Service dog issues

[Nalla]

I've been having some major problems with kids in Disney. Some lady parked at my SD and I got startled and fell. At the park some kid came up and covered Nalla's eyes, we both fell off the sidewalk, I fell onto a rock and sprained my ankle. Kids keep sticking things in Nalla's face (toy guns, light up toys, food, shoes etc), grabbing Nalla's ears and tail, and generally making it hard to get around.
Nalla wears a guide harness, and when I confront these kids they ignore me, and if I confront the parents they yell at me.
I dunno what to do. I have no issues at work, but whenever I go to the parks I have problems.

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

That's horrible!!!!

I haven't had any such problems at Disney or elsewhere, but maybe you could also carry around a white cane with you for a few days and see if it scares the kids off (most kids hopefully wouldn't attempt a stupid stunt if they saw a big ol' stick being waved back and forth).

I have had a couple ppl (different times and places) in the past bark at my SD (seriously, ppl, how pathetic can you be to make a lame barking sound when you see a dog?!), but it didn't distract either of us.

Maybe you need to do some upkeep training with Nala on distraction-proofing, too. She shouldn't have kept going when a kid was covering her eyes - she should've stopped and turned her head away from him (and then looked to you waiting for you to give the kid a what-for ).

Also, you might want to look into getting a guide harness sign (slides onto the handles) that says, "Do not touch" or similar. The youngest ones wouldn't be able to read it, but the older ones and their parents would (unless they don't speak English).

Your tragedies are a prime example on why ppl need to learn to leave SDs alone! I wish more ppl would understand that they cannot distract SDs while the SD is working!

 

[mechurchlady]

Nalla you are too young to do what I would do and do not try it.

I would have a panic attack and scream "I am blind, OMG what is that, attackers, eek" or something to that affect. I would then get the cane and wallop them brats. Oops, was so distracted, did I hurt anyone.

You need to be firm, Nalla. Have a pat response. Also give them a good lecture on how to treat SDs would be good. Educate them and bore them to tears.

I think one problem with your dog is that it is a boofy, fluffy, cutey pie type of dog. They see your dog as a funny dog to play with where as labs and shepherd look like they are working and that is what most people see in the media. In movies and television you see working dogs like dobermans, rotties, labs, and shepherds. Nalla, your dog is so lovable, sad to see your dog abused that way.

I agree with Ms Butterfly that your dog should stop until the danger is over unless you tell it to continue.

 

[bookwormde]

I know it is not as comfortable for your SD (especially in the summer) but as others have suggested as much obvious “signage” as your SD can tolerate would probably help with the people that just lack enough understanding to realize the you companion is a service dog (you would think that the parents could figure it out on their own since the only dogs at WDW are SDs). As for the people who are just inconsiderate, there is not much that can be done other than to state the impact distracting your SD can have.

bookwormde

 

[Mary976]

What about something along the lines of, "I'm glad you like my dog but she's working right now so she can't play." I agree that one of those signs that clips onto the harness might help you out, too.

Mary

 

[Schmeck]

I agree that it sounds like Nalla might need a refresher course. How about teaching her to snarl and snap on a cue from you to keep the pests away as well! (I'm just joking, of course you don't want your service dog to snarl!)

 

[LauraVV]

When people approach or look like they're approaching I loudly say to the dog, "LEAVE IT!" It's really not a message to the dog; it's a message to those approaching. On the dogs' vests we also have a patch that says, "Service Dog" and "Do not pet."

I think one of the most important things is to be firm and have a confident attitude.

 

[dclfun]

I forgot- is Nalla used for a visual impairment? For some reason I thought she was a medical alert dog. If she is wearing a guide harness and is not a guide dog, I agree that having some sort of vest that indicates she's a service dog is the best way to ID her to prevent people from interacting with her. I also agree that she likely needs a refresher course to ignore people and should not have kept going with her eyes covered. People touch Skye all the time- when walking through crowds she usually lowers her head to keep herself from making eye contact with people and I try not to make eye contact either. It's not that we're not being "friendly"- we are trying to maintain our relationship w/each other with the least distraction possible. The only time I was ever snarky to someone was the 9-10 year old boy who hit her HARD on her backside as we passed by- she just ignored him and kept going but I was about to bite!---Kathy

 

[bavaria]

I think one problem with your dog is that it is a boofy, fluffy, cutey pie type of dog. They see your dog as a funny dog to play with where as labs and shepherd look like they are working and that is what most people see in the media. In movies and television you see working dogs like dobermans, rotties, labs, and shepherds.

