Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Question regarding a possible Service Dog Faux Pas (self.Blind)
submitted by jufojonas
Hello everyone.
I'm a sighted person, who may have breached an otherwise common faux pas about service dogs, and just wanted to ask for a clarification.
Earlier today, I had an appointment at my therapist, who is a lovely blind lady. Unlike the other times I been there, her dog was with her in the counceling room. It was leashed to a table leg behind her chair. As I entered the room, her dog walked up to me excitedly, and I gave it a quick pet and some scratches behind the ears.
It was only after I sat down I remembered that I had earlier been told, that you're generally not supposed to pet service dogs, since they need to be accustomed to only listening to their master when on the job.
The dog was rather energetic, and my therapist did remark that the longer leash the dog was wearing had made it more explorative in the office. This would also lead me to guess that it might no have been "on the job" at the time, and I am thus unsure if I have comitted a big mistake or not.
However, I would rather be on the safe side and ask here, where I safely assume that you are more knowledgeable about the subject, so I can avoid making the same mistake again in the future and possible apologise at my next appointment.
I'm a sighted person, who may have breached an otherwise common faux pas about service dogs, and just wanted to ask for a clarification.
Earlier today, I had an appointment at my therapist, who is a lovely blind lady. Unlike the other times I been there, her dog was with her in the counceling room. It was leashed to a table leg behind her chair. As I entered the room, her dog walked up to me excitedly, and I gave it a quick pet and some scratches behind the ears.
It was only after I sat down I remembered that I had earlier been told, that you're generally not supposed to pet service dogs, since they need to be accustomed to only listening to their master when on the job.
The dog was rather energetic, and my therapist did remark that the longer leash the dog was wearing had made it more explorative in the office. This would also lead me to guess that it might no have been "on the job" at the time, and I am thus unsure if I have comitted a big mistake or not.
However, I would rather be on the safe side and ask here, where I safely assume that you are more knowledgeable about the subject, so I can avoid making the same mistake again in the future and possible apologise at my next appointment.
BenandGracie 7 points 2y ago
If the dog wasn't wearing a harness, then this is normal behavior, and you did nothing wrong. Most service dogs behave like regular dogs when they are not wearing a harness or vest. Also, the dog approached you, so I don't see a problem with what you did.
TheHiiighPriest 2 points 2y ago
This is very considerate of you to think about, but I think you’re good to go. If it is her guide dog, it was clearly off duty if it was only wearing a collar and leash. When a guy dog is working it wears a harness with a handle that the person holds onto and it is very obvious, to most people at least, that the dog has a job to do. Preferences vary from handler to handler, so I would still ask before petting, but if the dog is out of harness it is not on duty. This is an unfortunate misconception, that the dog is always working. When they are Home or in a familiar place like an office, they love to play and get scratches and what not just like any other dog. Before everyone started working from home, I would often take my dogs harness off at my desk and he would lay in his bed and play with his work toys. He obviously wasn’t allowed to run wild through the office, but I had no problem letting coworkers pet him and have some quiet play. Again, this is personal preference, but the general rule is if the harness is on the dog is working and you absolutely should not touch. If it is off, the dog is off duty and you can interact with it, but you should probably still ask the owner. Sounds like in this case it was definitely off duty and you shouldn’t feel bad. Also most guide dogs do not wear vests, at least as part of their standard apparel. If this is some other kind of service dog then I am not qualified to speak on that. I am an experienced handler, proudly on my third wonderful dog guide from the Seeing Eye in Morristown New Jersey. Thank you OP!
carolineecouture 2 points 2y ago
Was the dog watering a vest? Most service dogs wear vests when "working." Also agree with the other posters that doesn't seem like a service dog. I'm surprised your therapist didn't ask if you were scaredof dogs or if you had allergies.
I attended a school program for people with disabilities and all the service animals I saw were wearing vests.
I attended a school program for people with disabilities and all the service animals I saw were wearing vests.
jufojonas [OP] 3 points 2y ago
No, it was not wearing a vest. Just a collar and leash. I had not considered that the vest might be a (probable) give away. That seems reasonable to me.
Though I am pretty sure that I have mentioned having dogs myself to my therapist at some point.
Thank you for the advice.
Though I am pretty sure that I have mentioned having dogs myself to my therapist at some point.
Thank you for the advice.
Riyeko 0 points 2y ago
First, this doesnt sound like a service dog. Usually dogs that are working ignore everything and anything around them and usually just avoid everything.
In restaurants a loud child screams, no reaction. In the streets a semi truck blows a loud air horn, no reaction.
Most service dogs, or all of them from my knowledge, would never have come up to you for attention at all, let alone asking for attention. He/She would have laid there under the desk, without being restrained, and did his job of helping his/her owner.
In restaurants a loud child screams, no reaction. In the streets a semi truck blows a loud air horn, no reaction.
Most service dogs, or all of them from my knowledge, would never have come up to you for attention at all, let alone asking for attention. He/She would have laid there under the desk, without being restrained, and did his job of helping his/her owner.
jufojonas [OP] 3 points 2y ago
That is interesting. I did not actually ask whether it was a service dog or not, so it may not have been. That is good to know. I don't meet that many service dogs in my daily life, so it is always good to learn more about how to recognize them.
Thank you for the explanation.
Thank you for the explanation.
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