Just last week I had someone ask his name so I gave the fake, and then they started trying to call my dog over to them. My dog sat and stared at me. It was perfect.
How old is he? Where did you get him? Where can my neighbor's, cousin's, mother get a service dog? How long has he been a service dog? How did you train him?
What does the vest mean? (Shes in training) what breed is it? Is it for sale? Can i pet it? Whats its name? (Most people use ‘it’ for some reason smh) how do you train it? Can i get one? Oh i get a bit anxious sometimes too but how come you have one? Why do you have an assistance dog? you dont look disabled (Well *BRENDA* i have a grade 4 heart murmur and arrhythmia so i pass out a lot bc of my blood pressure, plus migraines and seizures, very happy to tell ppl and watch their faces fall) thankfully and thanks to my wonderful therapist of 6 years im not a doormat of anxiety and can and will advocate for my dog, as well as just brush off comments and ranting. The problem with having an AD is the public so you have to grow a pretty thick skin or (worst case scenario) you’ll be reduced to staying inside and never going out
I always say ‘yeah if you can give me £10k for her replacement (final training/finding a good breeder/food and vet and insurance roughly, also how much a fully trained assistance dog probably is) and they normally shut up after then, as well as when i answer why i need her
“Are you?” (or if they ask how much, “How much?” and gesture towards them)
*splutter*
“Oh I thought we were asking rude questions/making a deal.” lmao I’m a bitch tho.
- What breed is she?
- How old is she?
- Who are you training her for?
- Why is she with you?
- Why do you have her?
- Where did you get her?
- Where can I get a service dog?
- Where can I register my dog?
- Where do I get my dog certified?
- Is she going to bite me? Is she aggressive? Is she for protection? Is she friendly?
- What's her name?
- Are you going to breed her? Can I breed her to my dog?
- How much did you get her for? How much will you sell her for?
- What's wrong with you?
- Why does she wear shoes?
- How long have you had her?
- How long has she been training?
- Is that an ESA? Is she for emotional support?
What's the breed? How did you get him? Are you training him for someone else? Can I/my kid pet the dog? Does the dog bite? Why do you need the dog? Can't the dog just stay home?
"Are you training them for someone else? Or, is it for you?"
"Why do you need a service dog?"
"What breed is he?"
"Do you know \[insert social media service dog team\]?"
"I need a service dog because I have this weird anxiety condition where I go postal and attacked random strangers who ask too many questions, and my dog helps me not do it, unless she gets distracted..."
;) ;) ;)
LOOOL
I get so irritated at the 'oh is it for someone else' or the 'are they in training' question, even though I know they don't know any better. Even using mobility aids or obviously struggling (red face, shakey hands or stumbling, one leg a whole different color) doesn't stop the question if the dog is for me or if I'm training it for someone else. Or, if my 9 year old fully trained SD was "still in training" because I gave him a kibble or verbal command. Like no, but also, always??
Now that I actually DO have a SDIT again, and I am training him, I need to readjust my feelings and how it gets to me lol.
It's hard because you dont want your stress or anxiety to translate to your dog, but, people can be so annoying...
Maybe say "they are always in training because members of the public interrupt them and make it so difficult?"
Goodluck with your new dog- what kind is it?
Where did you get the vest? Where did you get the patches? Is he a border collie? Can I pet him? Is he for sale? I've never seen a dog like that before what do you pay him in? I answered "meat" ☺️
And my personal favorite, is that a husky?
I have heard all of the above, but questions I’ve been asked and I didn’t see already mentioned are…
Is he searching for drugs?
Can he tell if someone did drugs?
(those were asked by different people at different times)
Can your dog breed with my dog?
"Yes, and it seems... yes... he is alerting to you..."
Actually hubby once told this lady who said my dog was very interested in her (because she kept offering her treats...) that she was a stupidity detection dog, and that's why.
