When a Service Dog Retires Too Soon
Why I Had to Start Training a New Service Dog Sooner Than Expected
Some people ask me, “Why not just let Finn live out his good years before getting another service dog?”
I want to share why that wasn’t an option—and how that journey led me to Hunter (Åsmund), my new service dog in training.
Finn’s Sudden Retirement
Large dogs like Finn often retire between 8–10 years old. Finn will only be 5 this December. But looking back, the warning signs were there—subtle, but real.
He couldn’t sit for long, always choosing to stand or lay down.
On long workdays, he’d growl occasionally—something out of character for him.
He always passed his physicals, never showing obvious pain.
Even the afternoon I retired him, the vet said Finn looked fine. X-rays didn’t seem necessary—especially after all the medical costs I’d already covered that year. But I knew my dog. I trusted my gut and insisted, even though it meant draining our savings.
When the vet came back, perplexed, I already knew.
The X-ray showed bone-on-bone hips. There was no decision to make—Finn was retired right then and there, in the exam room.
Why You Don’t Wait to Start Training the Next Service Dog
In the service dog world, you don’t wait until your partner can’t work anymore. Training begins two years before retirement because:
The current service dog helps train and model for the new puppy.
It can take up to two years (sometimes more) for a dog to be fully trained.
It gives the handler time to save, research, and make the best decision.
I didn’t have that luxury. Finn’s retirement came suddenly, and I had to face the reality of needing a replacement right away.
Choosing the Right Partner
I had a long talk with Tiffany at Barkerhaus Kennels, someone I trust deeply. She reminded me—this isn’t about wanting a dog. My disability makes a service dog a need. Together, we decided a Working Line German Shepherd would be the right fit:
They’re more rugged and typically healthier.
They’re less prone to the hip/elbow issues Finn developed.
Their temperament and drive make them reliable partners in service work.
Why Not Rescue?
I’ve always believed in rescue, and I always will. But with a service dog, the reality is different.
The very last thing I wanted to do was adopt a dog, invest in genetic and health testing, and then discover it wasn’t a good fit for the demanding work of a service dog. Sending a dog back to a rescue after it’s already started bonding with a family isn’t fair to the dog—it deserves stability and love, not to be bounced around.
That’s why, after talking with Tiffany and weighing every option, I made the difficult but necessary decision to go with a breeder who could provide a documented lineage and health testing. For this journey, I had to put my disability needs first—while still honoring the well-being of the dog.
And That’s How Hunter Came Into My Life
Hunter (registered name Åsmund) isn’t just a puppy—he’s the start of the next chapter in my service dog journey. It’s a chapter I didn’t expect to begin this early, but one that’s necessary for both my health and independence.
Finn is still my partner at home, and always will be. But now, Hunter is here to learn, to grow, and one day, to take on the role of my working service dog.
