Don't pet the dog

I have known since a child if a guide dog has its harness on you do not pet a guide dog as it is in its working mode. Same goes today if an assistance dog for the disabled has its coat on.

The dogs are trained that if in the case of a guide dog it has its harness on its working and is it's owners eyes. Same goes since assistant dogs have been about .

Even a guide dog or assistant dog is in training and has its harness or coat on it states in training. You do not pet them .

I am 65 now . I thought it was well known and anyway it's common sense. These dogs are working so their owners can live a full and active life.

Even dogs that go into homes or schools for the blind or disabled once their harness or coats go on they know they are working.

Recently I met a dog at the Brain Charity he had his coat on . And he knew he was in working mode and went to people so they could pet him. But as soon as his job was done and the owner took his coat off he was like a different dog and couldn't want to go out too the park which was his reward on the way home.

The blind lady had every right to object to someone petting her dog. It was in working mode and she depended on him to keep her safe. He was her eyes .

If a blind person had a white stick would you touch it . Of course not as they depend on it same goes for a guide dog.

The lack of common sense nowadays from all ages saddens me.

Iwouldnt petother people’s dogs anyway

It is simply common sense! People should know not to pet a guide or assistance dog.
No one should stroke any dog that does not belong to them , or if they must they should ask the other first.

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Harsh RosieMaw

sodapop

Harsh RosieMaw

...but fair.

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I think we all agree that we already know that we must not interrupt any kind of assistance dog, or a police dog, when on duty. Did you think we didn’t infoman?

To my knowledge there isn't a school in the land that doesn't teach this in PSHE key stage 2. There are worksheets designed by Guide Dogs UK, and produced by twinkle all about how to behave around a working dog. Often a dog is brought into school to demonstrate this.

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Have you never seen the Disney Bambi film?

If you can't say anything good about any one,don't say it.

Should not pet any dog full stop
No discussion no excuses unless you ask owner do not touch any dog no matter how touchable they look

I actually didn’t know that as too old to get it taught in schools, but I’m not a big petter of dogs anyway, but thanks for info 👏

I have not seen the original note about this but of course agree with not touching dogs working. But I have lived abroad and moved to area where there was rabies and so taught my son , never to touch any dog at all without checking with an adult. I have done some years of hospital car service and you also get a problem the other way. If there is a dog in the house I have to ask the owner to shut the dog away before I come in. This is because A) dont want the dog to escape as we have no time to go round catching it up and the owner will be upset leaving it loose. B) when a patient is either going to stay in overnight or have equipment that they need with them I normally would pick up the bags etc and take them to the car. If I do that inside the house, naturally the dog will be defensive as I am a stranger in his area.C) not the dogs fault but if they are allowed to jump up at you, it can be frightening for some people but also you are wearing clean clothes and a uniform and will be picking up different people during the day. You do not look professional with dog hairs, or muddy marks on your clean outfit . I was brought up with dogs and my grandmother had quite a lot both inside and outside, but they - and us - were trained correctly. The dogs never bothered us at the table, were not allowed to eat from a plate a human used etc. We were never allowed to feed from the table or speak to the dogs whilst we were eating. Having the right rules for both animals and people means that everyone including the dogs knows what to do and what not to do and no one is getting worried.

Sadly, it’s not common sense. Many people do not understand the concept of a guide dog for a blind person. I have seen people walking into them and expecting the dog to move. More public awareness films should be made ad shown.

I keep well away from all dogs after numerous incidents involving the family. We live in a farming village the dogs are not allowed in the houses.

We often see police dogs being trained in a town near us and it's surprising the number of people who stop to pet the dogs. A few weeks ago dogs and Customs officers were being trained to detect drugs, with the 'drugs' being carried by officers in back packs. One man sent his young son up to the group of uniformed officers and their dog so he could take a photo of his son petting the dog. I don't think common sense is that common.

While I agree that common sense appears to be becoming uncommon, I also think it's part of the entitlement that's seen so much these days.
I've said it numerous times, the number of children who would run up to stroke my dog without asking, including one occasion when a mother told her little girl to 'cuddle him, he looks like a bear'.....he was an extremely large Rottweiler!
My friend is a dog handler (Police) and on many occasions, when working has experienced the same thing.

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I was a Professional dog trainer for well over half a century. I would teach children how to approach a dog , and the basics of reading the dogs body language,. I used to suggest that they didn’t approach ANY dog without asking the owner if they could stroke the dog , and how to be calm and quiet around dogs.

I think it's a shame not to pet dogs. I ask the owner, let the dog sniff my hand and then pet - it's part of the pleasure and healing energy that dogs give us. BUT I tell my grandchildren they must never pet any dog, or indeed go near it, unless they ask the owner first. I may be very fortunate with the district in which I live, but here we do pet each others' dogs and give them treats, as long as we know the dog/owner. I think the sensible message is just ask, and be aware that dogs have big jaws and can be moody.

Blondie49

I actually didn’t know that as too old to get it taught in schools, but I’m not a big petter of dogs anyway, but thanks for info 👏

I was just thinking the same thing! A friend of mine stops and pets any dog when we are out and about but I've never seen her pet a working dog. I only pet dogs I know, who's owners I know well. Just as well they don't train cats as assistance animals as I would always pet a cat given the chance!

we were taught to always ask before petting pet dogs too and it is something I instilled in my children

I've got to be honest, I feel a bit sorry for the ticket collector. I bet he is mortified and now will most probably be on a written warning

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