I have been asked to walk a service dog for a woman receiving cancer treatments once or twice a week. Has anyone worked with a service dog through Rover on here? Can you give me some help on differences on working with them?
You need to ask the owner directly about the way she wants you to work with her dogs. Service dogs are not any different than other dogs, they are trained and behaved, but are trained for something special like they either work for the blind, or deaf, or are trained to recognize when their owner is going to have a seizure etc You do not cuddle or pet the dog and won't let others to pet the dog either. No treats, no dog parks etc UNLESS the owner tells you otherwise. The dog is not exactly a pet, but rather a necessity for the person and must be treated as such. They do need a walk and exercise too :)
Most of the time the dog is allowed to play and be a “normal dog” when they are given a specific command or signal that they are not working. Some dogs know they can be a “normal dog” when their owner releases them from their vest, etc.
Absolutely. But I think the OP is not the owner, but she would be a dog walker.
Are you sure its a service dog vs a therapy dog, there are differences in their level of training? I'm not an expert but your questions should be directed to the owner who is aware of what you should and shouldn't do during the walk.