That seems like a small

That seems like a small working dog. sounds Like a pet to me.   

Private vs Public

Perhaps what this lady is missing is the fact that the places she is going are not businesses or public buildings but private member clubs and peoples private homes that they are opening up to visitors out of the goodness of their hearts.  If she wanted to bring her "dog" in my private home I would feel rather justified in asking what service the dog would perform for her while in my home.  I like to think I can be fair so if the dog helps her see, or will help her avoid having a seizure etc. I would likely allow the animal in my home.  However, since she carries it around, I fail to see the service aspect in that.  Sound's like a pet to me too and the lady sounds like one of those types that thinks her pet is like a child and everybody should have to put up with her darling baby.

 Having had dogs, bred dogs, helped whelp pups, managed a boarding kennel that included a pet cemetery, I am pretty OK with dogs.  Still one of my pet peeves is irresponsible pet owners who allow their animals to run at large, using their neighbors yards and gardens as their public toilets and often getting into garbage or hit by cars.  Maybe even worse are the people who think that because they choose have a pet, they should be able to take their animal wherever they please and impose their pet (pest) on everybody else.  I'm guessing this lady falls into one or both categories.

Just say no to animals of any kind at a layout tour.

That's one arrogant pet owner

Keep the mutts home, they have no place on a layout tour. And if the offends you, stay home with the dog.

Problem solved. 

His policy should say no animals allowed

Since she is claiming it's not a pet she would probably try again to bring it.

His policy should be "No Animals Allowed"

Taking the Pet with you

People "use" the law to inconvenience others by saying its a "Service Dog". BS, I don't allow dogs in my house.Or cats for that matter. I have a Basset Hound. He lives outside. He is a very Happy dog. Anyone who visits me can leave their dog at home.

Rob Teed

I think....

.... that, when putting together a layout tour, a note should be put for the benefit of the denser ones as a reminder that pets of any kind are not welcome except at so and so layouts (probably the list of pet-friendly ones will be VERY short)

Hmm

I have two small dogs that are nothing but cuddly little darlings, but I sure wouldn't expect I could take them on a layout tour.  They are not service dogs, however.  If I did have a service dog, I would be sure to check if it was OK to bring the dog before I did so, though, just out of courtesy.  Don't forget that there are people who are allergic to some dogs, service or otherwise, and that should be respected.  Given the wording of the response, I suspect if someone said they would prefer she didn't bring her dog that she would be offended.

< p> But there are small service dogs, so don't let the size of the dog determine if you think its a service dog or not.  We're used to seeing Shepherds or Labs as seeing eye dogs, but there are more uses for service dogs than just seeing eye dogs.

A different approach

She's welcome to bring her dog to my home.  Just one word of warning - my cats have beat and bloodied bigger dogs before, and I expect they would do so again.

Really, I don't understand why someone would bring a service animal on a layout tour.  If the person is blind, a layout tour would be less than interesting (I would think - I've never heard of modeling in braille), and for any other condition, I would think that the proximity of numerous other people would be protection enough.  Besides, as has been mentioned, this is a private residence, not a business or public space.  What if the homeowner has a severe animal allergy - whose "disability" wins then?

My house, my rules.  Like it or leave it.

No pets or service animals in the layout room

Otherwise the rest of the house is okay as long as they can get along with the cats (most do.)  The little one is 15 lbs; his brother is significantly bigger...

I prefer the animals be left outside unless previous arrangements have been made to allow the pets meet the cats before the event.

Terry

Service dogs

The one thing that jumps out at me was the comment from this woman that the dog "is trained to sit on my shoulder" - this is not a "service dog" in the sense that the dog assists the owner in any way. Many people with these small "pocketbook" dogs take classes to "certify" their dog so they can be taken everywhere they go. This seems it may be one of those cases. Another quote from her note about the layout owner " I even had one lady that had her own 3 dogs there and I turned around to stay in the car and she told me to go ahead and bring her in " was more for this woman's fear or care about her dog in the company of three strange dogs rather than any respect for the layout's owners.

While it is possible this woman's dog may be trained to assist her if she is hard of hearing (bells, phones, sirens, crosswalk sounders, etc.), I suspect if this was the case she would have said so, rather than stating " we just have to identify that she is a working dog and per the law they CANNOT ask what she condition she is used for as it is only my business and not a strangers business as why I have a working dog with me."

My beagle is trained as a "service dog". We took classes at the local human society so he could be a visiting therapy dog. We visit a local assisted living care center weekly, and travel to visit my Mother once a month at her care center. The classes were needed so he could be allowed, not taught how to behave. He is also "people friendly" (a huge understatement) like the woman's dog, but I would never assume he is welcome without asking or getting an invite.

All it took for my dog to become a "certified service dog" was to attend and pay for the classes, and he had to show good temperament, obedience, and no - jumping up habits. He is extremely smart and very well behaved, he is "single command" behavioral trained. He is a big hit and welcome every time we go on visits. He enjoys the attention and so do his friends. There are many people is these care centers that are short on visitors but not on relatives. A friendly dog is something most folks in care never see. Sometimes I feel my Mom enjoys his company more than mine.

Would another dog be welcome at my home? Sure, but not at a time dedicated to an activity to something like a layout visit. My dog travels with me nearly continuously, but he doesn't go "where service dogs tread" just because he could if I wanted him to. Is he welcome most places? Yes, except at my sister in law's, where he stays outside because of her allergies.

Den's original post...

Den, do you think your original post should be edited to remove the email address and yahoo profile link of the poster (Bob moderator) in your pasted message? I know it's public, but...

email address and yahoo profile link removed.

I took it out as suggested.

Den

"Service" Dogs

I have seen a lot of people claim that their yappy little dog is a Service Dog. By definition a service dog is one that is trained to help humans by doing things they can't. I have held events where these women (and they always seem to be women, I have yet to see a man do this) have insisted that their "Service" dog be allowed to accompany them. I simply ask what service the dog performs. If they can't give me a simple straight forward answer, the dog stays out. If the woman says that the dog performs a variety of services, I know she's lying through her teeth because any owner of a true service dog will give specific examples.

By the way, if the dog was being held in the woman's arms, it cannot be a service dog. It is impossible for a dog being held in such a fashion by the owner, to perform any service I can think of.

I know...

Hey, I like dogs.  Having "met" your pups Dave, I can say they are pretty cute and no doubt "cuddly little darlings" to you and your family.  The thing is, you fall into the responsible pet owner category.  You don't let your little guys run amok in the neighborhood, for their safety and out of consideration for your neighbors.  I also doubt that you take them anywhere expecting anyone to welcome them to their home or club etc. on short notice.  You realize that your "cuddly little darlings" may not be so darling to others.  Seems like common courtesy to you and I, but some pet owners are a bit over the top about their pets...as this woman demonstrates so effectively.

Just another example of a self-centered, entitled dolt...

...who exhibits no respect for others.  I cannot believe anyone would bring a pet into someone else's home (or club) unannounced. and then defend the action on a dubious claim that the pocketbook rat is some form of service animal.  

I would have asked anyone with a dog (or dogs) to leave immediately.  It's not simply inappropriate, it's completely inconsiderate.

Don't get me wrong - I like dogs.  However, I will enjoy the company of your dog in your home, not mine, thank you.

I've heard that service dogs

I've heard that service dogs include those that help a person emotionally as well.  Someone who is depressed; the dog gives them comfort, etc.

Personally, she should have asked to bring the dog in.  Since she didn't, the least she should have done was offered to pay for the damage.  It's a homeowner's liability if that dog bit someone there too.

Just my opinion...