Petting Service Animals?

[lacrosse_lady72]

The other day I was around someone with a service animal... or dog to be more specific. He was really close to me and looked at me like he wanted a little pet or a little head scratch... something. I didn't since he's a service animal and I didn't want to distract him from his duties.

My question is, is it ok to pet him? Or should I just ask the person the animal is with?

TIA!

 

[SueM in MN]

I can answer from the perspective of having a service dog in training.

1) Service dogs are still dogs and most would like a little pet or scratch, BUT a Service dog that is working has a job to do. The job involves not doing what the dog wants to do, but what the dog's partner needs the dog to do. One of the dog's jobs is to be invisible and not trying to get petted or patted.

2) Most Service dogs wear a vest or cape that says "Do not pet" on it. Some people only allow their dog to be petted when not working and not wearing the cape. Some people allow it only after the owner has given the dog a command that tells the dog he is sort of taking a break and can be petted. Some owners never allow it.

3) Never pet, touch or interact with a Service dog without asking. Never ask when the dog is working (i.e. Standing or moving). If the owner and dog are both sitting and resting would be the best time to ask.

4) Realize that the owner may say no and respect that. We are trying to keep our dog concentrating on his job and anything that distracts him brings him out of 'work mode'. Even though it may seem 'cool' to bring a dog with, it is hard work for the dog to maintain concentration and the dog/handler team may/is just trying to blend in and not be noticed. One person petting often means more will come over.

AND, thanks for asking.

 

[Stellapedia]

Honestly, I would say don't even ask. I hate when people ask to pet my dog. I HATE it. It should be obvious not to touch the dog. It's like acting to hug someone's 6 year old child, it's inappropriate.
I would always say no, without hesitation, but I don't like being put in the spot of having to be the meanie because someone else wanted to do something inappropriate.
I will, occasionally, tell the dog to 'make a friend' if a child wants to pet and it's been a long day, because even though he's working he is still a dog that wants and needs affection and a break.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I have to agree with Sue's answer. It's an excellent summery. Absolutely always always always ask before approaching a service animal. It's just common curtesy first of all. The way I explain it to people who don't ask is "Would you want me to go up and start touching your child without asking?" or "Would you want me groping your shirt because I like it?", not in a mean way, just a blunt way because then the message usually gets through.

And again, Sue's right in saying that it's not to be mean, but the dog is there to do a job for the person it's with, and distracting them from that job could put their person in harm's way. For example with guide dogs, if you were to talk to or approach one while the person is walking, the dog could potentially walk them into something, or off a curb, etc.

A good rule is if the dog's owner is sitting or waiting somewhere, then you could ask, or if you see the dog without a harness or blanket, then would be a good time to approach to ask for a little visit. The harnesses and blankets serve more of a purpose than some people realize. Guide dogs wear a harness so that their owners can hold on to it, and other service animals wear blankets to show that they are service animals, but it's also a signal to the dog that they're "at work" and while they're wearing that "uniform" that they're to be in a work state of mind. I know from experience that a lot of dogs have almost 2 personalities, their work personality and their home one. Our dog is very focused and almost distant with his harness on, then turns into a jumping playful moron when he's out of it (I say that with love)

 

[SueM in MN]

I have to agree with Sue's answer. It's an excellent summery.

Thanks for your praise.
We are training our DD's service dog, but we are working with a very wise and experienced trainer and I am picking up a lot of hints from the experienced SD teams here.

 

[christymarie]

We also prefer people to ask before touching our service dog. We are not as strict since she also provides a way for our 8yo with Aspergers to practice two way communication skills. Our bigger issue is when we are in a hurry and need to get someplace when we stop every few feet (at Disney it can be this bad) because someone is wanting to touch the dog.

It really is interesting the attention we got with her. We actually had people come up and pose with her for pictures. It was more amusing than anything, I just didn't expect it.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

Thanks all!

I am glad I asked. I would have never just gone up and begin petting the dog and I did feel weird asking which is why I just left it alone.

