Good Manners, Plainly
Four Simple Rules
A working service dog is on the job. A few small courtesies keep her safe and let her do that job. Here is what helps most.
How to Behave Around a Working Service Team
1
Please Ignore the Dog Unless Invited to Engage
Do not make eye contact, click your tongue, whistle, reach out to pet, or call out to a working service dog. Distracting a safety alert dog like Unity can prevent her from recognizing environmental hazards. Besides, this is just good manners anyway. Just because a dog is in public, doesn't make it a public pet. Imagine how awkward it would be for a stranger to come up and engage your toddler, or worse, touch without permission.
2
Speak to the Handler, Not the Dog
Avoid asking intrusive questions about medical conditions or disabilities. If you wish to speak, say a polite hello to the human first. Again, this is just good common sense. Yes, she does get to say hello and loves attention—once I've given her and you that permission. I can't stress how important this two-part permission training is, or how hard it's been to implement. It gets much harder when she's tempted by strangers who ignore this etiquette and play on her kind and inviting nature, tempting her to deviate from her training.
3
Never Offer Food or Treats Without Permission
Service dogs and many regular pets or Emotional Support Animals may be on strict schedules, diets, or training regimens. Offering food can cause a distraction, disrupt their training, or give them an upset stomach - or worse.
4
Keep Pets at a Distance
Keep personal pets or emotional support animals on a short leash. Do not allow your animal to approach or "greet" a working service dog. We usually avoid interactions in restaurants or other sensitive environments, not because she isn't ever allowed to say hi, but there are situations where it's less than optimal.