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Over the years many people have asked me “Do I have to pick up my Service Dog’s poop?” What if I’m physically unable to pick up after my Service Dog?
I think this question arises every so often because a while back I wrote a post about who picks up Guide Dog poop?
In our article about Guide Dog poop we were specifically referring to the blind or visually impaired and how they were able to pick up after their Guide Dogs.
However, what happens if a Service Dog handler is physically unable to pick up poop. Are they governed by the same laws as every other dog owner and required to pick up their dog’s poop?
Do I Have To Pick Up My Service Dog’s Poop?
So, let’s get to today’s question:
Question: Do I have to pick up my Service Dog’s Poop?
Answer: Yes. A Service Dog handler is required to pick up after their Service Dog.
Okay, that’s the quick and easy answer, but like we mentioned earlier, what if the Service Dog handler is physically unable to pick up the poop?
Answer: The handler is still required to pick up the Service Dog poop.
The FAQ about Service Animals and the ADA offers some clarification.
Q9: Who is responsible for the care and supervision of a service animal?
A: The handler is responsible for caring for and supervising the service animal, which includes toileting, feeding, and grooming and veterinary care. Covered entities are not obligated to supervise or otherwise care for a service animal.
Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA
I’m assuming “caring” for the “toileting” of your Service Dog also includes picking up the poop.
That brings us to our next question:
How Does A Service Dog Handler Pick up Service Dog Poop?
While I was driving to the grocery store I saw a woman in her automatic wheel chair with a black Labrador Retriever wearing a service dog vest walking by her side.
Her black Lab was very well behaved and did a great heel alongside the wheel chair. Then I noticed he started to slow down and the leash got taut.
I knew what was coming next as the black Lab got into the squat position and began pooping on the sidewalk.
Based on my observation this woman was physically unable to pick up after her dog and was left in a precarious situation. What choice did she have, but to leave her dog’s defecation in the middle of the sidewalk?
Over the years I’ve worked with and trained both Guide and Service Dog puppies. One thing we learned is how to take care of their pee and poop needs.
Here are some of the ways Service Dog handlers pick up after their Service Dogs:
1. Keep your Service Dog on a potty schedule.
Keeping track of when a dog eats, drinks, sleeps, pees, and poops will give you a very good idea of when your dog will pee and poop next.
When we start working with our puppies we keep a puppy potty schedule to help us figure out when our pup’s will potty next.
2. Teach your Service Dog to potty on command.
When we bring our Service Dog puppies home at 8 weeks old we immediately start working with their potty command. At the Guide Dog school we used the words “Get Busy” and at the Service Dog school we used “Better Go Now”.
I always considered this a life saver when bringing my dog to the shopping mall or into grocery stores. Knowing that you’re dog has just relieved before going into a public store gave me comfort that there wouldn’t be an embarrassing accident in the store.
3. Ask others for help for help if your Service Dog poops.
Not everyone is a dog lover, but there are many who would help pick up your Service Dog’s poop especially for someone who is physically unable to pick up the poop.
Friends and family members are often willing to help with poopie situations. We’ve even had kind strangers who were nice enough to help pick up the poop.
4. Hands Free Dog Poop Collector Product
You’ll probably laugh at this one. You could attach a hands free dog poop collector product to your dog and not worry about leaving a mess.
Oh-kay, here’s the situation. We invited a Guide Dog user from Australia to our group meeting a few years back. It’s always great to hear new Guide Dog stories, especially from other schools and as a special bonus, from down under!
We learned a few different commands they used with Australian Guide Dogs, how their dogs are trained, and where their names come from. It was very similar to what we teach our Guide Dogs here in the states.
Towards the end of our meeting our Aussie guest wanted to show us how he took care of his Guide Dog’s poop. He used this little device attached to his Guide Dog’s tail that caught the poop before it hit the ground.
I sh** you not (pun intended)! Our jaws dropped to the floor. None of us had seen such a device let alone one used with a Guide Dog. I wasn’t sure if I should laugh or applaud. The device was innovative, but also looked a bit silly on a dog.
Anyhow, I’ll let you judge for yourself. While this isn’t the exact device he used it is very similar: Poochy Dog Poop Bag
5. How Guide Dog Handlers Pickup Guide Dog Poop
Guide dog users pet their dogs when they potty. They can tell by the arch in their dog’s back whether it’s #1 or #2.
If it’s a deuce then they are able to determine the general location of the poop based on where they were petting their dog and can successfully find their dog’s doodie.
Check out this article for more detailed information on who picks up Guide Dog poop?
Back to our story:
We left off with our black Lab pooping in the middle of the sidewalk and our handler physically unable to pick up the poop.
She sped off in her automatic wheel chair and I saw her talk to a young couple who then walked back to the poop spot and helped her pick up the dog poo.
Good job!
Conclusion
Looking back at my little story. Would I have been upset if this Service Dog handler did not pick up after her dog.
Not terribly because she was in a very tough situation.
What if she asked several people for help and got not help?
She could have done a lot of things correct like keeping her dog on a potty schedule, relieving him before he went out, etc., but he still may have had an accident on the sidewalk.
A few notes I’ve been taking over the years about potential pee and poop accidents in public places.
- Have a plan when you are out with your Service Dog. Even the best trained Service Dogs can have an accident. New situations can be nerve racking for a dog and you never know when your dog will come down with a stomach virus…ours have.
- Always be prepared and bring some poop bags, paper towels, and a small spray bottle with enzymatic cleaner in your puppy travel bag. I like the Earth Rated poop bags and Rocco & Roxie cleaning spray.
- Know your dog and have him on a schedule.
- Observe your dog’s behavior.
- Be mindful of your dog’s actions.
I hope all of this is helpful for you and your Service Dog. Let me know if you have any questions…or answers…
How about you?
Do you have a Service Dog?
How do you take care of your Service Dog’s business?
Tell us about your experiences in the comment section below.
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We Like: Snuggle Puppy w/ Heart Beat & Heat Pack – Perfect for new puppies. We get all of our Service Dog pups a Snuggle Puppy. - BEST DOG CHEW
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We Like: Wellness Soft Puppy Bites – One of our favorite treats for training our service dog puppies.
Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist.