Pets- unpopular viewpoint

[Jayco-noslide]

First, we do not dislike dogs per se. We used to have one and several family members have really cute, friendly dogs. Now the "however" part. Wife and I feel our culture is increasingly moving toward "dog friendly" to the excess and that we have to start speaking up for the segment of the population that do not feel dogs should be allowed in stores, restaurants, etc. OK for seeing eye dogs on a leash but not for other companion types of dogs. You should not allow your dog to go up to someone just assuming they will want to make over it unless invited. Dog should always be leashed in a campground, pick up all waste and it's the owner's responsibility that the dog does not bark often whether owner is present or not. I could go on. We realize most owners are responsible but too many are not in campgrounds and other public areas.

[toedtoes]

What this usually coes down to is the usual "it's OK for me to do, but not for anyoone else". People who don't keep their dogs on a leash will always explain that their dog is special and should be exempt from the rule. "My dog is very well behaved" and so on.

The best comment I ever heard was from a local dog trainer. We were at a grand opening of a new leashless park and were watching people milling around outside the "leashless" area with their dogs loose. He said, "I would NEVER let my dog off leash like this. It doesn't matter how well trained my dog is, he is in danger from every other dog out there." I won't repeat what he said when we saw a woman walking around with a cat on her shoulder. ..

This is why my dogs are always leashed - because it's the safest for them. Rattlesnakes, barbed wire, wild animals, other dogs, people, forgotten mine holes, dangerous water, and so on. A leash can keep my dogs safe.

[toedtoes]

my440 wrote:
My Shitzus stay off the leash while at our RV sites but not till they settle down after arriving. The pouting and playing the victim is overwhelming to me.
The leashes are on though when were inside the motorhome and their not and worn whenever off our pad.
The leashes are always present, usually tied to a picnic table just as a reminder or when a stray dog or cat approaches.
I don't like when a stray dog approaches our rv sites, they disrupt the whole camp, then you need to deal with the dogs owner arriving acting like its the first time.

Even if you are outside with the dogs, they need to be on a leash. For their own safety. If another loose dog comes racing into your site and attacks your dog, how are you going to get your dog away? Reach into the fray and try to grab your dog? With a leash on, you can quickly pull your dog away without putting yourself at risk of being bit.

[soren]

maddog348 wrote:
Old-Biscuit,

Thank You and I agree fully. In the past month or so have seen businesses with signs "...SERVICE Dogs Allowed --- Comfort/Anxiety Dogs are Not..." Next time I will get a photo. It is about time. JM2¢

That sign is great, it should be everywhere.

The last time we were staying at Fort Wilderness, some unleashed little yapper came running up to us. The owner was 15-20 feet behind. She shouts, "it's OK, that's my service dog". It was actually a poorly groomed, untrained Bichon, with no vest or markings, and sure a heck wasn't a service dog. This fruit loop then tries to earnestly explain that the dog is trained to alert here if she is in danger. We just looked at her like she was nuts, and walked on by.

I strongly agree that it's time for businesses and others in charge of the public space to put a hard stop to the, "comfort/anxiety/protection/makes me feel special/ people pay attention to me when my mutt wears a vest" fake service dog scam.You have a right to be the strangest person imaginable, but when your fake service dog is licking produce at the grocery store, or a poorly trained mess sitting next to my table inside a restaurant, we have a problem.

[Halmfamily]

DOTLDaddy wrote:

Jayco-noslide wrote:
....You should not allow your dog to go up to someone just assuming they will want to make over it unless invited. ...

Interestingly, I have always had an inverse problem. Sitting at our campsite or walking our dog(s), people approaching us without asking in order to see and/or pet our dog(s).

Some of your other points I agree with, some others I do not. C'est la vie. 🙂

I agree with this opinion. We have two dogs, one that will lick you to death and play with your kids until the cows come home. Our other dog a chow/rot mix had a bad past but is extremely loyal to those he knows. He looks like a big huggable bear but will nip if approached. We have to constantly tell people he is not friendly so please keep your distance. I don't like people approaching our dog's without permission.

[my440]

My Shitzus stay off the leash while at our RV sites but not till they settle down after arriving. The pouting and playing the victim is overwhelming to me.
The leashes are on though when were inside the motorhome and their not and worn whenever off our pad.
The leashes are always present, usually tied to a picnic table just as a reminder or when a stray dog or cat approaches.
I don't like when a stray dog approaches our rv sites, they disrupt the whole camp, then you need to deal with the dogs owner arriving acting like its the first time.

[valhalla360]

PUCampin wrote:
Like many situations, the laws and definitions exist...

Sorry but ADA is a bit of a pet peeve of mine. Not so much the service animal specifically but just in general as I deal with it for work and while I make extra money complying, it's frustrating to watch all the waste that goes into meeting it.

Your post is a great theory but unfortunately, ADA is a poorly written piece of legislation and the disabled and their interest groups have for a long time vilified anyone who doesn't bow down to their interpretation of ADA. ADA should have been written with very specific requirements of what, when and where actions are needed with the legislature updating the act if new needs are found, so that they could be vetted by the larger public.

It basically boils down, to you have to provide "reasonable" accommodation but they never defined what "reasonable" is and over the years the definition grows ever larger and it's special interest groups doing the redefining.

The "comfort" animals are a total joke but by the definition you gave, if you can get a doctor to sign off, it's easy to meet your definition. If the law was very specific, they could have defined the tasks covered by service animals and "comfort" animals wouldn't qualify. Plus asking your questions would likely get a shocked and horrified response (whether you can legally ask or not).

ADA: good in theory bad in actual application.

