Is this really a service dog?

[mallie]

This is a very old thread. Last post was in 2020. But we just recently got back from WDW and saw several "service" dogs sleeping in a stroller while the owner pushed them around. What kind of service can a sleeping dog, in an enclosed stroller be providing?

Oh my! That is something people do a lot. I hate to see it. But the only thing we can do is show them what an actual service dog looks like, then maybe they will realize what they are doing wrong and how much they are harming people.

 

[jaklgreen]

Oh my! That is something people do a lot. I hate to see it. But the only thing we can do is show them what an actual service dog looks like, then maybe they will realize what they are doing wrong and how much they are harming people.

Not only harming people, but the poor animal is in a horrible situation. True service animals are trained for noise, crowds, unexpected situations, etc. People seem to forget that animals have a much stronger sense of hearing and smell than we do. So all of those loud noises, fireworks, the crowds, and the smells all are sensory overload for animals that are not trained. It should be an animal abuse charge for anyone to take their animal, that is not a trained service animal, to the parks. I don't know how any of these people can claim to love their animal and then put them in this situation.

 

[John park hopper]

Not only harming people, but the poor animal is in a horrible situation. True service animals are trained for noise, crowds, unexpected situations, etc. People seem to forget that animals have a much stronger sense of hearing and smell than we do. So all of those loud noises, fireworks, the crowds, and the smells all are sensory overload for animals that are not trained. It should be an animal abuse charge for anyone to take their animal, that is not a trained service animal, to the parks. I don't know how any of these people can claim to love their animal and then put them in this situation.

All good points and in addition dogs are more sensitive to heat. At WDW 2019 it was unbearable hot and probably at pavement level it was even hotter with no air due to all the crowds. Poor "service dog" looked absolutely miserable. You can't tell me they are trained for those conditions. I would not do that to my own dog. Service animals serve available service but some owners need training was well

 

[JIMINYCR]

Not always true. I know I've seen some with people who were wheel chair bound and acting like a legit service dog like my college buddy had.

I have toured with a service animal that belonged to my friend. Since the dog is for sight, and not going solo humans could be used. Future trips they have left their dog at home. It's hard on animals who are great workers. It was easier to have a sighted person help.

However I have seen a lot more dogs that I question as legit than not....

Yes there are many service dogs being used for disabilities other than for blind individuals. I should have also responded that many w/c bound guests have properly raised and trained service dogs. My DW is one of them. Her first service dog that just retired after working 9 years and her newest dog that shes now had for almost 2 years both came from Canine Companions, which used to be called CCI, or Canine Companions for Independence. Disney has been a supporter of their program for many years.

 

[JIMINYCR]

All good points and in addition dogs are more sensitive to heat. At WDW 2019 it was unbearable hot and probably at pavement level it was even hotter with no air due to all the crowds. Poor "service dog" looked absolutely miserable. You can't tell me they are trained for those conditions. I would not do that to my own dog. Service animals serve available service but some owners need training was well

Not only harming people, but the poor animal is in a horrible situation. True service animals are trained for noise, crowds, unexpected situations, etc. People seem to forget that animals have a much stronger sense of hearing and smell than we do. So all of those loud noises, fireworks, the crowds, and the smells all are sensory overload for animals that are not trained. It should be an animal abuse charge for anyone to take their animal, that is not a trained service animal, to the parks. I don't know how any of these people can claim to love their animal and then put them in this situation.

Service Dog Trainers train their dogs in all weather type situations. They must know how the dogs react and respond to commands and work in all sorts of conditions they might have to be called to work in. People who work or go to college or do every type of situation an able bodied person does in their day to day existence cant not use their dog because the weather isnt perfect.
Service dog owners know the conditions their dogs are working in sometimes are not ideal and prepare for those instances. Service dogs can wear dog boots for protection to the pads, several types of pad cremes are available that can be applied to pads that offer a coating for protection, and there are ear muffs that buffers loud noises like fireworks. Many dogs wear cooling coats for excessive heat and owners know to bring plenty of water to hydrate them and look for shady spots for getting out of the sun.
There are laws for punishing people for representing a dog as a service animal that isnt but first someone has to alert the authorities and they must be charged. Unfortunately Disney and most business owners dont ask the right questions and arent aware of the laws regarding service animals. If no one holds abusers responsible they will continue to abuse the situation and lack of enforcement.

