r/service_dogs

Hi! I have a service dog in training, helping me with my immense PTSD. Fourth of July is a hard time because of all the noise, and at the end of the day, a service dog is still a dog (atleast, that’s how I see it) and as such I don’t do fireworks, because I don’t want to scare the animal meant to help me, one, and two I don’t like the noise anyway. My family, before I got the dog, has been able to successfully convince me to just go and watch them anyway. Now that I have him, I don’t go anymore. Yesterday, they had asked if I wanted to set off some smaller ones that would just barely come off the ground (like sparklers, I guess) I was originally on board, but they told me I couldn’t bring my dog out, so I stayed in.

Today, they had asked me if I wanted to see fireworks, big, loud, actual fireworks in the town over. Usually I’d say yes, otherwise it’d be a ‘buzzkill’ ‘you’re no fun’ ‘you never spend time with us’ ordeal, but this time I said no. They asked why, and I said because of my SD that I’ll just call P. My exact words were, “No, P and I are going to stay in till people stop with the fireworks,” followed by a laugh. My family member that asked groaned, and said, quote, ‘Can’t you go one outing without him?’

I said, “No, I can’t, that’s the point of me having him. So I don’t have to be alone in places I don’t want to be, especially in public.”

She told me she was upset with me, and that I never want to hang out with her, and that she’d never invite me out again if I was going to be like that.

Was I in the wrong? I was so worried my dog was going to be scared, and I generally didn’t want to go, but maybe I could’ve gone about it better…?

Hi everyone,

I’m an armed security guard at a company that often has events (concerts and corporate events) with up to 1100 attendees. To be clear, we aren’t contract guards, we work solely for this company, at this site, and we are far more respectful and kind than your average rent-a-cop.

It’s fairly rare we get guests with service animals, but due to previous work I am well acquainted with my two questions I can legally ask. That being “Is your animal a service animal required due to a disability?” and “What task is your service animal trained to perform?”

I’m curious how you guys would feel, as someone bringing a service animal into an event about the following question.

“To be clear, you are in NO WAY obligated to answer this and I am not asking that you divulge any of your personal medical history. I only ask in case you want us to keep an eye out for you. Are there any specific alerts from your service animal that you would like us to be aware of? In the event one of my team sees that alert, would you like us to come offer assistance?”

My goal is to be extremely clear that the person is not required to answer that question and we do not want them to divulge personal medical information to random strangers. I want to give the option to have extra help immediately available in the event they are unable to ask for it themselves. We watch the crowd closely, so my team would could likely spot an alert.

My main concern is for people with conditions with a higher risk of injury such as epilepsy. For example, if your service animal begins alerting and you begin to prepare for an oncoming seizure, we want to be able to assist with medical aid if you desire it (we have a licensed paramedic on staff), and extricate you from the crowd if you desire. Obviously we are not going to provide any aid or assistance without clear consent unless there is implied consent (which is really only if you’re unconscious).

As someone with a service dog, would that question make you uncomfortable? Would you have issue with someone asking that, or would you appreciate the offer of extra assistance? Do you think the odds of us seeing an alert are low enough that it’s simply not worth asking? Would it better to simply inform the person where our static guard posts are so they know where best to seek help if they need it?

I want to be able to provide any necessary assistance to ensure someone can enjoy our events as safely and comfortably as possible without compromising their personal privacy.

Thank you for any insight, advice, or recommendations you may have!

My SDIT is freshly 7 months old. I did so much research into breeders when finding a dog. The breeder made me plenty aware that while labs were smart and people pleasers, that it takes a lot of consistency and repetition to get that picture perfect lab. My fiance and I have definitely been put through it, to no fault of the dog. Some really shitty timing meant that I ended up declining in health and going on medical leave the week after we brought her home (started LOA in February- present) so we have been precariously juggling her training and my health. I won’t lie, there were many nights that we wanted to give up on her becoming a service dog because the balance was too hard. But tonight was a huge reminder of exactly how worth it all the energy and pain is.

We live in central Florida so hearing fireworks off in the distance is pretty normal. I wouldn’t say we were worried about 4th of July fireworks, more cautious. We had done a lot of work on fireworks because when you live in the theme park bubble it’s kinda just part of life even if you don’t go to the theme parks. We also had the knowledge that my girl could experience the house being struck by lightning and absolutely not care since that happened a week prior. Still we had prepared. A topple with gentle ingredients, chews, her favorite toy, and the treat of all treat (cheese). And just as we thought, she didn’t care. She even asked to go outside on our balcony and almost fell asleep while watching them. I say it all the time, I am so amazed at what this dog can handle even though I know we did put in the training and the work to find a good breeder for that exact result. It’s days like that where I can’t help but be excited about the journey we are on together.

