To think this doesn’t need explanation…

[ClearConfusion]

If you came across this, would you try to pet the dog, speak to the dog or stand so close your leg was touching the dog? One person did all three things to my dog today. I was stood at the counter in a small reception area, booking my next appointment, when a woman bent to pet my dog whilst saying hello to him. I had to side step to avoid the contact. She then stepped right next to him touching his side with her leg, so I had to move again. When I told her she couldn’t stroke the dog as he was working, she asked in a challenging manner, “how exactly is he working and why can’t I say hello”. I didn’t answer straight away, as I was already in conversation with the receptionist. She then asked again why was I training him, what was I training, and who was I training him for. I told her, she can’t pet him, as then he will expect to say hello to everyone he meets and would be distracted and not concentrating.
YANBU- the jacket clearly states not to distract, you don’t need to explain anything

YABU- she was just interested in the dog

YANBU but lots of people can’t read.

Of those that can, lots can’t comprehend what the words are saying.

So although I feel your pain and it’s very annoying, I do think you need to keep this in mind and perhaps be ready with a firm, kind but clear explanation.

This is something I teach my SEND students but getting them to actually follow through in a real life situation is very challenging.
An adult with SEND is definitely going to struggle following these rules.

Of course some people are just idiots and that’s why I’d have something ready to say so they back off.

My giant bull mastiff x Rottweiler who is pure muscle and has a head twice the size of mine had an operation a few years back. She had lots of stitches and was in a lot of pain and I wasn’t sure how she was going to react to other people or dogs coming up to her whilst in pain and so I got her a similar coat which told people to stay away (it didn’t say she was in training).
I was shocked by how many people came up to her and made a fuss of her.

Although what poor dog would want to be lumbered with that job!

Been there. Like the stupid woman who kept sticking her hand in my nervous rottweilers face when I repeatedly asked her not to THREE times. He was wearing a hi Vis saying NERVOUS DO NOT APPROACH. She then walked off and said 'well I like to give them a chance!' A chance to what? Bite your fucking hand off love? If I want you in my dog's face I'll ask you.

Anyone excusing this due to reading difficulties or language difficulties is wrong.
The stop sign is universal as are the warning colours.

There's no excuse for this.

Some people would struggle to spell IQ & it seems to be getting worse.

@SayHi

sny chance of a photo???

@ClearConfusion I tend to try to ive the benefit of the doubt that someone has sight problems I'd. LD. It calms me down from wanting to hurt them!!

If someone has intellectual difficulties, signs and colours don't really matter. I worry about the intelligence of people who can't seem to grasp this.

Ignoring signs and arguing about it isn't normal, it indicates someone who very likely doesn't undertstand social norms and non-verbal cues (and even verbal ones, by the sounds of it).

But no, on Mumsnet everyone is just 'stupid'.

First response nails it!

I would be willing to sponsor a dogs training for this !

I have a grumpy little terrier. He's ok with most people but for reasons I've never fathomed takes an instant dislike to certain folk. He wont bother them unless they bother him.
His lead is bright red, it says 'caution', he wears a bright red bandana with 'caution' on it as well and his harness, like the one in the OP, bears very clear 'do not touch' wording.

I cannot tell you the amount of people, usually men, who decide it doesn't apply and he couldn't possibly dislike them because they are so good with dogs. One guy suddenly sat on the floor trying to persuade him to play whilst I could clearly see from the body language of the dog he was extremely uncomfortable. I ended up picking him up with a firm 'NO' to the man.

We did muzzle in busy public places but dog was miserable and I spent half my time on edge waiting for the next idiot who knew my dog better than me. In the end we stopped going to busy places and he's happy in the field behind the house now, although he is an old man at this point.

Did you see the photo though? The dog with a PLEASE IGNORE the assistance dog and DO NOT DISTRACT signs on it? Genuinely interested. Maybe you didn't see OPs photo, but if you did do you still think if you saw this in real life it would be fine to say hello to the dog?

There's a learning opportunity here if so. For the OP.

I mean - i think the vast majority of people would see and heed those signs. But not everyone is the same, through no fault of their own.

You, as a trainer, have to be prepared to encounter the whole world when you walk out the door, just as you are preparing the dog to, really.

A local friend has an assistance dog. She says it's incredible what private information people ask, how does he help? what illness do you have? Why should she give private medical information to a stranger. She has said people often assume it's a guide dog and that she must be blind, so try to distract the dog thinking she won't see.

YANBU at all!

But I think I might need to see a better photo of him to make my mind up

I'm going on a cruise later this year and someone on our facebook group has said they'll be bringing their service dog. I can't wait to see it on board, but I wouldn't ever dream of giving it a fuss or talking to it. I'd love to have a conversation with the owner though, learning about the training process and how helpful the dog is, etc.

Inside I'll be dearly hoping the owner says "it's OK - you can give him a fuss" if he's resting, but I'd never ask.

As much as I adore dogs, a working dog is just that and a distraction to its owner or a dog stepping away from the unwanted attention could result in someone being knocked or falling over.

I have found people ignore everything to get what they want.

Including on my dog, a bright red lead, with caution and his coat with giant caution on it and his muzzle.

Still the idiots come to try and pet him or that old favourite, let their dog run up to mine and yell its ok s/he is friendly. While my dog is trying to eat theirs

Which is why we now walk our dog at unusual hours