What to do about a dog in a room...

[wulfekamp]

Beating the dead horse.

It is my business. I own that resort. I pay my hard earned $'s for that resort. The minute your business effects my business it is now my business and I will stick my nose in it.

No you Don't own that resort you own a small interest in it. I own part of it.
No one likes a tattle tail. I don't feel its my place to be the DVC tattle tail when i'm on vacation. If the Dog does damage send them a bill but thats disneys job.

 

[dianeschlicht]

it seems once we step off of Michigan soil, there isn't a lot of familiarity.

That's not quite true. There are actually leader dog programs all across the country. Some of the more well known ones are in New Jersey and Michigan, but we have several here in Minnesota, including one that works strictly with hearing impaired.

I am a breeder/exhibitor of Airedales, and one of my former puppies is doing work for a woman with a sleep disorder. The dog wears a vest and carries her meds as well as a digital alarm that sounds when her meds are due. The dog wakes her, and even pulls her out of bed to make sure she is alert enough to take her meds. Because of this dog, she is able to even drive, as long as she can prove she's taking her meds and has the dog with her. This dog is trained to sit under her feet in all public places, so many times nobody even knows there is a dog there. He is definitely at work though.

 

[Dean]

i don't think any humane human would be bothered by a service dog, or a service dog in training. if the
but there are a growing number of people who bring their dogs where they aren't allowed, despite knowing the rules/law. i'm sure we've all seen many, many lap dogs in strollers, handbags, running around in malls, etc despite signs saying non-service animals prohibited - not one wearing any indication whatsoever that they are a service animal. just recently, i watched a women take her lap dog out of its stroller, let it run around a clothing store until it peed on the floor, then proceed to try on about 10 kids' tshirts on the animal (the t's were removed and damaged out).
i agree that there are many other things, children, smoking, piggy adults, drunks, that do things to a room that require additional maintainence and/or repairs. none of those are morally right - and there isn't a contest to see which of the wrongs is the least wrong

thank you stitch'sgirl for being a foster family!! if/when we retire, it's something we would love to do (for now, we just try to volunteer at the facility occassionally, and take care of our 1 dog, 3 cats, and the feral cat and her 3 kittens we just found living in our yard ).
it's wonderful work you do, especially being willling to go through that heartbreak each time knowing it is for a greater good

And some of them portray their pets as service dogs specifically for this purpose, just like some get handicap plaques to use for parking without the need. You can't throw out the baby with the bath water but we should at least realize that these things do happen.

 

[Dean]

No you Don't own that resort you own a small interest in it. I own part of it.
No one likes a tattle tail. I don't feel its my place to be the DVC tattle tail when i'm on vacation. If the Dog does damage send them a bill but thats disneys job.

All who own at a given resort are owners. I realize there can be a fine line between appropriately notifying the right people when something arises and truly being a nuisance. I for one would disagree with the principle of just look the other way and let the authorities deal with it. OTOH, you often can't go around interacting with those you have concerns about in such matters if you have no previous relationship, there are real risks in doing so. I take the issue seriously ON BOTH SIDES and make every attempt to not intrude into others business, however, I do take the rules seriously as well and in situations where there are real costs and real risks, I'd rather be thought a tattle tale than a passive person with no backbone or principles if that is the choices, as it is for many of these situations.

 

[dianeschlicht]

All who own at a given resort are owners. I realize there can be a fine line between appropriately notifying the right people when something arises and truly being a nuisance. I for one would disagree with the principle of just look the other way and let the authorities deal with it. OTOH, you often can't go around interacting with those you have concerns about in such matters if you have no previous relationship, there are real risks in doing so. I take the issue seriously ON BOTH SIDES and make every attempt to not intrude into others business, however, I do take the rules seriously as well and in situations where there are real costs and real risks, I'd rather be thought a tattle tale than a passive person with no backbone or principles if that is the choices, as it is for many of these situations.

 

[Chuck S]

Get over the semantics. Not all puppies who go through the "future leader dog" program actually become leader dogs. That wont be known until they get past that puppy training stage and enter the true training stage. THEN they become a true leader in training. It takes about 3 years to produce a good leader dog, and what those people do with the puppies is help to desensitize them to the things that go on in the world they are being trained to handle. Basically, that puppy is being trained to ignore the things it might otherwise be fearful or cautious of. The bandana is there to alert others that this is NOT a dog to pet. In fact, many wear vests saying not to touch unless given permission.

Sorry if I've offended you, Diane, but honestly, I'm 51 years old, and have never, ever heard of a service animal referred to as a "Leader Dog." If the majority of the general public do not know the terminology, there is bound to be misunderstandings. Most people have heard of guide dogs, and service dogs, but not leader dogs. There are many instances where terms are used within a specific community that those not affiliated with that community are not familiar with the verbiage.

For instance, if you heard the term P-O-P associated with the video rental industry, would you know what it refers to?

