Imagine being able to see your dog’s future training success right from the start, saving you years of effort and expense. How would that change your approach to creating the perfect care and training plan for him?
While seeing the breeds & behaviors in dogs comes natural to me as a certified dog trainer (and almost behaviorist), I can’t see inside a dog’s DNA and see the future of his health and the prominence of those genes.
And neither can you…But Embark can!
Being a lover of mixed breed canines, when it was time to choose another dog to carry on in Zeak’s stead, I chose Embark to help me get to know my new dog so I can create the perfect training and care plan for his service dog career.
Embark has made it simple for me to make better choices for my service dog, Koda, with their Breed+ Health Test & Gut Health Test.
Embark is making it even easier for you to understand the genetics and health related to your dog’s DNA. And it’s especially important when choosing a mixed breed service dog.
I’m sharing my insights of how I use the Embark tests to create the ultimate care and training plan for my service dog(s), and how you can too!
DISCLAIMER
This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I only recommend products I genuinely use, trust, or believe may support self care, anxiety management, and daily well-being.
Content on With Love, Me is shared for educational and informational purposes only and reflects personal experience and research. It is not intended as medical, mental health, or legal advice. I am not a licensed therapist, mental health professional, or attorney.
Information related to psychiatric service dogs and public access rights is general in nature and should not be considered legal guidance. For personalized mental health care or legal advice, please consult a qualified professional.
See more in our affiliate disclaimer & general disclaimer.
I received these free products to test for this review. The opinions in this post are 100% honest and my own. Enjoy!
Table of Contents
Why Your Service Dog’s DNA & Health Markers Matter?
Every single dog is unique.
Yup, even brothers and sisters in the same litter can have unique gene combinations that create your one-of-a-kind pup.
Your dog’s genes are the foundation of his entire future.
When I was a novice dog trainer way back in 2010 – yikes, when did I get this old!- I thought I knew everything about dogs.
Hell, I read all the books the library had. I spent most of my day with dogs. And had even mentored under some amazing teachers, like the late Susan Sharpe who taught me all about problem behaviors and anxiety in dogs and how to work through it.
I had received my dog training accreditation and had even volunteered my time with various rescues where I rehabbed many dogs in need. There was nothing left to learn, right?
Wrong!
Training a service dog, a working dog, is a different training strategy than training a companion dog.
When I discovered Embark, it opened my eyes to the complexity of dog breed genetics and just how deeply it affects the lives of working dogs.
What I learned is your dog’s genes not only affect how they look but can also impact how they learn, how they play, what they eat, and the health risks they may face in the future.
They are their DNA! –Cue, Jurassic Park music.-
Embark opened my eyes to another side of dogs. One of thousands of years of doggie ancestors leaving traces of their life behind in each one of their lineages.
With the results of the Embark DNA Test, I have created a custom plan for my dog’s health, care and training of every single pup that has lived with me (my pets, and of course, my beloved service dogs).
Customizing the care and training of my service dog – and the other dogs in my care- has not only helped the dogs live healthier lives, but my training success rate has improved.
My dogs are more engaged, have greater focus, have so much more fun, and learn faster when I incorporate Embark results into my care and training plan.
Why?
Because using ingrained DNA traits to your advantage gets your dog’s natural instincts involved in the care and training process.
–Speaking of training plans, have you checked out The Buddy Basics Service Dog Socialization Workbook? It’s filled with over 250 challenges for your dog to master and my favorite success tips to help you take your pup’s social skills to the next level. Grab yours now to begin your dog’s socialization training plan that will become the foundation for all his successes later in life. Transform your pup into a confident, well-behaved companion or working dog—get your socialization workbook today and make every moment count!
Recommended Reading: How to Socialize Your Dog To Become Happy & Well Mannered
The Critical Role of Service Dogs
Service dogs are more than just pets—they are essential partners in our daily lives of disabled handlers by offering support that goes beyond the typical bond between pets and their owners.
Service dogs assist with specific tasks that enhance our safety and well-being, addressing both physical and emotional needs.