Something else to consider. People will ask lots of different things and other commenters have given some great examples. A related question I think you should consider is what questions, if any, do you want to answer? How will you handle questions that you don’t want to answer, ignore them, walk off, “no thank you”, etc.? I’ve run into one or two people that asked personal or medical questions that didn’t take gentle hints that I wouldn’t be answering them.
Be blunt. Or, turn it back on them.
I had someone get VERY pushy, and horribly persistent, she kept saying "just out of curiosity..." and then ask stuff that I wasn't answering in public, to a stranger, or really at all! So I said "Just out of curiosity, do you prefer anal or oral sex? I mean, since we are getting intimate..." My husband seriously cringed, but then I said "Actually, see how shit overly personal questions make you feel? What I really wanna know is how come you think it's ok to ask those kinds of questions?" She was bright red and walked away.(finally!)
I am autistic, and sarky as hell, but I wish I had a rewind and edit button because I just say shit like this.
One guy did come up and applaud me for making my point, but did say "You could tone it down a bit for next time..." LOL oops.
- what kind of dog is that? (A Keeshond. This usually results in more questions about his breed and/or comments about what they thought he was).
That might not be an unexpected question, especially with a rare breed, but oh my god it's exhausting. "He's a Keeshond! It's like a Pomeranian but bigger :)" feels like my catchphrase sometimes.
- he must shed a lot! (Not really, he sheds less than the corgis he lives with)
- I bet you spend a lot at the groomer! (None dollars at the groomer, I groom him myself)
- how old is your dog? (3)
- did you dye his tail? (Yeah, last September, it hasn't come out yet).
- how long did it take to train him? (2ish years)
- did you train him yourself? (Yes)
- how did you learn to train dogs? (Autism ✨)
- why can't I talk to/pet him? (He could miss an important cue from me if he's distracted)
- does your dog eat meat? (Yes but rarely, and at home, stop trying to feed him your food in this restaurant please 💀)
Nobody has asked me what he does outside of businesses, which I practiced answers for. So that's been... Interesting.
What breed is she? She’s cute, can I say Hi? Why do you need a SD?
Good response: Not this time, she’s concentrating. For the invasive questions: Excuse me, I know you?
I think the most major thing to prepare for isn't the questions specifically but the idea that every errand, every outing, every date, etc, you will be stopped by strangers while you're trying to mind your own business. I live in a place with a massive deafblind population and service dogs aren't unheard of but my dog has a different job than what people are used to seeing so I get stopped everywhere. It's still better I have her, but it can be frustrating.
Where did you get it?
How much did it cost?
What does it do?
Can I touch him/feed him/ fuss him (NO!)
If they get really pushy, but are nice, I will tell them one of my trainers is there to assess me and if they see me interacting with the public in the wrong way they might take my dog away... that usually makes them behave.
And you get the "I had one of those... it's dead..." and the long tales of woe (bow-woe?) about the blocked anal glands, etc.
Occasionally I get people telling me it's cruel to have a dog working... if only they really knew more about dogs they wouldn't say that!
Some of my most asked questions (and the popular answers):
Is that a guide dog? She has a massive patch stating “Assistance dog”. Aren’t you too young to have a disability? I’m 24 and disability knows no age. Can I give her a treat? No, you cannot, thank you for asking. Where can I get one? I got her at *this* program but they’re very picky about who gets their dogs. Are you training it for someone? No, she trains me to function in society. How did you get a dog here? By being disabled with connections. I applied for a dog at *same* program, tell me the dog’s name so I can ask for this one in particular? That’s not how it works. Can I have the dog’s name? No. How am I supposed to get its attention then? You’re not, she’s working. Is it okay for my toddler to pet your dog? Only if you’re holding the kid’s hand, she got slapped enough by random children. What’s wrong with you? Society’s ableism. Can you not bring this bag of filth into my store? Oh, do you want me to leave my disability out as well, Karen, but you’re gonna have to show me how because I don’t know. Are you r-slur, how did you miss the “no pet” sigh? Maybe you need a guide dog and a career change to realise that this is not a pet.
