Do you bring your large dog with you ?

[Scarab0088]

Originally Posted by Giancarlo

because Cookie is a Service Dog we did not have a problem any where. We went to restaurants , casinos, rode the shuttles, she was welcome everywhere on our last trip..
We have a trip planned to leave in 4 days to Yellowstone park and we have reservations for tours, some of which are wild life tours, Bears, Elk, Moose, and ect. when we asked if we could take our Service Dog on the tour, they said Service Dogs are allowed.
She is now 9 1/2 months old and about 70 pounds + or -. As long as she dose not bark and growl she can go. She is well behaved and that will not be a problem.

This is very exciting...we could use a service dog for a family member.
Would you please share what organization provided the Service Dog registration or certification for Cookie?

Thanks and safe travels

[Giancarlo]

Originally Posted by Scarab0088

This is very exciting...we could use a service dog for a family member.
Would you please share what organization provided the Service Dog registration or certification for Cookie?

Thanks and safe travels

First you need to take your Dog into a training class and pass the American Kennel club GCD test ( Good Citizenship award ) then you go on line and there are numerous places that you can register your Dog with. In my case I also have a Dr's letter stating I need a Service Dog. PLEASE do not fake a SERVICE DOG , it is a guarantee under the American disability Act for those who are qualified and really need a Service Dog.
If in fact you do need a Service Dog and you get the required training with a letter from your Dr. all expense for the Service Dog i including medical, food and training you can deduct from your taxes.

AGAIN IT IS ONLY FOR THOSE WHO REALLY NEED A SERVICE DOG

[Timon]

Originally Posted by Scarab0088

This is very exciting...we could use a service dog for a family member.
Would you please share what organization provided the Service Dog registration or certification for Cookie?

Thanks and safe travels

Every online organization that says they certify service dogs are frauds. There is no such thing as certification of service dogs no matter anyone tells you and you're not required to present one if challenged. You can train your own service dog or you can by one that's trained. So Service Dog Certificates are not worth the match needed to burn them with.

I have Therapy Dogs which are certified and insured to work with people but they don't have any legal standing. When I see fake service dogs it gets me quite angry. I've seen way too many "Service Dogs" that are down right frauds. I've watched people with "Service Dogs" working them on 20' flex leads. There is no valid reason to work a service dog on a 20' flex lead. I'm at the point where I'll challenge them because if they are a real service dog the handler won't mind the challenge.

Here are two good references, both from the ADA, so you can trust what they say. Information from any other source is not to be trusted.

http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm

Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA

[Giancarlo]

Originally Posted by Timon

Every online organization that says they certify service dogs are frauds. There is no such thing as certification of service dogs no matter anyone tells you and you're not required to present one if challenged. You can train your own service dog or you can by one that's trained. So Service Dog Certificates are not worth the match needed to burn them with.

I have Therapy Dogs which are certified and insured to work with people but they don't have any legal standing. When I see fake service dogs it gets me quite angry. I've seen way too many "Service Dogs" that are down right frauds. I've watched people with "Service Dogs" working them on 20' flex leads. There is no valid reason to work a service dog on a 20' flex lead. I'm at the point where I'll challenge them because if they are a real service dog the handler won't mind the challenge.

Here are two good references, both from the ADA, so you can trust what they say. Information from any other source is not to be trusted.

http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm

Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA

Yes the online source is fake if you do not do your home work. But if you train your Dog, and then go to the online source to register your Dog as a Service Dog which helps if your Dog is lost, and if some one does challenge you, you give them the phone number / website and they can verify that your Dog is registered. And the Service has all the details about your Dog's training and in my case a copy of the Dr's letter. And you can buy the Service Dog Vest and insignia from them. In my case I also have a Dr's letter stating I have a need for a Service Dog.

Sure you can lie and be a fake Service Dog owner, there are loop holes for everything in this Country. But if caught there isi a punishment for fraud to the ADA for faking a Service Dog.

As a therapy Dog you need the GCA training to get your Dog into Hospitals and Nursing homes for their Insurance ,


For those people walking around thinking they are in charge of Service Dogs and ask challenging questions I just brush them off. I will give information, but No one is required to answer any questions. The entire idea is to make the disabled person whole. And you never go up to someone that is not disabled and challenge them to some ridiculous questions.

