The short version: do not touch, talk to, feed or call a working dog, and speak to the person instead. If you would like to say hello to the dog, ask the handler first and take no for an answer. That applies to service dogs, dogs in training, and any dog wearing a "do not pet" message, because the person holding the leash is telling you what their dog needs. None of this is about being unfriendly. It is about letting a dog do its job, or letting a nervous dog feel safe.
Why etiquette around working dogs matters
A service dog is trained to do a specific job for a person with a disability, and many of those jobs depend on the dog paying attention to its handler rather than to you. The Department of Justice's own examples show why: a dog "trained to alert him when his blood sugar reaches high or low levels", a dog "trained to remind her to take her medication", and a dog "trained to detect the onset of a seizure and then help the person remain safe during the seizure."
A dog being scratched behind the ears by a stranger is not watching for any of those things. The Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind puts the rule simply: "Please don't touch, talk, feed or otherwise distract the dog while he is wearing his harness or vest."
Three rules that cover almost everything
- Ignore the dog. No petting, eye contact games, kissing noises, whistles, calling its name or offering food.
- Talk to the person. "Speak to the handler, not the dog," as the Guide Dog Foundation says. And keep the questions about the dog, not about the person's health.
- Give space. Keep your own dog back, keep children close, and do not block the team's path or crowd them in a line.
The full list, including what to do if a service dog comes up to you on its own, is in service dog etiquette: do's and don'ts.
The question everyone asks: can I pet it?
Usually no, and it is always the handler's call. Some handlers will say yes when the dog is off duty or settled, and many will say no every time. Neither is rude. Our guide can you pet a service dog? covers why, what to do instead, how to teach children, and short scripts handlers can use when people reach for their dog.
"Do not pet" is not only for service dogs
Plenty of dogs that are not service dogs also need people to keep their hands to themselves: dogs that are fearful or reactive, dogs recovering from surgery, elderly dogs with sore joints, puppies in training, and dogs that simply do not enjoy strangers. A "do not pet" or "give me space" message on a vest or leash is a polite request from the owner, and it deserves the same respect.
What that gear does not do is make a dog a service dog. It carries no legal status and gives no access to places pets cannot go. See do not pet vests: what they mean and what they do not and reactive dog vests and gear.
Can you get in trouble for petting a service dog?
Petting a dog once is not a crime in itself, but some states do make interfering with a service dog a crime. California makes it a misdemeanor to intentionally interfere with the use of a guide, signal or service dog "by harassing or obstructing" the dog or its user (Penal Code 365.6). Montana made it a misdemeanor in 2025 to keep up behavior that "interferes with the use of a service animal by obstructing, intimidating, or otherwise jeopardizing the safety of the service animal or the service animal's handler after the person has received notice on the behavior" (MCA 45-8-227). In other words, when a handler asks you to stop, stop.
The one exception: a service dog that comes to you alone
Everything above says ignore the dog, with one exception. If a service dog comes up to you on its own, nudging you or barking, with no person in sight, do not shoo it away. Some dogs are trained to go for help, and Atlas Assistance Dogs' advice is to "follow the service dog, who will take you to their handler in need of help." If you find the handler hurt or in distress, call emergency services and stay with them. The steps are in service dog etiquette.
Etiquette for businesses and staff
Staff have their own rules, and they are set by law: when a dog's job is not obvious, ask only the two ADA questions, never ask for paperwork or a demonstration, and never ask about the person's disability. Beyond that, staff etiquette is the same as everyone's: do not pet the dog, and serve the customer as you would anyone else. See what businesses can ask about a service dog.
All guides in this section
- Can you pet a service dog?No, not without asking, and the answer is usually no. Why a working dog needs to be left alone, what to do instead, how to teach kids, and scripts for handlers.
- Service dog etiquette: the do's and don'tsDo not touch, talk to or feed a working dog, and talk to the handler instead. What to do if a service dog approaches you alone, and rules for staff and dog owners.
Common questions
Is it rude to ask to pet a service dog?
No, asking is fine, and it is much better than reaching. Just accept the answer, which is often no.
Should I talk to the service dog or the person?
The person. Talking to the dog can distract it from its work.
Can I give a service dog a treat?
No. Never feed a working dog, even if the handler seems friendly. Food is one of the biggest distractions there is.
Does a "do not pet" vest mean the dog is a service dog?
Not necessarily. Many owners of nervous, reactive or recovering dogs use them. Either way, it means please do not touch.
Sources
- DOJ ADA service animal FAQ (question 2, tasks)
- California Penal Code 365.6, interference with a guide, signal or service dog
- Montana Code Annotated 45-8-227, harassment or harm of service animal
- Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Assistance Dog Etiquette
- Atlas Assistance Dogs, Service Dog Etiquette
General information, not legal advice. Policies and laws change; follow the sources. Last checked September 25, 2026.