Please stop bringing in your fake service dogs! The Asphalt is SCALDING!

[Hisgirl]

We just returned and once again we saw people with little poof dogs and regular dogs with no service dog tags, no service dog identifiers, walking around, paws unprotected, in the parks where the asphalt was as hot as the heat of 10,000 angry suns! Those poor dogs!!!

We saw one blind gentleman with a service dog and the dog was wearing protective booties. I thanked him for protecting his dog's feet and he commented that well of course he did, the asphalt was hot!

Seriously. If you can't put your face on the asphalt and leave it there for five seconds, please don't bring your pets to the parks. I'm so over the fake-service-dogs-I-want-to-bring-my-pet-because-I'm-special people.

Do what the rest of us responsible dog owners do and pay for a sitter or great kennel. Stop burning the feet of your dogs. Black pavement hits 140 degrees on a 90+ degree day in the afternoon and that is enough to sustain burns and permanent scarring after ONE minute!

Okay, rant over. Trying to forget what I saw this week.

 

[bumbershoot]

once again we saw people with little poof dogs and regular dogs with no service dog tags, no service dog identifiers, walking around

So. There is no one way to identify a service dog. There is no requirement to do so. There is no reason for any of us to expect or even want anyone to spend more money on anything to make us happier or to make us believe a dog (or miniature horse) is a service animal.

The "little poof dogs" are just as much service dogs as other dogs. The tiniest teacup applehead chihuahua (if such a combo exists) can be JUST as much a service dog as the most service-dog-looking service dog ever born and trained.


Your issue is the feet. That's where you should focus your rant. It is insulting to anyone with a little dog that can detect blood sugar changes or an oncoming epileptic seizure, or who has been trained to *do a task* for the human-with-a-disability, when you talk about "little poof dogs".

What you COULD do is bring brochures about paw protectors with you, and sweetly kindly decently give them to people with service dogs that you're worried about.

I'm so over the fake-service-dogs-I-want-to-bring-my-pet-because-I'm-special people.

Sigh.

If someone sits and tells you "this isn't a service dog, I just want my dog with me", then go find someone in authority.

If no one is saying that, then just assume the dog is a service dog and move on with your life after handing them the paw protector brochure.

 

[Carol unsworth]

I agree with the poster in part. I have seen people with dogs at Firework Dessert Parties. Dogs are scared of fireworks, and while yes there are some dogs providing genuine medical and psychological help, we all know there are those who bring their dogs for other selfish reasons. If they really loved their dogs they wouldn’t put them through it.

 

[mom to minnie&mickey]

Okay, I am a HUGE dog lover and will stop to pet and play/help any animal I see. That being said what I saw at Ohana last week kind of disturbed me. DD and I were just finishing dinner (waiting for their famous bread pudding) when a family pushing a typical covered and fairly large baby stroller were seated at the table right next to ours. My first thought was why would they in such a tightly spaced restaurant as chairs had to be removed to make space but figured the baby was sleeping. Well, imagine my surprise when the lady opened it up and pulled out a medium sized poodle. She placed the dog on the table and then proceeded to open up her "baby bag" remove two bowls, fill one up with food and the other with water from a bottle and feed the dog right there. The dog on her lap eating from the table. She continued holding the dog while eating her dinner, all the while feeding it bits and pieces.
I found her actions a bit inconsiderate towards other diners (what if someone near her had an allergy or fear of dogs as it did bark a few times) I don't know what the laws regarding this is in the USA and if people somehow take advantage of them.

We did see plenty of larger dogs with little capes on them saying "Do not pet" and with harnesses but mostly in Disney Springs.

 

[KarenP64]

Okay, I am a HUGE dog lover and will stop to pet and play/help any animal I see. That being said what I saw at Ohana last week kind of disturbed me. DD and I were just finishing dinner (waiting for their famous bread pudding) when a family pushing a typical covered and fairly large baby stroller were seated at the table right next to ours. My first thought was why would they in such a tightly spaced restaurant as chairs had to be removed to make space but figured the baby was sleeping. Well, imagine my surprise when the lady opened it up and pulled out a medium sized poodle. She placed the dog on the table and then proceeded to open up her "baby bag" remove two bowls, fill one up with food and the other with water from a bottle and feed the dog right there. The dog on her lap eating from the table. She continued holding the dog while eating her dinner, all the while feeding it bits and pieces.
I found her actions a bit inconsiderate towards other diners (what if someone near her had an allergy or fear of dogs as it did bark a few times) I don't know what the laws regarding this is in the USA and if people somehow take advantage of them.

We did see plenty of larger dogs with little capes on them saying "Do not pet" and with harnesses but mostly in Disney Springs.

How can this even be allowed with Health & Safety laws???

 

[mom to minnie&mickey]

How can this even be allowed with Health & Safety laws???

