Frequently Asked Questions

The world of assistance dogs can be complex and sometimes overwhelming. This section is designed to answer the most common questions and provide clarity, helping you understand if having an assistance dog is the right choice for you. We’ve gathered the information you need to feel informed and confident about taking the next steps.

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Am I eligible to have a certified

Assistance Dog?

To be eligible, you must:

Have a diagnosed disability
Provide documentation confirming your diagnosis
Provide confirmation from a registered healthcare practitioner that you would benefit from an assistance dog
Have (or be willing to obtain) a suitable dog for the program

Can you train my current dog to be my Assistance Dog?

Yes — we support you to train your own dog.

However, not all dogs are suitable for assistance work. Dogs must:

Be fully vaccinated
Be microchipped
Be registered with your local council
Be desexed (when of appropriate age)
Pass health, temperament and behavioural assessments

Assistance dogs must remain focused despite significant distractions, including:

Children running and playing
Crowds and busy environments
Loud noises and machinery
Other dogs
Public transport and traffic
Escalators, travelators and lifts
Slippery floors and changing surfaces

They must confidently navigate these environments while remaining calm, responsive and happy in their work.

Dogs must achieve a high level of obedience, including:

Loose lead walking under distraction
Sit, drop, stand
Reliable stay and recall

They must also perform a minimum of three identifiable tasks that mitigate your disability. Tasks are taught during the program.

Can I purchase a fully trained Assistance Dog from you?

No.

Super Canine does not supply or sell fully trained assistance dogs. We support you in training your own dog.

If you do not currently have a suitable dog, we can assist with selecting and obtaining the right dog for your needs.

Can any breed be trained as an Assistance Dog?

Any breed that is not declared dangerous or restricted may be considered.

However, suitability depends on:

Physical capability
Mental stability
Genetic soundness
Appropriate size and structure for required tasks

Common sense must be applied when selecting a breed for your individual needs.

Can you certify my dog if it is already trained?

No.

All dogs certified through Super Canine must complete all requirements of the Super Canine Assistance Dog Program.

If transferring from another organisation:

You must complete a statutory declaration confirming you are no longer affiliated with that organisation
You should notify your previous trainer
A letter of handover is recommended
If currently training under another approved GHAD trainer, a formal transfer is required

Do you train therapy or emotional support dogs?

No.

As an approved trainer with Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Queensland (GHAD), Super Canine trains assistance dogs only.

Therapy, emotional support and companion dogs are not recognised as assistance dogs under the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009, as they are not trained to perform specific, identifiable tasks that mitigate a disability.

Can children enter the program?

No.

Super Canine works with adults aged 18 years and over. We are not currently accepting child clients.

What locations do you service?

Super Canine is based in Nowra, NSW.

We primarily service local and surrounding suburbs to ensure consistent, ongoing face-to-face support throughout the program.

Can you certify my dog for airline travel?

Not unless you and your dog meet all program requirements and successfully complete the Public Access Test (PAT).

Wanting to fly with your dog alone is not a sufficient reason for assistance dog certification.

How old does my dog need to be?

Dogs must be at least 10 months old to commence training in the Super Canine Assistance Dog Program
Dogs will not be certified under 12 months of age
PAT eligibility is strongly recommended between 18–24 months of age to ensure mental and physical maturity
We will not commence training with a dog over 8 years of age

Early training is essential. Puppy preschool, local dog clubs and structured obedience training are strongly encouraged before entering the program.

If you believe you and your dog may be suitable, please contact us to request an application package and learn more about the next steps.

What You Need to Know

Regardless of where your dog has come from, or your previous experience with dog training, all prospective clients are required to complete an Assistance Dog Application Form before commencing with Super Canine.

Before beginning the journey toward having an assistance dog, it is important to carefully consider the commitment, responsibilities, and realities involved in training and living with an assistance dog.

Program Entry Requirements

To be accepted into the Super Canine Assistance Dog Program, the following requirements must be met:

A suitable dog aged between 10 months and 8 years
Your dog must be fully vaccinated, microchipped, registered with your local council, and desexed (when of appropriate age)
Your dog must be physically and mentally sound
Your dog must have an excellent, stable temperament and demonstrate neutral behaviour around other dogs and a wide range of people, including children
- This means your dog should not seek attention from people or other dogs
Your dog must be well exposed to a variety of environments and stimuli, including:
- Loud noises
- Crowds
- Indoor and outdoor surfaces
- Machinery and equipment

When entering the program, it is expected that your dog already has a basic understanding of:

Loose lead walking
Handler focus
Recall
Basic obedience skills

Do You Have Realistic Expectations?

Having an assistance dog is a significant, long-term commitment. An assistance dog is with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and this lifestyle is not suitable for everyone.

An assistance dog will attract attention — from adults, children, and other dogs — and this attention is often unwanted. You will need to be prepared to manage inappropriate interactions and public curiosity. An assistance dog also openly identifies you as a person with a disability, which can be confronting for some handlers.

It is strongly recommended that you have support from friends, family, carers, or trusted people before embarking on this journey.

Managing Public Attention

Assistance dogs naturally draw attention, regardless of signage or “Do Not Touch” identifiers. People may attempt to talk to you, ask personal questions, or touch your dog.

This can be frustrating and emotionally demanding. Handlers must be prepared to confidently advocate for themselves and their dog, including having practiced responses to common questions and inappropriate behaviour.

Understanding Your Support Needs

Before applying, consider:

What are you currently doing to manage or mitigate your disability?
How would an assistance dog provide support beyond what is offered by carers, family, friends, or traditional disability aids?
What specific tasks would you like your dog to perform?

Some expectations may be realistic, while others may not be. These will be discussed and refined with your trainer during the program.

Is Your Disability Compatible With Training Your Own Dog?

Some disabilities — particularly certain anxiety disorders — may make raising and training an assistance dog more challenging. Dogs are highly influenced by their environment and often mirror emotional states. In some cases, this can negatively impact training outcomes.

This does not automatically exclude you from the program, but it is an important factor to carefully consider and discuss.

Training Access and Support

You must be able to regularly access public environments to train your dog. If your disability limits this ability, you will need consistent support from a friend, family member, support worker, or trainer.

If you are non-ambulant, wheelchair-bound, or have physical limitations that impact training, ongoing assistance will be required, particularly in the early stages.

Time Commitment

Assistance dog training requires a significant time investment. You must be able to work with your dog for approximately:

1–2 hours per day
5 days per week
For a minimum of 6–12 months

This equates to approximately 120–540 hours, with many teams requiring 12–18 months or longer. Training does not end once certification is achieved — it is a lifelong commitment to maintaining skills, behaviour, and reliability.