Is it worth it to lie?

[NicoleLJ]

I am ticked. And yes I know being pregnant probably makes it easier for me to get ticked. But this subject really irks me.

Is socialization so important that someone has the right to lie and impersonate a Service dog to do it? Or how about wanting to go to a hotel that does not allow pets so is lieing and impersonating a Service dog worth that? I have read people on various forums admit for this reason or that to saying their dog was a Service Dog or a Service Dog in Training so that they could bring their dog into a business. Is this ever right?

For me the answer is no. NEVER. I have a Service Dog. I know how much work it is to not only train one but keep them perfect in appearance and behaviour. It is not just a simple matter of taking your supposedly well mannered dog into a business and lieing thinking it won't affect anyone. It does. And anyone else reading that you do it will think they can too. So what if their fake Service Dog is not as well mannered as the persons dog who posted that they did it. No big deal if someone tries it because they read that someone else did and their dog goes in and barks, bites, pees, or so forth in a business after you had lied that it was a Service Dog. Oh well that that will then affect the businesses view of the next Service Dog team. So saying it doesn't affect anyone is completely and totally false.

SO do any of you truely think there is a legit reason to impersonate a Service Dog? I say no.
Nicole

[Marigold2]

I personally believe it is not ok to lie. But then the world is not black and white, lots of gray areas. Many hotels do take animals. Everyone has to make their own decisions and live with them. That's my story and I am sticking to it.

[Karen]

Absolutely not. People should never lie about that.

[sparks19]

Lying is never OK. especially about something like that.

I remember when we were on our way home from vacation with Teddy.... the weather got really bad and they weren't letting anyone over the border because of it. We had to find a motel ... last minute... on labour day weekend. It was impossible to find a motel that accepted pets that had vacancy. We finally found this little place and my husban went in and just told him that we really needed a room for the night but said we had a dog.... he is not noisy, has short hair and doens't shed too much, and is VERY VERY tired from vacation so he will basically only sleep the entire time. The man was very understanding and appreciated our h onesty about having the dog and how he might affect the room. We told him that if need be we would pay extra for the room or any cleaning. he said that it would not be nessecary and rented us a room. If we had lied perhaps we wouldn't have gotten that room and would have been stuck in the car.

DON'T LIE. I can't stand people that lie. there are plenty of places to take their dog for socialization... they don't NEED to lie to get it done.

[king2005]

There are time & places to lie & THAT isn't one of them!!! That lie can cause a lot of damage & or harm! Therefore its NOT ok.

I have lied to Chad a lot BUT of things that should be lied about. Hes very sensitive about the Cancer subject, as he was treated for Lung Cancer & he thinks its back (he refuses to go to the dr. still). So when he learned of my sister having cervical cancer I lied to him & said, yep shes cured! Shes not, it came back I haven't asked her about it in a few months so I don't know how things are with her. But I wanted to give him hope, cause my sister isn't down about it, she knew it was gonna happen sooner or later, as all females on my mothers side gets some form of woman cander down there (so far I'm spared & kinda shocked).

[cassiesmom]

I have read people on various forums admit for this reason or that to saying their dog was a Service Dog or a Service Dog in Training so that they could bring their dog into a business. Is this ever right?

SO do any of you truly think there is a legit reason to impersonate a Service Dog? I say no.
Nicole

The position from which I want to answer this question is from knowing a service dog-in-training from church. No, it is NOT right. It's not right because is harmful to the reputation of service dogs, service dogs-in-training and organizations that work with service dogs and their people. There is a reason the puppy wears a bright blue vest. It clearly identifies him as NOT a pet. It's important to the success of these programs that the privilege of working with a service dog not be abused by people who merely want to bring their pet into an establishment. In my mind it's the same category as people who are not disabled who park in the designated parking spaces. If you are not entitled to the privilege, don't take advantage of it.

(by the way - her newest "trainee" is really, really cute - I'll try to take a picture of him when she brings him to church again)

[moosmom]

No, lying is wrong. And lying about their animal being a serice animal is also wrong. They are only doing it for selfish reasons. Plain and simple.

[CountryWolf07]

100% wrong.

[Kalei]

I agree, it is wrong to lie about anything, but very wrong to lie about that situation because someone could get hurt if the dog wasnt that well-mannered, and you're right, it does make it so that next real Service Dog looks bad because the other dog was not well behaved.

Very wrong!

[mike001]

Very wrong to lie about a SD. And let's remember that a dog that is licking tears away, hugging, kissing, is not a SD but a comfort animal. Some people can't seem to tell the difference and order a cape and put it on their dog. Fortunately in Canada we are now taking steps to rid ourselves of fakers because of the complaints from businesses and people who see this happenning. Unless you and your dog have been assessed and trained by a facility, there is no acceptance for the word SD in a lot of Canadian cities now.