Whether it’s guiding a person with visual impairments, alerting someone with epilepsy to an impending seizure, or providing help during an anxiety attack, service dogs provide essential skills to help improve the handlers’ quality of life. Their training and dedication are unparalleled, and their impact is profound.
Understanding your service dog’s DNA helps you train and care for your dog so they have a longer career and a longer life.
Who doesn’t want that?!
Plus, understanding your dog’s DNA can help you keep them in excellent health. By knowing their genetic markers, you can prevent potential health issues and ensure they stay fit and ready to perform at their best.
Knowing their genes allows you to make informed decisions about their care, training, and overall health.
You can stop guessing what your dog needs and start knowing how to care and train your dog.
Embark is helping you support the dog’s quality of life and their ability to support you as a service dog handler.
Who doesn’t want their service dog (or pet) to live a long and happy life? I know I do!
Recommended Reading: Pros of an Anxiety Service Dog by a Girl with PTSD
How A Service Dog’s Gut Influences Health & Performance
One of my favorite quotes is “The way to a man’s heart is his stomach.” –But not how you’re thinking, hehehe.–
Dogs LOVE to eat. And we harness that instinct of eating when food is available to motivate our pups during training.
Serotonin, the “happy hormone”, comes from the gut.
Here’s one more saying for you to digest…
When you eat junk, you feel and perform like junk. The same goes for your dog! A healthy gut leads to a happier, less stressed pup who’s more enthusiastic about their work.
Krystian Howe, ABCDT @withloveandfluffs
When your dog’s gut is in great shape, they’re better at handling stress, learn faster, and enjoy their tasks more.
Your Dog’s Gut Health results help you:
- Know how to feed your service dog for optimal health
- Balancing you dog’s gut health
- Care for dog’s your sensitive stomach
- and more.
Recommended Reading: 10 Cons of a Psychiatric Service Dog That Cause High Anxiety
The Embark Breed + Health Test
What’s Inside The Embark Breed + Health Test?
The Embark Breed + Health Test makes discovering your dog’s DNA as easy as 1, 2, 3.
Seriously, everything you need is right there in the box.
Here’s what you’ll find:
- Link to Your New Profile: Start by setting up your dog’s profile online. This is where you will store all the exciting information about your dog’s DNA.
- DNA Swab Kit with Activation Code: Inside the kit, you’ll find a swab for collecting your dog’s DNA, with your unique Embark Activation Code printed on the packaging. This code links the swab to your dog’s profile.
- Step-by-Step Swabbing Instructions: Detailed instructions show you exactly how to swab your pup’s cheek to get a good DNA sample. It’s super easy and only takes a minute.
- Resealable Plastic Bag: After swabbing, place the swab in the small plastic bag provided. This keeps it secure until you mail it back.
- Prepaid Mailing Envelope: No need to worry about postage! The kit includes a prepaid mailing envelope, so you can just pop the swab in, seal it up, and drop it in the mail.
- Results Tracking Link: Once you’ve mailed your swab, use the provided link to track your results. You’ll get updates on the progress and a notification when your dog’s DNA analysis is complete.
With the Embark Breed + Health Test , you’re not just getting a swab and a few instructions.
You’re starting an adventure into your dog’s genetic history and health.
It’s an easy, hassle-free way to learn more about your furry friend and make informed decisions about their care.
Embark Dog Breed + Health Test Demo
Now the fun part! You get to guess what breed your unique pup is while you wait for the amazing DNA experts to process your dog’s DNA.
Take that time to enjoy your favorite stress relieving hobby! I like to work on teaching Koda more skills while I wait.
Recommended Reading: 25 Stress Relieving Hobbies for More Calm and Relaxed Vibes
The Embark Gut Health Test
What’s Inside the Embark Gut Health Test?
Remember us chatting about gut health?
Embark has made it easy to check your dog’s gut biome with the Embark Gut Health Test.
This gut health test provides a thorough profile of your dog’s gut health. It’s easy. It is convenient. It’s everything a busy girl wants!