[Campfire_Time]

DownTheAvenue wrote:

Stefonius wrote:

Jayco-noslide wrote:
First, we do not dislike dogs per se. We used to have one and several family members have really cute, friendly dogs. Now the "however" part. Wife and I feel our culture is increasingly moving toward "dog friendly" to the excess and that we have to start speaking up for the segment of the population that do not feel dogs should be allowed in stores, restaurants, etc. OK for seeing eye dogs on a leash but not for other companion types of dogs. You should not allow your dog to go up to someone just assuming they will want to make over it unless invited. Dog should always be leashed in a campground, pick up all waste and it's the owner's responsibility that the dog does not bark often whether owner is present or not. I could go on. We realize most owners are responsible but too many are not in campgrounds and other public areas.

I feel the exact same way about small children. 🙂

X2

And this is the reason they have "adult" RV parks. 😉

[DownTheAvenue]

Stefonius wrote:

Jayco-noslide wrote:
First, we do not dislike dogs per se. We used to have one and several family members have really cute, friendly dogs. Now the "however" part. Wife and I feel our culture is increasingly moving toward "dog friendly" to the excess and that we have to start speaking up for the segment of the population that do not feel dogs should be allowed in stores, restaurants, etc. OK for seeing eye dogs on a leash but not for other companion types of dogs. You should not allow your dog to go up to someone just assuming they will want to make over it unless invited. Dog should always be leashed in a campground, pick up all waste and it's the owner's responsibility that the dog does not bark often whether owner is present or not. I could go on. We realize most owners are responsible but too many are not in campgrounds and other public areas.

I feel the exact same way about small children. 🙂

X2

[tunaguy]

Let me start by saying I am a dog lover and never could be without one or hope not to have one, they do help when you are having a bad day. But could not agree more, dogs at The Grocery store, Home Depot, etc. Buying a service dog sweater on line, does not a service dog make. I am always outraged by people not picking up after their animals nor having them on leashes. It makes it hard on the ones that do follow the rules. Much like food stamps and welfare, too many that should not be getting them.

Rant

Jeff

[pennysmom09]

I am a dog lover and dog owner and I totally agree with the OP. Our dog isn't t used to children or other dogs approaching her, since we live a quiet, rural area. . When in a campground we follow all the rules and hope other do the same. It's the small percentage of dog owners that ruin it for the rest of us. A few campgrounds we've been to have a dog owners section, and you must keep your dog within the boundaries. It's a shame they have to do this, but I totally understand. Too many times while walking my own dog on a 6 ft. Leash, I've had dogs rush out and scare us both. "Oh, don't worry, they are very friendly!!" (I don't care, keep your dogs leashed)

[maddog348]

Old-Biscuit,

Thank You and I agree fully. In the past month or so have seen businesses with signs "...SERVICE Dogs Allowed --- Comfort/Anxiety Dogs are Not..." Next time I will get a photo. It is about time. JM2¢

[jake2250]

One of the problems I see is,, Adults not teaching there children to be cautious when approaching a dog!! To many times I have had to raise my voice to smaller children running up to pet my dog an a leash!
Even my dog does not appreciate that! It scares him and creates an uneasy situation! My dog would never bite a child, but he has No Idea what their intentions are!
Ask me First if its ok to pet my dog!

[Old-Biscuit]

ALL I need for my dog to be 'allowed'



AS a Responsible dog owner I HATE the easy availability of 'service vests, ADA Cards, Patches (In training, Emotional Support etc)
and cringe everytime I have to 'share' my eating experience with the fakes.
Unfortunately Business Owners can only ask 2 questions
1) Is this a Service Dog (PET etc....be it a dog, pig, chicken)
2) What 'tasks' does it preform

Lie and business owner has no choice.

Handicap Parking, Medical MJ, SSD.........way too many 'scammers'

[PUCampin]

Like many situations, the laws and definitions exist, it's all about enforcement. I am all for dog friendly places where it is not a health code violation such as in non food selling stores if they choose, restaurant patios if they choose, and more dog friendly parks and beaches. But some people are ignoring the law and using fear of confrontation and offence to abuse legitimate situations.

A service dog can be looked at as a living, breathing assistive device for someone with a disability. Service dogs are sometimes compared to wheelchairs in their ability to help their disabled partners live more independent lives. Since service dogs are not primarily kept for companionship, they are not considered pets.

The Americans with Disabilities Act essentially requires three things for a dog to be a service dog. First, the person helped must have a life-limiting disability. Second, the dog must be trained to recognize and respond to the handler’s disability by doing either work or tasks. Third, the dog must not cause a disruption in public, otherwise the dog can be legally excluded. Service dogs must be both housebroken and leashed except when the dog needs to be off-leash to provide disability-related work or tasks.

Any other animal, comfort, emotional support animal, etc, IS NOT a service animal and IS NOT afforded the same access a service animal is.

I too have seen a significant uptick in people bringing dogs places they should not, mainly the small ones that can be carried. Owners blatantly carry these animals into stores, grocery stores, restaurants, and other places where they are health code violations. The managers of these locations are often afraid to confront and offend the dog toting individual, however you do not see comfort dogs at places that are not afraid to enforce like Disneyland.

If it is obvious a service dog is acting as a service dog, users should not have challenges to their access. If a dog’s service dog status is not obvious, a business cannot ask about a person’s disability or require work or task performance or documentation of any kind, but may ask only two questions to figure out whether the dog is a service dog:

1 Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
2 What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

As a society, we have become so afraid of offending others, and feeling like we have the right to not be offended, that some people are willing to disregard the rules because no one will stop them.

[cmeade]

I agree with the OP. I had a fully trained Doberman who passed in 1999. For the most part adults would respect her space but kids were very careless around her. She was a very loving dog and never had a problem with kids but I was probably more alert if she would have gotten "serious" when around kids. She would pee and poop on command and the best dog to take rving. Never had to roll up windows and lock doors with her around.