Quote: Connie Sutherland

" ... Anyway, you might like to check out Service Dog Vests in an online search -- I've seen every imaginable variety for sale, even "ESA" (Emotional Support Animal) complete with a velcro pocket for the accompanying wallet containing your individual pet's "official ID papers" as a Working Service Dog ... BTW, this is apparently something of a "black market cottage industry" that requires No Verification of ANY specialized training for the dog, FYI. ... "



This is absolutely NOT OK.


I'm thinking maybe this was posted without thinking. I was surprised to read it here.

Hi Connie,

No, the IMPERSONATION of a Police Dog, a Military Dog, a Search & Rescue Dog, a Therapy Dog, or any other Certified service/working Dog is certainly NOT okay -- What was I thinking ??? I was actually thinking that the term ESA / Emotional Support Animal (which I saw online) might apply to a dog owned by someone suffering from mild AGORAPHOBIA whose Companion Pet performed the function of a living "security blanket", enabling that person to venture out in public when escorted by their dog, without succumbing to Panic Attacks ... If that line of reasoning Posted Innocently was an inappropriate message here, then I most sincerely apologize for my clumsy Faux Pas !!!

Candi;

If you go out shopping for a service dog vest without being instructed by a licensed PhD, then you ARE impersonating someone who needs a service dog. ESAs and service dogs are for people who have been diagnosed with a disorder. The problem with that whole "black market cottage industry" is that it is built around the ADA's loophole and is exploited by people who are using the service dog angle to get around rules for pet dogs.

If you "THINK" you have agoraphobia, it is not up to you to declare your dog an ESA and go get a vest so that you can take him anywhere you want.

I do agree with Duane that we can be positive ambassadors for our breeds as well. I have GSD and malinois, and find that many people had a family GSD growing up (and the malinois passes for a GSD with most), and really enjoy the chance to meet her and get some pats. My GSD loves the attention, with no chance of presenting a danger, so I am fine with it if I have the time. It can be really fun to meet and chat with people that way. Often they are out of towners, and it's just fun. I've had some great, interesting dog-related conversations that way.

I have a bunch of big dogs, I walk them in very busy downtown areas weekdays. I do expect a bit of attention, but I don't expect to be harassed. The most common question is "are they all yours" followed by asking the breed of the Belgian. Often I get asked if I am a dog walker. I've never been yelled at for refusing to let someone pat my dogs, but maybe that is because my dogs can look a bit intense, or could be my intensity, or both.

I also enjoy chatting with many of the regulars on our mid-day walks. Even if our dogs don't get along (that is, we don't let them play off leash together), we can exchange pleasantries and watch out for each other. I have no tolerance for fools, but I am happy to present my dogs in a positive light whenever I have a chance.

 Quote: Duane Hull

Candi;

If you go out shopping for a service dog vest without being instructed by a licensed PhD, then you ARE impersonating someone who needs a service dog. ESAs and service dogs are for people who have been diagnosed with a disorder. The problem with that whole "black market cottage industry" is that it is built around the ADA's loophole and is exploited by people who are using the service dog angle to get around rules for pet dogs.

If you "THINK" you have agoraphobia, it is not up to you to declare your dog an ESA and go get a vest so that you can take him anywhere you want.

Yes, I get it, Duane -- The world is unfortunately full of Cheaters ... It's just too bad so many folks in the USA are obsessive-compulsive over the notion of "dog germs" needing to prevent Pets from frequenting lots of places with their owners in which Non-Americans accept CANINE ACCESS as being a perfectly safe & sanitary practice (SIGH).

I'm not OCD about dog germs. My dog licks my face. But she is not allowed in the kitchen or dining room during meals or prep. I don't eat with my dog at home, and I prefer not to eat with anyone else's dogs when I go out. I don't want to sit next to a dog on a plane or at a theater, either.

 Quote: Kiersten Lippman

I do agree with Duane that we can be positive ambassadors for our breeds as well. I have GSD and malinois, and find that many people had a family GSD growing up (and the malinois passes for a GSD with most), and really enjoy the chance to meet her and get some pats. My GSD loves the attention, with no chance of presenting a danger, so I am fine with it if I have the time. It can be really fun to meet and chat with people that way. Often they are out of towners, and it's just fun. I've had some great, interesting dog-related conversations that way.

