Etiquette Advice for Service Dog Handlers and Puppy Raisers

Recently someone wrote to Slate’s Dear Prudence column for advice on how to politely ask a coworker to leave her unruly service dog at home during an upcoming house party.  Prudie was empathetic to the writer but felt they should err on the side of making the world easier for people with disabilities.  The disruptive dog, Prudie decreed, must be tolerated.

I don’t think Prudence understands the service dog handler’s role in allowing the bad behavior.  Not everyone likes dogs.  Some people are afraid of them and others may think dogs are unsanitary.  Some dogs are just big and get in the way, and any out-of-control dog is a nuisance.  Service dog handlers need to do their part to make the public feel at ease and one way to do that is to minimize their dog’s presence. 

A Google search of “service dog etiquette” will provide links to web pages, videos, and infographics describing how people should behave when meeting a service dog team.  It’s important for the public to treat service dog handlers with respect and to avoid interfering with the dog’s work.  But it is also important for service dog handlers and puppy raisers to do their part to maintain socially acceptable behavior and leave a favorable impression.  Like it or not, you represent service dogs in general.

This post offers guidelines for polite dog handling for service dog handlers and puppy raisers.  Much of this information is covered in team training, but it never hurts to review.

Keep your dog in control

This is not just a good idea; it’s the law.  The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires service dogs to always be under their handler’s control.  You should not allow your dog to intrude into other people’s space, lick strangers, or steal food.  Avoid interaction with other dogs.  Barking (other than as a trained task), growling or lunging will annoy or frighten others.  Your dog must always be leashed in public places unless the dog needs to be free to perform a task, like retrieving a dropped object or to avoid entanglement in your medical equipment.  Control also can and should be maintained through voice and hand signals. 

This is the most important aspect of service dog etiquette.  An uncontrolled dog will reflect badly on all other service dog teams and may cause others to question the legitimacy of service dogs in general.  Keep your dog’s obedience skills sharp for the benefit of those around you, for all other service dog teams, and for your own benefit.

Keep your dog clean

The people around you shouldn’t have to deal with a smelly dog.  People who don’t like dogs will be even more offended by an unpleasant odor.  Pay attention to your dog during your daily routine.  If he is muddy or smelly before his regular bath day, it’s time to move that schedule up.  If you don’t have a regular bath schedule, consider one.  I bathe Koogle every four weeks at a minimum. Regular, if not daily, brushing is also important, especially with breeds that shed a lot like.  An unbrushed dog is more likely to leave behind a pile of fur that someone will have to clean up.  I’m especially sensitive to the potential of leaving fur behind when I use Uber or Lyft.  Consider carrying a lint roller or other fur removing tool with you when you’re out and about.  I tidy up ride share cars with a lint roller when my dog is shedding.

Toilet your dog politely

It should go without saying that you need to pick up after your dog.  Nobody wants to step in it – not even a certified dog lover.  Doing otherwise is obviously inconsiderate.  Everyone understands that your dog must relieve itself, but they will appreciate when toileting is done discretely.

Avoid allowing your dog to do his business in front of restaurant or coffee shop windows, in picnic areas, or otherwise in view of people who are eating.  Keep your dog on a regular toileting schedule, and it will be easier to plan when and where to go and without surprises.  I take Koogle out every four hours.

Service dogs are usually trained not to relieve themselves without permission.  Work to maintain that discipline within a toileting schedule so Fluffy won’t have to cross her paws.

Be mindful of space

We humans stand with our spines perpendicular to the ground while dogs have theirs parallel to it.  That simple difference in functional geometry means that larger breeds like retrievers and German shepherds can take up a lot of floor space compared to a person.  Add in the tail, and you could end up with a real in-the-way-hound.

Put your dog in a sit when riding in a crowded elevator to minimize the impact of his length.  I like to put Koogle in a corner facing out when possible because it naturally keeps his tail out of the way.

Always keep your dog within twelve inches of your body when walking.  This is especially helpful to others in tight places like grocery store aisles.  Similarly, make sure all your dog’s body, including the tail, is out of aisle space when you are sitting at restaurants or theaters.  The best compliment service dog teams can get is when they get up to leave a venue and the people around them are surprised when they see Fluffy and say that they didn’t even realize there was a dog there.

Have a public interaction plan

People are drawn to service dogs.  Sometimes they are curious and have questions about them, and sometimes they just want to pet the dog.  There is hardly ever negative intent, but the interaction can distract the dog and prevent it from doing its job.

We have no obligation to chat with everyone who approaches us, but we should always be polite.  Each dog handler needs to consider what their own policy will be when asked for permission to pet their dog. I am usually happy to talk with people about Koogle, because it has often created an opportunity to help someone else who could use a service dog.

In the past, I was liberal with giving strangers permission to pet Koogle, but he began to seek out the attention.  Clearly, I had to change my policy.  Instead, I invite people to help me train my dog rather than pet him.  I have them call my name, so he can alert me to the sound.  Interested people still get a chance to interact with my dog, but in a beneficial manner.  They get to see what a hearing dog does, and it helps Koogle learn he needs to alert me to the sound of my name no matter where we are or who says it.

Some people will pet my dog without asking or even talking to me at all, not realizing it is an intrusion of my physical space.  I ask them to please stop and explain how my dog stops listening for the sounds I can’t hear when he gets pet.  I try to look at this as an opportunity to educate, rather than getting irritated about it. Whatever policy you choose, practice a polite way to deliver it.  Most people understand when told that service dogs can’t be pet while they are working.

Leave your dog home when appropriate

ADA Access rules for service dogs apply to government agencies, businesses, and non-profit organizations.  They do not cover private property, like homes, or places of worship.  Service dogs may also be excluded for legitimate safety requirements or if their presence would alter the fundamental nature of the business.

Federal law does not grant puppies in training the same access rights as trained dogs, but some state laws do.  Check the laws in your state to be sure and ask permission before entering a business, when state laws do not include dogs in training.

I never bring my service dog to a friend or relative’s home unless he has been invited.  He often is!  If your dog has been invited to someone’s home, it should always be under your control just as if it were a public setting.  I keep Koogle in a down position at my side throughout my visit; although I may release him for a few minutes to greet my friends and relatives.  He always stays under my supervision.  You should never bring your dog to a home if a member of the household is allergic.

Keep in mind that your service dog’s presence can be very stressful to the canine residents of the house.  Discuss this with the host ahead of time and plan how you will introduce the dogs.  You might want to introduce them ahead of time away from the resident dog’s home.  If you learn your host’s dog does not do well with strange dogs, keep your service dog home.  Your dog is way too valuable to risk injury.  The Humane Society offers advice on how to introduce dogs. 

Play time for your service dog and the host’s dog may be okay, depending on the resident dog’s level of training.  Play must always be directly supervised.  Watch the dogs’ body language for signs of aggression and interrupt unwanted behavior, like humping.  Some service dog organizations may restrict play dates to other dogs in their program.  Check with your provider.

In conclusion

The Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted to make the world more accessible for people with disabilities.  One way it does this is by granting service dogs access to most public places.  The right of access does not negate the dog handler’s need to be sensitive to the rights and feelings of others.

Keep your dog in control and clean for the benefit of those around you.  Toilet it discretely, and practice polite interaction with those who express interest in your dog.  Respect other people’s private property and know when to leave your dog home.

Please let me know if this post was helpful.  Send me an email or leave a comment if you have any feedback.