Cranky lady at work

[TwitterMouse]

I have a service dog and I work in Petsmart (quite convient!). When my dog sees another, he'll stay where he is, but he usually gets a bit happy looking and wags his tail (he's got his mother's ability to wag that tail at super-speed).
Usually, because there are other dogs in the store and such, the two of us are ignored and it's not an issue. People kinda look at me odd for having a dog with me while in uniform, but generally they notice the vest and don't bother me.
Today though, this lady had a little dog (smaller than mine) and he really wanted to play with Pi. Pi did his happy tail wagging thing and she comes over to let her dog play with mine. I picked Pi up and told her he's a service dog, and isn't allowed to play while we are working.
Then she starts telling me that I'm mean to him because I won't let him play. And don't you know that dogs like to play with other dogs? I tried to explain again, but she said I was stuck up and that I should let my dog "be happy".
At that point I was sick of her and I told her that if she had an issue with how I handled my dog she should speak with my manager, and I walked away. She didn't speak to the manager.
This just really upset me though... I don't know if she was having a bad day and was just taking it out on me or what. She said I'm stuck up! For what? Not allowing a working dog to play? When I'm working I'm not allowed to goof off and play around, why should he be able to?
I'm most certainly not mean to Pi, and he is happy. Meh. I don't like people sometimes.

 

[alizesmom]

some people do not get it and never will. She was mad that her dog didn't get what it wanted. Sort of like an overbearing mom. You did right. Maybe if you explained that your dog did get to play when work was over but it probably wouldn't have mattered. Karen

 

[WildGrits]

I totally agree with alizesmom.

It sounds like to me that the reaction was because she didn't get what she wanted. Nothing to do with your Pi getting something or not.

 

[bzzymom]

That person was definately out of line. One of DH's best friends who he workd with is blind and has a service dog. When we are over at his home, we play with him, but not when they are at work DH does not play with the dog.

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

Some ppl are under the belief that SDs *never* get to play, *never* get to be loved on, and otherwise *never* treated like regular dogs. Sounds like this lady was one of those ppl. The best thing to do would be to explain that he can't play while he is working, but he gets plenty of playtime, love from others, etc. when he's off duty. He's not a servant dog, but a service dog. He has a job, just like many other dogs and people do. Just like everyone else, work time and play time are kept separate.

Also, you can explain that a distracted SD can put his handler in danger.

 

[lovethecastle]

I get the feeling that the crank didn't really care about anything but herself.
If she truly cared about your dog she should have asked you a question or 2 about his life with you & playtime, ect. Instead she verbally attacked you. It's really hard to do but you shouldn't let the turkey's get you down.
Take care

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Geez! She really was a cranky lady! Some people think they know everything about everything and they're best ignored!

A teacher at my sons' school has a retired service dog that frequently comes to school. The teacher raises and trains service dogs and apparently always had a soft spot for this particular black lab. When the lab was too old to do his job, the teacher placed another dog with the person and took back the old guy as a pet. He still wears his vest wherever he goes. The teacher takes him into every classroom every year and talks to the kids about service animals. He tells them how they're trained, what they can do for their owners and, especially, not to bother them when they're working. He said it's OK to look at them from a distance (what kid doesn't notice a cute doggie?) but not to approach them, talk to them or try to pet them. As a result, my boys are very respectful of service animals.

We saw 2 different service dogs at Disneyland last month. One was working with a visually impaired owner and the other was a puppy still in training. We noticed her in the crowd leaving the fireworks and my son mentioned the dog and that she was working. Her handler said she wasn't working yet. She said there's no better place than Disneyland to expose her to large crowds and loud noises, like fireworks. She was shaking a little but handling it very well. She'll make someone a great service dog someday!

You did the right thing referring that cranky lady to your manager. The fact that she didn't actually talk to the manager is very telling (either she knew she was wrong or she lacks a backbone!).

 

[WildGrits]

A teacher at my sons' school has a retired service dog that frequently comes to school. The teacher raises and trains service dogs and apparently always had a soft spot for this particular black lab. When the lab was too old to do his job, the teacher placed another dog with the person and took back the old guy as a pet. He still wears his vest wherever he goes. The teacher takes him into every classroom every year and talks to the kids about service animals. He tells them how they're trained, what they can do for their owners and, especially, not to bother them when they're working. He said it's OK to look at them from a distance (what kid doesn't notice a cute doggie?) but not to approach them, talk to them or try to pet them. As a result, my boys are very respectful of service animals.

This is a really great idea.

With cut back and kids not getting as many field trips as we got, well I speak for myself, ideas like this are a really great way to teach. Not testable stuff, but community based stuff. I can't think of a elementary class that wouldn't love this.

I know, there's always choice kids in every class terrified of dogs. But on the whole, what a great tool.

 

[pcparamedics01]

I totally agree with alizesmom.

It sounds like to me that the reaction was because she didn't get what she wanted. Nothing to do with your Pi getting something or not.

Totally agree!