I have a bunch of big dogs, I walk them in very busy downtown areas weekdays. I do expect a bit of attention, but I don't expect to be harassed. The most common question is "are they all yours" followed by asking the breed of the Belgian. Often I get asked if I am a dog walker. I've never been yelled at for refusing to let someone pat my dogs, but maybe that is because my dogs can look a bit intense, or could be my intensity, or both.

I also enjoy chatting with many of the regulars on our mid-day walks. Even if our dogs don't get along (that is, we don't let them play off leash together), we can exchange pleasantries and watch out for each other. I have no tolerance for fools, but I am happy to present my dogs in a positive light whenever I have a chance.

My experience exactly. I walk five dogs at a time on city sidewalks and in city parks. Most encounters are avoided simply because people see that I have my hands full, and we're walking at a fast clip.

If we're stopped at a crosswalk and somebody asks nicely "can I meet your dogs?" I almost always comply. In my case, the worst outcome will be the corgi getting hair all over the person.

We don't, however, EVER stop to meet other dogs. When we have to pass another dog, we pick up the pace and march forward.

On every walk, I am always asked: "Are they all yours?" (yep.) "Are you a dog-walker?" (no, they're all mine.) and "What kind of dog is the big one?" (she's a Leonberger.) Strangely, I also often get: "Do they all get along?" (uh, do you see them all walking shoulder-to-shoulder here next to me?) And "Which one is the alpha?" (I am.)

 Quote: Duane Hull

I'm not OCD about dog germs. My dog licks my face. But she is not allowed in the kitchen or dining room during meals or prep. I don't eat with my dog at home, and I prefer not to eat with anyone else's dogs when I go out. I don't want to sit next to a dog on a plane or at a theater, either.

Duane, just for the record, I was not implying that you or anyone else here is "OCD" We all have our Personal Preferences when it comes to "Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind" with animals -- My own belief is that they are Cleaner than many People ... PEACE !!!

Nothing personal, Candi, and nothing intended or taken that way. We've all heard the old saying, "There's two sides to every story". I'm an advocate of making sure that all versions are represented. Even among dog owners, there is much disagreement on certain topics and philosophies, and I'd hate to think that anyone would believes that they're always right.

ETA: Aw, shucks, I used an emoticon...



Edited by Duane Hull (07/08/2014 11:49 AM)
Edit reason: eta

 Quote: Duane Hull

Nothing personal, Candi, and nothing intended or taken that way. We've all heard the old saying, "There's two sides to every story". I'm an advocate of making sure that all versions are represented. Even among dog owners, there is much disagreement on certain topics and philosophies, and I'd hate to think that anyone would believes that they're always right.

ETA: Aw, shucks, I used an emoticon...

S'all good, Duane

Another positive encounter this weekend, and a chance to introduce a prospective owner to the pros and cons of a working breed.

Some guys are renovating the house across the street from mine. They are there evenings and weekends. Several were there Sunday, and one had his 10-12 yo son with him.

I had cooked one sausage patty too many for breakfast, so I decided to use it as a HV reward to work on focus in the "fuss". I took Sadie out to the front yard/sidewalk and proceeded to get some very intense focus from her as I marched her around. As I got low on sausage, I did some out-of-motion exercises. When I got to the last piece, I "platzed" her and walked out of sight, proofing her long down.

I had noticed the boy outside across the way, and I saw him and his Dad watching more closely as I worked. By the time that I recalled Sadie from the long down, they had crossed to my side of the street. I put Sadie in a heel and walked over to them, as it was obvious they wanted to speak to me. I assumed they wanted to pet my dog, so after she sat and showed some decorum, I released her to approach them. The little boy was a tad nervous, but Sadie was not to be denied some lovin', and he relaxed.

Before I could process the nervous little boy wanting to approach my dog, the Dad began to explain. He said that the little boy had been asking to get a GSD. The Dad, however, had been trying to impress on the youngster that GSDs are not a beginner's dog. The boy had a dog that was half-Yorkie and half-Dachshund, but the Dad seemed adamant about making the boy understand the difference between that and a GSD. When I reiterated what the gentleman was saying, he stated that he was glad that his son had the chance to see a GSD in training. I then went into my spiel about how all dogs are not the same and that, if he really wanted a GSD or other working breed, he would have to put in hours daily exercising and training the dog. I was also sure to point out that my dog is much happier when she has a "job" to do.

Dad seemed happy that they had a chance to see Sadie and I work together, and that I was able to demonstrate Sadie's discipline and work ethic while giving some objective advice. The little boy seemed a little overwhelmed, but he had a smile on his face, a new friend, and some insight that will hopefully help him make a sound decision one day.