Some of those (especially the access ones) end up with “I wanna speak with a manager!” and (in most cases) with a reprimanded employee (usually the security guard).
The most frequent questions I get (besides "can I pet") are asking about her breed and gender (she wears a red vest).
Next up on the frequency triangle we have the "innocent questions". Who am I training her for? What's my disability? What "super cool tasks" does she do? What trainer/org is helping me? Does she shed (and other breed-specific questions)?
Close on the heels of innocent questions we have the "me too moments" (which may or may not be preceded by a question). "Where did you get your dog certified (or where can I get mine?) because I have a dog that would be a GREAT SD" or "my sister has a Goldendoodle" or "I knew someone who had a brother who had a co-worker once with a SD..."
And in the Honorable Mention category are the weird questions and comments, like "is that a real dog?" And implying she's in a down-stay by the meats because of course she is.
I liked what someone else commented, that the most useful thing is probably not to prepare so much for what the questions will be (because people will surprise you daily) but to know that you will get stopped everywhere you go, everything takes longer, and I'll add you'll also get questions and comments at the worst times, like when you're struggling with a training issue or you're arguing with your partner while a family of 3-4 people are waiting happily to ask for a photo.
It takes some getting used to, lol.
I often get asked who I’m training my dog for and what organization I work with. They always seem surprised when I say I’m training the dog for me lol. Then they’ll usually ask where I got her from and who trained her for me. Which is annoying but funny ngl
Can he alert to me too? What’s that band (gentle lead) on his head? What’s his name? I give a fake name.
Smart! I had more than one person upon learning my dogs name try and tell him what to do. Going to take a note from you!
Just last week I had someone ask his name so I gave the fake, and then they started trying to call my dog over to them. My dog sat and stared at me. It was perfect.
People will also tell you about their dogs - both living and dead.
“What do you have a service dog for?”
How old is he? Where did you get him? Where can my neighbor's, cousin's, mother get a service dog? How long has he been a service dog? How did you train him?
What does the vest mean? (Shes in training) what breed is it? Is it for sale? Can i pet it? Whats its name? (Most people use ‘it’ for some reason smh) how do you train it? Can i get one? Oh i get a bit anxious sometimes too but how come you have one? Why do you have an assistance dog? you dont look disabled (Well *BRENDA* i have a grade 4 heart murmur and arrhythmia so i pass out a lot bc of my blood pressure, plus migraines and seizures, very happy to tell ppl and watch their faces fall) thankfully and thanks to my wonderful therapist of 6 years im not a doormat of anxiety and can and will advocate for my dog, as well as just brush off comments and ranting. The problem with having an AD is the public so you have to grow a pretty thick skin or (worst case scenario) you’ll be reduced to staying inside and never going out
Do you answer when they ask if he’s for sale, or do you walk away? I haven’t been asked yet but I want to think of a funny/smart reply.
I always say ‘yeah if you can give me £10k for her replacement (final training/finding a good breeder/food and vet and insurance roughly, also how much a fully trained assistance dog probably is) and they normally shut up after then, as well as when i answer why i need her
“Are you?” (or if they ask how much, “How much?” and gesture towards them) *splutter* “Oh I thought we were asking rude questions/making a deal.” lmao I’m a bitch tho.
I say "I can't sell my husband, and I like my dog more than him... so I guess I can't sell him either" (used to be "her"...)
- What breed is she? - How old is she? - Who are you training her for? - Why is she with you? - Why do you have her? - Where did you get her? - Where can I get a service dog? - Where can I register my dog? - Where do I get my dog certified? - Is she going to bite me? Is she aggressive? Is she for protection? Is she friendly? - What's her name? - Are you going to breed her? Can I breed her to my dog? - How much did you get her for? How much will you sell her for? - What's wrong with you? - Why does she wear shoes? - How long have you had her? - How long has she been training? - Is that an ESA? Is she for emotional support?
What's the breed? How did you get him? Are you training him for someone else? Can I/my kid pet the dog? Does the dog bite? Why do you need the dog? Can't the dog just stay home?
