Public transportation may pose unique challenges to a person using an assistance dog. Buses, subways and trains can be crowded and leave little room to maneuver. Additionally, a long bumpy ride and slippery flooring can test the training of even seasoned assistance dogs. You can be prepared for the worst by having adequate clean-up supplies in the event that your dog becomes motion sick. Again if you are physically unable to clean up after your assistance dog do not be afraid to request assistance.
Remember to take safety precautions by keeping your dog away from exits on trains and placing your dog in a position that reduces the risk of having people step on him. After entering the bus or train it may be safer for your dog if it is possible for you to position him so that he is partially beneath a seat. The waiting platform in subway stations can be dangerous during busy rush hours, so it is advisable to keep your dog safe distance away from the edge of the platform. It is advisable that you politely discourage people from interacting with your assistance dog.
The behavior training tips on our website are only suggestions. They are not the only way to handle a service dog appropriately in public. If you have questions or need advice about your access rights you need to consult an attorney or other qualified legal professional. Readers who require animal behavior training should consult with a qualified professional trainer.
Some people with disabilities may make frequent visits to healthcare facilities. Therefore, keep in mind the needs of your assistance dog if you will be undergoing medical procedures that limit your ability to supervise him. Remember that occasionally leaving your assistance dog at home may help prevent him from developing problems with separation anxiety and behavior issues. If there are times when you might have medical procedures or take medications that would limit your ability to supervise your dog, you may choose to leave your assistance dog at home.
When taking your assistance dog to a medical facility, be vigilant to ensure that your dog stays a safe distance away from hazardous materials. Finding a good place to position your assistance dog in a small doctor’s office or crowded waiting room may present a challenge. Scan the room quickly and as always position your dog in a location that is as unobtrusive as possible.
physical and occupational therapy or other rehabilitation appointments may provide an opportunity for you to discuss with healthcare specialists specific ways that your dog helps you. They may have some suggestions about how to best work with your dog and things he can do to help mitigate your disability. Keep your dog at a safe distance from any potential dangers such as stationary bike pedals or other exercise equipment. Often assistance dogs draw attention, as people ask questions or ask to pet the dog. This may be disruptive to patients who stop their exercise routines or become distracted. Try to keep a friendly, but business-like attitude and give succinct answers to their questions.
The behavior training tips on our website are only suggestions. They are not the only way to handle a service dog appropriately in public. If you have questions or need advice about your access rights you need to consult an attorney or other qualified legal professional. Readers who require animal behavior training should consult with a qualified professional trainer.
When traveling with your assistance dog and visiting places frequented by tourists, remember that assistance dogs are still an unusual sight in many parts of the country. Don’t be surprised if you encounter many questions about your dog.
Some of the sights on trips like these may be startling or frightening to your assistance dog. After all it is not every day that a dog will see an elephant, the large skeleton of a dinosaur, or listen to people screaming on a noisy roller coaster. Watch your dog’s reactions to things, you want to make sure that he is not overwhelmed or too tense and upset to do his job.
Some national parks will only allow assistance dogs and not pets. Usually this is a decision that has been made to protect wildlife and possibly even endangered species. Be prepared and carry the necessary supplies to clean up after your dog. If you are physically unable to clean up after your dog do not be afraid to ask someone to lend a helping hand. Be considerate of the fact that you are visiting another animals habitat and do not allow your dog to bark at wildlife or run off leash.
The staff at Guild Assistance Dog Partners recommend that you refrain from taking your assistance dog to the zoo. A visit to the zoo could put your assistance dog in jeopardy of contracting an infectious disease from the animals that live there. It could also expose the animals at the zoo to an illness that they do not have an immunity to.
The behavior training tips on our website are only suggestions. They are not the only way to handle a service dog appropriately in public. If you have questions or need advice about your access rights you need to consult an attorney or other qualified legal professional. Readers who require animal behavior training should consult with a qualified professional trainer.
Before deciding to bring your assistance dog with you to a movie, theatre, concert or other performance, make sure your dog is trained to lie quietly for several hours at a time. Sporting events where there will be fireworks displays, other special effects, or loud rock concerts may be too stressful for some assistance dogs. Always remember that you are responsible for the well-being of your assistance dog.
Make sure that you give your dog a chance to relieve himself prior to entering the facility, especially for plays or concerts where it may be difficult to leave in the middle of the performance.
When attending a performance with your assistance dog, plan in advance for your seating needs. Consider that you may be limited in your selection of seats if you attend a performance with a medium or large size assistance dog. Your assistance dog should not impede passage in the aisle. If the facility is equipped with such an area, you may choose to be seated in the section for persons with disabilities . If the seats in this section are filled with people who are not in need of such accommodations, staff are usually happy to request that they find seating elsewhere. In most places the section set aside for persons with disabilities will provide more room for your assistance dog. Remember to make the choice that is considerate to your dog’s need as well as your own. A seat near the orchestra may be the most enjoyable location for you, but may be unpleasant for you dog. Arriving early will allow your dog time to “settle in” to the environment. Also keep in mind that you may find very limited seating for popular movies on premier nights!
