10/21/2026
🐾 **SERVICE DOGS: PLEASE DO YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE SPENDING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS!** 🐾
Over the years, and particularly when we advertise an older Labrador that has received foundation obedience training, we receive numerous inquiries from individuals identifying themselves as "service dog trainers" who want to purchase one of our dogs for a client.
This brings up an important topic I believe deserves more attention.
**First, let me make our policy clear:**
Ashland Labradors does NOT sell dogs to third-party purchasers, independent trainers buying for clients, brokers, or individuals intending to resell our dogs.
We place our Labradors directly with their intended owners and families. Period.
But there is a much bigger issue that I want to address.
❤️ **TO ANYONE CONSIDERING PURCHASING A TRAINED SERVICE DOG: PLEASE BE CAREFUL.**
There are some exceptional service dog organizations and independent trainers doing wonderful work. These people dedicate substantial time, resources, and expertise to preparing dogs for the very specific needs of individuals with disabilities.
Unfortunately, there are also individuals taking advantage of the tremendous demand for service dogs.
Some purchase young dogs or dogs with basic obedience training, advertise them as service dog prospects or trained service dogs, and charge their clients thousands of dollars above the original purchase price.
**Let's be clear: Purchasing an already socialized, obedience-trained Labrador does NOT automatically make someone a qualified service dog trainer, nor does it make that Labrador a trained service dog.**
A truly trained service dog must be capable of performing specific tasks related to its handler's disability. That requires much more than knowing how to sit, stay, heel, or behave politely in public.
And not every wonderful, well-bred, highly trainable Labrador will have the temperament or characteristics necessary to succeed in service work.
**BEFORE PURCHASING A SERVICE DOG, ASK QUESTIONS!**
🐾 Where did the dog come from? Can its breeder and original history be verified?
🐾 What health testing and veterinary evaluations have been performed?
🐾 What specific service tasks has the dog actually been trained to perform?
🐾 Can the trainer demonstrate the dog's training and reliability in appropriate real-world environments?
🐾 How long has the dog been in training, and what methods were used?
🐾 Can you speak with previous clients who have received fully trained service dogs?
🐾 What happens if the dog is ultimately unsuitable for service work?
🐾 Is there a written contract, health information, training documentation, ongoing support, and a clearly defined refund or replacement policy?
🐾 Are you being charged for a genuinely trained service dog, or simply a dog with basic obedience training and a very expensive price tag?
**A HIGH PRICE TAG IS NOT PROOF OF A HIGHLY TRAINED SERVICE DOG!**
Please understand that legitimate service dog training is specialized, time-consuming, and often expensive. A substantial price alone does not indicate dishonesty.
However, buyers deserve transparency, demonstrated training, documented progress, and realistic expectations.
There are established service dog organizations with independently evaluated standards, and there are also reputable independent trainers who work directly with individuals and their own dogs.
Do your research. Ask for references. Investigate the program. Understand exactly what you are purchasing.
And remember: **There is no federally required service dog certification or registration under the ADA.** Be cautious of anyone attempting to convince you that purchasing a certificate, identification card, or vest proves a dog is a legitimate service dog.
At Ashland Labradors, we are proud of the foundation we give our puppies and young adults. But we will NEVER represent basic obedience or our Head Start training program as equivalent to a fully trained service dog.
We believe in responsible breeding, ethical training, transparency, and, above all, protecting both the dogs and the people who depend on them.
**Please share this information. It could save someone thousands of dollars, tremendous heartache, and the disappointment of purchasing a dog that cannot perform the work they desperately need.**
**Ashland Labradors**
www.ashlandlabradors.com
