I.S.T.

SERVICE DOGS
OBEDIENCE TRAINING
COACHING
VISITATIONS

Service Dog Etiquette

 

  • FIRST – a service dog is not a pet! A service dog has at least 2 years of intensive socialization and training behind him and is an expert in what he does. Most have been bred from working dog stock and not only thoroughly enjoy, but need to work.


  • NEVER pet, call, talk, feed, whistle to, or otherwise distract a service dog or dog in training. Do not aim distracting or rude noises at the dog. To do so can potentially injure a disabled handler and earn the dog a correction.


  • IGNORE a service dog or puppy in training. Remember, they are NOT pets; they are either doing or being trained to do a very important job.


  • DO NOT TOUCH the service dog without asking for, and receiving, permission.  And do not feel offended if the handler says no. The dog (or handler) might be having a bad day, or might be in a hurry. Remember, a service dog is as vital to a disabled person as a wheelchair or cane. You wouldn't ask to pet their wheelchair or get mad if they wouldn't let you pet their cane, would you?  And keep in mind that you are probably the fifth or twenty-fifth individual to ask that day, and the handler might be really tired and want to get their errands finished. So, don't be offended if the handler does not wish to chat about the service dog.


  • DO NOT ASK personal questions about the handler's disability, or otherwise intrude on his or her privacy.


  • IF YOU DON’T LIKE DOGS, OR ARE AFRAID OF THEM, simply place yourself away from the service dog. If you are a business person, discreetly arrange for someone else to wait on the person. You may ask the person to have the service dog lie down if it does not interfere with its work.


AS A BUSINESS OWNER: 

  • If a dog “forgets” his manners and barks or growls at something or someone, find out what happened before taking action.  Was the service dog stepped on, teased, poked, asleep and dreaming?  That service dog could be performing its job; some alert their owners to oncoming seizures or crashing blood sugars by barking once or twice.  If the dog's behavior is disruptive or destructive, you may ask the person to remove it from the premises.


  • If another customer has a severe allergy to dogs, explain that you cannot keep the animal out.  An individual can walk away from a service or assistance dog, but the person with the dog still needs to live a life, and the presence of allergies is not enough to prevent a person from leading an independent life. Just the presence of a dog in an environment will not cause the person with allergies distress. So, if they are allergic to assistance or service dogs, they need to simply not pet it.


People with dander allergies are more at risk from the clothing (especially outer clothing) of people who own dogs than from the dogs, as dogs shed small amounts of dander, but clothing collects it over time and has a larger amount.

Relatively few people have genuine dog allergies that cause them such distress they have to worry about avoiding exposure- in Western society, it is nearly impossible to avoid exposure to animal dander.


  • If other customers complain about the presence of the service dog, explain that the service dog is medically necessary, and that Federal law AND State law protect the rights of the person to have their service dog with them in public places.


REMEMBER, a service dog is not a pet. But it has a far better, more rewarding and more enjoyable life than any pet dog could ever wish for. It's with the person it loves all day long, it gets to go everywhere it's owner goes, and because it's a working dog it usually gets more exercise and better food and medical care than most pet dogs do because a disabled person can't afford for their assistant to be in ill-health! Plus, many of the breeds of dogs used for service work were originally bred to be working dogs, so they are doing what is in their blood.