Again, I don't know what the U.S. laws are regarding this as I am from Canada but I imagine the manager/staff's hands were tied and/or they were afraid to say anything to the woman. She probably knows this and takes full advantage or is completely oblivious to other people enjoying a meal. The waiter brought their drinks and food to the table and placed them around the dog's bowls. I swear I have never seen anything like that before. It was as if she believed the dog was a human because she did everything a mother would for a small child.

 

[KarenP64]

Again, I don't know what the U.S. laws are regarding this as I am from Canada but I imagine the manager/staff's hands were tied and/or they were afraid to say anything to the woman. She probably knows this and takes full advantage or is completely oblivious to other people enjoying a meal. The waiter brought their drinks and food to the table and placed them around the dog's bowls. I swear I have never seen anything like that before. It was as if she believed the dog was a human because she did everything a mother would for a small child.

Well, that's fine at home, but at a public restaurant, dog's sitting on tables = dog feces on tables....huge health concerns, service dog or not.

 

[piccolopat]

Okay, I am a HUGE dog lover and will stop to pet and play/help any animal I see. That being said what I saw at Ohana last week kind of disturbed me. DD and I were just finishing dinner (waiting for their famous bread pudding) when a family pushing a typical covered and fairly large baby stroller were seated at the table right next to ours. My first thought was why would they in such a tightly spaced restaurant as chairs had to be removed to make space but figured the baby was sleeping. Well, imagine my surprise when the lady opened it up and pulled out a medium sized poodle. She placed the dog on the table and then proceeded to open up her "baby bag" remove two bowls, fill one up with food and the other with water from a bottle and feed the dog right there. The dog on her lap eating from the table. She continued holding the dog while eating her dinner, all the while feeding it bits and pieces.
I found her actions a bit inconsiderate towards other diners (what if someone near her had an allergy or fear of dogs as it did bark a few times) I don't know what the laws regarding this is in the USA and if people somehow take advantage of them.

We did see plenty of larger dogs with little capes on them saying "Do not pet" and with harnesses but mostly in Disney Springs.

She should not have been allowed in with the stroller at all and all animals, service or otherwise, should be under the table behaving properly. I would have complained to the manager if I saw a dog being fed at the table.

 

[Hisgirl]

So. There is no one way to identify a service dog. There is no requirement to do so. There is no reason for any of us to expect or even want anyone to spend more money on anything to make us happier or to make us believe a dog (or miniature horse) is a service animal.

The "little poof dogs" are just as much service dogs as other dogs. The tiniest teacup applehead chihuahua (if such a combo exists) can be JUST as much a service dog as the most service-dog-looking service dog ever born and trained.


Your issue is the feet. That's where you should focus your rant. It is insulting to anyone with a little dog that can detect blood sugar changes or an oncoming epileptic seizure, or who has been trained to *do a task* for the human-with-a-disability, when you talk about "little poof dogs".

What you COULD do is bring brochures about paw protectors with you, and sweetly kindly decently give them to people with service dogs that you're worried about.



Sigh.

If someone sits and tells you "this isn't a service dog, I just want my dog with me", then go find someone in authority.

If no one is saying that, then just assume the dog is a service dog and move on with your life after handing them the paw protector brochure.

I do not mean to insult someone with a little dog who has been trained to do a task. I use the term 'little poof dog' as a phrase to describe a small, spoiled pet who has been brought along because the owner feels entitled to ignore no-pets because their little dog shouldn't be left at home. These were the types of dogs I saw being hauled around in little outfits by young girls or older ladies pushing the dog in a stroller, like what the above poster mentioned.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I agree with the asphalt thing and also stopped to praise the owners who DID protect their feet. It was unbelievable to see so many dogs without protection for their paws!

 

[dreamit]

Okay, I am a HUGE dog lover and will stop to pet and play/help any animal I see. That being said what I saw at Ohana last week kind of disturbed me. DD and I were just finishing dinner (waiting for their famous bread pudding) when a family pushing a typical covered and fairly large baby stroller were seated at the table right next to ours. My first thought was why would they in such a tightly spaced restaurant as chairs had to be removed to make space but figured the baby was sleeping. Well, imagine my surprise when the lady opened it up and pulled out a medium sized poodle. She placed the dog on the table and then proceeded to open up her "baby bag" remove two bowls, fill one up with food and the other with water from a bottle and feed the dog right there. The dog on her lap eating from the table. She continued holding the dog while eating her dinner, all the while feeding it bits and pieces.
I found her actions a bit inconsiderate towards other diners (what if someone near her had an allergy or fear of dogs as it did bark a few times) I don't know what the laws regarding this is in the USA and if people somehow take advantage of them.

We did see plenty of larger dogs with little capes on them saying "Do not pet" and with harnesses but mostly in Disney Springs.

This is very disturbing.

 

[Mome Rath]

Obviously more regulation is needed (and I'm one that hates saying that). I'm in the mental health field, I totally agree some people need an emotional support dog to function, but the lack of regulation is now dangerous for humans, and (sometimes more importantly) the animals. There's nothing wrong with licensing and regulating this situation, and giving tools to public/private places to weed out the real vs. fake. There needs to be at least minimal training for dogs and humans through licensed services, and then you carry a license.

