"Wash out" means a service dog in training doesn't complete the program. 50-70% of dogs in professional programs wash out. For owner-trained dogs, the rate may be higher.
Common Reasons
Temperament
- Fear/anxiety in public
- Reactivity to dogs, people, or stimuli
- Aggression (automatic wash)
- Over-friendliness with strangers
- Inability to settle in public
Health
- Hip or elbow dysplasia
- Chronic allergies
- Epilepsy or neurological conditions
Training Limitations
- Can't learn or reliably perform required tasks
- Inconsistent behavior in public
- Low motivation for training
Making the Decision
Continuing to work an unsuitable dog is unfair to the dog, dangerous for the handler, and harmful to the community.
What Happens Next
- Keep as pet: Most handlers keep the dog
- Career change: Therapy dog, search-and-rescue, detection
- Adoption: Programs have long waitlists for wash-outs
- Return to breeder
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