Let's just hope our society will respect that a Service Dog is for people who need a Service Dog and not take advantage of the loop holes . Yes I know some people will take advantage and have fake service dogs just like the people who have parking placards for their cars. They are scum and need to be caught.

[Timon]

Originally Posted by Giancarlo

Yes the online source is fake if you do not do your home work. But if you train your Dog, and then go to the online source to register your Dog as a Service Dog which helps if your Dog is lost, and if some one does challenge you, you give them the phone number / website and they can verify that your Dog is registered. And the Service has all the details about your Dog's training and in my case a copy of the Dr's letter. And you can buy the Service Dog Vest and insignia from them. In my case I also have a Dr's letter stating I have a need for a Service Dog.

Again, not really in most cases, one of the national chipping services would be just as good for lost dogs.

Sure you can lie and be a fake Service Dog owner, there are loop holes for everything in this Country. But if caught there isi a punishment for fraud to the ADA for faking a Service Dog.

Yes they can and in some states that can be a crime and hopefully that will be the case nationally.

As a therapy Dog you need the GCA training to get your Dog into Hospitals and Nursing homes for their Insurance

Actually no, you need certification from one of the "Real" Therapy Dog organizations such as Therapy Dog International or Pet Partners. However CGC, Canine Good Citizen, test is usually part of the overall Therapy Dog test and you usually get CGC certification as well if the Therapy Dog examiner is also a CGC examiner.

For those people walking around thinking they are in charge of Service Dogs and ask challenging questions I just brush them off. I will give information, but No one is required to answer any questions. The entire idea is to make the disabled person whole. And you never go up to someone that is not disabled and challenge them to some ridiculous questions.

Personally if I challenge someone it would be subtle and then only if I really suspected it was fake. My challenge would follow what ADA recommends in that you only ask is if a Service dog and what is the dog trained to do. Those with real Service Dogs don't mind answering those questions because they want the people with fake service dogs stopped too.

Let's just hope our society will respect that a Service Dog is for people who need a Service Dog and not take advantage of the loop holes . Yes I know some people will take advantage and have fake service dogs just like the people who have parking placards for their cars. They are scum and need to be caught.

Agreed but as I said those with real Service Dogs don't mind answering the two allowed questions.

[Scarab0088]

So...back on-topic.

Yes, we travel with several big dogs
We know dogs love camping...if they don't, you're doing it wrong

George (newest member of the pack, just 18months old) wants to hit the road!


Emma (foreground) is a Certified Therapy Dog and loves visiting childrens hospitals best. Minnie (center) crossed the Rainbow Bridge last year (kidney failure), and Elle (rear) is the Princess of the pack.

[Giancarlo]

Originally Posted by Timon

Again, not really in most cases, one of the national chipping services would be just as good for lost dogs.


Yes they can and in some states that can be a crime and hopefully that will be the case nationally.


Actually no, you need certification from one of the "Real" Therapy Dog organizations such as Therapy Dog International or Pet Partners. However CGC, Canine Good Citizen, test is usually part of the overall Therapy Dog test and you usually get CGC certification as well if the Therapy Dog examiner is also a CGC examiner.


Personally if I challenge someone it would be subtle and then only if I really suspected it was fake. My challenge would follow what ADA recommends in that you only ask is if a Service dog and what is the dog trained to do. Those with real Service Dogs don't mind answering those questions because they want the people with fake service dogs stopped too.


Agreed but as I said those with real Service Dogs don't mind answering the two allowed questions.

I will answer the two questions if the person asking the question has a need to know, not just some person on the street. If I am going into an establishment that has the need to know then I will answer the questions.
I have a disability and want to be treated like a person , not a cripple. Would you ask someone with a cane why they are using a cane ? Would you confront someone in a wheel chair ?

I have a need for a Service Dog and I have a trained Service Dog with all the credentials. And I don't go up to people and confront them even if I suspect they are faking a Service Dog. I am happy to give out information to help people learn about Service Dogs and be able to get one if they need one, but other than That I mind my own business.

[datrbone8]

I would hardly compare someone who claims to have a service dog to a person who falsifies a handicapped parking permit. The dog person isn't taking up anything (like a parking place) that would otherwise go to someone who truly needs it. The definition of "disabled" has gotten so twisted in recent years, but that's another story for another time and place


[QUOTE=Giancarlo;2668155]Yes the online source is fake if you do not do your home work. But if you train your Dog, and then go to the online source to register your Dog as a Service Dog which helps if your Dog is lost, and if some one does challenge you, you give them the phone number / website and they can verify that your Dog is registered. And the Service has all the details about your Dog's training and in my case a copy of the Dr's letter. And you can buy the Service Dog Vest and insignia from them. In my case I also have a Dr's letter stating I have a need for a Service Dog.