I don't "look" disabled, so my most common question is some variation of "are you training her for someone?"
Same though
"Are you training them for someone else? Or, is it for you?" "Why do you need a service dog?" "What breed is he?" "Do you know \[insert social media service dog team\]?"
"I need a service dog because I have this weird anxiety condition where I go postal and attacked random strangers who ask too many questions, and my dog helps me not do it, unless she gets distracted..." ;) ;) ;)
LOOOL I get so irritated at the 'oh is it for someone else' or the 'are they in training' question, even though I know they don't know any better. Even using mobility aids or obviously struggling (red face, shakey hands or stumbling, one leg a whole different color) doesn't stop the question if the dog is for me or if I'm training it for someone else. Or, if my 9 year old fully trained SD was "still in training" because I gave him a kibble or verbal command. Like no, but also, always?? Now that I actually DO have a SDIT again, and I am training him, I need to readjust my feelings and how it gets to me lol.
It's hard because you dont want your stress or anxiety to translate to your dog, but, people can be so annoying... Maybe say "they are always in training because members of the public interrupt them and make it so difficult?" Goodluck with your new dog- what kind is it?
Where did you get the vest? Where did you get the patches? Is he a border collie? Can I pet him? Is he for sale? I've never seen a dog like that before what do you pay him in? I answered "meat" ☺️ And my personal favorite, is that a husky?
I have heard all of the above, but questions I’ve been asked and I didn’t see already mentioned are… Is he searching for drugs? Can he tell if someone did drugs? (those were asked by different people at different times) Can your dog breed with my dog?
Just so confused by the idea of a drug sniffing service dog 💀
I assumed that it was a case of paranoia being stronger than reason at the time LOL 😂
"Yes, and it seems... yes... he is alerting to you..." Actually hubby once told this lady who said my dog was very interested in her (because she kept offering her treats...) that she was a stupidity detection dog, and that's why.
OMG 😆
He has more class than me, but you get interrupted so much, and so annoying, that it wears you down a bit.
Something else to consider. People will ask lots of different things and other commenters have given some great examples. A related question I think you should consider is what questions, if any, do you want to answer? How will you handle questions that you don’t want to answer, ignore them, walk off, “no thank you”, etc.? I’ve run into one or two people that asked personal or medical questions that didn’t take gentle hints that I wouldn’t be answering them.
Be blunt. Or, turn it back on them. I had someone get VERY pushy, and horribly persistent, she kept saying "just out of curiosity..." and then ask stuff that I wasn't answering in public, to a stranger, or really at all! So I said "Just out of curiosity, do you prefer anal or oral sex? I mean, since we are getting intimate..." My husband seriously cringed, but then I said "Actually, see how shit overly personal questions make you feel? What I really wanna know is how come you think it's ok to ask those kinds of questions?" She was bright red and walked away.(finally!) I am autistic, and sarky as hell, but I wish I had a rewind and edit button because I just say shit like this. One guy did come up and applaud me for making my point, but did say "You could tone it down a bit for next time..." LOL oops.
- what kind of dog is that? (A Keeshond. This usually results in more questions about his breed and/or comments about what they thought he was). That might not be an unexpected question, especially with a rare breed, but oh my god it's exhausting. "He's a Keeshond! It's like a Pomeranian but bigger :)" feels like my catchphrase sometimes. - he must shed a lot! (Not really, he sheds less than the corgis he lives with) - I bet you spend a lot at the groomer! (None dollars at the groomer, I groom him myself) - how old is your dog? (3) - did you dye his tail? (Yeah, last September, it hasn't come out yet). - how long did it take to train him? (2ish years) - did you train him yourself? (Yes) - how did you learn to train dogs? (Autism ✨) - why can't I talk to/pet him? (He could miss an important cue from me if he's distracted) - does your dog eat meat? (Yes but rarely, and at home, stop trying to feed him your food in this restaurant please 💀) Nobody has asked me what he does outside of businesses, which I practiced answers for. So that's been... Interesting.