 

[NelleBelle]

This!! My own dog (who is a service dog) burned her paws when we were on a road trip when we stopped for a "potty break". She generally doesn't need to wear her booties living in the PNW unless we're somewhere where the temps get up there. But just having her walk on the pavement to the grassy area, she burned her paws--the pavement was just too hot and we didn't realize it. We would never bring her someplace like Orlando and have her out all day. My balance is bad but I opt to hang onto my DH or one of my 2 DS rather than put her through that kind of a trip. I feel Disney should at least ask the questions such as what tasks is your dog trained to assist you in before allowing the dogs in (and seriously, how can a service dog be of assistance if it's being pushed in a stroller?? SMH).

 

[mallie]

Not only harming people, but the poor animal is in a horrible situation. True service animals are trained for noise, crowds, unexpected situations, etc. People seem to forget that animals have a much stronger sense of hearing and smell than we do. So all of those loud noises, fireworks, the crowds, and the smells all are sensory overload for animals that are not trained. It should be an animal abuse charge for anyone to take their animal, that is not a trained service animal, to the parks. I don't know how any of these people can claim to love their animal and then put them in this situation.

Yeah the poor animal! They are putting their dog in a bad situation. Like come on people.

 

[mallie]

Exactly, like people, dogs have feelings (and animals in general) so dont put them in a bad situation. It is really simple but the simplest things are the hardest to do.

 

[John park hopper]

I'm looking at the posts here and low and behold there is an advertisement for service dog and emotional support dog certificates. This is exactly what the problem is --no legal regulation anyone can claim service dog / emotional support dog

 

[Incomudro]

Service Dog Trainers train their dogs in all weather type situations. They must know how the dogs react and respond to commands and work in all sorts of conditions they might have to be called to work in. People who work or go to college or do every type of situation an able bodied person does in their day to day existence cant not use their dog because the weather isnt perfect.
Service dog owners know the conditions their dogs are working in sometimes are not ideal and prepare for those instances. Service dogs can wear dog boots for protection to the pads, several types of pad cremes are available that can be applied to pads that offer a coating for protection, and there are ear muffs that buffers loud noises like fireworks. Many dogs wear cooling coats for excessive heat and owners know to bring plenty of water to hydrate them and look for shady spots for getting out of the sun.
There are laws for punishing people for representing a dog as a service animal that isnt but first someone has to alert the authorities and they must be charged. Unfortunately Disney and most business owners dont ask the right questions and arent aware of the laws regarding service animals. If no one holds abusers responsible they will continue to abuse the situation and lack of enforcement.

I believe that I did see a legitimate service dog trainer training a dog in Epcot last week.
The dog's vest said "Service Dog in Training" or something like that.
The man handling the dog was keeping the dog at his heel, and I saw him give the dog a treat when it sat the way trainers give dogs treats when they perform an act correctly.
Oh, and the dog was a Border Collie.

 

[larryz]

Yeah it is fake. I have a service dog and I also know that service dogs dont act like that. They have recall, that "service dog" did not. They most of the time never break a stay, unless it is to alert. That dog broke the stay and went to chase sand. They have to focus on the handler, that dog didn't. And they have to do what the handler asks (they arent robots) but they have been trained for over 15000 hours and, obviously that dog wasn't trained at all. They also cost around 40,000 dollars and that is why we (other handlers and I) hate it when there are fake service dogs around because these dogs are saving our lives daily. (my service dog helps with POTS (fainting) and I can't really live without her) She also helps with GAD (generalized anxiety disorder). I need her. If there was a real service dog there (which there most likely was because of the title "service dog beach") then the handler could have had a serious medical episode or worse, (they could have died because of the dog) (not the behavior but the fact that it distracted a real service dog and that the dog missed an alert.) (if you bring your pet into a non-pet-friendly place you can get fined a lot of money) I think that it would be nice if you or anyone sees a service dog that you leave it alone and forget and or pretend that it wasn't there, also talk to us handlers like we are normal people because we want to be treated kindly but like you would treat other people. (If you see a service dog dont go talk to it. you wouldn't go up to a person in a wheel chair and start talking to the chair not the wonderful person in it. right?)

