We’re not sure about you, but any time we see a cute and cuddly dog come our way, we would throw ourselves over a row of chairs or through a crowd of people, just so we can give the little guy a nice belly rub.
If you’re the same, we’re guessing that you often experience two very common conundrums:
1. The owner doesn’t want you to stroke their dog, so you’re left feeling sad, unfulfilled, and ready to track down the next friendly dog.
2. The approaching dog just happens to be a service dog who is wearing a jacket that says “DO NOT PET. DOG ON DUTY.”
When it comes to the second scenario, things can start to get a little bit confusing. Of course, you wouldn’t want to break the working dog’s concentration, but what if it’s a special circumstance? For example, what if the service dog approaches you and its owner is nowhere to be seen?
This situation, personally, has never happened to me, but it’s one that I'm happy to know more about now in case it happens in the future. In fact, this knowledge is so important that it could just end up saving somebody’s life.
What to Do When an Unattended Service Dog Approaches You
First things first, let’s take a brief look at what these dogs are actually trained to do.
Contrary to what many believe, service animals aren’t regular pets that have crafty owners who have managed to fill out the “right” paperwork, they’re animals that have a very important job to do.
According to Service Dog Certifications, these canines offer a wide range of support to their owners, ranging from simple tasks such as retrieving mail or carrying medicine, to vocalizing a special bark that lets 911 operators know that something is wrong. Generally speaking, those who benefit most from service dogs are those who suffer from psychiatric illnesses, those who are hearing and/or visually impaired, and those who suffer from autism.
Most often, service dogs will only leave their owners in public when something is going very wrong. For example, a service dog might leave their master when he or she is suffering from a dangerous medical event, such as a seizure. When this happens, the dog will go off to find the nearest person and use body language to communicate to them that they need help. From there, the human will see that the dog’s owner is in need of medical assistance, and they can call 911.
Of course, this is what would happen in a perfect world if everyone knew exactly what to do when a service dog approaches them. Unsurprisingly, the number one thing NOT to do is to reach out and start cuddling the dog as this interaction can confuse or agitate them. This could make them lose track, meaning that their owner might not get the help that they seriously need. That's why if you ever see an unattended service dog, never touch it or do anything that may hinder their job. Instead, simply look around for anyone that might be in need of assistance.
Source: tiphero
Images: depositphotos
Learn the Meaning Behind These Common Dog Behaviors
Why do dogs howl, smile, or eat grass? To better interpret what your dog is trying to say, watch the informative video below.
7 Great Apple Cider Vinegar Uses for Your Dog!
Not many people are aware that you can use apple cider vinegar for their dog. Here's how!
These Cute pets Have Been Extremely Well Trained!
Everyone should do their bit to keep the planet clean and our pets are no exception. This is the cutest clean-up crew ever!
Captured in Motion: The Flight of the...Dog
These photographs are so intense, the dogs in them seem to look you straight in the eye!
13 Times Dogs Didn't Know What the Heck was Going On!!
These dogs are so confused it's simply hilarious!
Why You Should Never Drink Too Much Water
It’s always important to remember not to get dehydrated, but you need to know that there is such a thing as overhydration, and it can be very dangerous too.
8 Awesome YouTube Channels For Simple At-Home DIY Guides
Become a home renovation expert with these awesome home DIY YouTube channels.
12 Words You Probably Didn't Know Were Acronyms
Without even realizing it, we are frequently incorporating many acronyms into our everyday lives!
9 Ingenious Q-Tip Hacks for Surprising Daily Uses
We bet you never thought cotton swabs could be so handy around the house!
Do You Know When to Go to Bed? Just Follow Our Tips
A great way to boost your health is to make sure you are getting enough sleep. Here are 10 bedtime rituals that are sure to get you in the mood to sleep.
Who Thought Such a Simple Technique Could Be So Potent?
This amazing finger technique will help you to revitalize and nourish your body if you're feeling drained.
10 Clever Ways to Eat Less While Staying Healthy
How to eat less and still enjoy yourselves? Here are 10 easy ways to do just that!
Keep Spiders Out of Your Home with This Helpful Guide
Here are nine effective ways to keep spiders out of your home:
12 Unusual DIY “Hacks” People Used to Improve Their Lives
Take a look at some weird and unusual "inventions" made by people to solve their everyday problems.
18 Reasons Why You Should Always Keep Epsom Salt at Home
People often add Epsom salt to their baths. However, it has many other uses and health benefits - here are 18 of them!
Spruce Up Your Garden With These Brilliant DIY Ideas
This brilliant video contains 16 different DIY ideas that are perfect for any garden. What's more, they couldn't be any simpler to make!
Stop Wasting Avocados By Learning This Simple Trick
This excellent video will show you the simple way of freezing the quick-decaying avocados so you can enjoy them later.
