If you're lucky enough to be purchasing a dog that was trained to provide a service for people, or a least adopting a dog that was accepted for such training but did not make it for some reason, you are in for a special treat. Most people aren't even aware that such dogs exist.

What type of pets are we talking about? Any dog that was trained for or actually worked a “career” by leading the blind and helping other disabled people is a prime example.

You Have 3 Choices Of Service Dogs To Choose From

When deciding to add a new adult dog to the family, have you considered purchasing one that is actually retired? What is a “retired” dog? Simply put, most people never consider finding a companion that used to be of service to other people, such as a guide dog.

If you look up the reports provided by the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners, you'll find that there are approximately 8,000 to 9,000 dogs in the United States alone that are “employed”. These animals are out there providing service to our fellow human beings by guiding blind people, helping the deaf, and offering assistance to other disabled men and women.

Pet stores are a very popular place to shop for young puppies and other animals of your choice. There is practically a pet store in almost every city. And it is hard to resist that cute and desperate looking puppy caged up waiting to be taken home. But before you make this decision you really should know a little bit of "insider" information about these pet stores and the origins of the puppies they sell.

Have you ever heard of puppy mills?

Do you know where most of these puppies come from that you see being sold in pet stores? There are certain breeding centers that cater to high-volume puppy production which sells them to pet stores, which then is sold to you. They are called "puppy mills" and are probably the most disgusting form of dog breeding practices that I have seen.