When you see a service dog, you will get the temptation to go ahead and pet it. However, you will also notice that they have a warning sign on them, named, “Do not pet”. Why do service dogs have such warning signs? Continue to read and we will let you know why.
Why Do Service Dogs Have warnings “Do not pet”?
You need to understand that service dogs are not pet. Instead, they are provided with some responsibilities. In other words, service dogs need to be on alert at all times. Therefore, you should not be distracting the service dogs who are at work. Instead, you should just allow service dogs to work on their duties.
1. Service dogs are not pets, they are provided with some responsibilities.
It’s preventing the dog from doing its job.
Would you attempt to divert and work as an air traffic controller who is talking to them in order to grab their focus when he or she is working? No! That would be very risky. A service dog is no different. Assume it’s working and towards keeping its operator safe when you see this out and about.
By touching, chatting to, or attempting to feed a service dog, you are interfering with its ability to focus only on keeping its owner safe. You could be harmed if you do so
2. Service dogs need to be on alert at all times.
Making direct eye contact might be just as distracting
Many people do not consider establishing eye contact with a service dog to be a distraction, but that is because if indeed the dog takes a look at you in the eyes, he or she may lose concentration on his or her work.
At a service dog training facility, they educate the dogs to avoid distractions, whether it’s a human with a pet dog or someone trying to feed or pat the dog. Even if they’ve been well-trained, they’re still dogs at heart and can’t help but engage in instinctive behaviors.
3. You should not be distracting the service dogs who are at work.
Even if it isn’t doing anything, the dog is at work.
A service dog is taught to do a variety of tasks, depending on the requirements of the handlers, many of which are unseen.
Some handlers rely on their dogs to deliver medication, detect seizures, detect a smell that signals rapidly falling blood sugar levels in a diabetic, or detect whether their handler is unhappy and about to have a PTSD episode. Even if a service dog seems to be napping, assume it is working and don’t disturb it!.
You should never inquire about a handler’s impairment. Learn how these service dogs changed the lives of soldiers if you like dogs.
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4. Allow service dogs to work on their duties
It’s possible that it is against the law in your state.
OK, we know you wouldn’t do it, but in certain places, including Arizona, attempting to interfere with deliberately or carelessly or obstruct the tasks performed by a service dog or guide dog may result in a misdemeanor or even a class 6 felony.
5. You could be harmed if you do so
A dog wearing a service jacket or ID does not always imply that it is a qualified service dog. Unfortunately, there are now more illicit service teams than authorized service teams.
It’s possible that a dog that hasn’t been appropriately trained to become a service dog may bite or damage you. You never want to place yourself in a situation where you may be hurt, so always be cautious. That said, any service dog that you see should be assumed to be authentic and “working,” so let it do its job.
Final thought: Why do service dogs have warnings “Do not pet”?
As you can see here, the most important reason why have service dogs have warnings “Do not pet”? is because You could be harmed, other reasons why include:
- The fact that service dogs are not pets. Instead,
- they are provided with some responsibilities.
- Service dogs need to be on alert at all times.
- So, do not distract a service dog who are at work anytime you see them just allow them to work on their duties and don’t attempt to pet them.
Conclusion
Hope this post helps you and if you have any question comment or anything concerning this topic please feel free to leave them in the comment section below. Please use the social buttons to share this post with others thanks.