In training vest - NOT SERVICE DOG VEST

ayoitzrimz · 06-03-2011, 09:12 AM

I was wondering if it would be wrong of us to put a vest on our dog that says something like "in training - do not disturb" or just "in training" or some variation of that.

I basically wanted to get some opinions - I've been seeing a lot of threads about service dog vests and I firmly believe it's wrong to pretend your dog is a service dog when you do not have a disability and he is not a service dog just to get him into places where pets are not allowed. I've seen some misbehaving dogs in NYC being passed off as service dogs and while that might be true, I find it highly unlikely - and I think it makes it THAT much more difficult for people with real disabilities to have their service dogs with them.

With that "disclaimer" out of the way, I was wondering if you'd find it wrong if someone had a "in training" vest on their dog. I intend to only take him to places where dogs are allowed but to be honest when he's working on his down-stay (we are up to busy street type of distraction) I find it rather difficult to constantly have to block people from coming up and petting him - it's unbelievable how rude people are. I figured that putting a in training vest on him might be a good deterrent and if someone asks I'll just be honest and say he's simply training, not as a service dog but as a companion and I do not want people petting him while training.

So, do I have the permission of the board to do this?

Rerun · 06-03-2011, 09:14 AM

I personally don't see a problem with that. Two things to keep in mind from someone who used to raise and train service dogs:

1) Many people will still think your dog is a service dog in training
2) The vest often attracts more attention than you are getting in the first place

Mrs.K · 06-03-2011, 09:16 AM

I have a SAR In Training Vest on my bitch when we go out. Not only because of the visibility in the woods (never know about those hunters and farmers) but because people simply walk up and want to pet.
I noticed a complete change when she's wearing that vest. People ask or say "Oh, she's in training, don't touch her."

Also, even though she's got search&rescue on the side, people still think it's a service dog because of the yellow vest. Either they can't read or they overread it.

However, with an "in training" vest you are way better off outside. Yes, you get more attention but so far everybody has asked while without the vest they don't. At least that's what is going on over here. Without the vest I have to watch that people don't sneak up behind me to pet her. With the vest, people politely ask if they can pet her or not.

**gsdraven** · 06-03-2011, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayoitzrimz

So, do I have the permission of the board to do this?

Haha.

I know several people who use a harness or collar that says either "In Training" or "Do Not Pet" stitched on the side. I see it mostly with dogs that have issues with people or other dogs (fear usually) and think it's a great idea to help the handler and dog relax.

As long as you aren't misrepresenting yourself and using it to get into places that would not normally allow dogs and correct people who may assume you have a service dog, I'm okay with it.

ayoitzrimz · 06-03-2011, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs.K

However, with an "in training" vest you are way better off outside. Yes, you get more attention but so far everybody has asked while without the vest they don't. At least that's what is going on over here. Without the vest I have to watch that people don't sneak up behind me to pet her. With the vest, people politely ask if they can pet her or not.

Isn't it amazing how rude people can be? I've had a kid run up to him while we are training in a busy street corner yelling "what are you doing? what are you doing?" repeatedly while the mother just smiled at me as if that's supposed to make me forget that I now have to correct my dog because of her kid... My only desired outcome is for people to ask before petting him so I can politely say no lol...

Don't get me wrong, he gets petted by strangers and has no reactivity issues at all - I think he likes people more than I do

but now that we've moved to higher distractions, I don't want to set him up for failure...

ayoitzrimz · 06-03-2011, 09:25 AM

I think I'll give it a shot - just a simple vest with either "In training" or "do not pet" stitched on it. If anyone asks I'll say he likes to eat children and I'm trying to train it out of him

Actually, I don't know how to answer - "no he's not a service dog, he's just training?" or what?

**gsdraven** · 06-03-2011, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayoitzrimz

Actually, I don't know how to answer - "no he's not a service dog, he's just training?" or what?

Yup. It would actually be a great opportunity to educate some people that training is for life (not in a preachy way). I'm big on educating, it's part of my mission.

My Dad will sometimes call and ask me what I'm up to and I will say "oh, I'm headed to training with Raven" and his response is usually "she isn't trained yet?" and then I explain (again) that why we go to different class and continue to train. Helps our bond, keeps her active and alert, makes her a better pet, etc.

ayoitzrimz · 06-03-2011, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsdraven

Yup. It would actually be a great opportunity to educate some people that training is for life (not in a preachy way). I'm big on educating, it's part of my mission.