Maybe they graduated from this school?

 

[John park hopper]

Thanks for the link my golden retriever will soon be a service dog------------NOT

 

[JIMINYCR]

Maybe they graduated from this school?
View attachment 629435

Yup. These places have sprung up all over the place since the demand for getting a service dog has risen. Seeing as how real service dogs go through a demanding, structured training program starting out as puppies and then into adulthood, along with thorough temperament and stability testing, to ensure a properly working dog is the outcome... they can do it in ten weeks. When I was training Guide dogs we took 3 months of continuous training and sometimes more to get to the point where we could get the results needed. Just get any rescue dog from a shelter and you can make it into a service dog. I feel sorry for people who get scammed by these so called trainers and training programs.

 

[mallie]

Maybe they graduated from this school?
View attachment 629435

I do know this, a service dog cant be trained in 10 weeks. It takes almost 2 years or more. and it takes about 50,000 hours or work put into that.

 

[Bullseye1967]

I do know this, a service dog cant be trained in 10 weeks. It takes almost 2 years or more. and it takes about 50,000 hours or work put into that.

50k hours is almost 6 years and that is if the dog never sleeps?

 

[mallie]

50k hours is almost 6 years and that is if the dog never sleeps?

sorry, i meant 5,000

 

[jaklgreen]

Yup. These places have sprung up all over the place since the demand for getting a service dog has risen. Seeing as how real service dogs go through a demanding, structured training program starting out as puppies and then into adulthood, along with thorough temperament and stability testing, to ensure a properly working dog is the outcome... they can do it in ten weeks. When I was training Guide dogs we took 3 months of continuous training and sometimes more to get to the point where we could get the results needed. Just get any rescue dog from a shelter and you can make it into a service dog. I feel sorry for people who get scammed by these so called trainers and training programs.

I don't agree with this at all. Some dogs have the aptitude for certain things. For example, there are service dogs that can predict a seizure. Not all dogs have that ability and can learn to notify their human. Dogs are tested and placed where they do best. I guess it really depends on what "service" the dog is providing. And not only do they have to learn their specific task, they have to learn how to know when they are working, and when they can run around. There is so much more that goes into a true service dog then what you are saying.

 

[The Mom]

I don't agree with this at all. Some dogs have the aptitude for certain things. For example, there are service dogs that can predict a seizure. Not all dogs have that ability and can learn to notify their human. Dogs are tested and placed where they do best. I guess it really depends on what "service" the dog is providing. And not only do they have to learn their specific task, they have to learn how to know when they are working, and when they can run around. There is so much more that goes into a true service dog then what you are saying.

I think they needed to put a couple of ????!!!! at the end of "Just get any rescue pup from the shelter and you can make it into a service dog." The poster was being sarcastic.

 

[JIMINYCR]

I don't agree with this at all. Some dogs have the aptitude for certain things. For example, there are service dogs that can predict a seizure. Not all dogs have that ability and can learn to notify their human. Dogs are tested and placed where they do best. I guess it really depends on what "service" the dog is providing. And not only do they have to learn their specific task, they have to learn how to know when they are working, and when they can run around. There is so much more that goes into a true service dog then what you are saying.

Sorry but Ive been a dog trainer for 45+ years, working in many fields of training including Guide dogs for the blind, hearing ear dogs and service dogs for w/c dependent users. Also training and certifying therapy dogs that visit in nursing homes and hospital settings. My DW now has had 3 service dogs. We self trained her first dog and DW chose to go to a service dog school for her last 2. I AM very qualified to know what goes into training service dogs, what makes them successful and what disqualifies them.
Ten weeks can not produce a reliably well trained dog no matter how much instinctual ability, or aptitude they may have for doing something. Just basic obedience takes 6- 8 weeks just to get a dog started in understanding commands, and thats getting a dog minimally started.

 

[Imhere]

I was at Lowe's Hardware a few days ago and saw a woman with a dog on a leash, the dog was wearing a vest that said "Service Dog." The vest looked either home made, or, purchased from a really cheap source.

The dog was strained at the very end of the leash all the time, jumping up on every person it reached, and actually knocked down 2 little kids.

I really couldn't imagine what type of 'service' this dog was performing