Dekker answers questions about service dogs
Dekker reads a lot but doesn’t always
have the answers to every question
This month Dekker has been asked to field a lot of questions about service dogs. He looked up at me with those big brown eyes of his and said “Woof…can you help?” So this post shares a bit of ‘people information’ along with Dekker’s responses.
Dear Dekker,
I got the cutest vest for my chihuahua, Sacha, so people will know she is a service dog
but I was asked to take her out of the restaurant
where we had gone for lunch.
What’s the problem?
Sacha’s Mom
Woof Woof,
It takes more than a vest to make a service dog. When I was in training (which took a year and a half) I wore a special blue vest that said I was learning. When I graduated I got the red one I wear today. And believe me, I had to work hard to earn that vest. I’ll ask my person to explain why Sacha’s vest doesn’t allow her in a restaurant.
Thanks, Dekker.
There are many reasons but one of the simplest is allowing pets (even well-behaved ones) to wear a ‘uniform’ is similar to allowing people who want to be doctors to wear white so they can access areas in the hospital where no one else can go.
Or for an untrained ‘wannabee’ to don the uniform of a police officer. It puts everyone at risk even though the one wearing the uniform may be well-intentioned, or cute like Sacha. For more information about service dogs and about Dekker in particular follow the links at the end of this post.
Dear Dekker,
I notice you have a sign on your jacket that says ‘do not pet’
and yet people pet you anyway. How does that make you feel?
Observant Oliver
Woof woof, Oliver! Oh, I love to be petted! And I am not at all fussy about who is scratching behind my ears. The problem is I can’t be aware of my person when I am wiggling around trying to get my butt scratched too. It’s great for me, but my person may as well not have me.
It’s kind of like asking someone in a powerchair if you can go for a ride in it. What are they supposed to do in the meantime?
I know service dogs don’t look a whole lot different than your pets at home, and when the jacket is off we may not act a whole lot different. But when I am on the job and in uniform, the hardest thing in the world is to keep my eyes and my nose trained on my person while someone is distracting me with attention.
(Doggone it, I am SO cute!!)
What is even harder to ignore is someone who looks me right in the eye. I watch eyes to know what I am supposed to be doing. Some people avoid petting, but they send messages through their eyes that get me all dog-fuddled. I wish they wouldn’t do that.
Dear Dekker,
Like you, I love helping people.
How did you learn to be such a good support dog
and what wisdom do you have for me?
Helper Hank
Woof Hank!
The most important thing I learned at school was how to listen to my person. Listening is hard when there are good things to smell, or an itch I want to be scratched.
If I can’t stop those distractions, even though my person doesn’t smell the same things or itch the way I do, my person will know I am not really focused on her.
To be a good listener, be careful not to follow your nose but stay right with them, no matter where they wander with their thoughts.
Second. I made many mistakes when I was in training. I was never shamed for making them. I got a lot of kibble, but only when I did things right.
People like to be rewarded, too, when they do something right—but you have to ignore when they make messes.
Third. Sometimes my mind wanders and then I hear “look at ME” from my person.
I immediately focus on her eyes. Eyes tell me everything I need to know. If she is tired or scared or excited or angry I can tell.
Watch the eyes of who you are helping. They won’t lead you wrong.
And I also use my downtime to care for myself. I sleep a lot. It really helps because caregiving can be exhausting.
Dear Dekker,
I just adopted a golden retriever puppy
and I know goldens make wonderful service dogs.
Where do I begin?
Golden Gus
Woof Woof, Gus…You begin by starting a fund for her education. Graduate school is very expensive and there aren’t many.
Being a service dog is a bit like becoming an airline pilot or a surgeon. She has to be pretty smart and able to concentrate to help keep people safe and she also has to be equipped for the job she will be asked to do.
50% of the dogs in my class didn’t get to be service dogs. Not because they weren’t smart. (Dufus was one exception there). But Dyson was too friendly. He couldn’t keep his nose to himself no matter what. Dobbie flinched at every loud noise and Daisy…well, let’s just say Daisy was a cute cuddler and charmer, but I wouldn’t want her in the cockpit.
Have you ever seen a smart and lovable child that you thought would make a wonderful surgeon? And she turned out to be a gifted athlete with no interest in medicine?
The high standards for being a service dog are similar. Every dog can be lovable and teachable, but few pups will make it through the training.
If your dog isn’t able to pass all the tests she may be the perfect dog to play with me. I love goldens and I need the exercise.
Read more about how service dogs are trained by CLICKING HERE
Or read more about how I was trained by CLICKING HERE
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