This test includes:
- Instructions: Enjoy clear instructions that walk you through the process step by step. –Cause, honestly, I needed them to tell me how to collect poop for these teeny tiny bottles.-
- Rubber Gloves- Because poop is gross and you don’t want to get any on your gorgeous self. Also so you don’t contaminate the samples…
- Tongue Depressor- This is to get a good large sample from the center of the poop. –Yeah, you’re getting up close and personal.-
- Long Cotton Swabs: From your large sample, you’ll take two small samples and place into the containers as instructed.
- Plastic Vials with Liquid: Keep these babies in the container tray to help you stay clean! -Trust me, I didn’t, and I almost got poop on my hands.- Be sure to get your small poop sample into the liquid of the vial to protect it during transport.
- Small plastic bag- Ready to package? Place your vials into the tiny plastic bag with the tiny tissue paper to help keep things from spilling and getting contaminated during shipping.
- Prepaid Envelope: Make this quick and easy for you. Put your samples into the bag, seal, and place in your mailbox. Don’t forget to put the flag up!
This is a super easy test to use. I did it in less than 10 minutes, and so can you. -As long as your dog cooperates and actually poops at potty time.-
Embark Gut Health Test Demo
Pros and Cons of Embark Breed + Health Test & Gut Health Test
Before I teach you how I’m using Embark to train & care for my pups, I’d like to share my experience with the tests.
I love Embark. I’ve been using their tests for many years now, and as the science of canine genetics evolves Embark is paving the way for us to learn even more about our canine friends.
With their research studies, care articles, and breed and health data; you can get a complete picture of your dog’s potential future.
I love you can share the genetic test results with your vet so they can make more informed choices about your dog’s needs and potential health risks in the future.
Embark even helps you connect with your dog’s relatives!
Pros
- Easy to use every single time
- Easy for first time Users, just use the provided link
- All results are available online.
- You can share the results with friends, family, and the vet.
- Users have the option to download the full results.
- Breed Information is available, with 99% breed ID accuracy.
- Breed + Health Test shows you notable and increased risks for genetic health conditions that may come up in the future.
- Resource articles are available.
- Connect with your pup’s relatives.
- Learn about your dog’s ancestry origins.
- See results for over 270 genetic health risks and get information and resources about the health risks.
- Explore color, coat types, body features & eye color, predicted weight, altitude tolerance, appetite (aka food drive).
- Multiple tests are available for Breed & Health and Breed ID Tests for both mixed breed and purebred dogs, Gut Health Test, Oral Health Test, etc.
Cons
- Return customers need to find the “Activate Kit” in their portal or the footer of the Embark page to start the process.
- Some dogs don’t cooperate with being swabbed. Or the sample taken wasn’t good enough.
- Test only goes back 3 generations to see breed makeup.
- Because of the sensitive nature of DNA & chemical solutions, the DNA tests do have expiration dates. It’s best to use them sooner rather than later, within the recommended time frame, rather than stock up and save them for another day.
How To Use Your Embark Results for Care & Training
Be sure to check out Koda’s Unique Breed + Health Test results!
Training is Different Based On Breed
Come on, you wouldn’t train a husky like a chihuahua would you? No!
Each breed has unique characteristics. And those characteristics influence how you train a pup.
Let’s break it down.
Welcome to the world of dog categories! There are 7 breed groups you need to know:
- Sporting: These energetic pups excel in hunting and retrieval because of their high intelligence, eager to please attitude, and their water repellent coats. Training a sporting dog typically involves games like hide and seek, retrieval training, chase, and other fun games that simulate hunting and retrieving. This group of dogs loves retrieving.
- Hound: These dogs have a keen sense of smell and have amazing tracking abilities. These dogs exhibit a strong prey drive and enter a focused state when their sense of smell is engaged. So, using lures, smelly scents, and hunting games make these pups thrive. And that nose of theirs gets them into trouble, as they can’t focus on anything else once they catch a scent. With their powerful noses, scent detection come naturally to these pups.
