Fake Service Dog: What to Look Out For

Fake service dogs may, unfortunately, appear from time to time, whether these are pet dogs that owners are trying to gain certain access privileges for or emotional support animals that an owner is misrepresenting as a service dog. In many states, attempting to fake a service dog is a crime, and doing this can land you in serious legal trouble. Our article gives you an overview of service dogs and the signs to look out for that indicate a service dog isn’t what they seem.

What Does a Service Dog Do?

Service dogs are valuable companions for many individuals, and these dogs are trained to help relieve the symptoms of certain disabilities. The tasks that a service dog may be trained to perform include guidance, medical alerts for things like seizures, allergies, and blood sugar changes, mobility support, and psychiatric assistance such as guiding their owner to a safe space during a flashback or panic attack.

Many individuals who need a service dog require their assistance around the clock, which is why certain federal and state protections are in place to allow service dogs to accompany their owners virtually anywhere. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is one of the most notable pieces of legislation that protects service animal access rights.

What Makes a Service Dog Legitimate?

While the ADA doesn’t require that service dogs complete any specific training program, it is important to note that a service dog is considered legitimate when they have been trained to perform disability-related tasks for their owner. These tasks may be highly specific and tailored to the individual’s disability, or they may be more general tasks, such as guidance and medical alerts.

Keep in mind that you will not need to identify your dog with a vest, carry identification cards, or prove that your dog is a service dog by making them demonstrate their tasks. However, many individuals choose to keep an identification vest on their service dog to make public access an easier process.

Signs of a Fake Service Dog

Service dogs are highly trained and very respectful working dogs, and it is generally easy to tell when a service dog is fake. Below, we give you signs of a fake service dog that you can keep an eye out for if you suspect that a service dog isn’t what they seem:

• Out-of-control behavior – most service dogs are quiet and well-behaved, so if a supposed service dog is barking, not listening to their owner, or basically having a great time in public without regard to their handler, they may not be a real service dog.
• Aggressive or destructive behavior – real service dogs have good temperaments and they aren’t aggressive or destructive to their surroundings; instead, their focus is solely on the owner they are helping.
• Fearful behavior – some dogs don’t do well in public, and if you see a service dog clearly frightened or acting reactively, they may not be a properly trained service dog.

It is important to note that while service dogs have fairly generous public access rights, even legitimate service dogs can be asked to leave a business, restaurant, or other area due to their behavior. Presenting a danger to those around them or their owners or acting in a destructive manner are both valid grounds for a business to legally turn away a service dog.

How Do I Get a Valid Service Dog?

If you want to get a valid service dog, you will need to speak with your medical provider or therapist to figure out if incorporating a service dog into your treatment plan is a possibility. Once a service dog has been approved, you can start to train your own service dog, or you can look into organizations where you can adopt a fully trained service dog.

Make sure when obtaining a valid service dog that you know which tasks you need help with; this can direct your search to the best service dog organization or training program to ensure your service dog’s assistance is tailored to your exact needs.

And remember, while you don’t need to register or identify your service dog in any way, many people choose to opt for service dog registration to help provide additional documentation for suspicious business owners, employers, or landlords.

Ensuring Your Service Dog is Legit

Fake service dogs can make it harder for individuals who have a legitimate need for a service dog to access public spaces, and these dogs may even be destructive or dangerous to be around. It’s important that you keep an eye out for signs of a fake service dog and ensure that your own service dog is properly trained to avoid any stressful situations when taking advantage of your public access rights with your service animal.