I am constantly asked this question, so I thought I would share some information from the Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) site with some tips to follow when meeting or approaching a working assistance dog and his / her partner:
- Do not touch the dog without first asking permission! This is a distraction for the dog and may prevent it from tending to it's human partner. Be sensitive to the fact that the dog is working and may be in the middle of a command from it's human partner. Most dogs must be given a "release" before they are allowed to interact with someone.
- Never feed the dog. Food is the ULTIMATE distraction to a working dog and can jeopardize the working assistance dog team.
- Speak to the person, not the dog. Most handlers love to talk about their dogs, but make sure they have time to talk with you.
- DO NOT whistle or make sounds to the dog as this, also, may provide a dangerous distraction.
- Never make assumptions about the individuals intelligence, feelings, or capabilities. Offers to help are appreciated, but ask first. Usually, the human/dog team can get the task done by themselves.
- Don't be afraid of the dog. These dogs have been professionally trained and have excellent manners. Always approach an assistance dog calmly and speak to their handler before touching or addressing the dog.
Educate your children about working dogs as well. Children love to come up and love a dog, but when they are working, this provides a distraction for a working dog.
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