Sure you can lie and be a fake Service Dog owner, there are loop holes for everything in this Country. But if caught there isi a punishment for fraud to the ADA for faking a Service Dog.

As a therapy Dog you need the GCA training to get your Dog into Hospitals and Nursing homes for their Insurance ,


For those people walking around thinking they are in charge of Service Dogs and ask challenging questions I just brush them off. I will give information, but No one is required to answer any questions. The entire idea is to make the disabled person whole. And you never go up to someone that is not disabled and challenge them to some ridiculous questions.

Let's just hope our society will respect that a Service Dog is for people

[Timon]

It seems that I'm being misunderstood. I'm not talking about challenging everyone and I'm not suggesting that anyone on this forum is faking it.

However when I see someone walking around someplace such as Costco, with a small dog on a long flex leash and letting the dog out 10 feet or more and they are claiming it to be a Service Dog I might politely challenge them.

Why, for one thing it's unsafe to have dogs, especially Service Dogs, in public on flex leashes plus there generally isn't a valid reason for a Service Dog to ever be on a leash that long.

You know most of us can tell when someone is faking it if you just watch the dog for a few minutes. If the dogs stays close and attentive to their handles and is not interested in other people it's a good indication they it's a trained Service Dog. If on the other hand the dog is wondering around not paying attention to their handler plus is constantly interested in interacting with other people they are not trained as a Service Dog. Remember a Service Dog is to be attentive to its owner not others around them. They can be alert to what's around them but interact with it.

I have friends that train dogs for the wounded warriors and we agree on this.

Bottom line is that if I challenge, which I rarely do, I'm 99.5% sure they don't have a Service Dog. The challenge is subtle so as to not attract attention and in fact the person being challenged likely won't even know I'm doing it.

[tbbg II]

Yes, we take our dogs with us when camping. That was a major reason we bought the MH. Norman is well on his way to becomeing a certified therapy dog, like his predecessors. The cat? Well, there is little help for him.


And yes, we get upset when we see "service dogs" in public places that are most certainly not.


And yes, we get upset when people leave their dog unattended. We get noisy if the dog gets noisy.


And yes, we get upset when some parks in a handicapped space and then trots into the store. I would trot after them, but no longer can. I do usually comment that I thought the handicapped spaces were for the physically handicapped.


A large number of our specie seems to relish taking advantage of something.

[mttop]

LOL!!!

I was just going to comment that I have been terrorized by a little bugger like yours...while walking my Rottie girl. She is not crazy about little barkers she does not know but at home, lives happily with an 18 pound terrier mix...

Please...please...it is almost always training ... not breed.

Punish the Deed...not the Breed.

Bernie

[mttop]

Thanks for correcting the AKC's CGC (Canine Good Citizen) test. To my knowledge, and I stand corrected if I am wrong, there is no such thing as a GCD in the American Kennel Club's certifications.

Anyone with a dog should look into the CGC...big and small dogs. Another great test is given by the ATTS (American Temperament Test Society). It is an eye opening experience for most dog owners. This test addresses manners in general, but also tests the dog in stressful situations. The criteria is based on what the breed should do, not just what the response is...for example...when the scary stranger approaches at the last station... and the gentle lab wants to tuck in closer to his Mom, that's ok...that could be expected of the average mild Lab. If my Rottie girl where to hide behind me, that would not be expected of a Rottweiler...the Rottweiler is naturally protective. This could show she is fearful which could also indicate that she might be inclined to bite in fear. It is a very comprehensive test.

The web site for ATTS has a very comprehensive explanation of the test and an eye opening chart that shows how the breeds compare.

[fly2low]

ScaraB0088
Cool looking dogs. Have had one in the past, and they are great dogs. Currently travelling with an English Mastiff

[Scarab0088]

Thanks Rich!

They are wonderful to travel with...very calm and interested in everything. They actually sit-up looking out the windows of the RV as we drive, just like a human.

We ALWAYS get stopped with questions by those that have never seen a Saint Bernard in person...and the pups love the attension.

Safe travels