I know when my friend was recently pregnant, she was annoyed being constantly asked if a person could touch her belly and FURIOUS when a couple of people actually did. She's works for a tanning salon to get through college so she gets tons of women in and out constantly... luckily I work next door to her so I get to see and check up on her a lot

I see these animals on a semi-regular basis if I go into Portland via our local commuter train system, but I have never noticed a sign saying- please do not pet... but I also haven't looked before. I'll just leave them alone completely

 

[Angiet]

My FIL has a service dog and he tells people "no" when they ask. I have had people out right go and pet the dog. He may be blind, but the rest of us aren't and we SEE YOU. There was an instance a couple of weeks ago, we were waiting for our shuttle at DL and a young boy, around 4, came over. He inched closer and closer. We told him 5X's not to touch the dog, then he puts his hand out to pet him and my father in law took his cane and moved the boy out of the way while we all stated that he isn't to touch the dog. The mother seemed annoyed with us, but oh well. Maybe she should teach her kids how to respect service animals.

 

[Mrsjvb]

The harnesses and blankets serve more of a purpose than some people realize. Guide dogs wear a harness so that their owners can hold on to it, and other service animals wear blankets to show that they are service animals, but it's also a signal to the dog that they're "at work" and while they're wearing that "uniform" that they're to be in a work state of mind. I know from experience that a lot of dogs have almost 2 personalities, their work personality and their home one. Our dog is very focused and almost distant with his harness on, then turns into a jumping playful moron when he's out of it (I say that with love)

SOOOO True. when I lived in San Diego,one of my friends was Blind and had a seeing Eye Dog. I will be honest.. once we all got to know each other, Sammy usually got the hello before my friend did but if she was in harness,it was nothing more than a 'Hi Sammy' and a quick sniff of the back of my hand.

One weekend we were at a Jimmy Buffet Concert, and she took off Sammy's harness for the pre concert party.

Sammy went immediately from sedate, staid and boring to ..well.. Golden lab puppy... and I am sure you all know what that means, right?!

Sammy and her Mommie taught me a lot so I know enough to never approach a service animal when it is working. I have , however been guilty of making a general comments such as : "Gee if you weren't on the job I'd give you a pat!" sometimes the owner laughs a bit and then offers it up, but at least half the time they do not.

 

[paintnolish]

DS, 9, is a dog lover and has been taught to ALWAYS ask the owner of a pup before petting or even approaching. During our last trip, he asked a woman with a service Pomeranian if he could pet the dog. She said yes and thanked him for being so polite and said that many people do not ask. On a side note, the Pom was trained to detect this woman's seizures! How neat!

 

[SueM in MN]

On a side note, the Pom was trained to detect this woman's seizures! How neat!

We were hoping that our dog would detect seizures for our DD.
It's unfortunately not a skill you can teach; some dogs have it can be taught how to alert someone and some dogs don't have the skill.
Our dog is still young, but DD had a seizure last night - it woke up me, DH and the cat. Mr. Dog was still asleep in her room not 10 feet from DD when I went into her room.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

It's really just a matter of who has the dog as far as what kind of answer you'll get. Some people just don't want to be bothered, others just can't say no, and some it depends on the circumstances. We NEVER say no to a handicap child, not after you see the look of joy on their face. It's also hard to tell a very young child no, but only because they might not have a concept of "no" or they can't seperate their own dog from someone elses yet.

I personally think asking to pet ANY animal is the right way to go, regardless of its a service animal or not because it's an animal you don't know and you don't know how it'll react to you.

I've also noticed that what type of dog you have will determine how many people want to pet it. People tend to be much more apt to pet a lab than a shepard, at least in mine experience.

The biggest positive that can come out of letting someone pet or interact with your service dog is that you have the chance to educate them on something they may not be familiar with, be it the training of the dogs or the condition that you may have. Especially in the lines it's a great way to get to know people, pass time, and give people a little knowledge.

