Service Dog Etiquette

Dog owners take pains to ensure their pets are well-behaved and safe to be around. But humans similarly need trained in etiquette toward dogs in order to live in harmony – this is especially true with service dogs. Even seasoned dog owners find it hard resisting the urge to pet and coo over those good boys and girls. If you find yourself in the presence of a service dog, keep in mind these etiquette do’s and don’ts.

The most important rule is do not distract the dog. This means petting, talking to, offering treats, or otherwise interacting with the service dog. Even if they don’t appear to be working, they are. Medical alert dogs need all their senses trained on their owner because the warning signs are often subtle. If you distract them, they could miss a critical indicator of their handler’s oncoming seizure, insulin spike, or proximity to a trigger. While ignoring their presence may seem rude, it is in fact the most respectful thing for both them and the person they’re serving. By ignoring the dog you keep both them and their person safe.

The exception to this is if they are unaccompanied, then follow them. If you see a service dog with no owner or handler in sight, then their human may be in danger. Service dogs rarely leave their assigned person unless there is an emergency. The only time a service dog should be interacting with you is if they need your help aiding their owner.

But ignoring the dog doesn’t mean ignoring the handler too. You can still smile and say hello to their owner, but it is terrible manners to speak to the dog (which you shouldn’t anyway) and not their human companion. Any contact or interaction you have with the service dog should have their person’s approval first. If a service dog on duty is seeking attention from you when their owner isn’t in need of your assistance, let the owner know so they can address the situation and correct any potentially harmful behavior.

What should you do on a busy sidewalk or in a tight grocery store aisle where you can’t ignore the dog completely? Always give the right of way. Letting the dog continue leading without stops and starts makes a safer journey for everyone and helps them focus on doing their job. A misstep or sudden stop could cause their human a serious accident. Give the dog and their handler as much room as you can to pass safely. This also means that you shouldn’t start walking alongside them as this could be distracting and possibly threatening to both the service animal and the one they’re serving.

The same applies when you are with your own dog. Keep your dog away from service dogs. As adorable as new pup friends can be, assistance dogs keep work and play separate. They also have different socialization training than most pets. Take it as an opportunity to teach your dog proper support dog etiquette.

Don’t ask a handler if a service dog is allowed to be there. By law, service dogs are permitted to enter anywhere the general public is allowed even if pets are not. Depending on the venue they might allow medical support dogs and not emotional support dogs, but service dogs are generally allowed in places most other animals are not: restaurants, stores, offices, educational buildings, etc. Do not assume that just because a dog is not wearing vest means they are not a service dog. Some dogs are not required to wear vests or stay on leashes. This depends on the handler’s needs. If you have health or safety concerns about a dog’s presence, talk to the venue’s management, not the handler.

Another strong breach of etiquette is asking what kind of service dog they are. How would you like it if a stranger approached you and started asking invasive questions? Though your interest may be genuine and your intentions good, asking what a service dog can do is essentially asking the handler to talk you through their physical and/or mental health traumas. It’s best to keep personal questions to yourself.

The next time you and/or your dog see a service dog in action, you’ll be prepared to help them be the best they can be for those who rely on them.