I Usually Wake Up 3 A.M. to Pee. What's The Reason?
Do you find yourself waking up at around 3 a.m. every other night to pee? There’s a reason for it.
This DIY Food Dispenser Will Transform Your Pet's Life!
A great way to ensure your pet is getting the right amount of food.
Ink Stain Removal Made Easy With 9 Ultimate Home Methods
Don't throw out you ink-stained clothing, instead, try one of these 9 at-home methods of ink removal to revive your garments
5 Sitting Positions and What They Say About You
This guide will help you understand the meaning behind five common sitting positions that you may encounter in your daily life.
Tea Is Much More Than a Drink. It Has MANY Other Uses!
Tea isn't just for drinking, it's one of the most helpful materials in the house!
If You Defrost Your Meat Like This, Stop Right Now!
Here are eight common defrosting mistakes that you really need to stop making right now!
You Don’t Need a Garden to Grow Fruits & Vegetables!
Why not grow your own produce in your own home?
5 Vegetables You Can Start This Winter For a Quick Yield
If you love gardening, you may sometimes dislike waiting through those winter days, but we've got a tutorial for you in growing fast yielding vegetables...
How to Prepare Matcha, the Healthiest Drink on the Market!
Matcha green tea is one of the healthiest drinks out there and this is how you can make it yourself.
Have You Been Eating Bananas Wrong Your Whole Life??
There are so many food items we have been eating the wrong way our entire life. Here are the right ways to eat these 10 foods.
How to Choose a Moisturizer That Will Actually Work
Choosing the right moisturizer can be tricky. To make things easier, we listed the most important ingredients to look for in an effective moisturizer.
23 Simple & Helpful Life Tips Everyone Should Know
Quick and simple tips that will help you handle many of life's more irritating moments...
Start Managing Your Time Right With These 5 Techniques!
Even the most organized people find themselves with little time on their hands throughout the day, but with these techniques, you can get it all done!
If You Love Dogs, Then Avoid Doing These Things With Them
Even though you love your dog, you might be annoying it with some of your habits. Watch to find out more...
Old Pantyhose Can Be Used for So Many Surprising Things
Pantyhose rip so easily, but fortunately they can still be used around the house. Here are 14 handy uses for torn pantyhose.
If You Have a Dog, Here Are 10 Signs It's Stressed Out
Like us humans, dogs can get stressed as well. If you have a dog, here are 10 common signs that it might be stressed.
This Bizarre Soap Trick Can Alleviate Leg Pain
Did you know that placing a bar of soap under a bed sheet can help reduce restless legs syndrome symptoms? Learn more about this odd trick.
Sustainable Innovation: A 7-Seater Solar-Powered Bike
Now here is an example of sustainable innovation. This guy built a seven-seater solar bike bus from scrap.
Smelling Smart: A Man's Guide to Wearing Cologne
Whether you’re a cologne novice or a seasoned pro, this guide will elevate your fragrance game.
COLLECTION: Growing Tips for Outdoor and Indoor Plants
Dive into the world of indoor and outdoor plants with these 10 great guides to show you the way.
These Cuts of Meat Aren't Popular, But They're Tasty!
Instead of tossing away all those meat parts that aren’t specifically called for in the recipe you’re following, save yourself some money and cook them up!
An A-Z of Carpet Cleaning - The Ultimate Guide!
There are so many different kinds of carpet stains that it's hard to know how to clean them all. Here is the ultimate A-Z carpet cleaning guide.
These Common Habits Make Our Anxiety Worse
Experts believe that certain attitudes and habits are amplifying your stress levels.
7 Chemical-Free Ways to Rid Your House of Termites
Termites can cause a lot of destruction, but luckily there are chemical-free ways to get rid of them. Here are 7 of them:
For the Good of Your Clothes, Stop These Laundry Mistakes!
Here are 9 common washing mistakes that reduce the quality and durability of your clothes.
I’ve Found a Natural Remedy for Those Red Bumps on the Skin
A natural remedy to erasing those red bumps that appear on your arms without visiting the dermatologist. You only need to ingredients, which are easily found at the grocery store.
How to Make Sure No Spider Enters Your Home
Tired of 8 legged monstrosities roaming your house? It's time to put a stop to it, the natural way.
Hard Water - 9 Ways It Affects You and Your Home!
Not all water is the same. Hard water can have a negative effect on your budget, home, garden, and even your body.
This Tip Collection is Amazingly Helpful!
You’ll be pleased to hear there are old wives' tales that are grounded in fact. This list of 9 true tales will help you get your house spic and span!
Keep Food Daisy Fresh: Here's the Secret
Food wastage is always a shame, and that's why we should all do our best to avoid it as much as possible.