I found this article by Jeremy Harrison and wanted to bring it to you since this has become a very big issue.
Recently, many people have had justified concerns over the rise of fake online certificates, vests, and tags for their emotional support animal, service animal or therapy animal. Law officials have recently begun to crack down on these online companies that try to pretend to have a real database and sell people overpriced products such as vests, certificates, leashes, collars, etc. Keep in mind that these are the kinds of products that anyone can instead go to Amazon and buy at a much cheaper cost.
One service dog handler had their say, “To see someone who threw a cheap vest on their dog’s back because they like to have it around is like kicking me in my dislocated knee,” courtesy of Huffington Post.
What Does The Law Say?
In the past, no one would question the authenticity and legitimacy of a service animal owner. Unfortunately, some savvy fake online companies recently decided to leverage this trust by claiming to be real, selling kits and certificates.
Well, the law has been lenient up until recently due to many reports of pet owners being caught trying to pass their pet as an authentic service animal by justifying that online companies sold them the equipment and that their pet is on the website’s “national service animal database”. These fake service online kit, vests, and certificate sellers undermine the legitimacy of the concept of having real equipment for real service animals specifically. CBS News reported that the perpetrator can get charged up to $1000 and possibly be imprisoned for six months by buying from these online kit sellers and then trying to pass their ordinary pet as a real service animal.
An NBC news article on this topic said that “There is a big difference in the behavior of real service dogs and impostors inside businesses, experts said. A true service dog becomes nearly invisible. Pets might bark, urinate, sniff, scratch and eat off the floor”.
This goes hand-in-hand with dog owners who try to leverage these online services by buying from an online kit seller some service animal equipment and then trying to pass their untrained dog as a service dog by making it look like a real service dog. According to Dogbitelaw, “The law of certain jurisdictions makes it a crime to pretend to own or train a guide, signal or service dog”.
Emotional Support Animals, on the other hand, do not need vests or anything to perform emotionally comfort their owners. Getting ESA equipment is therefore not necessary, but the ESA must be accommodated with an official prescription letter from a licensed medical professional indicating that the owner needs the ESA (i.e., for PTSD, depression, anxiety, coping after a major life event).
Lastly, a therapy animal is NOT considered service or emotional support dog and have absolutely no protections under the ADA laws. Therapy animals are usually called therapy dogs and they are trained to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, and to people with learning difficulties and stressful situations such as disaster areas.
How Do I Play It Fair Not Fake?
Service animals are very expensive and are given more privileges than ESAs and therapy animals. In terms of service animals, it is best to purchase them for what they’re actually worth which is from $10,000 to $20,000.
With ADA and HUD laws, any loving pet can become an ESA, but one must receive an Emotional Support Animal prescription letter from a licensed medical professional (preferably from a licensed psychologist) to show to the airlines or landlords. In addition, you may be eligible for an ESA prescription letter from EPS by taking their assessment as long as you have a qualifying emotional or psychological disorder such as:
Stress Disorders
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Depressive Disorder
Panic/Anxiety Disorders
Personality Disorders
Phobias
And Much More…
Fake emotional support animal vest
Final Words Of Advice
All in all, it will be best to be diligent and fully be aware of the differences between the three kinds of animals. Most importantly, it is crucial to truly consider the consequences when thinking about going the cheaper way in getting equipment from questionable online kit-selling companies, especially if it pertains to service dogs. With all of the risks associated with faking a pet to be a service dog, one must ask oneself if it really is worth attempting to cheat the system. Not only to not get slammed by the law, but to also not ruin it for those with real disabilities and real service dogs, “Those with disabilities are worried about privacy and the safety of their highly trained service dogs, while business owners are concerned about health violations and damage to merchandise from impostors abusing the system”.
Don’t fall for the online service dog vests and other kits. Be mindful, know the laws, and if you’re looking for a legitimate way to get your dog to live with you in an apartment or fly with you, get an ESA letter! An ESA may not have as many laws protecting it as a real service animal, but if you have a mental disability, impairing stress, or anxiety, do consider getting a pet and an ESA letter if you need your ESA with you. An Emotional Support Animal letter written from a real, licensed medical professional is much more important than a vest.
Wayne Booth created this blog site to give you information on dog training, behavior and health. This blog was started for his dog training clients and has grown to a blog for dog owners and trainers all over the world. Read More…
Is There Hope For My Aggressive Dog? Dog Training Blogger
in Uncategorized/by Wayne BoothSimply put the answer is YES, usually, most of the time, but not always. Is that answer confusing, if so keep reading? The odds of the success you can have with rehabilitating a dog is good enough that you certainly need to give your dog a chance.
