How to Approach an Assistance Dog

Assistance dogs can open the world to the disabled and make the quality of their lives much better. When people encounter a service dog out in public, they are often tempted to speak to the dog or pet it, but diverting the working dog's attention is definitely bad form. It could even prove dangerous to the owner or the dog itself. Whether it's working for its human companion or just acting like a lovable pet, you need to understand the etiquette required for the encounter. Here's how to approach an assistance dog.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Speak to the dog's owner first. Don't make any distracting noises or movements toward the dog before you've greeted the owner in a calm voice.

2. Ask the person for permission to approach the dog. Always respect the fact that a service dog's first priority is to its owner. Since these well trained companions perform many helpful tasks for their human charges, you can't know for sure whether you're interfering with an important function without asking the owner first. If the owner refuses, respect her decision and move on.

3. Make your attention on the dog brief and petting to a minimum if you get the owner's permission to interact with it. Withdraw your attention immediately if the owner gives the dog a command. Never offer food. An irresistible treat will make it harder for the dog to refocus on its owner quickly and return to its primary job.

4. If you have your own dog with you, never allow your dog to initiate contact with a service dog while it's on duty. Even if your dog is well behaved and does well with other dogs, keep it away from the service dog until the owner gives permission for it to approach. The same goes for your children.

5. Avoid intruding on the owner's privacy. It's generally impolite to ask about the person's disability unless the owner offers such information first. She may be happy to talk about how the dog helps her and what her limitations are, but let her tell you how much information she's willing to share.

Tips & Warnings

• Assistance dogs can accompany their owners where other dogs are not allowed, thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This means you're likely to encounter a service dog in unusual settings, making it more tempting to approach them. Be sensitive to the owner's need to keep the dog focused in such circumstances.