Movie theatre floors and the grounds of sporting events may be covered with food and trash. Bringing a towel or mat may make your dog more comfortable and can help prevent your dog’s coat form becoming sticky with food or spilled soft drinks. On the other hand, prior to a gala event, you may choose to have your dog bathed and groomed, to reduce the chance that your dog leaves some stray hairs on another atendee’s expensive tuxedo or gown.
The behavior training tips on our website are only suggestions. They are not the only way to handle a service dog appropriately in public. If you have questions or need advice about your access rights you need to consult an attorney or other qualified legal professional. Readers who require animal behavior training should consult with a qualified professional trainer.
Supermarkets may be the ultimate test of an assistance dogs training. The close proximity to foods, narrow aisles, young children, carts, and noises are challenging. Additionally an assistance dog user may find juggling a leash, a wheelchair joystick, or other adaptive equipment especially difficult when trying to carry a basket full of food items. Work with your dog to ensure that he keeps his body and nose away from food that is on shelves, in refrigerators, and in other peoples carts and baskets. When standing in line to purchase items if you are not using your assistance dog to help you maintain your balance you may wish to cue a sit or down to ensure that he waits calmly. As with restaurants, take every precaution to ensure that your dog does not have any opportunities to search out tidbits that are often found on the floor in supermarkets.
The behavior training tips on our website are only suggestions. They are not the only way to handle a service dog appropriately in public. If you have questions or need advice about your access rights you need to consult an attorney or other qualified legal professional. Readers who require animal behavior training should consult with a qualified professional trainer.
When taking an assistance dog into a restaurant, it is especially important for the dog to be well mannered. In a restaurant your dog is “on stage” as patrons are likely to remain in one place for a long time and will be able to observe your dog’s behavior over a period of time. Remember you are shaping the public’s impression of all assistance dogs and their handlers.
Consider the safety of your dog, of patrons, and of the restaurant staff when positioning him. If possible position your dog so that he is not impeding the passage of an aisle. Throughout the meal your assistance dog should remain quiet. It is preferable for them to remain in a down stay. This can be difficult if there are tasty morsels on the floor inches away from his nose. You may wish to ask the staff at the restaurant to clean under and around the table before you are seated. This could also prevent your dog from ingesting a food item that could make him ill.
Bar and pubs where there are many people who are intoxicated can be a challenge for assistance dog users. The loud yelling of a sports bar and unpredictable behavior may test the social skills of even the best assistance dogs. Be especially careful where you position your dog, as people are likely to be less vigilant of where they are walking. If you decide to consume alcoholic beverages keep in mind that your dog needs you, his handler, to be alert and capable of making rational decisions at all times.
When you leave a restaurant, some dogs try to “shake off” when they stand up. It is courteous to prevent your assistance dog from shaking off in close proximity to other restaurant patrons. It would be ideal to train your dog to wait to shake until you are outside the restaurant. Placing your hand on his neck just below the collar will often deter them from shaking, as long as you are touching him.
The behavior training tips on our website are only suggestions. They are not the only way to handle a service dog appropriately in public. If you have questions or need advice about your access rights you need to consult an attorney or other qualified legal professional. Readers who require animal behavior training should consult with a qualified professional trainer.
When in public, it is important to respect other working teams by making sure that your dog does not initiate contact or otherwise interfere with the ability of another animal to do its’ job. Be aware that guide dog users may not be aware of your dog’s presence. It is courteous to let a handler who is blind or has a vision impairment know that your assistance dog is nearby.
Some working animals may become very distracted by the presence of another assistance animal. Young assistance dogs in training may, for instance, still be learning how to pay attention to their handler in environments with many distractions. While the dog’s handler is responsible for their dog’s behavior, it is courteous to give working animals a wide berth. If your assistance dog is staring at another working animal it may be more challenging for the handler to maintain their working animal’s attention. It would be considered polite for you to cue your dog to watch you instead of looking at the other animal.
If you and another friend who uses an assistance dog decide to go out together, make sure your assistance dogs behave appropriately in places of public accommodation. While your dogs may be wonderful playmates when they are not working, they should be on the job when they are under the table together at a restaurant.
The behavior training tips on our website are only suggestions. They are not the only way to handle a service dog appropriately in public. If you have questions or need advice about your access rights you need to consult an attorney or other qualified legal professional. Readers who require animal behavior training should consult with a qualified professional trainer.
As assistance dogs are still relatively uncommon, every time a handler works with his dog in public, the handler leaves a lasting impression. People who use assistance dogs are helping to shape the public’s perception of these dogs and their handlers. Unfortunately a bad impression often lasts a lot longer than a good impression.
The behavior training tips on our website are only suggestions. They are not the only way to handle a service dog appropriately in public. If you have questions or need advice about your access rights you need to consult an attorney or other qualified legal professional. Readers who require animal behavior training should consult with a qualified professional trainer.
