Do you know your service dog etiquette?

Question

You may or may not have encountered a service dog in person. There are many different kinds of service dogs, ranging from the familiar guide dogs to physical assistance dogs, medical/seizure alert dogs and psychiatric service dogs.

People with disabilities rely on our service dogs to maintain independence and mobility.

If you encounter a service dog in a public place, do you understand how to appropriately respond to the situation?

I'll post some tips in additional details if you're not sure :)

Answer 1

I think you should just go about your business there is no reason to stop and pet or stop and ask questions.

I never go up to a dog I don't know whether it be a service dog or just a pet.

That dog has a job so I feel don't distract and let him do his job

Answer 2

To be honest with you, I know not to touch the dog (or distract the dog in general) I have always been told this since I was very young, so I just mind my own business and don't really ask why they have the dog. I let them get on with their day and I get on with mine.

However seeing service dogs doing their job is just breathtaking.

Answer 3

I believe you are not supposed to talk, pet or distract them while they are doing their job. I have taught my kids to do the same.

Answer 4

Yes I do - was that your question?

Answer 5

I ignore both the dog, and the person. Which is unusual, since i typically just ignore the person. :)

Seriously, I know better than to interrupt/distract a working animal, whether it is a detection dog, a service dog, whatever.

Answer 6

I know not to pet it.

I personally would ignore the dog completely (not ignore the person handling the dog, just the dog; I'd treat the person like any other person I came across, needing a service dog doesn't make them any different. I wouldn't go out of my way to speak to them or not speak to them).

ADD:

I haven't actually encountered many service dogs working though, only once or twice. My family did do the 'puppy raiser' bit for a service dog organization a few years back, where we had the dog for about a year and taught it basic obedience and some special commands to build on later, and also socialized it, taking it everywhere with us with a "Puppy in Training" cape on.

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Answer 7

As a child I encountered a service dog and I attempted to pet it.  I was told firmly, but politely not to touch the dog, and ever since then I do not attempt to pet, talk to distract the dog.  

Now that I am quite a bit older, I realize that the dog doesn't need distractions when it is working.  

Answer 8

Other than offering a service dog water on a hot day I ignore them when they come into the restaurant unless the handler invites me to talk/pet/assist with something.

A good Seeing Eye dog is almost invisible, they move so fluidly and are so in sync with their person.

Answer 9

I guess probably not.  I've only encountered two service dogs ever, and really I just try to stay out of their way so I don't hinder them doing whatever their job is.  Other than that, I'm a little clueless.  Tips would be great, thanks!

Whew, I hadn't done any of the no-no's.  Glad to know that though.  Thank you for the info!

Answer 10

I just leave them alone. I don't want to distract them from their important service (not that I probably even could)

Answer 11

Generally... I ignore them.

As someone who uses the services of a Service Dog I can tell you there are times when it takes me HOURS to get across the mall simply because people want to be friendly and say "hi" to the nice dog.  I've had small children run up and fling thier arms around my dog's neck (the dog always has a look of horror!).

When other Service Dogs are around I make sure to keep an eye on their whereabouts... I don't want to be responsible for stepping on or running over a tail (had that happen to one of my dogs).

I appreciate it when people ASK me if they can pet my dog *if* I don't look like I'm attempting to actually go somewhere.

On the flip side-- I recently went to a mall to buy some shoes.  I had a specific mission.  The mall was relatively quiet and I went to 3 shoe store before finding someone who would acknowledge I existed and wait on me.  Very very frustrating.  Guess who got the sale?? The busy store where someone was willing to actually assist me!!

Answer 12

If it's a customer in my store, I ignore the dog and ask the owner if I can help them find anything.  If we're out in public, and I have no reason to approach them, I politely stay out of their way.  I am well aware that you should not approach/distract service dogs in any manner.  I actually do not approach ANY dog handler/owner unless we are in a "dog-friendly/interactive" type area (ie, dog park, certain city areas that are very dog-friendly, pet stores, etc.).  If I'm walking around the neighborhood, or the person seems to be very focused on something, I go around them and ignore the dogs.  If the person seems to be friendly and engaging or is wanting to approach my dogs in return, I will approach them.  But I know how much I HATE people running up to me and my dogs when we're out walking and trying to pet them without permission or ask me annoying questions about them, so I would never do the same to someone else.