Egads! Please tell me you are joking about trying to pass your dogs off as assistant dogs. There are lunatics out there who are foaming at the mouth trying to have the training of assistant dogs regulated so only a selected few would have license to train these kinds of dogs. Part of their argument towards regulation is the fear that *somebody* might try to pass off their dog as an assistant dog and take that dog to places where the public is invited. Nevermind that this isn't exactly a huge problem confronting people. To those who think only Canine Companions should be allowed to dole out dogs and owner-trained dogs an anathema, someone caught passing off a regular dog as an assistant dog would just make their case. People who need and use assistant dogs have a tough enough time being confronted by idiots trying to stop them from taking their dogs into stores and such. Hell, some even declare that only Labs and Golden Retrievers are assistant dogs. Please don't add fuel to this stupid fire.

Kitty S.

I'm a little guilty of that myself. Well mannered and trained dogs are a very rare where I live and ppl just assume that he is some sort of assistant dog. He's not wearing a vest or anything. but ppl want to come up and pet him all the time and I just say "please, no, he's working". I guess in his mind he is. He must keep an eye on Brain and Casey. I don't take Max into stores or offices. Just to the park,beach, Sch or Boy Scouts.

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Egads! Please tell me you are joking about trying to pass your dogs off as assistant dogs.

Suggested purely in jest, I assure you! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> It would never be my intent to jeopardize the wonderful job done by the assistance dog trainers, it was just a thought so Kay could get her puppy onto public transit without a fuss. Unless you happen to come across someone with a REAL guide dog in training, in which case I'd suggest leaving the bus asap... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

I was actually thinking of something else...can't we have a "Protection Dog in Training" or something like that? Or just something that says "Working Dog, Please Don't Disturb"?

Leerburg sells a traning vest that says Working dog in training-please don't disturb! (or something like that). It would be worth it to me to get! I don't let people play all over my dog just cause he's furry! lol
http://leerburg.com/760.htm

I'm currently helping raise puppies for paws with a cause (an organization that trains assistance dogs for people who need them, free of charge). I can say from first hand experience that it is hard enough in some areas around where i live, to get my puppy into the public without hassle. Fortunetaly I live in an area that is accustomed to having paws puppies pass through their facilities on a fairly regular basis. Because of this I dont have TOO much of a problem getting the pups out for the MUCH needed socialization. Some places just aren't dog friendly I guess, and it takes time and patience to convince the owners/managers to let us gain entry. Usually once they do, they have a smile on their face next time we visit.

I can imagine how hard it would be if people started going around trying to pass their dogs off as "assistance dogs in training!". Businesses,etc.. i'm sure would be very wary if not non-compliant with the legit people and their pups. All I can say is that I sincerely HOPE that people think twice before trying to pass their dogs off as assistance dogs, just to gain public entry! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Please put that Idea right OUT of your heads!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

kind of late on the enitial post but, I took my 3month old to a park in Irving Tx. with my grandbaby. Just as we got out of the truck I noticed a border Colliethat looked to be away from any handler. We went about twenty yards and he notced us. He came running not agressive but wanted contact with the puppy. I gently pushed the dog away with my foot. My puppy barked. The owner a large woman came up and tried to call her dog, it would not listen. I told her my dog is in training to be a PPD and this could set us back in our training. She got very upset with us saying he won't do anything. I told her there are leash laws and to get her dog on a leash. she finaly got him on and acted like he has never been and they walked away. I asked a man there if I was wrong and he said no, I am afraid to jog here because of people like her. Anyway now my dog is acting agressive to other dogs just another set back in training because of irresponsible dog owners

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Some places just aren't dog friendly I guess, and it takes time and patience to convince the owners/managers to let us gain entry.

And some places may be a bit too dog friendly!

Home Depot will normally allow one to bring in a dog, especially if you explain you are imprinting or training for slick floors, different smells, etc.

But the local store here is so "friendly" they allow any ole Bubba to bring in his dog...unleashed.

So when you round the aisle with your own leashed dog, you may confront some curious Pit, BC or Blue Heeler! And then of course you're given the old byline: "Oh, he's friendly", as you try to move your own dog away from the pushy butt sniffer!

I've now learned to ask if there are any other dogs in the store before I bring my own in...

All you need to do is make your own letters on the vest. Sew the loop side of velcro on to the vest then make letters out of the hook side. White velcro on a dark vest would be pretty visible. Or sew fabric to the hook side then stick it on. Tape or iron on stuff works with some vests too. There are a few places that will embroider them.