I have been looking into a medical alert service dog for years now. I've done research into ethical breeding and dog training. I don't plan on getting one super soon, but I have tried multiple different things to help with my disability and I feel that a service dog could help me more in my day-to-day life than the other things I've tried. I have been stuck between poodles, labs, and goldens for a while now. I've done a lot of research on different breeds, but I'm curious what breed would you guys recommend.

What I want in a service dog

1. Obviously a breed that could excel in service work. (So most likely the FAB 4).

2. Generally food motivated

3. Medium to high energy, I've always been interested in trying dock diving, but I don't want a neurotic dog that can't sit still.

4. The temperment I like, German Shorthaired Pointers have my favorite temperament because they are people friendly, clingy, silly but smart. The only thing I dislike about the breeds temperment is they have the attention span of a fly, some can be a little neurotic and lastly they would do horrible in service work. I mentioned the GSP, because I'm wondering if poodles/labs have a comparable temperment minus the less desirable traits that would make a dog like the GSP horrible for service work.

Additionally, what's your experience on poodles for service work? Should I only stick to goldens and labs? Lastly, does anyone know of any breeders around the New England area that have successful service dogs? I've looked at a lot of breeders and I have a few in mind but want more options to look into.

Hey everyone. I am genuinely curious about other people's opinions and would love some information.

I have a six year old collie. He alerts me for ocular migraines, and wakes me up when I have night terrors. Both of these are behaviors he learned entirely on his own and has been doing for quite a few years. And I feel really lucky that we have that sort of bound. Knowing that I'm about to have a migraine hours in advance has been so amazing, because I typically lose most of my vision during my attacks and that can be dangerous if I am out away from the house. I also have a lot of chronic pain issues, and he does some deep pressure tasks that were mostly trained, but also something he started doing on his own.

While he is very well behaved (AKC CGC and CGCA, plus a Trick Title), he is not perfect out in the world. He is very friendly and likes to greet some people and dogs. And I don't really care. We don't go places together where dogs aren't allowed. I don't need or want him to be a public access dog because he does amazing work for me at home and that's all I need.

However, even though he does medical tasks for me, I don't know if I am allowed to call him a service dog, even though I have seen people talk about at-home service dogs. But he definitely feels like more than a pet.

What do other people think?

Hello,

I am currently preparing for my dog to come home, and one of the big things I’m looking at is what bathing him regularly will look like. While I plan to have him professionally groomed regularly, I also know I’ll have to bathe him myself a bit. I was wondering what people thought about self wash stations at most chain pet stores. On one hand it seems easier than trying to bathe him in my bathtub due to physical disability stuff, but on the other hand I worry about how sanitary the self bathe stations are.

Thanks!

Exactly as the title reads. Are there any gear makers on the market that are comparable?

From the maker,” Hello friends,
It’s been a minute since I’ve written a proper newsletter
about what’s going on in the BLD workshop, and this update is a doozey. I've been laying low for a while now. So much has been going on behind the scenes and in my head that I've been struggling to keep up. Before I get into the nitty gritty, first, I’d like to say thank you for your support of my very small business over the years. I’m so proud of the premium brand, loyal following, and reputation I’ve built over the last 18 years. But nothing lasts forever, except maybe that BLD leash you can't live without. <wink wink>
No one ever said that running a small business is easy. But they didn't say it was going to be this hard, either. I've got to be honest, being a hands-on, sole owner-operator, handmade manufacturer has become all-consuming. I've been struggling on a personal level, and feel I'm not succeeding on a professional level either. So I have been doing some soul searching.
I have come to the very difficult and heartbreaking decision to shut down Bold Lead Designs LLC.
Many factors have gone into this decision, but I'll go into just one: Cost. The cost of doing business is simply too high for the current business model to continue in a state with a crazy high cost-of-living. But it's not just the financial costs. Running the business has taken a toll on my mind and body. For too long I have prioritized BLD above my physical and mental health. Relationships with the most important people in my life have been neglected for far too long. Even my incredible service dog, my partner, the light of my life, has not received the love and attention he deserves. The depression monster and unpredictable chronic illness I live with are too much right now. I must stop burning the candle at both ends.
I am taking a step back and this my means the company, in its current form, is ending. Yet somehow, the relentless optimist in me knows this is not the end of my involvement in the dog world, and especially the service dog community. My passion for the work I do is still strong, I just need to find a different path where I'm not stuck at a desk all day. I am not sure exactly what this will look like but this change in day to day life is what I need to recover.
I am open to new opportunities, collaborations, and better ways to do what I’m best at: designing products with the power to change people’s lives and sharing my expertise on harnesses and service dogs. Perhaps a new Bold Leader will step forward to take the wheel. So, I’m just gonna boldly throw this out to the Universe … Perhaps I’ll find a partner that believes in the power the right equipment has to improve the human-animal bond—someone who understands the needs and nuances of the disabled and working dog community. I know there is a business savvy someone out there that excels at operations and administration, with manufacturing connections to deliver quality products at an affordable price point. Maybe there’s a small business out there looking for a new market with limitless possibilities and a premium product line that can make life with dogs better. As I said, I’m open to possibilities.
I'm not sure how long it will take, but I will find a sustainable way for my work to be available to the world again. In the meantime, I am going to take care of my self and work to find more balance in my life. You can find me at my prototype bench, in my garden or walking Dalton. Thank you again for your years of support. They have been deeply appreciated.
Best regards, Katrina Boldry”

Like the title says. I work in property management and have this tenant complaining about the tenant next door.

