What is the difference between a companion dog and a pet dog?

Question

There is a man I know who brings his dog to work because it's a companion dog. I can't bring my pet dog. What is the difference?

Answer 1

Probably he knows how to manipulate the system making it tough on people with disabilities who need a service dog. There really isn't a difference. Obedience titled dogs are Companion Dogs, Companion Dog Excellent, etc but they are generally still a pet that was trained in and passed tests that are designed to show that a pet is a good home companion. The term is sometimes used for a particular type of service dog for some people with certain emotions-based mental illness but should be avoided due to the confusion it causes (service dog works fine). It is always possible that your co-worker has been diagnosed this way and the dog really is prescribed therapy.

Answer 2

I have one working dog and two that are pets. I really don't think there is a concrete difference in mentality. As previously stated, there are handlers of working dogs who view the dogs as family members just like there are pet owners that view the dogs as simply dogs. There are plenty of pet owners who think the dog is their "child" or "baby." They spoil it, treat it like anything but a dog, and such. Then there are others that take the time to get to know the breed(s) they own and make an effort to bring out the best in the breed. For example, a lab owner might take time to allow his dog to play fetch in water. A border collie owner would cater to the mental exercise the dog needs and may even allow the dog to practice herding sheep...even though the owner is not a farmer and is letting the dog do this just for its enjoyment. The same can be said of working dog handlers. Some view the dog as a tool and treat it as such. Some make every effort to treat it as a family member and love it just as much as a pet would be loved. Many working dogs are still pets when they aren't working. So, the mentality is varied no matter if the dog is a companion or a worker. There is a huge variety in owner mentality no matter what.

Answer 3

The term isn't exactly companion dog - although the dog he brings to work is his companion.

This gentleman has a working dog of some sort. The dog is:

a. either partnered with the man for some reason to help him - a seizure dog, a hearing dog, some other sort of assistance dog. This dog "works" while he is with the man. That is why he is allowed to go to work with him. This is the same type of dog as a guide dog for the blind.

b. the dog is in training for service work. This means the man is training the dog to become a working/assistance dog.

Does this make sense? I volunteer with an organization who partners dogs with people with special needs. We train dogs to help with all sorts of jobs. Some help people in wheel chairs. Some alert the person if their blood sugar is too low by smelling their beath, some help hearing impaired people "hear" things - the door, the phone, smoke alarms etc.

Working/assistance dogs are amazing. You can learn more about them by doing a search on the net.

Answer 4

In my opinion, there is no difference. Dogs make great pets and great companions. In that man's case, he might have a disability that his dog helps him with. Blindness, deafness, ect. There is also the possibility that that man has a mental disability and he "needs" the dog with him at all times, even at work. Hope this answers your question.

Answer 5

Without giving too much away, read up on "Assistance Dogs" as outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. It's the Federal law governing all Companion/Service/Assistance Animals in the United States... what animals qualify, what you need to do get your dog to qualify, etc... as well as what you need to qualify for an Assistance Dog (no, it's not only for deaf and blind people...).

But yeah... The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If by chance you live in California, just go to the local Animal Care & Control and ask - they'll supply you with all the information you need.

Answer 6

hi there well I see it has a companion dog is like a boyfriend u take it anywhere u go cause you care for it a pet dog u treat it as such a pet no love just to have a dog u feed it give it water but would not love it has a companion dog that u take and show off to your friends

Answer 7

A companion dog is giving a rating and is certified as a companion dog. They are assigned to people who have some sort of disability that a dog can be of help with. For instance a blind person's seeing eye dog is a certified companion dog. They have different certifications for different things, there are dogs for people who are deaf, blind, have some sort of physical disability. You name it, they have a dog to help!