Fake Service Dogs

[Camilla and Darwin]

This has been something that has bothered me for a LONG time now. So this is somewhat of a rant

People will buy fake service dog vests from online sources, and then take their pet into stores with them. Even people who use their therapy dog vests to pass their dog as a service dog bug me. There was a woman trying to take in her St Bernard to a walmart, stating that he was a therapy dog for "severe melancholy"....

I have read a lot about issues that real service dogs have getting into places, because of these people. Basically, someone will take in a dog who is NOT a legitimate service animal, then the dog will cause problems or disruptions because it is a pet, and not as well trained as a legitimate service animal. Then the owner will not want to allow in any service dogs in the future, and even though they are required, will be more difficult or try to avoid allowing it. 

Do you know anyone who does this? I know a woman who adopted a 6 month old black lab from the shelter last year. She purchased a service dog vest online and takes him everywhere with her, claiming he's a real service dog. This dog is not well trained, will react to other dogs, kids, cats, etc. And barks when he's in public places. Basically, he actually creates disturbances. She does have a disability, she has Parkinson's disease, an uncommon form of it. She told me she uses him to pull herself up when she falls. That is the only service he performs aside from companionship. The point is that when out in public, the dog doesn't aid her. In fact he's a hindrance because she constantly has to control/drag him away from whatever he's reacting to.

She posted a status today about how annoyed she was with a man trying to pass his little toy breed off as a service dog. She said she confronted him because it's just wrong. She doesn't see that she does the same thing??? I want so badly to tell her off/confront her but I'm too much of a wimp to do so. Is there a good way for store owners to distinguish between a legitimate service dog and these false online certifications?

Have any of you come across someone who does this?

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

There she goes again fishing for that Hokum and looks like it worked :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

So sorry I fell for it : (

[Camilla and Darwin]

We always ask before we go into Home Depot or Lowes and they have always told us it's fine. I guess it depends on location

[F, Calla & Luca]

I never ask. I firmly believe in the "It is better to ask forgiveness than permission rule." The store personnel will either fawn over the dogs or kick them out. That said, my dogs have never been a problem in any store.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I'm too scared of getting in trouble. :-) I always ask but I've been surprised at the stores that will allow him in. He's always perfectly behaved.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I never get in trouble. Someone just tells me that dogs are not allowed and I leave. Of course, I never take them into restaurants or places that serve food. Unless they have sign posted there is no way to know if dogs are allowed or not. Some places, usually smaller boutique kinds of places ask if the dogs want water or something : )

[Adina P]

What could they do to you?  They'd probably shyly tell you dogs are not allowed and then hope you'd get the hint and go.  I don't think you'd get more than a "I'm sorry but we don't allow dogs in here" and an expectant look.  I say THAT is worth trying F's motto.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I recently called to ask if I could bring JD into an LL Bean store. The store is quite a distance from my home, I had something to return, and we were going to be at Jack's IMS in the same town that day. There is no way I was going to leave him in the car in the mall parking lot. (It's a huge outdoor mall.) My plan was to walk him to the front of the store and then have a salesperson meet us at the door and take care of the return while we waited outside. The person I spoke to said if I was just going to do a return at the sales counter, to just bring him on in.

I do have to say that was the first time I ever had JD in a public place that somebody didn't at least smile at him or pay him a compliment. Nobody said one word to either of us, and we got some very tight-lipped glances.

But on the way back to the car iafterwards, two nice ladies rolled down their window and said "Your dog is adorable" as they went by. :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

You make a good point. If you are going far from home, have to make another stop etc., it does pay to ask about a store's policy. If you can't park right out front or the weather is too warm to leave the dog in the car you don't want to find out too late that your dog is not allowed.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Then it was worth it! Of course Jackdoodle is adorable and deserves to hear it!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I did the exact same thing with Guinness when I was training him for his TDI Therapy test.  I took him into lots of stores with his vest on and nobody ever questioned me.  I was trying to get him used to many different environments prior to his test.  He was really well behaved at that point so I'm assuming everyone just assumed he was a Service Dog In Training or already certified.

[Thom, Aureo & Bowie]

http://www.vestsforservicedogs.com/content-product_info/product_id-...