12/01/2024
Behavior Tip Thursdays – Service Dog Considerations
There are way too many fraudulent Service Dogs out there that are wreaking havoc on the actual Service Dog community, where there is a great need. It’s not that we want to judge every person – or dog for that matter, as dogs can have bad days, too! – but if and when you see a “service dog” barking, growling, cowering, lunging, or otherwise acting in a fearful or unfriendly manner…this is NOT a Service Dog.
Not every dog is cut out to be a SD! Why aren’t YOU a brain surgeon? SDs are usually hand selected for stable temperament and ability to do the job they will have to perform. SDs are WORKING dogs, trained to perform specific tasks to help mitigate their handler’s disability. Not all disabilities can be seen, so please be respectful if you see a team out in public.
If you see a team in public, admire them from afar, try NOT to distract them from their handlers (but their handlers should also be able to EASILY remind them to pay attention again if needed), and ONLY approach or pet if you’ve been granted permission. Some states do NOT allow Service Dogs “in training” (SDiTs) the same rights as SDs…but some do. This means some teams may still be in training and this is where you absolutely do not want to disturb that process, as this process costs THOUSANDS of dollars and HUNDREDS of hours.
If you have children, teach them to respect all dogs, but especially Service Dogs. Talk to them gently about staying away and remind them that not all dogs can or should be pet. It is YOUR job as a parent to set your child up for success. Although a Service Dog should NOT show aggression even in unexpected situations, they also should not have to put up with your child being rude or harmful. Dogs can also be traumatized – just like their person – and you may not know what disability is underlying that you could be affecting…thus harming the PERSON as well.
We are sharing this infographic to help you understand the difference in SDs versus ESAs (Emotional Support Animals) versus TDs (Therapy Dogs) Sometimes people will also call their dog a Therapeutic Canine – this is also an ESA. ESAs and TDs do NOT have the same rights as Service Dogs and are NOT allowed in normal places of business that are not already pet-friendly. ESAs and TDs do not perform tasks for their handlers and are considered pets. Sometimes there are Psychological Support Dogs (PSDs) and these dogs are Service Dogs ONLY if they follow all the SD guidelines and are well-mannered in public AND perform specific tasks for their owners to mitigate the disability.
Most teams are out there just trying to live their lives and know their dogs bring attention…but that does not mean they want that extra attention, so remember to always be respectful.
If you have concerns about a team (aggression, barking, etc), ask a store/organization employee to assist you in the matter so no one accidentally gets injured and it can be handled in a professional manner team. A should blend in as much as possible and not cause a disruption while out and about. They are simply an extension of their handler in order to help their handler live as normal of a life as possible again.
If you have questions, a GREAT resource is: https://www.ada.gov/topics/service-animals/
If you have a disability that would benefit from a Service Dog and need help with the selection of a dog or want to assess your dog for Service Dog training and task work, please reach out! We have both in-person and online options available to get your program started. Please keep in mind most programs take several months to a couple of years depending on the foundations already in place. It is not recommended to start a dog over the age 3, as their working ability would be reduced and to ensure full health (including hip/elbow xrays, genetic disease evaluations pertinent to breed, etc) before moving forward after assessment.
Please contact us at: 217-859-6696 or www.trekkingdogtrainer.com and we can discuss more!
As Always, Happy Training!
