Service Dog Training Issue... Your thoughts please???

The t-shirt for you is a good idea. People do not realize that 1 minute of convo results in major distraction and loss of focus for the dog. I am sure you already have handouts that you give explaining service dog etiquette, if not you may want to print some out.

What I do is have one in my hand or pocket ready to give at a second notice, if I see someone approaching fixated on the dog (you know the look) I step out in between them and offer the pamplet, as soon as they take it I say "thank you for wanting to learn about service dogs" followed immediantly by 'back to work boy/girl' and I walk away.

It gives them something to read and learn from, it acknowledges their interest and tells them politely that the dog needs to resume work. You walk away before they have a chance to protest.

Some people just dont get it and will follow you and may require a more direct 'hes working so can you please not distract him'. Some will get mad because you didnt stop to chit chat. They have no clue how many 2 minute convos that means between one side of the store and another. Sometimes we simply dont have time even as handlers to stop and chat. It is especially hard on a dog who needs to focus on ignoring people who wont let the dog ignore them.

I doubt there is any useful info in this post, I am sure you have tried anything I have listed. You might try less crowded places until his focus improves. People wont notice the patches even if they had little neon lights around them that flashed!

The handing out a pamplet and leaving them standing there is likely your best defense, at least its quick to the point and can be done with little loss of pace so from the dogs pov much less distracting. If you ever find something that works let us know!

I am currently training a red/rust cropped doberboy. I catch it from both sides, the interest in the breed because they are not common in the area and the disbelief that dobermans do make good service dogs and their brains to not continue to grow until they turn on you.

sighs

My last service dog was a german shepherd, german import lines, very large (27" 85 lb female) and very very dark marked. People were intimidated by her and approached less even tho they are considered a 'traditonal' breed. I was ask countless times 'is she a drug dog?' ' does she sniff out explosives?', while shepherds are a traditional breed they are more often than not seen by the public as police and SAR dogs. People assumed the 'service dog' meant police etc.

My choice being a dobe this time had a lot to do with the shorter hair, less shedding, less grooming, and less bulk for the height. They absolutly take up less room trying to fit under a table or in an airplane while still being large enough as an adult male for counterbalance, very smart and stable confident dogs.

Oh, I feel your pain. I'm training a 9 month old lab puppy to be an Autism Assistance Dog. Perhaps you need a bigger cape with a bigger patch? Just kidding, in part, but the patch I'm sure looks tiny on your big 100 pound baby. People miss Jenna's sometimes and she's only 40 lbs.

I actually like the attention Jenna gets cause I'm working right now on teaching her not to solicit more attention when it stops.

I really don't have very many ideas for you, except the patch that's as big as a billboard that says Do Not Pet, Or Mommy will Bite you. I have a friend who may be able to help you with that.

perhaps a Yahoo group I'm on Owner Trained Service Dogs for Beginners may have some pointers (it's not all beginners).

Anyway, good luck.

I never distract service dogs or their handlers. I won't allow my children to either. We actually ran into a service dog a while ago in the store and boy did my 6 year old want to know why he was in the store and wanted to pet him and I explained the dog was working and we couldnt disturb it.......well, he told me our dogs need to get jobs too and is obsessed with that now lol! I think getting a shirt made is a good idea but its weird to me people would do those things anyways as its obvious the dog is a working dog!!

On a side note, when I was a kid my parents friend had a seeing eye dog, a great big beautiful black lab. I went and was sitting next to the man and the dog jumped up and started whining to the man. The man said "okay go ahead" and all of a sudden I had a huge black lab licking me. The man told me I was the first person the dog had ever whined for. Guess the dog could tell how much I love dogs, and ever since then when ever he would see me the man would let him come play with me for a while :)

Unfortunately, all people see is the dog. My hearing dog is a large (28" at the shoulder), white standard poodle. Security guards have told me that dogs aren't allowed in their mall, then claimed that they didn't see the bright orange service dog vest when I pointed out that he is a service dog. If they don't see the vest, they don't see the "do not pet" badge.