- Terriers: These boundless energy rascals are just like the vermin they love to hunt (rats). They’re intelligent, fast, compact, and agile. They have endless energy, high drives, and powerful noses and ears. These are powerful hunters in compact packages (like a cat!). These guys are not for the faint of heart. Because of their strong prey drive, they don’t always get along with other animals unless socialized from birth. These guys would thrive being a hearing alert dog, as you always know what’s going on when a terrier is around. This breed needs an experienced handler who can channel their endless energy into productive behaviors with consistent and flexible training. They excel in alerting their handlers to noise and movements other dogs would miss. -I spent 8 years training & caring for these amazing dogs and they are a powerhouse of a dog in a tinier package!-
- Toy Dogs: These pint sized pups are small but mighty. Most breeders purposefully breed them to be lap dogs that alert their owners to nearby activity. –If you have ever met a chihuahua, you know what I mean.- With small bodies, they require care to not damage joints and the occasional help to jump on the bed. Toy dogs, while small, are highly intelligent and love being with their handlers. Training typically focuses on socialization to train desired responses to triggers. These loyal and loving dogs make excellent companions for people with mental health disabilities and amazing alert pups.
- Non Sporting Dogs: This is the miscellaneous group of the AKC. It widely varies in characteristics and traits of dogs that don’t fit into the other groups. These pups all have different needs, and drives. While these dogs don’t all share the same loves and purpose, they all love their humans. These pups typically thrive as companions or emotional support dogs.
- Herding Dogs: With powerful, speedy bodies, these highly intelligent dogs thrive in jobs that channel their strong prey drive. These dogs require high amounts of physical and mental exercise, and need tasks that will allow them to use their herding instincts. Their high intelligence and boundless energy make them a favorite for dog sports and versatile working dogs. A favorite of these dogs is to “herd” their handler to a safe space.
- Working Dogs: The ultimate all-purpose dog. They’re strong, loyal, and versatile dogs that only want to please their handler. They’re so handler oriented they can often suffer from separation anxiety when not with their favorite human and can develop stranger danger “spidey senses” if not well socialized. These dogs excel in learning new skills for their handlers, including scent training, alerting, and herding skills. These pups need high mental and physical exercise to thrive. But they are amazing dogs that can learn almost any service dog task with an experienced teacher.
–Yup, now you get it. We’ve come full circle.-
Each group has unique traits, different drives, different jobs. They’re 100% unique. And that’s why you need a DNA test for your mixed breed dog!
Just like you, just like me, each dog learns differently. Knowing your dog’s DNA can help you better understand the why behind your dog’s unique traits, needs, and behaviors.
Your dog’s breed gives you insight into what motivates your dog to learn and what job your dog is best suited for.
It not only helps you train, but helps you keep your dog happy and entertained. –cause we all know a bored dog is a trouble maker, and you can’t work an unruly service dog…-
-Speaking of different breeds, check out my guide to 10 dog breeds you should consider as a psychiatric service dog.-
For more service dog tips and insights, don’t forget to subscribe!
Making Health & Safety Choices
Every dog has different needs.
Embark Breed + Health Test has helped me make amazing safety decisions for my dogs. And Embark can help you too!
From if they need a raincoat, to how to work in the summer and winter, how well they work with other service dog teams, and what activities and tasks would be best for the dogs.
Because a Chihuahua can’t be a mobility dog safely. And a husky can’t fit into small spaces easily –although they think they can-.
Choosing the right dog and caring for them, depends on the breed and their unique DNA characteristics.
A handler could mistakenly end a service dog’s career by working their dog in an environment that is not well suited for its breed or by asking the dog to perform duties and tasks that will cause health problems.
Take Koda, I know from his results that he has a long spine and is at risk of disc injury. And if you know your long dog breeds, you know they need extra care to keep their spines healthy. We choose low-impact activities, use loading aids, choose supportive vests & harnesses for his work and play, and take extra care to ensure he lives a long and pain-free life.
Embark is helping me -and you- make better care and safety choices for our dogs by keeping us informed about breed statistics and genetic risk markers.
Feeding for Optimal Health & Performance
Did you know?
- Some dogs are allergic to poultry, eggs, grains?
- Working dogs require more protein than companion dogs?
