Service dog training silliness
I often write about service dogs, and I'm often fairly critical. It's not that I dislike them - on the contrary, they're incredibly important to people who need them. However, when people do stupid things with service dogs, it can ultimately hurt the people who actually depend on these animals.
I was at the grocery store today and the first thing I saw when I walked in was a woman walking around with a dog in her shopping cart (i.e. the place the next person's food is going to sit). The dog was a poodle puppy wearing the standard "guide dog in training" vest, and the woman thought nothing about walking through the store pushing this dog around. When I asked her about it she said that the dog was just a puppy and it wasn't good to have it walking around on the floor (with no explanation why). She did take the dog out of the cart, but then proceeded to walk around the store carrying the dog in her arms. The site of her holding the dog while pawing (pun intended) the fresh fruits and vegetables raised eyebrows among more than just myself. Eventually, she put the dog down, which mainly resulted in her dragging the dog around as it tried to lay down or walk the other way (which may explain why she wanted it in the cart).
Service dogs are allowed into stores. They have wide access and that's needed. Service animals in training, however, are not service animals and they do not have the same absolute right to access. Training needs to be logical and supervised. Getting these dogs out in different environments is very important. However, how does pushing a dog around a store in a shopping cart help train it to be a service dog? I'm pretty sure part of the dog's ultimate job description doesn't include this particular activity. Being carried around a store while shopping is also not likely to be part of this dog's job. If a dog is not adequately trained to walk around a store on a leash, it shouldn't be there. A little common sense would indicate that basic training in another environment should precede activities such as this.
Fostering a guide dog is a good thing to do, but it comes with a lot of responsibility. I'm certain this person was well-intentioned, although I'd certainly consider her actions misguided. The "guide dog in training" vest should not be interpreted as a free pass to take the dog wherever you want without any thought. Training such a dog is an important job, and people need to think about what they are doing.
I'd be interested in hearing from anyone that is involved in these programs. I was unable to find any information about guidelines for people fostering service dog puppies, and would love to know what type of guidance people get, and what organizers of these programs think of this incident.
http://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/admin/trackback/207265
Scott
Doug Powell sent this link to me. I am raising my 4th pup for service. This woman's actions were totally inappropriate. The organization sponsoring the pup should be notified immediately. The vest that my pups wear,only after they are vaccinated for Rabies,are clearly marked. I doubt if she and her dog are legitimate. I always carry documentation from the organization as well as the dog's medical record - available for inspection at all times.
This Women was obviously in the wrong. Places like Pet Smart provide perfectly suitable starter environments. Especially for dogs that find stores too overstimulating, or are not yet trained to fluency.
It's also pretty clear from your description that the dog was being pushed too far too fast. The idea is to desensitize them to new environments in a controlled manner. Fear and negative associations are exactly what you are trying to avoid.
There are however very valid reasons for carrying young puppies around in public environments instead of letting them walk on leash. The sheer number of people who will ignore the words, 'DO NOT PET ME' in florescent orange lettering is just one.
I have to agree with you, service dogs in training are not service dogs. I feel sorry for the dog, with an owner as dumb as this one, what could she possibly teach the dog? I despise ignorant people
Thank You! I have a service dog and I appreciate when people stand up for us. I know dozens of Puppy Raisers that follow the rules and they should always be scrutinized by the public. More people should take illegitimate or incompetent people to task so that the jewels can shine like they are bred and trained to shine.
The dog may have been a medical alert dog. However, while I have no problem with the dog in a cart or carried, the woman clearly needs more training. A light cloth in the carrier section of the cart is more sanitary and comfortable for the dog. Dragging the dog (a small puppy) along in a busy store is the sign of an untrained doga and more of a sign of an untrained OWNER.
Agreed. I have a service Chihuahua (she is an alert, Tactile Stimulation, & medication dog) people look at me weird due to her size, & the fact that I look pretty healthy on the outside (with makeup), but not all wounds & disabilities are visible or uncoverable though. A dog in a cart should have its own cloth underneath it. A puppy's feet might be sensitive to certain flooring. A SD in training is not allowed access everywhere, that a SD is, but it should be socialized in places where it IS allowed, not too stressful to make it anxious however. Dragging under most cases is abuse IMO!