One of our wonderful handlers over in Cool Dog School recently had a rough experience out in public. Her dog, Harley, was calm and working beautifully when another service dog in training almost attacked her. The young woman handling that service dog in training was grilling her beforehand — questioning whether Harley was a “fake” service dog. In reality, it was her own dog that caused the issue. Sadly, this is not uncommon. Some handlers come in with a chip on their shoulder, ready to argue before knowing the facts. But these moments are important teaching opportunities for us as a community. 💡 What To Do If This Happens To You - Stay calm. Once you get heated, it’s no longer about education — it’s ego vs. ego, and nobody wins. - Grab your phone or ask a friend/family member to record. If you can safely record, do it. Video protects you and your dog, and often makes people check themselves quickly. - Focus on your dog. Their safety and calmness always come first. Don’t let poor handling from others pull you off track. - Educate, don’t argue. If you choose to engage, a calm explanation will always go further than snapping back. 🛡️ Protecting Your Dog in the Moment - Use your body as a barrier. Step between your dog and the oncoming dog if possible. - Find a physical shield. Position yourself behind a bench, car, wall, or shopping cart to block access. - Exit quickly. If things escalate, calmly and confidently move your dog out of the area. - Carry deterrents if needed. Some handlers bring an umbrella, or just a loud “NO” to interrupt an oncoming dog — use what you feel safe and comfortable with. 🌟 Our Community Standard In ASA Service Dogs, this is a judgment-free zone. We don’t waste energy tearing others down. Instead, we focus on: - Building the best relationship possible with our own dogs. - Supporting one another with encouragement, not criticism. - Creating a safer, more informed community where both dogs and humans can grow.

Took the opportunity to do some impulse control + distraction training while playing outside this morning!