Can all dogs be rehabilitated, again the answer is simple NO. There are some dogs that just can’t be rehabilitated just like there are human beings with mental illness that are in institutions and cannot walk the street with the rest of us because of their illness and in some cases their aggression.
The question from the owner of an aggressive dog is always can my dog be rehabilitated and become a loving member of our family again? That isn’t a question that we can answered by simply looking at a dog.
The only way to tell if a dog can be rehabilitated is to try. That’s right you need to get started with training and behavior modification. For best results you want a canine behavior specialists that has a bunch of experience with aggressive dogs.
Simply relying on the trainer at the local big box dog store is a sure fire way to failure. Yes training is part of what your dog needs however there is more and we call that more, behavior modification.
So what is behavior modification? Behavior modification comes in many different colors and flavors and each dog could need something a little different than the last dog with a similar problem.
The behavior modification for your dog could include one or more of many different things including but not limited to:
1. More exercise 2. Getting the dog off the furniture 3. Feeding the dog after you, the ALPHA, eats, 4. Eliminating treats
5. and more than we can list in this article but you get the idea
You Must Admit You Have An Aggressive Dog
in Uncategorized/by Wayne BoothOne thing that always amazes me is how a dog owner will not admit that they have an aggressive dog. They come up with all types of excuses and reasons why the dog is showing aggression and it is never the dogs fault.
If you have read any of my articles on dog aggression you know that I have mentioned that aggression has become an epidemic. Yes, you would be really surprised what a large percentage of dogs have aggression towards other dogs, people and sometimes even members of their human families.
I always explain to an aggressive dog owner that to be successful with rehabilitating an aggressive dog they first have to admit that there is a problem. Without that the training and behavior modification are usually merely a waste of the dog and the owner’s time and the dog does not get better.
Once I have that commitment from the owner the process of rehabilitating the dog can begin. The next commitment I need from an owner is that they will be willing to work with the dog at least once a day for no more than a 15 minute training session.
Of course repetition is the number one principle of dog training so if the owner has the time 2 or 3 sessions a day is even better. I do tell them however that if they can only train once a day they will be amazed at what they will be able to accomplish with their dog and how quickly the dog’s attitude toward the owner, the ALPHA, will change.
Besides the obedience exercises that the dog needs rehabilitation will also include some behavior modification. Each dog needs something different and we actually design a behavior modification program that is specific for each individual dog.
Rehabilitating a dog that is showing aggression does involve work and commitment from the owner. On some occasions the dog owner is not willing to commit and instead chooses to find a new home for the dog and in extreme cases even have the dog euthanized.
Rehabilitating or re-homing is always a decision that the owner and family must make and there is not one right answer instead it has to do with the commitment that the owner is able and willing to offer.
Remember, that a very large percentage of aggressive dogs are that way because they did not receive proper socialization as puppies. When you get the next puppy make sure that you find a well-qualified trainer that can teach you how to properly socialize your puppy.
———–
Do you need help with your aggressive dog? We can help. If you are in , Chattanooga, TN, Clarksville, TN, Knoxville, TN, Huntsville, AL and Indianapolis, IN visit our website and give us a call.
If you have an aggressive dog please be sure to visit www.DogAggressionExperts.com for help…
Please remember we can help you with dog training or problem solving no matter where you are located. In fact we have clients all over the U.S. simply visit for more information and the give us a call.
Until next time,
P.S. Do you need some advice from a Canine Behavior Specialist? If so CLICK HERE now!
About Wayne: Wayne Booth is owner of which is headquartered in Nashville, TN but serves clients all over the U.S.. If you have a dog with aggression, behavior problems or simply needs training feel free to contact him.
Wayne has also been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director of Canine Behavior Specialists Network. If you would like to become a Professional Dog Trainer he can get you started.
Your Four-Legged Pal Meets Your Two-Legged Pals: A Guide to Dog Friendly Festivals
in Uncategorized/by Wayne BoothContribution from freelance writer Jenny Holt
Do you dread leaving your dog at home while you go out to have fun? Millions of people have this same feeling and have therefore created dog-friendly festivals so that your four-legged friend can hang out with your two-legged friends. You’ll never have to leave him home alone again.