 

[dclfun]

I will just give my personal opinion that I do NOT like to be asked if my SD can be petted. I also am on vacation when I'm at WDW with my friends/family and don't want to take time to educate anyone. My kids are at the point where they get very angry and disgusted with the many, many people who make comments, ask to touch my SD, ask what my dog does for me, etc. I would not go up to those same people and make comments or ask personal questions when they are on vacation. It's hard to say "no" because you always have to explain why and then often get a disappointed look from the person who asked. It gets really, really old.---Kathy ( and Skye)

 

[videogal1]

I will just give my personal opinion that I do NOT like to be asked if my SD can be petted. I also am on vacation when I'm at WDW with my friends/family and don't want to take time to educate anyone. My kids are at the point where they get very angry and disgusted with the many, many people who make comments, ask to touch my SD, ask what my dog does for me, etc. I would not go up to those same people and make comments or ask personal questions when they are on vacation. It's hard to say "no" because you always have to explain why and then often get a disappointed look from the person who asked. It gets really, really old.---Kathy ( and Skye)

Hi K... agreed

If I could get a refund for all the accumulated hours I must have spent doing almost non-stop "education" to people who interrupted my vacations for the benefit of satisfying their own personal curiosity about my 4-legged mobility aid I could afford another cruise. I now call the DO NOT PET patch on Cash's harness his adult literacy test. The number of people who fail it is astonishing.

 

[Alesia]

I have always taught my daughter to ask before touching anyone's pet (you never know if it will bite,) but to never even ask if she can touch a service animal.

 

[Danislee]

I will just give my personal opinion that I do NOT like to be asked if my SD can be petted. I also am on vacation when I'm at WDW with my friends/family and don't want to take time to educate anyone. My kids are at the point where they get very angry and disgusted with the many, many people who make comments, ask to touch my SD, ask what my dog does for me, etc. I would not go up to those same people and make comments or ask personal questions when they are on vacation. It's hard to say "no" because you always have to explain why and then often get a disappointed look from the person who asked. It gets really, really old.---Kathy ( and Skye)

I do understand that kids are curious, but I wonder why parents/guardians/whomever think it's acceptable to go up to a stranger on vacation and ask them questions. I mean, a Service Dog is kind of self-explanatory, even if you can't tell specifically what the dog is for, the dog is doing a job to help someone. (Hence the vests etc.) Half the time I think, if adults told kids that, they'd be satisfied. And also: the person you are approaching is a stranger. I'm not saying any of you would do anything bad, but neither adult nor child knows this person, I don't think it's a good habit to be reinforcing in kids.

 

[Stellapedia]

My child's health history is not the concern of every person under the sun. They do not get to ask what the dog does, what's "wrong" with my kid, how long it took to train him, how much a SD costs, what breed he is, what his name is, if they can have a picture, etc.
I had a guy at a Kidcot station crawl under the table to pet the dog. A grown man, crawling under a table to pet him. I was not polite to him in the least (I normally at least try). I've also had one woman insist that she MUST have a picture of him and ask me if I would mind posing him. Uh, you want a picture of a posing dog, Pluto is inside the park.

On the other hand, I was waiting for the jungle cruise in MK one day and the cast member kept looking at him and you could tell he was insane with desire to just pet him. He never asked, he never made a single comment other than "he's pretty." When we were about to board, I asked if he would like to pet him, and of course he jumped at the chance.
I let kids at times, mostly just so he gets practice on the command! Normally on the monorail ride home at night I'll take his vest off (especially if there are kids in the car) and let him be a dog. And yes, there is a significant personality change when a dog's vest comes off! He LOVES the monorail ride home with his vest off, he gets to pet everyone!

 

[Twende]

I am one of those pet lovers who has been know to drool over a service animal. I literally have to restrain myself and repeat in my head: "Please do NOT pet"!

We have Goldens at home and when we are away I miss them so much. When I see one I just want to reach out and get a quick fix of puppy fur in my hands.

I really try to be respectful but it is very difficult for me.