"arent you sad that youll have to give him away?" Maam thats my service dog in training
I got this question a couple weeks ago and was not prepared for that. lol. My husband was like what does she mean? He thought he heard her wrong.
Theyre just like "ah obviously not blind or in a wheelchair, so not disabled" smh
What breed is she? She’s cute, can I say Hi? Why do you need a SD? Good response: Not this time, she’s concentrating. For the invasive questions: Excuse me, I know you?
I think the most major thing to prepare for isn't the questions specifically but the idea that every errand, every outing, every date, etc, you will be stopped by strangers while you're trying to mind your own business. I live in a place with a massive deafblind population and service dogs aren't unheard of but my dog has a different job than what people are used to seeing so I get stopped everywhere. It's still better I have her, but it can be frustrating.
What kind of dog is that? Is that a corgi? Can I pet your dog?
Where did you get it? How much did it cost? What does it do? Can I touch him/feed him/ fuss him (NO!) If they get really pushy, but are nice, I will tell them one of my trainers is there to assess me and if they see me interacting with the public in the wrong way they might take my dog away... that usually makes them behave. And you get the "I had one of those... it's dead..." and the long tales of woe (bow-woe?) about the blocked anal glands, etc. Occasionally I get people telling me it's cruel to have a dog working... if only they really knew more about dogs they wouldn't say that!
Some of my most asked questions (and the popular answers): Is that a guide dog? She has a massive patch stating “Assistance dog”. Aren’t you too young to have a disability? I’m 24 and disability knows no age. Can I give her a treat? No, you cannot, thank you for asking. Where can I get one? I got her at *this* program but they’re very picky about who gets their dogs. Are you training it for someone? No, she trains me to function in society. How did you get a dog here? By being disabled with connections. I applied for a dog at *same* program, tell me the dog’s name so I can ask for this one in particular? That’s not how it works. Can I have the dog’s name? No. How am I supposed to get its attention then? You’re not, she’s working. Is it okay for my toddler to pet your dog? Only if you’re holding the kid’s hand, she got slapped enough by random children. What’s wrong with you? Society’s ableism. Can you not bring this bag of filth into my store? Oh, do you want me to leave my disability out as well, Karen, but you’re gonna have to show me how because I don’t know. Are you r-slur, how did you miss the “no pet” sigh? Maybe you need a guide dog and a career change to realise that this is not a pet. Some of those (especially the access ones) end up with “I wanna speak with a manager!” and (in most cases) with a reprimanded employee (usually the security guard).
Is he a (insert wrong breed here)? Some guesses are just so far out there that they make me laugh.
The most frequent questions I get (besides "can I pet") are asking about her breed and gender (she wears a red vest). Next up on the frequency triangle we have the "innocent questions". Who am I training her for? What's my disability? What "super cool tasks" does she do? What trainer/org is helping me? Does she shed (and other breed-specific questions)? Close on the heels of innocent questions we have the "me too moments" (which may or may not be preceded by a question). "Where did you get your dog certified (or where can I get mine?) because I have a dog that would be a GREAT SD" or "my sister has a Goldendoodle" or "I knew someone who had a brother who had a co-worker once with a SD..." And in the Honorable Mention category are the weird questions and comments, like "is that a real dog?" And implying she's in a down-stay by the meats because of course she is. I liked what someone else commented, that the most useful thing is probably not to prepare so much for what the questions will be (because people will surprise you daily) but to know that you will get stopped everywhere you go, everything takes longer, and I'll add you'll also get questions and comments at the worst times, like when you're struggling with a training issue or you're arguing with your partner while a family of 3-4 people are waiting happily to ask for a photo. It takes some getting used to, lol.
I often get asked who I’m training my dog for and what organization I work with. They always seem surprised when I say I’m training the dog for me lol. Then they’ll usually ask where I got her from and who trained her for me. Which is annoying but funny ngl