When it comes to service dogs, there are some things that, to me, just seem like they should be common sense. Like how to act and how not to act around them. Maybe it's because I did a report on guide dogs when I was in third grade, or because I work at a movie theater, which has seems its fair share of service dogs come and go. Whatever the reason, I was shocked when I came to college and became best friends with another freshman who has a service dog.
Like I said, I've known pretty basic stuff that is appropriate to do and not do around service dogs, but I've also learned a lot from talking to her and asking questions. Being around her, hanging out and going places on and off campus made me realize how much other people don't know, so I decided to compile a list of do's and don'ts to help educate those who would like to know more.
DO NOT
Just randomly pet.
This is by far, the biggest issue with service dogs. It is important to never, ever pet a service dog when they are wearing their vests. A service dog's vest is like their work uniform, and they need to stay alert and attentive to their human while their working, because they're working for a reason. If you pet a service dog, you're distracting them and they may not pick up on a certain cue that their human is giving off which could be extremely dangerous and even deathly in some cases.
DO
Ask if you can pet them.
Sometimes if a dog is working, if you ask politely their human may allow you to pet them. However, just because they say yes one day doesn't mean you can now pet the dog all the time. Ask every time you want to pet the dog. If the dog belongs to someone you know, you should still ask even when the vest is off, just to be polite.
DO NOT
Blatantly ask what the dog is for.
A few times, when we've been at restaurants or the store, people will say "Is she a service dog?" or "Are you training her?" and my friend will answer "Yes, she's mine, she's already been trained for [insert reason here]." But unless the person tells you on their own accord, it's kind of rude to just ask "What are they for?"
DO
Feel free to ask questions.
Maybe not necessarily about the dog's duties, but I know my friend is always willing to chat with people and answer questions about service dog's wherever we are. People have asked all sorts of questions -- what kind of breed the dog is, how old, if she's still in training... A few people have even asked things like where she got the dog, how hard she was to acquire and train, because their son, brother, cousin, etc is a veteran and could maybe benefit from one. From what I've seen and what I've been told, these are all perfectly okay questions to ask, especially if you're polite.
DO NOT
Address the dog.
First of all, it's kind of annoying to talk to the dog and not say one word to the human on the other end of its leash. But second of all, talking to or interacting with the dog in any way that was not first approved of by its owner is just as bad as petting the dog. When you're at work, you're expected not to be on your phone, or chatting with your friends in the corner, right? Well, same concept here.
DO
Ask first.
Always.
DO NOT
Try to parent the dog.
Even if you've been given permission to interact with the dog, don't try to make he or she sit or stand or speak or do any other tricks you may think are cute. First of all, you may not even be using the correct command, but secondly, that's kind of just plain rude. A dog (service or not) is not a cute little play thing on display for you to command at will. (I mean, maybe your dog is, but not someone else's.) Would you want some total stranger parenting your kid? Didn't think so.
DO
Trust and know that the owner (and the dog) know what they're doing.
If you see the dog doing something you don't think is appropriate, one of two thing will happen: The dog's human will take care of it and command/scold as necessary, OR the dog could be doing something to alert its human of something important, and you interfering with that could, again, be very dangerous.
DO NOT
Get offended.
If they say no. If they maybe seem a little short with their answers. If they cut off the conversation/don't want to talk. If they don't seem completely comfortable being approached. If they seem annoyed.
DO
Remember there is a person that goes with the dog.
Chance are, you are not the first, second, or third person to approach them about their animal. And while it's generally okay to ask questions and be interested, sometimes, all the person wants to do is buy their milk quickly and get back home. It is also important to note that depending on the reason for the dog, a person may not even be comfortable talking to anyone at all. Try to understand and not take anything too personally.
TL;DR
Remember to be a polite and decent human being. Try to be understanding. Try not to pry. Always, always ask questions if you have them, and never, ever, EVER pet the dog without permission.