I google Leader Dogs in Texas, and no where on the website that came up is the term "leader dog" used, they are always referred to as guide dogs.

http://www.guidedogsoftexas.org/

 

[dbs1228]

WOW this thread is still going, go figure! I was at OKW 2 weeks ago with friends and they said they saw a family with 2 "bull dog type dogs" on property and it made me think of this thread. I do not know where they were staying, but it had to be in our little complex, since I did hear the rattle of a collar one night, but never heard a bark or any other distrubing noises. They never saw them after that evening coming home from the pool at night. I did not report them since I did not know where they were staying, did not see the dogs myself and just did not have enough information. If I had seen the dogs I would have inquired with the owners if they were in fact service dogs and made my own observations and if I had any doubt I would have reported them only due to all the people out there with health issues.(allergies) OKW is way too big a property for Disney to police that kind of abuse and well behaved dogs would have no problem staying undected for awhile.

 

[Sammie]

I have an honest question that truly do not know the answer to, for people with these severe allergies that your throat would swell shut and you might die, how do you go out anywhere.

Even though I don't travel with my dog to Disney World, I am sure my shoes, my luggage, I know my car is full of dog hair.

Are you that allergic to hair, or is it the actual dog?

I do know that some people can't have pets due to being allergic to the actually dog's salvia not the hair. So getting a room after a dog had been in it would not bother them, since the dog was no longer there.

I mean even housekeepers that have pets are bound to track in dog and cat hair.

 

[rhpools]

I see a few people have commented on future occupants being alergic. Do we know if they have seperate rooms designated for people with service animals, or do we never know if there was a dog in the room before us?

 

[bumbershoot]

Sorry if I've offended you, Diane, but honestly, I'm 51 years old, and have never, ever heard of a service animal referred to as a "Leader Dog."

I haven't heard of it either, until about a minute ago. And I spent AGES of my time researching the whole ADA/service animal thing while living below a woman with a dog that was entirely UNtrained, a breed not allowed at the property, very protective of her family and extended protection to the entire building though there were two apartments above her whose occupants had to walk right past their door, and who twice stood outside my husband's car's door NOT letting him out until the owner's boyfriend hauled the dog back in. The woman said it was a dog to help with her seizures. The woman NEVER EVER took that dog ANYWHERE with her, the dog stayed at home ALL the time. And then she got a second one that she forgot to tell management about.

I was researching b/c I wanted a way to get her and/or that dog out of the apartment complex...I was one of those living above the dog, and the dog scared the pants offa me as I tried to go out for walks, or tried to get home after walks/grocery shopping, with my brand new baby... The dog often would sit at the door (no screen door) with the woman's 4 year old...woman was at work and boyfriend was there...boyfriend couldn't control the dog unless he had his hands on her. If the dog had proved herself to be a menace, she would have been treated just like if one of her owners were a menace; they would be evicted. Management needed the proof, needed reports...but they were being extremely conservative and wanted reams of proof, but ultimately I couldn't do it anymore and we left.

And in doing the research, I found out all sorts of things about service animals, and grew up understand and LOVE what the ADA does for people who already have extra issues to deal with. Ultimately, we moved. It was more worth it, to us, for us to move away, than to try to fight her, when she was protected by a basically good system that tries to help people out. YES she was a scammer; she'd even been in apartment management and knew just how to work it. But putting more roadblocks up for righteous people isn't something I wanted to do, even if it would have gotten that over-protective, dangerous, never went anywhere with the person it was supposed to serve, dog out of my life.


Anyway, in all that time I never heard of Leader Dogs, so I bet many people who haven't researched things as much as I did have!

 

[dbs1228]

Not sure the exact answer on either pp but I recently had a friend come visit from Calif. and immediately asked if I had a cat since he is highly allergic. My DD has had friends come over, stay in her bedroom where the dogs do not go, and have reactions within a few hours, not sever but enough to take medication. I think everyone is different in these cases a few benedryl and they felt better but I am sure that is not the case for some.

Bottom line if they (dogs) are not suppose to be there then do not bring them unless they are for service!

We were on the 3rd floor and I told my friend who is a smoker, she had to travel to the smoking area to light up, no way on the balacony. She totally respected that and trecked downstairs several times a day. I still do not know why, especailly a place like OKW, why there is no smoking on the balaconies but it is a rule for a reason so I am going to respect the rules.

 

[javamom]

The allergy isn't to the hair itself, it's the dander. I don't have any allergies to these anymore, but I did as a child. I was allergic to feline, rabbit, and guinea pig dander.

We knew about the cat allergy because I would break out in hives. We found out the hard way with the guinea pig. My sister brought home the class pet for the weekend, and I woke up with my eyes matted shut with dried ooze. As a child, I didn't understand what this was, so I screamed thinking that I was blind since I could not open my eyes.

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

Sorry if I've offended you, Diane, but honestly, I'm 51 years old, and have never, ever heard of a service animal referred to as a "Leader Dog." If the majority of the general public do not know the terminology, there is bound to be misunderstandings. Most people have heard of guide dogs, and service dogs, but not leader dogs. There are many instances where terms are used within a specific community that those not affiliated with that community are not familiar with the verbiage.

For instance, if you heard the term P-O-P associated with the video rental industry, would you know what it refers to?

