www.registeredservicedogs.com

[yorkieK9trainer]

Originally Posted by LuvMySissy

The only thing I disagree with is your statement about a legit medical reason for having a service dog and training. For most mental health issues, having a "service dog" is for emotional support and there isn't training required for this. The lack of training, however, does not make the need for your animal any less real than other medical reasons. I am only concerned about the mental well being of a person with an emotional support animal, not an obligation to uphold an image, and that well being can be compromised with advertising with a vest and clearly labeled patches and the ADA clearly states that as long as you have your documentation with you (if asked) you do not need to broadcast this information.

BS. ALL dogs should undergo a minimal obedience class in my opinion, unless they are nothing more than backyard dogs (which I don't condone).
Therefore, even if you have an "emotional assist" dog, which I have also trained for people, you SHOULD be required by law to pass a class demonstrating that you have basic control (obedience) over your dog as a handler and that the dog displays no aggressive tendancies. If not, SORRY.
Just because you are attached to an aggressive llama doesn't mean you should be able to take it everywhere in public with you.
There SHOULD be a minimal requirement and as of right now there is NOT.
But there will be.

Further, having an ID on your animal doesn't have to state your disability. It just needs to state your dogs first and last name, have a photo of him/her and your home address and possibly a phone number if something should happen to you, the proper people can be notified to come and get your animal when you are taken to the hospital. YOUR DOG WILL NOT BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL WITH YOU. You are incapacitated and therefore he/she is not needed until you rouse.

[LuvMySissy]

Originally Posted by yorkieK9trainer

BS. ALL dogs should undergo a minimal obedience class in my opinion, unless they are nothing more than backyard dogs (which I don't condone).
Therefore, even if you have an "emotional assist" dog, which I have also trained for people, you SHOULD be required by law to pass a class demonstrating that you have basic control (obedience) over your dog as a handler and that the dog displays no aggressive tendancies. If not, SORRY.
Just because you are attached to an aggressive llama doesn't mean you should be able to take it everywhere in public with you.
There SHOULD be a minimal requirement and as of right now there is NOT.
But there will be.

Further, having an ID on your animal doesn't have to state your disability. It just needs to state your dogs first and last name, have a photo of him/her and your home address and possibly a phone number if something should happen to you, the proper people can be notified to come and get your animal when you are taken to the hospital. YOUR DOG WILL NOT BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL WITH YOU. You are incapacitated and therefore he/she is not needed until you rouse.

I agree that you should have basic control of your animal, but you don't need a class for this. And as you stated, the law does not currently require this. If the law changes, so be it.

I did not say not to have ID on your dog. ID tags should always be on your animal when traveling, regardless of whether they are a service animal or not. The possibility of needing hospitalization could happen to anyone and having appropriate ID on your pet is always a good idea. But having an ID on your animal, and having a clearly labeled vest stating you have a service animal are two different things. Emotional assist animals are not necessarily dogs. A cat, rabbit and guinea pig also qualify in this arena.

Emotional assist animals also do not need to be in a carrier. They can be in your arms and on your lap. I stand by my statement that those needing such an animal, do not need to put a "working service dog" vest on their animal and shouldn't feel obligated to uphold a standard for others. Not all airlines , transportation companies or business will honor emotional support animals. You should also be aware of the policies and abide by them.

[yorkieK9trainer]

Sissy,

YOU are not the one that should govern for the populous whether you think your animal is safe enough to be in crowded every day environments. You should pass a course for this. Like the CGC which is open to all dogs.

I think it's ludicris for this to not be done. If you are not a professional trainer or someone licensed to qualify a dogs mental soundess, then you have no business saying your pet is mentally able to be stable enough in everyday life as you'd otherwise experience it without him.

The vest is for YOUR protection. You don't need some three year old running up shouting DOGGY! and giving your "service dog" a hug and then getting bit in the face because of it and now YOU have a lawsuit on your hands. And whose responsible, yep, YOU! Not the parents of the child, although if you had been clearly marked as a service animal and that it should also not be petted, many people do in fact abide.

I think it should also be mandatory that you carry insurance on your dog. Just like you would your automobile out in public. I don't care if you have a monkey that stays on your shoulders all the time to help with you MS. But since this is a dog forum, I'll stick to talking about dogs in specific.

[LuvMySissy]

Originally Posted by yorkieK9trainer

Sissy,

YOU are not the one that should govern for the populous whether you think your animal is safe enough to be in crowded every day environments. You should pass a course for this. Like the CGC which is open to all dogs.

I think it's ludicris for this to not be done. If you are not a professional trainer or someone licensed to qualify a dogs mental soundess, then you have no business saying your pet is mentally able to be stable enough in everyday life as you'd otherwise experience it without him.