She says the neighbor's service dog barks all the time except at night when the owner is home.

So I contacted the dog's owner and she told me the dog can bark sometimes where there is noise outside like the elevator or someone passing by but is not the whole day

I have a service dog myself for my child's seizures and never barks except to alert if a seizure is coming.

So my question for you guys, is it common for service dogs to bark like the complaints say?

I also see service dogs outside and you can see they are trained and don't usually bark.

For now I am asking the tenant who is complaining if she can record when this is happening. With no proof it is really hard to know how bad it is

I am looking to make two trips in the next 6 months with my SD (78lb lab) and was hoping yall had recommendations for the best airline both space wise and accommodations wise? These will be his first flights and my first time flying with a SD

Hello. I've been trying to find out more about dogs that can help with ptsd. I'm a student so I don't have a lot of money and most reduced cost programs apply only to veterans (which I understand) but I was hoping maybe someone on here might know of any organizations that do. I live in Nova Scotia Canada and the only organization that has reduced services dog services is a two year program and I'm too far away to make the trip so often. I know there's options to train about 2 to 3 weeks with a dog and do check ins which I think would be easier on me. Especially given my ptsd I don't know if I can deal with the frequent trips over two years to a big city. I could probably do the 3 weeks in another province (especially Ontario or provinces close to Nova scotia). Does anyone have any information for any organizations that might fit that criteria? I appreciate you taking the time to read this and any help would be greatly appreciated. I know I'm asking for a lot in how specific my request is. Thank you so much.

Looking for experiences for people that have flown with their extra large service dogs. Mine is a 7 y/o golden retriever who is 110 pounds. we have never flown before. Obviously he goes everywhere with me. Haven’t booked any flights yet. The trip is in March. It’s only gonna be a couple days trip but from my research I am very scared to take him on the plane according to his size. But I am also very scared to leave him home because I’ve never been without him and his services for my disabilities. (He is not a guide dog). I know he will be okay without me, because he has my husband but I don’t know if I’ll be okay without him! I think physically I can handle myself for a couple days if I prepare well enough but mentally it’s going to be very very challenging.

My golden is 8, will be 9 in March. I've decided it best to retire him sooner than I wanted. His health is great and so far he has no structural or bloodwork related issues. No lumps, no arthritis, etc, but I can just tell he's changing.

He doesn't want to play with the other dog more than 5-10 mins at a time whereas when he was 5 he wanted to wrestle nonstop. He doesn't tolerate heat over 75F even in the shade (our last shaded hour walk in 74F had his tongue 2x the size and a shade of purple which we're monitering in case it's low oxygen related) and his stamina has been pretty poor for a while now.

He still wants to romp and go like a puppy but he only seems to have lasting energy half the days compared to just a couple years ago. He's currently 3lbs overweight which we're working on (he gained 5 lbs pretty fast after his neuter) so I know that doesn't help and his lower energy COULD be due to deconditioning over the last year but regardless I think it's time to look for a new prospect.

I have already decided the next breed as I'm looking for a high energy, high drive, and higher heat tolerant breed (considering about 5 months of the year is hot). I know the SD community has its preferred breeds but I will be going for an Australian Shepherd or Dutch Shepherd/similar. I've had 2 aussies (and 1 border) in the past. One was my 1st SDiT who washed before her CKC and PA tests due to severe IBD.

I want a dog to be active with, aim for titles and certificates, who could potentially work out as my next SD. Worst case they wash out and remain an active ESA sport partner and I'm back to the drawing board.

FMP is the only mobility task I "need", which is part of why I'm wavering on the Shepherd type.

I'm aware of the risks but I do have plans, trainers, classes, and lots of learned experiences ready to mitigate as much as possible.

What was retiring your SD like for you? What did you choose after and why?

Edit: I'm not going with a lab unless I have to. I'm sorry people don't seem to like that but their coat genuinely gives me itchy skin rashes whereas most dogs don't. I refuse to live that way so I'm sticking with breeds who have softer fur. Crossing off Dutchies.

Today while I was waiting for the bus, a woman walked up with a dog. When the bus came, I let her go first. The driver said to her, "no pets." She replied, "he's a service dog." The driver said, "ok," and we were on our way. It was nice to see no hassle accommodation on my city's public transportation.