Elements of Dog Friendly Festivals
First off, you need to know what to look for when attending a dog-friendly event. An event that caters to the needs of your pawed pal, should have the essential “Pup-Menities”. This includes easy access to clean water, doggy snacks, shaded areas away from the sun, and waste bags. Dog-friendly events and festivals should also avoid chocolate, loud noises and fireworks. The latter are terrifying and disorienting to dogs, which may cause them to flee or act up. Additionally, chocolate, as most of us know, is not good for dogs and even when the chocolate seems out of reach, dogs tend to be smarter than us when it comes to seeking out sweet treats. If you avoid these items and make sure there is access to Pup-Menities, you and your dog are sure to have a wonderful event. Here are some annual dog-friendly events you could try out:
Dog Day Festival in Tennessee
Nashville’s Humane Association hosts an annual Dog Day Festival in September, where all proceeds help homeless animals. This event celebrates man and his best four-legged friends by bringing everyone together for a paw-tastic day filled with food and furry fun. Activities include contests, doggie arts and crafts, pet portraits, games, delicious food, and music for all. This year the event will be held on September 16th.
Bark in the Park
Bark in the Park is the paw-fect festival for dog lovers and their best friends. It is the largest dog festival in the United States and on September 16, 2017, you can be a part of the fun too. Bark in the Park is known for its contests so dress up with your doggie pal and try out for the “Pet/Owner Look Alike Contest”. If that’s not your thing, you can participate in the agility and training competitions, enjoy the musical guests, shop till you drop, or try out all the delicious food and drinks in the food court.
Music and Cuisine Festivals
Do you enjoy going to music, beer, or food festivals? Well now you can take your dog with you to sample some beers or jam out to some rocking music. There are plenty of dog-friendly events in your local area, so just make sure you watch your pawed friends, clean up after them, and have some fun.
Puppy 5Ks
Maybe you are a runner, or need some extra motivation to get out there and exercise. Well now you and your dog can train together. In the last couple of years, races have focused on getting the whole family out to run, and Fido is no exception. Find a race near you and keep you and your dog healthy while supporting a great cause!
Creating A Calm Dog
in Uncategorized/by Wayne BoothThe question always seems to be how can I calm my crazy dog? Usually when I hear this question the person is talking about a puppy or a younger dog. In this article I am going to discuss a few things that you can do to create a calm dog.
Creating a calm dog can sometimes be a tough job. For those of you with young dogs that don’t understand what I am talking about because you dog has always been calm you are one of the lucky few.
TRAINING
Let’s start off with training. The perfect time to start training a dog is right away. However for the purposes of this article we will talk about when formal obedience training should start and that magic number is 16 weeks (4 months). At that time in a puppy’s life their minds are like little sponges and ready to absorb all the training that you can give them. Training establishes the dog master relationship, teaches the dog what is right and wrong and teaches them rules. This is the very beginning of a happy well trained dog.
EXERCISE
Young dogs are like kids they are full of energy. It is going to be your job to find things that will help your dog get rid of that excess energy. There are several ways to do that so let’s start off by listing a few and then we can talk about them individually.
1. Doggy Day Care 2. Walks 3. Retrieve Games
4. Swimming
Let’s start off with doggy day care. To put it simply, it’s GREAT. Your dog can be at a day care all day playing with a bunch of other dogs and getting rid of energy in a way that you can never do. I think just about every town or city has one and they are great . Give it a try.
Walking is another way to help with the excess energy problem. However it means that you must take the time to do it. There is also the other question, are you able to walk long enough to give your dog a real workout? If not there is another option and that is the local dog walker. Ask your vet for a referral to a good one.
Retrieve games are great because you can stand still throw a ball and let the dog do all the work. If your dog will retrieve a ball or toy give it a try.
Last but not least is swimming. If you have a pool or even a lake or river take your dog for a swim. Just like with humans swimming is an excellent way to get low impact exercise that your dog will enjoy.
I hope these ideas will give you some new ways to exercise and stimulate your dog so that you have a nice calm dog.
———–
Do you need help training your dog? We can help. If you are in , Chattanooga, TN, Clarksville, TN, Knoxville, TN, Huntsville, AL and Indianapolis, IN visit our website and give us a call.
Until next time,
About Wayne: Wayne Booth is owner of which is headquartered in Nashville, TN but serves clients all over the U.S.. If you have a dog with aggression, behavior problems or simply needs training feel free to contact him.
Wayne has also been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director of Canine Behavior Specialists Network. If you would like to become a Professional Dog Trainer he can get you started.
Surviving Your Puppy !!!
in Uncategorized/by Wayne BoothAwwww…a new puppy!! Along with the excitement of having a new puppy, and the wonderful smell of puppy breath, comes the chewing, potty training, whining, digging, and mouthy behaviors. This new in your home lesson has been developed to help you and your family adjust to your new family member. We will discuss the following areas and more.
This program has everything you need to know about your new puppy.
