Your Dog Is A Dog — Not A Person (1 Viewer)

[fatness]

I hate when people slap the jacket with the printed "Service Dog" over a creature that is definitely NOT a service dog.
Emotional Support perhaps but nor a true service dog and it's an insult to the ones who are.

I have a couple questions.
1. Have you encountered this often? Reason I ask is because I have not.
2. Do dogs feel insulted?

 

[Zow]

I hate when people slap the jacket with the printed "Service Dog" over a creature that is definitely NOT a service dog.
Emotional Support perhaps but nor a true service dog and it's an insult to the ones who are.

The easiest way to tell if they are a true service dog, you ready? Most do not notice you meaning they rarely take their eyes off the human being they are assigned to. Sure they are looking for any potential dangers but they aren't going to pay attention to you when you are looking at them and thinking how cute they are, that type of reassurance is of no interest to a service dog. They are there for one person only.

I had a lady who trains these type of dogs explain it to me, this was a few years ago and she seemed pretty confident in her proclamation.

Eh, like most things there's an opportunity for people to game the system. I abhor people who do this (and even know a few who do) but, as opposed as I am to interacting with dogs, even I won't go as far as try to complain or accuse as I recognize that service dogs and emotional support dogs do have a legitimate medical purpose. In other words, while I agree with you and hate that people do it, I see no way to fix it and I'll just continue to judge them like I do people who drive slowly in the left hand lane, don't return shopping carts, fake injuries at Disney to get the handicap pass, etc.

 

[Ilov80s]

I am 75% in agreement on taking dogs out with you. But some bars or places with outdoor patios are very dog friendly and I think if the dog is well behaved then I am cool with it.

 

[ChiefD]

1. Have you encountered this often? Reason I ask is because I have not.
2. Do dogs feel insulted?

Yes. This explains it a little better.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Interesting that "Your dog is not a human being" comes across as "anti-dog."

Personally, I like dogs. I just don't want them in supermarkets. Because supermarkets are for people, and dogs aren't people.

For me, I just dont understand this take. It's fine to feel this way, I just dont understand the big deal. I see a dog somewhere indoors that's not a house, and I'm not bothered one bit. I'm much more bothered, for example, by young children who also don't "need" to be there in a lot of cases.

This, of course, assumes the dog is well trained. A dog that's pulling/barking/excitable doesn't belong there.

The problem there is that most dog owners think their dog is wonderful, well trained and would never do anything to bother a living soul, so most cannot be trusted to exercise good judgement when it comes to their dogs (or pets in general).

 

[Scoresman]

Interesting that "Your dog is not a human being" comes across as "anti-dog."

Personally, I like dogs. I just don't want them in supermarkets. Because supermarkets are for people, and dogs aren't people.

For me, I just dont understand this take. It's fine to feel this way, I just dont understand the big deal. I see a dog somewhere indoors that's not a house, and I'm not bothered one bit. I'm much more bothered, for example, by young children who also don't "need" to be there in a lot of cases.

This, of course, assumes the dog is well trained. A dog that's pulling/barking/excitable doesn't belong there.

The problem there is that most dog owners think their dog is wonderful, well trained and would never do anything to bother a living soul, so most cannot be trusted to exercise good judgement when it comes to their dogs (or pets in general).

I realize this, yes. But people also use this same lack of judgement when bringing their horribly behaved children everywhere. They think their little Johnny is the best kid in the world. But we dont see many laws or rules preventing kids from being brought places. Dogs get the short end of the stick here.

 

[rustycolts]

My dog is not a person but I like him better than 99.99% of people.