I work at an ice cream parlor in the US.

Today a couple came in with two dogs. ​I asked them if the dogs were service animals required due to a disability, to which they answered yes.

After the dogs started trying to climb the freezer, I further asked "what tasks or work is the dog trained to perform", to which they first got defensive and threatened(?) to leave and get ice cream somewhere else, afterwards they answered Emotional Support.

After telling them that unfortunately emotional support animals are not considered service animals and that I have to ask them to keep the dogs outside, they started to get fussy and asked for the name of the owner before leaving.

I have OCD and ever since then I've had a pit at the bottom of my stomach that I did something wrong and that by some wild coincidence they didn’t say "Emotional Support" they said something else and I just heard it as Emotional Support and I accidently asked the owner of actual Service Dog to leave. Further more I am concerned that I will now have to pay fines I can't possibly afford and will go destitute.

So I guess I'm asking, because nobody here could say with full confidence I did not royally fuck up and mishear them, owners of service animals, do you take offense when service workers ask you "What tasks or work is the animal trained to perform?"?

Hey!

When my wife and I are traveling together with her SD she gets anxious with confrontation etc. So when people ask questions (allowed questions or otherwise) she prefers me to handle those discussions when possible.

Especially when they are asking things they are not supposed to ask, or getting pushing back when there shouldn't be.

For example we went to dinner the other day at a restaurant we have been to many times, but they had a new front of house host who clearly didn't have training on the ADA or service dogs.

So he kept saying "we don't allow pets", "I explained he was a task trained service dog required for a disability and was not a pet". He said "but we don't allow pets" a couple more times, I then took the opportunity to simply answer the second question "his tasks included, anxiety and panic alerting, DPT, and crowd mitigation" and each time I calmly and politely stated, he is not a pet, he is a task trained service dog. I realize he wasn't trying to be a pain, It was quite clear he just didn't know and was trying to uphold legal requirements on animals in restaurants, so I wont hold that against him. More than anything I think the managers failed in getting required training for front of house staff. But he wasn't mean or short with me or anything, was just a calm discussion.

Eventually, I think he got the idea when I said that he was a service dog and essentially was the same as medical equipment and that he had come with us to this restaurant before. He asked us to have a seat in the waiting area for a moment while he went and checked with a manager, when he came back we were then seated as normal without further issue.

This would be quite difficult for my wife with her anxiety and issues with confrontation, and in fact Rusty did alert on her while we were sitting there waiting so she was able to do some grounding, so even when she isn't involved directly it is quite stressing for her.

So I was wondering if it is normal when possible for a spouse to act as intermediary and handle these situations. Or if others have a similar arrangement with the one more comfortable dealing with these things handles it. Or if anyone has had issues with people trying to talk directly to the other person when one of you is clearly the one handling the discussion.

I had an encounter at work where someone said their dog was an esa, the store asked them to bring the dog outside as it's not a service animal. I've seen this person with the dog in the store before

There's a high chance they will come back in the store, can they lie the next day and say it's a service animal? Does the store have to allow them in, even though workers heard the owner call it an esa first.

I can't find an, Google and Facebook don't have clear answers so I came here. What do I measure to find my dogs size?

I'm looking at premade gear and it usually just says panel size 15, 20, ect but not how to measure it

Hi community. My first service dog had a bad medical episode yesterday morning. She has long been retired and is 14 years-old, and I thought I was going to lose her. We sat on the porch hanging out for the sunrise and birds chirping. She recovered and we got her checked out. She's on meds and IV fluids for the next few days and she's looking alright.

I had to make a decision about her end of life care and something people don't really talk about is the emotional and physical stress of getting her comfortable. Old dogs require a lot of care. Frequent bathroom breaks, specialized medicine, frequent incontinence and cleaning, mobility issues. I had to measure how much I could handle and how much of it was messing with her quality of life. She has dementia so I watch her blank out sometimes, but she was super lucid yesterday morning thankfully...

I made the appointments for her to get ushered to Rainbow Bridge in a few days and the cremation procedure. I'm so distraught over having her gone when she's still here. I think the next few days will just focus on having her thr best days left and yeah...I'm just so sad.

She was my first service dog and first dog ever. She's done so much for me and this is the least I could do for her...advice appreciated. I took days off work to manage this as if she were a loved one passing. Too bad the company doesnt offer grievance leave the same way they do for people...

My Service Dog will finish her program in December/January. I am looking to transition out of Childcare after she comes home for good.

Does anyone have experience in customer facing positions with a service dog?

I spent 10+yrs in childcare and my disability is progressing such that I am having trouble keeping up. The only other field I have experience in is customer service so that is pretty much my only option as far as work.

If you have worked in customer service (ie retail) what accommodations did you have for your SD? What companies did you have good or bad experience with?