AIBU to take my dog everywhere I go

[Loopylouloves]

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.

I didn't want to make my original post too long and thought people would ask sensible questions that I could then answer. I sort of thought that's how it worked 🤔. To save you reading my updates she wears a harness and vest that clearly state what she is and that she's training. She doesn't behave badly and annoy other people and is always on a lead. I'm fully aware it's my responsibility to keep her under control, I also don't like being around badly behaved dogs.

I think you're bloody marvellous @Loopylouloves . I have a lab and a border collie and they get me into some shit (pun intended) but they make my life more colourful. Sorry about your illness and life's too short to have to cater to everyone else's shock horror probe reaction at seeing dogs sniffing a Boden in John Lewis. You keep that sense of humour girl x

I’m fairness, very few “dog haters” would tell you to your face. An anonymous forum is a place where people can tell you what they really think.

A few examples of what I would consider not great behaviour for a assistance dog,

When at a cafe she is supposed to sit nicely under the table or next to me but sometimes she doesn't settle for a while and will sit up next to me wanting my attention. After a while she will settle and I bring her favourite toy or a treat stick to help offset boredom. Again this doesn't impact anyone else except me.

When on lead sometimes she pulls if she sees a pigeon, I quickly correct this and again doesn't impact anyone else.

Once stood in a queue at cafe Nero she licked the man's leg infront of us 😬, I apologised profusely and explained she's still training. Thankfully he laughed and said its always happening to him as he's a vet and dogs seem to know.

When other much bigger dogs run up to her in cafes because they are not trained she can bark or growl at them. Again after a bit of reassurance from me she's fine.

😆 🤣

Thankyou ❤️. My life has become almost unbearable in the last few years and I ve surprised my doctors with how long I've survived so far. I was absolutely not prepared for how much joy and comfort this little one would bring into my life, or the other dog owners and their dogs I meet daily. We know a few naughty labs, they are hilarious 😂, very food led. I always carry treats for them although they re not keen on the lowfat ones. Don't blame them really 😆

There is a reason why the saying "the more people I meet the more I like my dog" was made. Yes, labs are greedy fuckers 😆 🤣 I was having a picnic once with my two late labs. Another lab came running over and picked my sandwich box out of my bag and threw it open on the grass! He nicked a sandwich. The owner was mortified but I reassured her and told her good job it was me he had chosen that day 😆 🤣. On a serious note, I wish you nothing but better health. Your little beauty will help with your mental health as well xxx

Thankyou ❤️. I really didn't expect the reactions on here either or the assumptions. I shouldn't have been surprised really 😕. I don't think I can post a pic of her as it would be outing, she's very recognisable, think small cockerpoo that looks like a teddy bear. I think even as a adult she will be mistaken for a puppy as she's so dinky and cute. She's currently giving me the side eye as it's getting near walk time. They are a absolute joy aren't they?

Wow op! Just read the thread and can’t believe the nastiness and intolerance from people!!

youhave an assistance dog in training who appears to be doing really well.

take her wherever you like: she sounds delightful!

Thankyou thats really kind. She is doing really well and shes an absolute delight. Tbh i feel very sorry for the ones on here that feel the need to be like that, i know how fragile life is and frankly its much easier and happier if you chose to be kind and understanding.

I voted you are being unreasonable. Not because you have to take your young dog with you all the time for his training. I think this is a very valid reason. But because you expect others to have more patience with you and your dog. They are not mind readers and they have every right to want to be in an dogless environment.

I remember the days when the only dogs you ever saw in shops were guide dogs. Now everyone feels they have the right to bring their dog everywhere they go. I am a dog lover but lines need to be drawn.

@tessasanderson They don't need to be mind readers tho, she has a harness and vest that clearly states what she is and that she's training. And I do understand people not wanting dogs everywhere they go but that's not fair on dogs that are doing a job. Blind people don't have the monopoly on needing a dog do they?