[NAGDU] the two questions

[Tami Jarvis]

I agree, Julie. It is the entity that can ask those questions to 
determine if the team falls under the ADA. Random strangers are just 
being nosy if they ask. It is inappropriate and rude. If a business has 
allowed a team to enter, then the team is there. It is, literally, their 
business and no one else's. If a dog ever caused problems for my dog, I 
would discuss the matter with the manager, but otherwise, my only 
concern if another dog is in the store is to be sure my dog continues to 
behave appropriately. If I'm not using my dog, then I have no concern at 
all.

Honestly, if a dog off leash in a grocery store is doing nothing more 
than sniffing a pantleg here and there, it's probably pretty well 
trained to be on voice control. Yes, it's not perfect manners, but it's 
a fairly harmless breach. Heck, my dog is on leash and still gets in the 
random pantleg sniff now and then. I use voice commands and body 
language to redirect him, so it may look to some people I haven't 
corrected the behavior. It's none of their business, so whatever. The 
real issue with a pantleg sniffer is that he's sniffing another dog, 
which means the owner of the pantlegs wants to be friends with him and 
thus reinforces the behavior I'm trying to eliminate. When Loki was 
younger, it was a real pain at times, but by now he keeps his nose to 
himself satisfactorily and nearly always passes people who are 
soliciting his attention. So if others don't notice what I'm doing to 
reinforce good manners, that is unimportant. He notices, and his manners 
have improved. Of course, either way, it has nothing to do with whether 
he is a service dog. I am disabled; he is trained to guide me. It just 
meant he was a young and inexperienced service dog who still needed 
frequent reminding about the fine points of etiquette. Now he's a bit 
less young, a bit more experienced and needs only occasional reminding 
about the fine points of etiquette.

In my opinion, people who interfere with other people's service dogs or 
demand to know whether it's a real service dog or not or somehow think 
it's up to them to determine whether a business should allow another 
team to be there need to worry about their own lack of manners.

Tami

On 10/11/2017 08:37 AM, Julie Johnson via NAGDU wrote:
> I think most everyone here knows the two questions the DOJ’s guidance on service animals under the ADA allows.
> Is that a service dog?
> and
> What tasks does the dog perform?
> 
> However, my understanding is that it is the business that can ask these questions.  These questions aren’t open for anyone to ask and answers be required.   So I’m thinking that if there is an issue with another dog in a store, it isn’t up to the other shoppers to be asking the two questions.  It is up to the store management to ask and deal with any issues that come up.
> 
> Thoughts?
> Julie
> On The Go with Guide-and-Service-Dogs.com
> http://www.guide-and-service-dogs.com
> also find my products in the Blind Mice Mega Mall
> <https://www.blindmicemegamall.com/bmm/shop/Directory_Departments?storeid=1916046>
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