Fake service dogs

[frostfell]

unless the dog is a danger to itself or others, or is otherwise making its species look bad who gives a ****? it matters not one whit if its a faker or a legitimate SD-handler team, as long as no one is harmed by it, the fakers might even bloody do more good PR for the disabled by themselves. you dont get to feel superior because you think youve spotted a fake

[Saeleofu]

The vast majority of fakers are NOT doing SDs any favors. They tend to be purse mutts, yappers, even downright aggressive. And it's ILLEGAL. So no, I don't like to see fakers, well-behaved or not.

[Airn]

Originally Posted by frostfell

unless the dog is a danger to itself or others, or is otherwise making its species look bad who gives a ****? it matters not one whit if its a faker or a legitimate SD-handler team, as long as no one is harmed by it, the fakers might even bloody do more good PR for the disabled by themselves. you dont get to feel superior because you think youve spotted a fake

I think the problem is that the fakers make the whole SD community look bad. Even if the dog isn't acting out. It's easier to sneak small breed dogs in, and if people feel they can get away with it, they do. I think the people who bring their Yorkie into a cafe in a stroller and try to pass it off as an SD ruin things for the SD community.

I don't even have/need an SD, but this annoys me as well. It's not really about what the dog is doing, it's about what it stands for. That's like saying who cares about the BSL laws, because you don't have a bully breed? I guess that's fine for you, but it's not really just about banning pit bulls, it's about what BSL leads to.

But, it does depend on how they're 'faking', what the dog's doing, etc. If someone has a chill dog, I wouldn't care. But if you are putting fake patches on your dog and actively calling it a SD, then yes, that bugs me. There's really no reason for it. I want to take my dog everywhere, too but I don't NEED to. I think a lot of people (myself included, I'll admit) don't fully understand what SDs do and the need for them. (I'm NOT saying SDs aren't needed, just lack of experience with the whole thing ) So people think "Oh they can bring their dog in.... why can't I?"

It seems the biggest obstacles for SDs and their handlers would be solved by a bit of education for the general public and some standards. But you'll always have people who want to bring Mr. Fluffles into the doctor's office because....they just want to. And a lot of employees don't know how to approach a person with a dog.

Of course, I don't have a SD, so that could all be wrong

[Julee]

Originally Posted by Saeleofu

The vast majority of fakers are NOT doing SDs any favors. They tend to be purse mutts, yappers, even downright aggressive. And it's ILLEGAL. So no, I don't like to see fakers, well-behaved or not.

After nearly having my service dog attacked multiple times by both poorly behaved SDs and admitted fakers... this.

[release the hounds]

and all this could be avoided IF well behaved dogs were just allowed period. If your dog causes problems, it's gone. If it doesn't, who cares. Simple, effective, nobody feels slighted, nobody is in danger, nobody has to prove a disability, or feel discrimination or watchful eyes.

[Flyinsbt]

Originally Posted by release the hounds

and all this could be avoided IF well behaved dogs were just allowed period. If your dog causes problems, it's gone. If it doesn't, who cares. Simple, effective, nobody feels slighted, nobody is in danger, nobody has to prove a disability, or feel discrimination or watchful eyes.

I agree, I'd like to see dogs allowed more places. And I don't personally care if someone fakes the SD thing with a well-behaved dog. If the dog is bringing credit to the SD name, so what? (I used to feel differently. I've changed my mind.)

A poorly behaved dog is another question entirely.

[AdrianneIsabel]

Originally Posted by Flyinsbt

I agree, I'd like to see dogs allowed more places. And I don't personally care if someone fakes the SD thing with a well-behaved dog. If the dog is bringing credit to the SD name, so what? (I used to feel differently. I've changed my mind.)

A poorly behaved dog is another question entirely.

Add me to this boat.

[Kilter]

The poorly behaved ones damage the rights of EVERY dog owner out there, not just SD's and their owners. Which annoys me.

The ideal would be to just allow dogs and boot the ones that don't behave either way. Or make it the rule that the service dog has to have ID and if there's an issue, not against the law to call the person on it and report the dog/handler for their behavior.

The latter got a lot of hackles up, and I get not enjoying having a disability and having people ask, but if it means that someone faking it with a dangerous dog gets nailed big time for doing so, and improves the image of the person with the SD, it's a small price to pay. There was a lady who brought her 'service dog' into the grocery store in a small town and the dog marked food, took a dump in the store almost every time, and helped himself to snacks, till they were banned and then the lady did the whole 'discrimination' routine. I'm pretty sure it was not a real service dog, but you can bet the next service dog that did go into the store was watched very closely....

[Flyinsbt]

Originally Posted by Kilter

The latter got a lot of hackles up, and I get not enjoying having a disability and having people ask, but if it means that someone faking it with a dangerous dog gets nailed big time for doing so, and improves the image of the person with the SD, it's a small price to pay. There was a lady who brought her 'service dog' into the grocery store in a small town and the dog marked food, took a dump in the store almost every time, and helped himself to snacks, till they were banned and then the lady did the whole 'discrimination' routine. I'm pretty sure it was not a real service dog, but you can bet the next service dog that did go into the store was watched very closely....

Even if it was a service dog, they're allowed to boot it for that behavior. The ADA allows for the dog to be denied access if it's behavior is disruptive to the business.

[RedHotDobe]

I actually saw an ad on the side of Facebook the other day that said something along the lines of: "Want to be able to take your dog with you? Pay us this simple one-time-fee and earn the right to take him anywhere!"

I had to read it a few times to make sure it actually said what I thought it said.