Ignoring Assistance Dogs in Public: How you can help the dogs and the handlers
On a routine outing to a grocery store, you catch a glimpse of a dog passing through the aisles. While it may seem odd that a dog is in a grocery store, you can’t help but smile and get excited about meeting the dog. As you take a closer look, you notice the dog is wearing a vest over its back, and you realize this is not just any pet dog, it’s a working Assistance Dog. Rather than asking the handler a deluge of questions, you give a friendly wave and continue grocery shopping. Without realizing it, this friendly yet brief exchange was of great value to the dog and its handler.
Assistance Dogs In-Training
Assistance Dogs in-training are the newbies, so to speak. They are learning what it means to be out in public and are discovering all the different sounds, smells, and sights of the world. If a person were to make clicking or kissing noises, or approach the team, the dog may have a difficult time concentrating. The dog may also inadvertently learn that it can greet other people while in public, but this is not the case. The dog must remain focused on its handler at all times. If you see a dog in a “down, stay,” remember to give them space. While it may seem that the dog is just laying down and relaxing, they have an important job to stay where they are. Even if this dog is at a more advanced level in its training, dogs do make mistakes. Please remember they are learning, so please ignore them. This helps set the dog up for success in its future partner’s life!
Graduated Assistance Dog Teams
While it’s always a treat to see these dogs in public, it’s important to remember that these are working professionals with very important jobs. The dog may be guiding their blind handler through foot traffic, waiting to alert their handler for low blood-glucose levels, or preparing to interrupt their handler’s anxiety-induced behaviours. There are countless ways these dogs are trained to help; these tasks take focus and readiness on the dogs’ part. Distracting an Assistance Dog can also create a dangerous situation for the handler. The dog may miss an important cue from their handler or not perform a task that is critical to mitigating their partner’s disability.
Busy Lives
While some teams are more receptive to answering a question or two, other teams may not be. Please acknowledge that they may be busy, in a rush, or simply may not be comfortable answering every question. And that is perfectly ok! More often than not, these teams, whether it be a volunteer who is fostering an Assistance Dog in-training, or a graduated Assistance Dog team, are just trying to go about their regular lives with their four-legged partners. Whether it is a quick trip to the grocery store or the desire to have a quick bite at a favourite restaurant, respecting boundaries is always appreciated.
No Touching, No Talking, No Eye Contact
The best rule of thumb when you see a working dog out in public is:
No Touching,
No Talking,
No Eye Contact.
By abiding by these three simple rules, you are helping with the dog’s training. Whether the dog is a seasoned veteran or in the midst of its training, by completely ignoring them, you are helping it to stay focused on the task at hand.
Appreciating Assistance Dog teams from a distance is usually the best way to go.
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Piera Angotti is the Communications Advisor Summer Student at Dogs with Wings Assistance Dog Society in Alberta, Canada. With only one semester left of her Bachelor of Science in Animal Health at the University of Alberta, she has gained a variety of experience in the animal related field. She has been an adult dog raiser for three DWW dogs. As well, her public outings with the dogs have reinforced the importance of proper etiquette when around working dogs. It is not uncommon for her to respectfully remind people not to talk to or reach to pet the dog to advocate and support the people who are in need of these amazing dogs.
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