To make matters worse, most people don't know what a service dog is. All they know about is guide dogs. Most people think, if it isn't a black lab in a guide dog harness, it isn't a service dog. Most people have no idea what distracting a service dog can do. I printed cards that briefly describe the major types of service dogs and mention possible consequences to distracting a service dog. (When I am crossing the road, I need to know about the emergency vehicle running the light with its siren blaring. A diabetic needs to know that he will go into a coma if he does not take his medication immediately.)

The biggest problem are the people who feel that the rules do not apply to them. I try to explain things politely. If that does not work, my dog is trained to step away from people and put me between himself and whoever is trying to pet him when I use the "leave it" command. (I hate to do this because we volunteer at hospitals and seniors' homes with a therapy dog group.)

Having a shirt printed that says the dog is in training, please do not pet will reduce the number of people who bother you, but it won't help with the ones who don't think the rules apply to them. I wish I could offer some advice, but other than educating people, there is little we can do.

Oh man, these people are so STUPID. I am in junior high and I am not half so retarded.

If this keeps going on, this is a plan made up by me, not a professional, but to be used only if very desperate:

Hire some people to NOT distract him by petting, put them in a park or something where you can reserve the land for a certain period of time (so he gets used to being around people) and train him that way.

You should only use it if very very desperate because (A) I don't know if there are any land spaces like that and (B) How will you find anybody willing to do that, milling around for an hour or so to train a dog? But if you can find a spot of land like that and you can find a large amount of people willing, I say go with it.

I liked the idea of wearing a shirt warning people not to touch the service dog in training.

I know these dogs need to be socialized but a lot of the training can be done in less crowded areas. And when his training has become more dependable you can venture into more crowded areas.

Perhaps he could wear some kind of saddle with a sign attached that stands up & is easy to see, along with a shirt in bright yellow or orange.

In training Police Dogs, they are trained in a compound or river bottom or along ditch banks until they are dependable & then they are worked through crowds. Constantly changing the footings & enviroments.

Perhaps you could have some pamplets that you can hand to people starting to reach for the dog explaining what you are doing. This will take the attention away from petting the dog.

Best of luck, you are providing a wonderful service.

I really enjoyed training dogs, especially when they finially get it right. The look in their eyes & that one little proud moment of insight.

Hi, I understand that you are looking for some advice or resources to help fully train your dog or fix behavior problems. If a professional dog trainer is not an option at this time, or if you want to trt training your dog on your own (a great way to bond), I'd suggest you https://bitly.im/aL6Tk

A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.

Tough issue. On the one hand, it's a lot of your time and distracting to the dog. On the other, it's an opportunity to do a little public education, and the dog will probably have to deal with this once it goes into service. Perhaps the T-shirt with large, bold lettering front and back might help. In terms of maneuvers, maybe a quick sit, stay, then just step in front of him

Sometimes I just want to smack people who run up and grab a dog without so much as a please, may I. It's bad manners at best, and dangerous at worst.

Thumbs up to you for training service dogs.

I always respected the 'Dog at Work' signs. When I was younger (>10) I might go up, and say something like, "Hi, I like your dog" to the trainer, but that's it. Never asked to pet the dog, and never took up more than a moment of the trainer's time. Now, normally, probably because I'm older, I just watch from afar; maybe smile at the handler.

I don't get why people ignore the signs. Kids do it just because they get overexcited. A lot of people just aren't wired to read at first sight. (I read just about everything I see, so words are usually the first thing I notice...)They see a dog, and their brain says "OMG cuuutttteeeeeee!", so they react on that, never noticing the polite requests. But that's part of being in a mostly animal-loving culture, I suppose.

What you're doing is a public service, and I respect that. But I just don't get how others don't.

Best thing to do is to keep correcting people gently. Eventually people will get the idea, and the people you've corrected will probably never do it again.

Good luck with the dogs!

I don't know how to keep people away, I am not out there training a Service dog but I have the same problem with people..

When I see someone working a Service Dog, I watch from afar and do not bug or interfere.. I figure if they want socializing, they'll see me watching and approach me.. If not, I am not going to be the one messing with the training!