I google Leader Dogs in Texas, and no where on the website that came up is the term "leader dog" used, they are always referred to as guide dogs.

http://www.guidedogsoftexas.org/

I have never heard of a "Leader dog" either. I might have misunderstood the bandanna Stitch'sgirl's puppy wore too! I imagine that lack of understanding the term caused some of the disapproving looks at WDW as well. I have only see the more traditional vests as well on the dogs. Stitch'sgirl, thanks for what you are doing! I think it's great that you can be a puppy raiser. Thanks for educating me about Leader Dogs.

But back to the original thread- yes, I would have reported to the front desk any dog I saw without a guide dog vest/bandanna (now that I know about bandannas!). They could handle it from there. If indeed it was a service dog, no harm done. If it was one that was snuck inside, then management can deal with it. It IS California after all, and we see purse dogs everywhere!! I have seen them in clothing stores and the grocery store- running about, rubbing up on the clothing, and peeing on things. Ewww. Clearly dogs who are NOT service animals! I have seen employees look the other way too, despite the signs on the store entrance saying "service dogs only". So many people today are afraid to say anything. Those who falsely label their pets as service animals are to blame. They make the general public look suspiciously at any dog in stores, theme parks, etc. who aren't wearing the traditional harness used by guide dogs.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Sorry if I've offended you, Diane, but honestly, I'm 51 years old, and have never, ever heard of a service animal referred to as a "Leader Dog." If the majority of the general public do not know the terminology, there is bound to be misunderstandings. Most people have heard of guide dogs, and service dogs, but not leader dogs. There are many instances where terms are used within a specific community that those not affiliated with that community are not familiar with the verbiage.

For instance, if you heard the term P-O-P associated with the video rental industry, would you know what it refers to?

I google Leader Dogs in Texas, and no where on the website that came up is the term "leader dog" used, they are always referred to as guide dogs.

http://www.guidedogsoftexas.org/

Chuck, there was no offense meant, and I'm sorry you took it that way. That's the trouble with typing something instead of speaking it. I think "Leader dog" is mostly used by specific training centers in the industry, so you are right that you might not have heard the term. I do, however, feel the term is a bit self explanitory. To me "leader dog" connotes service for the blind, but around here there are centers that train service dogs for people who are wheelchair bound, and they are also called leader dogs.

 

[dianeschlicht]

But back to the original thread- yes, I would have reported to the front desk any dog I saw without a guide dog vest/bandanna (now that I know about bandannas!). They could handle it from there. If indeed it was a service dog, no harm done. If it was one that was snuck inside, then management can deal with it. It IS California after all, and we see purse dogs everywhere!! I have seen them in clothing stores and the grocery store- running about, rubbing up on the clothing, and peeing on things. Ewww. Clearly dogs who are NOT service animals! I have seen employees look the other way too, despite the signs on the store entrance saying "service dogs only". So many people today are afraid to say anything. Those who falsely label their pets as service animals are to blame. They make the general public look suspiciously at any dog in stores, theme parks, etc. who aren't wearing the traditional harness used by guide dogs.

I agree that too many are afraid to say something or just content to "look the other way". That goes for EVERYTHING too. I also worry that those folks who are falsly claiming "service dog" status for dogs that are nothing more than pets are hurting the "REAL" service dogs too. It gives a bad impression of something that is very much needed by some.

Not sure if I mentioned it earlier in this thread or not, but we have seen a whole blind family often at OKW. They seem to often vacation the same time we do. They have 2 service dogs between 3 people, and I have shared the boat to DTD with them several times and had some wonderful conversations with them. Of course, being a dog person, I kind of gravitated to them, and they to me. Their dogs were very large German Shepherd dogs.

 

[sadiespicks]

No you Don't own that resort you own a small interest in it. I own part of it.
No one likes a tattle tail. I don't feel its my place to be the DVC tattle tail when i'm on vacation. If the Dog does damage send them a bill but thats disneys job.

Didn't say I own all of it. But I own it.

And it's the police's job to catch drug dealers, but if they set up on my corner you can be sure a phone call will be made.

 

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

If there was a dog in a room nearby me and I suspected that it shouldn't be there, I would not hesitate to let a CM know about it and have them take it from there.

 

[jarestel]

If you knew that someone had a dog in one of the rooms (ie you saw it while walking by the room), what would you do?

Personally, since I'm not employed by Disney/DVC, and they don't have a junior Disney deputy program to swear me in as a part-time Disney CM, I'd do absolutely nothing. As long as the pooch wasn't disturbing me by barking or making ill-use of the door to my room, he's cool, I'm cool!

 

[cpdwiz]

I would call and report it asap. I'm not the Disney police BUT without people reporting things the place will fall apart...and those saying they wouldn't say anything would be the 1st to complain if the room was dirty upon check in

 

[stitch'sgirl]

Here you go!

www.leaderdog.org

This is info off of the site -

Currently, Leader Dog is the only facility in the Western Hemisphere to teach Deaf-blind students to work with a dog guide.

Thanks to generous donations from our supporters, our dog guide services are provided free of charge, including room and board and travel to and from our campus in Rochester Hills, Michigan, for students living in North America.