What Is a Released Dog?

A released dog is a dog that has participated in a structured service dog training program but is not placed as a working service dog.

This is a standard and necessary outcome in professional service dog training.

Not every dog is suited for service work, and responsible programs are designed to identify that early enough to protect both the dog and the individual who would rely on them.

At Putnam Service Dogs, dogs are trained and evaluated with the expectation that only those who meet strict behavioral and performance standards will move forward into service roles. Every dog is given the opportunity to progress—but not every dog can fulfill the daunting role and performance levels required service dogs.

As dogs mature, they can develop in unexpected ways, developing traits or a temperament that make them unsuitable for service dog work. By carefully selecting the pups we train at Putnam Service Dogs, we strive to pick dogs capable of becoming service dogs. Unfortunately, it’s similar to picking a CEO, or a President of the US from a first grade class. 

If you’re exploring this topic, it often starts with a broader question, Can Any Dog Be a Service Dog?
 

What Defines a Released Dog

A released dog has typically completed a significant portion of training before being redirected.

This includes:

• structured obedience training
• exposure to public access environments
• early-stage task work
• ongoing behavioral evaluation

By the time a dog is released by Putnam Service Dogs, it is better trained than most pet dogs. It has been assessed across multiple conditions to determine whether it can sustain the demands of service work over time.

Service Dog Standards Are Intentionally High

Service dogs are expected to perform reliably in environments that are unpredictable and often stressful.

This includes:

• maintaining neutrality around people and animals
• remaining stable in high-noise or high-traffic environments
• performing trained tasks consistently
• staying engaged with their person over extended periods

These requirements are constant, not situational.

Because of this, success rates across the industry are limited. A significant percentage of dogs entering training programs (either through breeding programs at the service dog school, or cherry picked as Putnam Service Dogs does) will ultimately be released, generally around 50%.

At Putnam Service Dogs, this is understood as part of maintaining appropriate standards—not a failure of the dog or the training process.

How Dogs Are Evaluated

Evaluation is continuous and based on observed behavior across environments—not a single test.

At Putnam Service Dogs, evaluation focuses on four core areas: focus, environmental stability, behavioral neutrality, and task reliability.

Focus and engagement refer to a dog’s ability to remain attentive to their person despite distractions. Environmental stability looks at how a dog responds in public settings such as stores, restaurants, and crowded spaces. Behavioral neutrality means minimal reactivity to people, dogs, and environmental stimuli. Task reliability evaluates whether a dog can learn, retain, and consistently perform trained behaviors.

Dogs that cannot meet these criteria with consistency are not appropriate for service placement.

Why Dogs Are Released

A dog is released when there is a mismatch between its natural behavior and the requirements of service work.

Common reasons include:

• inconsistent focus in public environments
• over-social behavior that interferes with working neutrality
• sensitivity to noise, movement, or environmental stress
• lack of sustained engagement with task work
• Lack of confidence to successfully handle new situations while assisting their person as needed

In some cases, physical or developmental factors may also influence the decision.

At Putnam Service Dogs, the determining factor is always long-term reliability—not short-term performance. The dog is assessed repeatedly, by all trainers and our CEO to determine if we can train the dog to overcome it’s weaknesses. Only when it’s been determined we can’t train the dog out of their problem(s) is the dog released.

What a Released Dog Represents

A released dog reflects a completed evaluation process.

It indicates that the dog has been trained, observed, and assessed against the standards required for service work—and that a decision has been made based on suitability.

Service dog programs are not designed to move every dog forward. They are designed to identify the right working candidates.

What Happens to Dogs We Release from Our Program?

When a dog is released from our program, our goal is to place them in a home where they can continue to make a meaningful impact.

In many cases, we prioritize placement with individuals with disabilities who may benefit from the dog’s presence and support. While these dogs are not suited for service work, they often thrive as emotional support animals, providing stability, companionship, and daily structure.

Released dogs from Putnam Service Dogs:

• are house-trained
• have strong foundational obedience
• are well-socialized in both home and public environments

However, they are not service dogs and do not have public access rights under the ADA. They can not be further trained and turned into service dogs. We are not careless about our decision to release a dog. It has a fatal flaw(s) that prevents it from being a service dog. We fully disclose our reasons for releasing the dog to prospective adopters. 

We approach these placements with the same level of care and evaluation as our service dog matches, ensuring the right fit for both the dog and the individual.

Adoption fees for released dogs typically start at $900, depending on the dog.

Learn more or apply here.

What to Expect from a Released Dog

A released dog is not a finished service dog, and it is not a low-maintenance pet.

Most have strong foundational obedience, early training, and structured exposure—but they still require consistency, reinforcement, and an environment that supports their temperament.

Their training provides a strong baseline, but it does not replace the need for ongoing structure and training. 

Why Releasing Dogs Is Necessary

At Putnam Service Dogs, releasing dogs is part of maintaining the integrity of the program.

Service dog placement carries real responsibility. Dogs must be reliable in complex, real-world situations where consistency matters.

Releasing dogs who do not meet those standards ensures:

• working teams are safe and dependable
• partners receive appropriate support
• dogs are not placed into roles they cannot sustain
• Our staff has pride in their work and in Putnam Service Dogs

What This Means for You

Remember, a released dog is the result of a program doing its job—evaluating each dog honestly and placing them where they are most likely to succeed.

For adopters, it means released dogs come with a strong training foundation and a clear understanding of what kind of home they need.

At Putnam Service Dogs, both outcomes matter. The same process that produces reliable service dogs also ensures that released dogs are placed thoughtfully and appropriately.

If you’re interested in adopting a released dog or learning more about how our program works, you can take the next step here to adopt a released dog.