- Puppies & Senior Dogs need different nutritional needs than adults? And breed sizes can also require different nutritional needs?
- Pregnant and nursing mothers require additional caloric & nutritional needs and pass their gut biome to the puppies?
- Dogs with a sensitive stomach may require a special needs diet?
- Dogs that eat fillers like corn can suffer from skin and hair issues?
- That the wrong supplements can throw off your dog’s gut health?
- That diarrhea and stomach upset need a different diet short term than healthy dogs?
Chances are, if you are a beginner dog handler, no one told you how important your dog’s diet is to his health.
Chances are no one told you that all dog foods are not the same, that not all treats and chews are good for your dog, and there are even some foods and ingredients that are toxic to dogs –alright, maybe you knew that last one-.
And since your dog cannot talk to you and tell you how his belly feels, you’re playing a guessing game, right?
Wrong! That is where the Embark Gut Health Test comes in handy.
Gut health affects not only the body, but the mind as well.
Serotonin is produced in the gut. When your dog (or you) doesn’t have the right amount, signs of anxiety, depression, or both can appear.
- A depressed dog doesn’t want to work.
- An anxious dog shouldn’t work.
- And a sick dog can’t work.
As disabled handlers, our service dogs are our lifeline. It’s important that our best buddy gets the nutrition he/she needs to do the job asked of them AND play like only a dog can.
Let’s talk about how the Embark Gut Health Test is helping you- and me-do just that.
Your dog’s gut is filled with tiny microscopic bacteria. –Gross, right?-
If these bacteria are out of balance, or if your dog’s gut is missing “good” bacteria, important digestive and immune functions may not work properly. That can cause diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, or other issues.
The Embark Gut Health Test looks at your dog’s gut microbiome to determine if there’s a bacterial imbalance.
By sending the in-depth results to your vet, and consulting with them, you can create a nutrition plan to help your dog’s gut heal itself.
But Embark goes beyond the testing phase and gives you strategies to help you maintain a healthy dog gut biome. They provide personalized recommendations for your dog, such as diet, supplement, or lifestyle changes, based on their gut biome. You’ll get suggestions for your dog’s individual needs.
And you can share those needs with your local veterinarian too.
Like Koda, who is a good boy, but really doesn’t like eating healthy vegetables with his proteins during meal times. –Yeah, he has that husky attitude.-
Embark gave Koda and I specialized nutrition and supplement advice to help him be and feel his best.
-Be sure to check out Koda’s Gut Health Results!-
The Embark team is happy to assist you if you have more questions about your dog’s microbiome.
Don’t forget about the extensive resource library of articles written by amazing vets, scientists & researchers to help you learn more about keeping your dog healthy.
Your dog’s health is what will determine the length of his service dog career, and his life!
And besides, dogs with a healthy gut are less likely to have diarrhea accidents, smelly dog farts, and be lethargic.
Take it from me as a woman who has fostered many an unhealthy dog. Your dog’s gut is the key to their health and happiness.
How Embark Enhances My Dog Training Plan
I use the Embark Breed + Health Test and the Gut Health Test to create a training and care plan that keeps my dog safe and happy.
I train using Koda’s natural instincts (drives) and feed him an optimized nutrition plan to help him to be his best.
And you can too. Knowledge is power. And the science behind genetic screening and microbiology helps you see into your dog’s core and enhances their life- as well as their performance.
Because as a service dog handler and owner trainer, all I want is for my dog to love his job, be healthy, and be happy until a VERY old age. And using my Embark results has helped me make sure they live their healthiest lives. –Like Chloe and Mischa, who are 15 years old and are happy and perfectly healthy because of the care plan I created 15 years ago! –
A great care and training plan enhanced with your Embark results is the key to a dog that loves his work, loves his life, and feels his best.
Grab Your Kit with a Special Discount
Before you go…. Embark is offering you a special discount. Enjoy the savings and the benefits of Embark’s expertise.
Click to save on Embark products!
Love this Review?…
Submit your favorite brand/product for testing at WLM through our contact form.
If you are a brand and would like WLM to test & review your product, please visit our Brand Work with Me for details.
