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AIBU?

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AIBU to take my dog everywhere I go

187 replies

Loopylouloves · 16/05/2025 12:35

After several posts recently about dogs in public spaces I wanted to add another angle. For context I wasnt a dog lover and never thought I would own one. However I am now the owner of one but with a difference. I have a serious medical condition which causes me to become very unwell quickly and my dog is being trained to detect when this is about to happen so I can take action promptly and get help. She goes everywhere with me including supermarkets, cafes, friends houses etc.

The issue is that shes a puppy (12 months) and is very much in the training phase so sometimes she doesnt behave when we go out. But its so important that she lives my life with me so she learns to alert me even when we are out and about. Once fully trained she is going to change my life and give me so much freedom and peace of mind.

Because she doesnt always behave like a service dog should, aibu to think that people should be more understanding and tolerant of her.

OP posts:
Jobsworth7 · 16/05/2025 12:47

Interesting use of the passive "is being trained", there. By you?

Edit: cross post

Loopylouloves · 16/05/2025 12:47

Wolfiefan · 16/05/2025 12:36

Depends where you’re taking her and what the behaviour is. Who’s training her with you?

She is being trained by a charity that specialises in this. I reinforce this training when shes with me. But its a work in progress.

OP posts:
toomuchfaff · 16/05/2025 12:45

Service dogs arent given to those with disabilities untrained.

So you don't have a service dog "in training" you have a puppy.

NewGoldFox · 16/05/2025 12:44

Personally I like dogs and well behaved ones are generally no bother to me however I know someone who is genuinely phobic and it makes me uneasy that dogs are being brought into medical settings, shops and cafes because I think of the impact on her as well as those with allergies some of which can be life threatening.

ComtesseDeSpair · 16/05/2025 12:44

If you’re training a service dog then it’s usual to have them in a recognisable harness and tabard - this helps the general public to understand that you have an apprentice service dog and a) disregard some behaviour and b) and perhaps more importantly, avoid coming over to pet and distract the cute puppy, which isn’t good for their training.

If you’re just lugging a badly behaved dog with you wherever you go, people are going to think you’re just a shit owner who hasn’t bothered to train their pet, and they won’t put up with it in shops and cafes where many people don’t think dogs are necessary in the first place.

FionnulaTheCooler · 16/05/2025 12:43

Badly behaved dogs are bad enough in public spaces but you can't insist your friends let you bring it to their houses. I'd no longer be inviting you round.

Lanzarotelady · 16/05/2025 12:41

She is either a service dog or isn't - make your mind up! How are you training her? Do you know how to train a dog to be alert to your needs?
Sounds to me like you have just got a puppy that you are insisting on taking everywhere and expect everyone else to be accomodating of this on the premise of her being a "service dog"

Doveyouknow · 16/05/2025 12:40

Probably depends what you mean by doesn't behave. A relative is incredibly allergic to dogs (carries an epi pen). It would be a problem for them if your dog jumped up at them. So I would say if you can't stop that happening you shouldn't be taking them everywhere. Similarly if they are not toilet trained clearly indoors spaced are not acceptable.

CombatBarbie · 16/05/2025 12:38

Unusual to be given a service dog untrained. Or have you had her from a puppy and are training her yourself?

In any case, get her a service dog, preferably service dog in training harness.

McCartneyOnTheHeath · 16/05/2025 12:37

Is it a service dog or isn't it? AFAIK you don't usually train them yourself.

Icepop79 · 16/05/2025 12:37

I assume she wears a harness which says “service dog in training”? If so, then people are likely to be tolerant. Otherwise, she’ll just be a boisterous puppy bounding around with no context.

Wolfiefan · 16/05/2025 12:36

Depends where you’re taking her and what the behaviour is. Who’s training her with you?

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