Career Changed Dogs

There are a number of reasons why a dog may be released from our service dog training program. Some of these reasons may include, but are not limited to: reactivity, high energy, prey drive, fear, aggression, medical concerns, etc.  Some of the released dogs will become available for adoption as a family pet. When we have a dog available and in need of a loving forever home you will see them listed on this page.  

It is important to know that we can go several months without having a dog available and our placement policy is not first come, first served. Our main priority is matching the dog with the best home possible for its needs. The age and training of available dogs will vary and the adoption fee averages $1500. When you see a dog listed here that you are interested in being considered for, send an email to the Dog Adoption Coordinator to request an application or ask questions. 

We do not maintain a waiting list. We recommend that you bookmark this page, check it often and notify us when you see a dog listed that you might be interested in.

OLIVE (on hold pending adoption)

Meet Olive, a 2-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever looking for her loving forever home. Olive has been raised in our service dog training program and has learned many of her basic skills: come, sit, down, wait, here (hand target), off, let’s go, kennel. She is crate trained and travels well.

Olive is not suitable to remain in our program due to vocal behaviors. She may display some alert barking at unfamiliar sights and sounds, or demand barking if she’s separated from something/someone she wants.

Olive is described as sweet, friendly, energetic, playful, cuddly, and affectionate. She’s easy to have around the home with minimal management.

Olive walks pretty nicely on a leash. She does like to sniff and can pull towards something of interest. She enjoys greeting people, and her greetings will be a bit excited/wiggly. She weighs in at about 68 lbs. She will need an experienced, physically capable handler.

Olive will require a securely fenced yard so that she can run and play without the worry that she will go after something that she sees/hears outside of her own space (cats, deer, rabbits, neighbors talking).

Olive loves running and playing with another dog. She’d appreciate having a sibling dog in the home or regular play dates. She also seems to enjoy the water.

A home in a rural/spacious setting with a bit of distance between neighbors would be great for Olive to help limit distractions.

Olive is happiest when she is playing with another dog, being active with her people, or just getting cuddle time. She seems to enjoy training and would likely enjoy a dog sport such as NoseWork or agility. She’d like an active family that will provide her with plenty of mental stimulation as well as physical.

Olive’s adoption fee is $1,500. If you think that she sounds like a good match for you, please send an email to the Dog Adoption Coordinator (no phone calls please) to request an application or ask questions.

Olive is spayed and current on vaccines.

STELLA

Meet Stella, a 2-year-old black Labrador Retriever / Newfoundland mix looking for her loving forever home. Stella has been raised in our service dog training program and has learned many of her basic skills: come, sit, down, wait, here (hand target), off, let’s go, kennel. She is crate trained and travels well. She’s a big girl at 75 lbs.

Stella is not suitable to remain in our program due to easy arousal/excitability and prey drive.

Stella is sweet, friendly, energetic, playful, affectionate, cuddly, and excitable at times. She loves to be near her people. She’s easy to have around the home with minimal management, settles nicely, and can entertain herself with her toys, and she seems to enjoy the water. If you want a cuddle bug, she’s happy to accommodate.

Stella can walk pretty nicely on a leash. She does like to sniff and can pull towards something of interest, and she is a strong girl. She will need an experienced and physically capable handler.

Stella has displayed some prey drive, showing interest in cats, rabbits, squirrels. She will need a home with no pet cats or other small critters.

Stella needs her own good-sized, securely fenced yard where she can run and play off leash, but also ensure she will not be able to wander off after something that catches her attention.

Stella does enjoy playing with another dog, however her dog skills are a bit intense and physical. She can be rather pushy with other dogs. Due to this she’d be very happy being the only dog in the home with a family that lavishes her with their attention. Hopefully finding her an appropriate doggy friend for some monitored play dates.

Stella can be a bit vocal if she hears something, is separated from the action, or if other dogs are barking.

Stella is happiest when she is being active with her people or cuddling with them on the couch. She enjoys training and would likely enjoy a dog sport such as NoseWork. She’d like an active family that will provide her with plenty of mental stimulation as well as physical.

Stella’s adoption fee is $1,500. If you think that she sounds like a good match for you, please send an email to info@summitdogs.org (no phone calls, please) to request an application or ask questions.

Stella is spayed and current on vaccines.

NUMO

Meet Numo, a 23-month-old, 70 lb black Labrador Retriever looking for his loving forever home. Numo has been raised in our service dog training program and has learned many basic skills: come, sit, down, wait, here (hand target), off, let’s go, kennel.

Numo is not suitable to remain in our program due to anxiety that leads to reactivity to various stimuli. He has displayed some prey drive, so no cats or other small critters in the home. When he’s reacting to something, he can get a bit vocal.

Numo has displayed some uncertainty around young children out in public. He will require an adult-only home, or older children aged 14 and up.

Numo is a very sweet boy who enjoys being near his people without being too demanding for their attention. He can entertain himself with toys; in fact, they are a bit of a security blanket for him.  

Numo is very slow to transition to new environments, and public places can cause him stress. He’ll be happy being more of a homebody and not going to lots of new/public places.

Numo does enjoy playing with another dog and would love to have a sibling dog in the home. Having his own nice-sized, securely fenced yard to play with his people, another dog, or just entertain himself is a must.

Numo is easy to have around the home with minimal management, settles nicely, and can entertain himself with chews or toys.

Numo’s leash walking is a work in progress. He likes to sniff and can be distracted by, and react to a variety of things (cars going by, statues in yards). He will get familiar with his usual routes and become less reactive. He’ll need an experienced and physically capable handler who is patient and willing to continue to work on this area. Some of his reactions can be sudden and unexpected. He’ll appreciate a handler that uses his walks as a time to really connect with him.

Numo’s perfect home will be located in a more rural setting, with few distractions. A calm and quiet home with a solid and predictable routine. Experience with a reactive dog would be a plus. Hopefully, with an appropriate sibling dog in the home and with a family that will provide him with plenty of mental stimulation, as well as physical.

Numo’s adoption fee is $1,500. If you think that he sounds like a good match for you, please send an email to info@summitdogs.org (no phone calls, please) to request an application or ask questions.

Numo is neutered and current on vaccines.