Service dogs are becoming more and more common, as we learn just how much dogs have to offer us in terms of helping us with day to day living. With all these service dogs appearing in every place imaginable, from planes to Disneyland, it means you and your children are going to be encountering them more frequently – do you know the proper things to do and not do? It is especially important to teach kids the proper “do’s and don’ts” for service dogs. Below is a list that will help make sure your entire family treats service dogs correctly when you encounter one.
#1 – Don’t bother him, he’s working
Service dogs are “on duty” whenever they are out and about. (Even if it looks like he is just lunging around). Make sure your kids understand they should never run up and start petting a service dog, no matter how friendly he seems.
#2 – Ignore the dog
The best policy is to ignore a service dog and talk to the owner! The dog is there to work and help his owner. Teach your children to address the person, not the dog, and to respect whatever the handler says. Only pay attention to the dog if the owner says you may.
#3 – Respect the handler’s privacy
It’s okay to ask questions, but it’s also okay if the owner doesn’t want to answer them. Many service dogs are used for sensitive issues that some to do not feel comfortable discussing. Teach your kids it’s not polite to ask “what’s wrong with you?” They may ask questions such as “what’s your dog trained to do?”
Let them know the person may not want to answer. If that’s the case, teach your child to not press the issue, as it’s not their business.
#4 – Don’t stare
No dogs like to be stared at (and neither do most people). You don’t stare at someone’s cane, wheelchair or oxygen tank do you? Treat a service dog in the same way you would treat any other medical aid – it’s politest to ignore it. Teach your children to be polite about not staring if they see a service dog. Even if they are cute.
#5 – Service dogs comes in all sizes
While most kids are used to seeing a Lab or German Shepherd guide dog, be sure to teach your kids that service dogs can be any type of dog, in any size. They should understand that just because it doesn’t “look” like what they think a service dog should look like, doesn’t mean it isn’t one.
#6 – Not all disabilities are visible
Teach your children about invisible illnesses such as PTSD and how service dogs are used to help people suffering from them. Explaining to your child about these ahead of time will help prevent your child from running up to someone who seems “fine,” and asking them why they need a service dog.
#7 – Treats dogs in training the same as a working dog
If a puppy or dog is wearing an “in training” service dog vest, teach your kids that this dog is to be treated the same as a fully-trained, working service dog. This means, ignore him (no petting, talking, or treating). Also, be respectful of the trainer! They are focused on working the dog and may not be able to answer questions. Just tell your child that the dog is studying hard right now, just like they do at school!
