A comprehensive list of signs someone is lying about their service canine's credentials
Curious if that little barking chihuahua in the airport is actually a service dog? Service dogs perform a variety of important tasks for people with physical, emotional, or mental disabilities, but some folks out there abuse the system by lying about the dog’s training. So how can you tell the real from the fake? We’ll show you! Read on to learn how to spot a fraudulent service pup.
Things You Should Know
- Service dogs are well-behaved, focused, and quiet. Fake service dogs may be reactive, loud, or playful.
- Fake service dogs will be more likely to sniff around, require redirection, or be interested in strangers and other stimuli.
- Don’t pay too much attention to vests or signs; service dogs aren’t actually required to wear special gear and there are no “certificates” for real service dogs.
Steps
Community Q&A
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QuestionAs a business person, how do I make sure people are not abusing the law and bringing their pets in my store?Rosè HansleyCommunity AnswerAccording to the Americans With Disabilities Act, you may ask only two questions: “Is the dog a service dog?” and "Is the dog trained to perform tasks for the owner's disability?" (A service dog is one that performs tasks for people with disabilities.)
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QuestionWhat places do not allow service dogs?Rosè HansleyCommunity AnswerPretty much all places allow service dogs. If your access is denied, talk to them about it or call the police.
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QuestionHow do you train your dog to be a service dog?Community AnswerStart with basic obedience. Move to manners in public access. Then start task training. There are lots of YouTube videos and other how-to's online for each step.
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Tips
- Service dogs can be trained to perform a variety of different tasks. They may provide stability or help fetch items for people with motor issues, or keep people with autism or mental illness from wandering off. Seeing-eye dogs help blind people navigate obstacles, and seizure-tracking dogs can warn epileptic patients they’re about to have an attack. [13] X Research sourceThanks
- Some service dogs help people with emotional or mental health. A service dog might remind someone with chronic depression to take their medication, for example. The difference between an emotional support dog and a service animal is that service animals are trained to perform specific duties. Emotional support animals just make their owner feel better. These aren’t service dogs. [14] X Research sourceThanks
- There are no organizations that oversee service dogs or license them. A dog qualifies as a service dog so long as they’ve been trained to perform a task. However, anybody can train service dogs. [15] X Research sourceThanks
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Warnings
- You’re allowed to ask if an animal is a service dog and inquire about what they’re trained to do, but so long as the owner says they’re a service dog and they have an explanation, you can’t keep a service dog from entering an establishment. [17] X Research sourceThanks
- You aren’t legally allowed to ask someone to prove their service dog is real, and there isn’t any kind of official certification or registration for service dogs anyway, so don’t try calling someone out for a fake service dog. [18] X Research sourceThanks
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Expert Interview
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Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about caring for dogs, check out our in-depth interview with Rendy Schuchat .
References
- ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/health-info/managing-reactive-behavior
- ↑ https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2017/10/16/tightening-the-leash-on-fake-service-dogs
- ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/feb/16/fake-service-dogs-emotional-support-animals-airplanes
- ↑ https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2017/10/16/tightening-the-leash-on-fake-service-dogs
- ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/feb/16/fake-service-dogs-emotional-support-animals-airplanes
- ↑ https://sierradelta.com/why-you-cant-pet-service-dogs/
- ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/feb/16/fake-service-dogs-emotional-support-animals-airplanes
- ↑ https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2017/10/16/tightening-the-leash-on-fake-service-dogs
- ↑ https://askjan.org/articles/Service-Dog-Breed-Exclusions-and-the-ADA.cfm
- ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/most-popular-service-dog-breeds/
- ↑ https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-faqs/
- ↑ https://www.michigan.gov/mdcr/-/media/Project/Websites/mdcr/service-animals/documents/faq.pdf?rev=043fb9a83d06487caf659d76f13bf9b3
- ↑ https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-faqs/
- ↑ https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-faqs/
- ↑ https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-faqs/
- ↑ https://www.servicedogregistration.org/blog/signs-of-well-trained-service-dog/
- ↑ https://adata.org/faq/how-can-i-tell-if-animal-really-service-animal-and-not-just-pet
- ↑ https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-faqs/
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