[nagdu] Law Regarding Attacks on Service Dogs

[Tami Jarvis]

Karyn and Danielle,

Good to see you back here, Karyn!

Danielle, the Kentucky access law can be found at 
http://nagdu.org/laws/usa/kentucky.txt.

I think it's good to consider the environment and figure out how to deal 
with it ahead of time. I recently moved back to a rural area, in a small 
town, and I grew up out in farm/ranch country, so I know what you mean 
about loose dogs and neighbors. Since you know your neighbors and their 
dogs, your plan to talk to them is probably the best one. I'm assuming 
GEB is aware of the situation and taking that into account in finding a 
match for you.

My own approach is similar to what Karyn describes, of being relaxed and 
confident myself while encouraging my dog to be the same around other 
dogs and the humans with them. If the dog is unattended, I take my cue 
from my own dog, since I have taught her to be confident and to let me 
know what she thinks. Sometimes she thinks it would be fun to take a 
break to play, which is annoying. /smile/ But when that happens, I can 
get her back on track without worrying about the other dog. If she's 
distracted by it, it is a friendly. If it seems iffy or unfriendly to 
her, she treats it as a moving obstacle and takes evasive action if she 
can. If there's not a good way around, she hustles us past or lets me 
know it may be time to take our defensive stance. Even then, I stay calm 
and confident and encourage her to. My philosophy is that if it is a 
scary predator, I do not want to let on that I am prey!

Here, where the loose dogs and the neighbors who have them are 
friendlies, I've gotten to know the dogs and people on our regular 
routes, starting with loose leash walks with Mitzi. The dogs were 
curious at first when we went by again with her in harness, but they 
accepted her "I'm busy now" attitude and let us go about our business. 
Well, one bird dog does bring us gifts of wood chips and the like from 
her yard when we go by. /lol/

Dealing positively with the humans involved with other dogs is also my 
preferred way to go, whether it's the neighbors or folks with dogs 
anywhere. First off, I listen to them as my first cue about whether to 
worry about their dog, even if the dog is being vocal. I can tell a lot 
from their voice and movements while my dog is telling me what she 
thinks about the dog. If the other dog does come close enough to count 
as active interference, I still keep it all nice and friendly with both 
the dog and human to get it all sorted out. Usually, the people know 
about not letting their dog interfere with a working dog but just didn't 
notice us as a working team in time, so I don't need to tell them about 
it. If I do feel a need to talk about noninterference, I do so in a 
friendly way which seems to work better than getting uptight. Keeping it 
all loose and easy helps my dog stay confident and also serves a safety 
purpose in case the dog is iffy. If I'm concerned about it, the last 
thing I am going to do is to be hostile or fearful towards its human 
companion!

Don't know if any of that is helpful. I'm another owner-trainer and use 
positive methods in training and handling, so it's been pretty easy to 
teach my girl to stay positive and not to get upset when she sees other 
dogs in case she is punished for being distracted. Which doesn't mean 
I've never made grisly threats about that. /lol/ Your school will teach 
you how to manage the dog they trained in distraction and dog interactions.

Tami

On 03/22/2014 10:49 PM, Karyn & Thane wrote:
> Good for you Danielle thinking about how you will handle the loose dog
> situation.
> I am one who has experienced an attack that changed not just my dog but
> myself. That said, I think its important to realistically assess the
> situation.
> One thing I have found is that the more confidant and at ease I am, the more
> confidant and at ease my dog will be. If it helps you to talk to the dogs
> that you are approaching or who are approaching you, then by all means do
> so. I find the ones at my complex as trying as the majority can be, they
> often respond to my happy tone. Regardless of whether they are on or off
> leash (or whether I am aware of that even) I have found saying *Good Morning
> (or whatever)* as we pass really makes a positive impact for me, my dog, and
> even the attitudes of neighbors who may not have taken their dogs behavior
> as seriously before. Its all in how you approach it-- the more positive you
> can be when discussing issues, the better potential for neighbors to want to
> be helpful. Granted that isn't always the case, but I like to try and win
> friends rather than create enemies.
> I moved about 1 1/2 yrs ago. My previous living circumstances, there was
> only one other dog at the complex. Now I live in a huge complex where many
> people have 2-3 yappy dogs. Most of the larger dogs are actually pretty good
> and/ or the owners take their training and behavior more seriously. There
> are times when it is very challenging with my previous experience with my
> former dog, but the more I CHOOSE to work on how I feel about the
> circumstances the better.
> Like Rox'E has said, I am also very aware of when dogs are around. Being
> deafblind means I just do things a little differently. If its really an
> issue, Thane will not let me continue on the path we are headed any more
> than he would let me move forward when a driver has decided that they only
> have to look left before making a right turn-- in fact people have told me
> that Thane doesn't let me cross until he makes driver eye contact LOL.
> Granted we have been together for a number of years, but it wasn't always
> that way. You will learn to read your dogs signals as you have experiences
> together.
> If you think loose dogs could challenge your confidance there are ways
> (other than ones I've listed) to help settle you.
> As far as laws on the books though-- it is time for a federal protection for
> all service dogs. When Met was attacked, the only thing that happened is his
> bills got paid. Animal control allowed her to keep her aggressive dog
> without requiring any stipulations (which they later saw their fallacy after
> a human attack occurred) Try not to anticipate the worset though. We do hear
> of attacks more than we would like, but what we don't often hear about are
> the positive resolutions in situations that could have gone either way.
> People also have different views on what constitutes an attack. To me, an
> attack breaks the skin on my dog and requires some sort of care. Met had
> multiple vet visits for care associated with the attack on him and was
> unable to fulfill his job for at least a month (memory details a bit sketchy
> 11 yrs after the fact). You'll do great with all the planning ahead you are
> doing. Don't forget to let us know when you have a class date!
>
> Karyn and Thane
>
>
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