SERVICE DOG ETIQUETTE

I almost always have a Service Dog at my side- whether it is my own personal dog that helps me with seizures, mobility and balance, or a dog that I am training, and I am always appalled at the reaction of people around me.  So, here are some guidelines to help you understand the role of a Service Dog and how you should respond to one.  



    The super power of the Service Dog is in their ability to recognize when things are "off" with their handler.

They can detect heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, mental status, blood sugar, pheromones and many other body functions when they are connected.

    However, many factors can interrupt the dog's ability to recognize and alert to change.  That is why it is so important for anyone in the area to be respectful of a Service Dog team and avoid distracting them at all cost.

    Never- EVER interact with a Service Dog.  

*The first reason being, that you will distract his attention away from his handler and he might miss a life saving signal.  

*The second is that a large part of a Service Dog's training is to only concentrate on his human.  Dogs selected to be Service Dogs have to be naturally friendly, so in many cases, a large part of their training has had to be teaching them to not socialize while on duty  Think of a Greyhound bus driver barreling down the highway at 60mph.  If you were on that bus, would you want the driver looking around and talking to everyone on the bus???  No!  Eyes on the road!

    

    You also need to remember that Service Dogs are still dogs.  They are sensitive to everything around them.  So you need to be careful not to step on, bump or startle them.  Dogs are low to the ground so anything happening above them can be frightening.  Dropping luggage, a purse or a backpack near them might frighten them the same as it would if we had something drop off of a high shelf past our head.  If a Service Dog feels threatened in a space, he might become more concerned with his own safety, rather than that of his handler.

   

A Service Dog team is a relationship that strengthens with time.  You can help that process by being respectful.  While some handlers might appreciate a compliment directed to them, like telling them their dog is pretty, still,  for the most part, people with disabilities just want to navigate through their day like everyone else and not constantly be pointed out or made to feel different.

   Lastly, remember that not all disabilities are visible.  Don't try to examine the handler and figure out what his disability is.  That's none of your business!

If you were picking up a prescription at the drug store and someone came over and tried to read the label to find out what was wrong with you, how would you feel???

   I have actually had clients who were reluctant to take their Service Dogs in public because of the reactions they get from lookey-lou's.  That is so unfortunate and unacceptable!

 Learn to coexist with Service Dog teams by being kind, considerate and respectful.  If your children are curious, it's an awesome opportunity to teach them how Service Dogs help people, but do it privately- don't point and explain loudly- "Look!  A Service Dog!  We can't pet him right now because he is helping his mommy."

...... yeahhhh that happens constantly.  Grrrrrrrrrr