Service Dog Etiquette

[crantang]

Every Thursday, I take the Metro home, and a wheelchair-bound lady always waits for the train at the same time and spot as I do. She has a white lab, obviously her service dog. I always want to come up and pet him, but I don't know if it's rude? He's such a cute dog, but I don't want to just run up to her and be like, hi lady, can I pet your dog?

What do you guys think?

Thanks,
Cathy

 

[NogginBoink]

Ask permission first. Simple answer.

 

[d33pt]

usually you shouldn't pet those dogs.. i forget the reason why..

 

[Alchemist99]

I alway want to pet them too but they are service dogs and it's very important for them to be focused on the job at hand.
I learned this from a lady who was training them. You don't want them too people friendly, pant pant , pet me pet me!

 

[illusion88]

MY advice would be to feed the dog arsenic, but people dont usualy take my advice

 

[h8red]

you aren't supposed to pet the dog when they are "on the job". I have, on occasion, asked people if I can pet their dog and I don't ever recall being turned down. Just keep it short so the dog can get back to work

 

[ProviaFan]

It is not proper to pet the service dogs while they are working. Some of them even wear little signs that say "do not pet me, I am working" or something similar.

 

[Heisenberg]

Originally posted by: jliechty
It is not proper to pet the service dogs while they are working. Some of them even wear little signs that say "do not pet me, I am working" or something similar.

That's what I've always been told too.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: illusion88
MY advice would be to feed the dog arsenic, but people dont usualy take my advice

Ass.

 

[Azraele]

Petting can distract a working dog. Nothing wrong with asking, however.

 

[SilentZero]

Yes definately ask first. When i was younger I always wanted to pet my friends fathers working dog but was never allowed.

 

[Krugger]

the standard i heard is if the dog is being held by the handle/bar (dont know the official term) then you dont interact with them. if they're being held by the leash, ask if it would be okay.

 

[crantang]

Well, I know it's rude to be asking to pet the dog while she's moving around places, but usually, we're just sitting on the bench waiting for the train to show up. He's such a cute little dog and (obviously) very well behaved, he just sits there and wags his tail, then if there's nothing to do, he'll just put his head down and wag his tail. Aww.. so cute.

 

[Baronz]

Throw a ball.