House training Crate training the easy way Chewing on you and the kids Eating the furniture, the rugs and everything else Toys, which ones are best and which ones to avoid Playing with your puppy the correct way Foods, which one is right? Keeping your puppy healthy and current with vaccinations
The importance of socialization (the most important thing you MUST know)
Discuss Obedience Training and when to start
…plus answer all your questions
Fake Online Vests Kits And Certificates Are Not Legit
in Uncategorized/by Wayne BoothI found this article by Jeremy Harrison and wanted to bring it to you since this has become a very big issue.
Recently, many people have had justified concerns over the rise of fake online certificates, vests, and tags for their emotional support animal, service animal or therapy animal. Law officials have recently begun to crack down on these online companies that try to pretend to have a real database and sell people overpriced products such as vests, certificates, leashes, collars, etc. Keep in mind that these are the kinds of products that anyone can instead go to Amazon and buy at a much cheaper cost.
One service dog handler had their say, “To see someone who threw a cheap vest on their dog’s back because they like to have it around is like kicking me in my dislocated knee,” courtesy of Huffington Post.
What Does The Law Say?
In the past, no one would question the authenticity and legitimacy of a service animal owner. Unfortunately, some savvy fake online companies recently decided to leverage this trust by claiming to be real, selling kits and certificates.
Well, the law has been lenient up until recently due to many reports of pet owners being caught trying to pass their pet as an authentic service animal by justifying that online companies sold them the equipment and that their pet is on the website’s “national service animal database”. These fake service online kit, vests, and certificate sellers undermine the legitimacy of the concept of having real equipment for real service animals specifically. CBS News reported that the perpetrator can get charged up to $1000 and possibly be imprisoned for six months by buying from these online kit sellers and then trying to pass their ordinary pet as a real service animal.
An NBC news article on this topic said that “There is a big difference in the behavior of real service dogs and impostors inside businesses, experts said. A true service dog becomes nearly invisible. Pets might bark, urinate, sniff, scratch and eat off the floor”.
This goes hand-in-hand with dog owners who try to leverage these online services by buying from an online kit seller some service animal equipment and then trying to pass their untrained dog as a service dog by making it look like a real service dog. According to Dogbitelaw, “The law of certain jurisdictions makes it a crime to pretend to own or train a guide, signal or service dog”.
Emotional Support Animals, on the other hand, do not need vests or anything to perform emotionally comfort their owners. Getting ESA equipment is therefore not necessary, but the ESA must be accommodated with an official prescription letter from a licensed medical professional indicating that the owner needs the ESA (i.e., for PTSD, depression, anxiety, coping after a major life event).
Lastly, a therapy animal is NOT considered service or emotional support dog and have absolutely no protections under the ADA laws. Therapy animals are usually called therapy dogs and they are trained to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, and to people with learning difficulties and stressful situations such as disaster areas.
How Do I Play It Fair Not Fake?
Service animals are very expensive and are given more privileges than ESAs and therapy animals. In terms of service animals, it is best to purchase them for what they’re actually worth which is from $10,000 to $20,000.
With ADA and HUD laws, any loving pet can become an ESA, but one must receive an Emotional Support Animal prescription letter from a licensed medical professional (preferably from a licensed psychologist) to show to the airlines or landlords. In addition, you may be eligible for an ESA prescription letter from EPS by taking their assessment as long as you have a qualifying emotional or psychological disorder such as:
Stress Disorders
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Depressive Disorder
Panic/Anxiety Disorders
Personality Disorders
Phobias
And Much More…
Fake emotional support animal vest
Final Words Of Advice
All in all, it will be best to be diligent and fully be aware of the differences between the three kinds of animals. Most importantly, it is crucial to truly consider the consequences when thinking about going the cheaper way in getting equipment from questionable online kit-selling companies, especially if it pertains to service dogs. With all of the risks associated with faking a pet to be a service dog, one must ask oneself if it really is worth attempting to cheat the system. Not only to not get slammed by the law, but to also not ruin it for those with real disabilities and real service dogs, “Those with disabilities are worried about privacy and the safety of their highly trained service dogs, while business owners are concerned about health violations and damage to merchandise from impostors abusing the system”.
Don’t fall for the online service dog vests and other kits. Be mindful, know the laws, and if you’re looking for a legitimate way to get your dog to live with you in an apartment or fly with you, get an ESA letter! An ESA may not have as many laws protecting it as a real service animal, but if you have a mental disability, impairing stress, or anxiety, do consider getting a pet and an ESA letter if you need your ESA with you. An Emotional Support Animal letter written from a real, licensed medical professional is much more important than a vest.