 

[winnieofpooh]

She should not have been allowed in with the stroller at all and all animals, service or otherwise, should be under the table behaving properly. I would have complained to the manager if I saw a dog being fed at the table.

Yeah this is absurd...even if it was a trained service dog, they are trained to basically be invisible. They'll sit under the chair or tuck themselves at the owner's feet and just relax unless they need to alert the owner. I would've been pretty grossed out if I had seen that. Especially imagine if you had to sit at that table next!

 

[VandVsmama]

Yeah, I'd say that if you are bringing your dog to a Disney park and it's wearing anything other than a service dog vest OR if you are carting the dog around in a stroller, that's a pretty sure sign that it is NOT a service dog.

 

[PrincessNelly]

Okay, I am a HUGE dog lover and will stop to pet and play/help any animal I see. That being said what I saw at Ohana last week kind of disturbed me. DD and I were just finishing dinner (waiting for their famous bread pudding) when a family pushing a typical covered and fairly large baby stroller were seated at the table right next to ours. My first thought was why would they in such a tightly spaced restaurant as chairs had to be removed to make space but figured the baby was sleeping. Well, imagine my surprise when the lady opened it up and pulled out a medium sized poodle. She placed the dog on the table and then proceeded to open up her "baby bag" remove two bowls, fill one up with food and the other with water from a bottle and feed the dog right there. The dog on her lap eating from the table. She continued holding the dog while eating her dinner, all the while feeding it bits and pieces.
I found her actions a bit inconsiderate towards other diners (what if someone near her had an allergy or fear of dogs as it did bark a few times) I don't know what the laws regarding this is in the USA and if people somehow take advantage of them.

We did see plenty of larger dogs with little capes on them saying "Do not pet" and with harnesses but mostly in Disney Springs.

Last year, we were having breakfast at Boma when a woman came in with a large stroller. I too assumed it must be a sleeping baby but 10 minutes into our meal, we heard loud barking. The way that Boma is designed, it caused a massive echo and the dog continued to bark non-stop for almost 15 minutes when the manager approached the woman. He had been looking at her for a while (assuming he was afraid to say something). I'm not sure what he said but she got up and left with the stroller & dog, while the rest of her family stayed. She didn't seem upset but it was definitely weird since most service dogs won't bark like that.

She had a vest of some sort on the dog... I think it was an emotional support dog possibly.

 

[J'aime Paris]

I would never insert myself into someone else's business, unless it was a major safety risk to others. I don't know the details of their life, or why they may need/do something/act a certain way.


That being said, My typical interactions/observation with service or comfort dog owners...
1. The owners put their pets comfort/safety at or above the same level as their own.
2. These animals help them do tasks, alert to medical situations and cope with life. They are invaluable and treated as such!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I fail to see the point of the post.

1) If it's about wearing booties you need to tell the millions and millions of dog owners this. It has nothing to do with WDW, nothing at all. Pretty sure the ground can get hot elsewhere and hey it's not even the heat it's also in the winter time with salt. I use an eco friendly-kid friendly-pet-friendly ice melt for that reason (it also helps not destroy the plants, grass or concrete the same way as normal ice melt).

2) If you're looking at a dog anywhere and making a snap judgment on lack of vests or identifier..just stop.

3) No one likes fake service dogs anywhere and I agree with another poster, if you have concerns speak with someone while you're there.

4) Hopefully you've taken the time now to educate yourself on service dogs via the resourses available. Here are two at least: https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html and https://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm.

One of the main points-
Q8. Do service animals have to wear a vest or patch or special harness identifying them as service animals?


A. No. The ADA does not require service animals to wear a vest, ID tag, or specific harness.

I get your concern about the dogs and their paws but your concern in specifics to service animals muddles your viewpoint. Seems like your real issue is fake service animals not the booties and by fake you seem to deem them if they lack identifiers which by law they are not required to have.

 

[SouloTravlr]

Service animals are easily recognizable, even without a vest. So are nothing more than pets.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Service animals are easily recognizable, even without a vest. So are nothing more than pets.

The OP said no service dog tags, no service dog identifiers along with paws unprotected. That is not a good way nor accurate way of saying service animal or not especially as the law does not state a dog even needs identifiers (which by the sounds of the OP's comments they expect everyone to just have vests on--sorry that's not part of the law).

A dog in a stroller? Yes that's very unlikely to be a service animal (maybe emotional support but service animal highly unlikely). A dog without a vest and no booties on? That does not mean it's not a service animal.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

While I don't disagree that there are people that bring pets vs service animals and everyone should be protecting their dog's feet I do disagree with the fact that you seem to think that just because the dog is a smaller breed or does not have service dog tags automatically means its not a service dog.
They are not required to have tags or paperwork and smaller breeds can be service dogs depending on what service is being provided.
So my response is stop stereotyping and generalizing.