reliably determine if a young puppy has the right temperament or is clear of health issues. It takes time and the development of the pup to know if this line of work will be right for them. The decision is usually made when the pup is between 12-18 months.