The vest is for YOUR protection. You don't need some three year old running up shouting DOGGY! and giving your "service dog" a hug and then getting bit in the face because of it and now YOU have a lawsuit on your hands. And whose responsible, yep, YOU! Not the parents of the child, although if you had been clearly marked as a service animal and that it should also not be petted, many people do in fact abide.

I think it should also be mandatory that you carry insurance on your dog. Just like you would your automobile out in public. I don't care if you have a monkey that stays on your shoulders all the time to help with you MS. But since this is a dog forum, I'll stick to talking about dogs in specific.

The law currently does not require a licensed or professional trainer to classify an animal as emotional support, nor is insurance or a working service animal vest required. You are entitled to your opinion.

[mscat]

Originally Posted by LuvMySissy

The law currently does not require a licensed or professional trainer to classify an animal as emotional support, nor is insurance or a working service animal vest required. You are entitled to your opinion.

She is right you know ! Let's just leave it alone like that. There are some of us that depend on our service animals to get us through our days. We need them . I agree that a service dog needs to be calm and not bite. Mine does not. The laws do not require insurance, vests, or all those other things you mentioned either.
Until they do, under the ADA , which I am covered under , I am allowed to have my service dog with me.
Thank You !

[yorkieK9trainer]

I'm not arguing that point.

I'm just saying it's a shame.

Because of the lack of laws and the ability for joe shmo to clain they have a "service dog" allows them to potentially make a bad name for actual dogs that service their owners and those that really do need those dogs.

I think that as a service dog owner you have a certain responsibility to uphold that takes you well beyond that of a pet owner. That's all.

[yorkieK9trainer]

And I know the laws. That was never an arguement. I'm just someone on a few boards pushing for the laws to be put in place. We desperately need them.

I train, amongst other things, Service Dogs.

[Chance]

Originally Posted by yorkieK9trainer

BS. ALL dogs should undergo a minimal obedience class in my opinion, unless they are nothing more than backyard dogs (which I don't condone).
Therefore, even if you have an "emotional assist" dog, which I have also trained for people, you SHOULD be required by law to pass a class demonstrating that you have basic control (obedience) over your dog as a handler and that the dog displays no aggressive tendancies. If not, SORRY.
Just because you are attached to an aggressive llama doesn't mean you should be able to take it everywhere in public with you.
There SHOULD be a minimal requirement and as of right now there is NOT.
But there will be.

Further, having an ID on your animal doesn't have to state your disability. It just needs to state your dogs first and last name, have a photo of him/her and your home address and possibly a phone number if something should happen to you, the proper people can be notified to come and get your animal when you are taken to the hospital. YOUR DOG WILL NOT BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL WITH YOU. You are incapacitated and therefore he/she is not needed until you rouse.

People that have a disability can train their dogs also. Why go to a so called trainer, if you can do the job yourself. I have never seen an aggressive dog in a store. If you care enough that you want to take your dog with you ever where you go, then you are going to have control over it. Whats the problem if you are dog lovers? There are more important things go on in the world now, people are losing their jobs, homes, etc. This " service dog" problem is nothing to be fighting about, except trainers wanting money.

[yorkieK9trainer]

Personally, I charge ZERO $$ for training service dogs and then training their new owners.


Z E R O.

I do it because it's the right thing to do, and I feel it should be mandated by law.

I've charged ZeRO $$ for the past 10 years. The facility that I used to train out of also charges NOTHING. So.....it really isn't always about us wanting money. Sorry, you're misinformed.

And Chance, I have seen aggressive "Service Dogs" not only in stores, but in airports. Fidgety, nervy dogs that certainly would snap if pushed. That is absolutely UNCALLED for in a Service Dog.

[marcerella02]

You know- this thread like MANY OTHERS on service dogs- started as an question- which no one answered- she never asked for anyone's opinions on service dogs- heck no one asked for opinions. Just answer the OP's question.

[yorkieK9trainer]

Actually, I did answer her questions.

[mscat]

you have made your point. I do not know why you feel like you have to continue to have to keep bringing up training service animals or dogs for that matter? You are intitled to your opinion, however, I do believe you have clearly stated where you stand on your beliefs. Thank you for your input.
Many of us do have Service dogs here on YT, and depend on them for support. Your input is greatly apreciated. Is there any other new useful information that you can share with us?

[Chance]

Originally Posted by mscat

you have made your point. I do not know why you feel like you have to continue to have to keep bringing up training service animals or dogs for that matter? You are intitled to your opinion, however, I do believe you have clearly stated where you stand on your beliefs. Thank you for your input.
Many of us do have Service dogs here on YT, and depend on them for support. Your input is greatly apreciated. Is there any other new useful information that you can share with us?

I second this. All except ( Your input is not greatly appreciated by Me)
The person that left this group last week is right, there are some rude people in YT. Thankful not all.