My Dad will sometimes call and ask me what I'm up to and I will say "oh, I'm headed to training with Raven" and his response is usually "she isn't trained yet?" and then I explain (again) that why we go to different class and continue to train. Helps our bond, keeps her active and alert, makes her a better pet, etc.

well people have different ideas of training. My father simply wants his shih-tzu to come when called (he doesn't) and sit when asked (he doesn't) and not beg for food (he does) - and he's always happy to remind that HE doesn't have to wake up at 5a.m to go tracking with his dog, the dog is already trained enough lol

marshies · 06-03-2011, 09:43 AM

Why not? It represents your situation accurately and can really help further your training.

stealthq · 06-03-2011, 10:51 AM

Shouldn't be a problem. That's how we met the trainer we hired for my mother's new puppy. He trains FEMA SAR dogs as well as agility and the usual companion obedience stuff. He was training one of his SAR dogs (and getting clients

) at an outdoor festival we went to and his dog was in a yellow vest that said 'in training' on both sides.

06-03-2011, 09:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
ayoitzrimz Master Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New York, NY Posts: 503	In training vest - NOT SERVICE DOG VEST I was wondering if it would be wrong of us to put a vest on our dog that says something like "in training - do not disturb" or just "in training" or some variation of that. I basically wanted to get some opinions - I've been seeing a lot of threads about service dog vests and I firmly believe it's wrong to pretend your dog is a service dog when you do not have a disability and he is not a service dog just to get him into places where pets are not allowed. I've seen some misbehaving dogs in NYC being passed off as service dogs and while that might be true, I find it highly unlikely - and I think it makes it THAT much more difficult for people with real disabilities to have their service dogs with them. With that "disclaimer" out of the way, I was wondering if you'd find it wrong if someone had a "in training" vest on their dog. I intend to only take him to places where dogs are allowed but to be honest when he's working on his down-stay (we are up to busy street type of distraction) I find it rather difficult to constantly have to block people from coming up and petting him - it's unbelievable how rude people are. I figured that putting a in training vest on him might be a good deterrent and if someone asks I'll just be honest and say he's simply training, not as a service dog but as a companion and I do not want people petting him while training. So, do I have the permission of the board to do this?

06-03-2011, 09:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
Rerun Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 5,608	I personally don't see a problem with that. Two things to keep in mind from someone who used to raise and train service dogs: 1) Many people will still think your dog is a service dog in training 2) The vest often attracts more attention than you are getting in the first place

06-03-2011, 09:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
Mrs.K Crowned Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 6,381	I have a SAR In Training Vest on my bitch when we go out. Not only because of the visibility in the woods (never know about those hunters and farmers) but because people simply walk up and want to pet. I noticed a complete change when she's wearing that vest. People ask or say "Oh, she's in training, don't touch her." Also, even though she's got search&rescue on the side, people still think it's a service dog because of the yellow vest. Either they can't read or they overread it. However, with an "in training" vest you are way better off outside. Yes, you get more attention but so far everybody has asked while without the vest they don't. At least that's what is going on over here. Without the vest I have to watch that people don't sneak up behind me to pet her. With the vest, people politely ask if they can pet her or not.

06-03-2011, 09:25 AM	#6 (permalink)
ayoitzrimz Master Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New York, NY Posts: 503	I think I'll give it a shot - just a simple vest with either "In training" or "do not pet" stitched on it. If anyone asks I'll say he likes to eat children and I'm trying to train it out of him Actually, I don't know how to answer - "no he's not a service dog, he's just training?" or what?

06-03-2011, 09:43 AM	#9 (permalink)
marshies Elite Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,026	Why not? It represents your situation accurately and can really help further your training.

06-03-2011, 10:51 AM	#10 (permalink)
stealthq Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 284	Shouldn't be a problem. That's how we met the trainer we hired for my mother's new puppy. He trains FEMA SAR dogs as well as agility and the usual companion obedience stuff. He was training one of his SAR dogs (and getting clients ) at an outdoor festival we went to and his dog was in a yellow vest that said 'in training' on both sides.

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