I agree that this may be part of the problem - we had a service dog in our family many years before other breeds were common, and most people had no idea that anything other than a lab or shepherd could perform such work.

Sadly there is also quite a bit of ignorance, as I am quite certain we have all read here over the years. There was quite the thread a few weeks ago about a dog on Maelstrom, which was very enlightening as to how many people don't realise the working role of dogs or various medical conditions. It was eventually locked but it certainly made me aware of how many people really don't understand working dogs or their purpose. Had I known about the thread here about service dogs I would have directed people to come read about the amazing work that they do for those of you who are fortunate to have them.

I hope that you can find some methods to cope as you shouldn't have to experience this....

 

[Leajess99]

I've been having some major problems with kids in Disney. Some lady parked at my SD and I got startled and fell. At the park some kid came up and covered Nalla's eyes, we both fell off the sidewalk, I fell onto a rock and sprained my ankle. Kids keep sticking things in Nalla's face (toy guns, light up toys, food, shoes etc), grabbing Nalla's ears and tail, and generally making it hard to get around.
Nalla wears a guide harness, and when I confront these kids they ignore me, and if I confront the parents they yell at me.
I dunno what to do. I have no issues at work, but whenever I go to the parks I have problems.

I am so sorry for the problems caused to you and your SD. I teach my kids that the dogs are pretty to look at but not to touch as they are working. We live near Fort Knox and they have a great training program for SDs so my kids have lots of experience with them in the stores and that. They know they are not to touch the dog and know they are not to touch any dogs without first asking if it is okay. Of course my kids would be going right back to the resort if they dare do anything to a SD or their person.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

when I confront these kids they ignore me, and if I confront the parents they yell at me.

The parents yell at you? This is just beyond pathetic. What is wrong with folks nowadays? I taught my kids early on what a service dog is and how they are to be respected for the job they do and to admire them from a distance. Our DD is teaching our DGS the same. I don't understand why some adults cannot teach their children that they are not the only ones living on this planet. I am truly sorry you have to endure such rudeness. I guess the pps are right about having some sort of sign if that will help.

 

[dclfun]

Even though my disability is apparent people do look at the "do not pet me, I'm working" patch on her vest. If someone has an invisible disability and a non-traditional breed, and then on top of that, no SD vest, then the dog will often be perceived as a pet. Yes, I know pets aren't allowed in the parks but there are people who represent pets as SD's- I've witnessed it myself unfortunately. WDW CM's don't confront those people or those with "comfort pets" who also do not have any access rights. So it could be a problem of lack of respect, a person not seeing the handler as disabled, etc. Usually kids are the best and I often hear them tellling their parents that "the lady has a service dog and they can't be petted or bothered!". They've been taught in school I guess, thankfully! Rude people are everywhere. I'll say it again- we live in an entitlement society and people often feel they should be able to do whatever they want without regard for others....sigh. I'm sorry the OP's had a problem in the first place, let alone in the Disney parks.---Kathy

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

The ppl I come across, usually it is the parent who knows and tells their kids about SDs, but sometimes both know (gotta love the kids who shout to the parent who is standing right next to them, "Dad, look! It is a guide dog!!" and their dad says, "That's right, son," LOL).

One family I came across at AK, the older son (at least 10 yrs. old) said, "Look, a dog - see, I told you we should have brought [family pet's name]!" The parents explained SDs to him, but I couldn't help but chuckle at a kid that age getting miffed when he thought he could've brought his pet with him.

Of course, sometimes not even the adults have a clue what an SD is! And a lot of ppl don't know the difference between a guide harness and mobility harness, so they assume I'm blind and my dog's a guide dog.

The only issue I had at AK was a rude mother who kept trying to interrupt me while I was very obviously involved in a conversation with my friend (I was the one talking at the moment!). I've never had anybody yell at me for telling their kid not to pet the dog or anything. Sad that some parents are doing that!!