SD Etiquette Question

[straw]

So I have heard/read that when at a restaurant with a service dog, feeding them food that you have ordered is a huge faux pas.

I'm just trying to see the logic behind it, I guess. I've brought Venice to outdoor patios and fed her my pizza crusts or whatever as a reward for settling nicely. Why is this such a big no-no for SDs?

 

[milos_mommy]

Off the top of my head, dogs eating something like pizza crust creates a lot of crumbs (more than a quick training treat for a reward would) which is inconsiderate to restaurant owners and staff.

Some dogs make a good deal of noise when eating/chewing on stuff which can be off putting to other patrons. Diners can be grossed out by a dog possibly licking your hands while they're taking food from you and then seeing you eat with said hands, again a training treat is a lot neater and more subtle.

It's also not good to have your dog looking up for food as if they're begging during public meals.

The dog is there to be working, and other people don't want to feel like you're there sharing your dinner with your pet, they want to see a working dog focused on their job, which is what they should be seeing.

I don't think it's a huge deal to give your dog a treat or reward during dinner, but if you're putting a plate down or giving them a big steak bone or constantly handing them tidbits while they eagerly stare at you (or letting them lick barbecue sauce off your hands) it's pretty obnoxious.

 

[Kat09Tails]

There are many service dog standards which are thought to help minimize the dogs presence and help the business run as usual.

Typically by non enforceable standards a service dog should be well mannered, walking under it's own power on the floor, and not eating or damaging merchandise.

I doubt you will find many restaurant owners that will care if you treat your dog on the floor for good behavior. What they are less likely to be good with is your dog licking one of their plates or sitting in one of their chairs or eating off their table.

Again, what they choose to enforce is up to the individual restaurant but people should endeavor to not push bad behavior. That is where SD groups tend to get their panties in a bunch as they are far more likely to **** and moan about someone pushing the acceptable legal lines than restaurant owners ever will.

 

[Romy]

For me, it's just training consistency. When my dogs are working they have impeccable impulse control around food and other distractions. It was deliberately trained in. For me to start feeding them while they're working in a restaurant just kind of changes their focus from working to food, and the whole place smells like food and they're eating so it's shifting from ignoring food to eating food and thinking about ways to get more.

I don't care if other handlers do it. I do save a little from my meal, and take it in a to go box and share it with them once they are in the car. They expect to get it then, and you can see the anticipation and getting amped up a bit as we walk back toward the car. Which I don't mind, but I don't want to bring that change of focus into a public setting when I need them to stay focused on my medical needs.

 

[straw]

That all makes sense. Thanks guys.

 

[LMost]

As Romy stated they are there to preform a task, which they have been trained for.
Feeding them while your out directs them away from there task, which may lead to it being distracted in other places where food is near by, and making it miss the task which it has been trained to do.

Also if you get that owner, he may asked you to leave. "Yes he does have that right".