Bathroom For Service Dogs Opens In Chicago Airport

rockin'robin

rockin'robin

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Airport restrooms are getting a lot more comfortable these days. Well, at least they are for dogs at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. O’Hare opened its Indoor Service Animal / Pet Relief Area, which is basically a doggy bathroom.

Airport restrooms are getting a lot more comfortable these days. Well, at least they are for dogs at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. O’Hare opened its Indoor Service Animal / Pet Relief Area, which is basically a doggy bathroom.

http://dogtime.com/trending/30799-bathroom-service-dogs-opens-chicago-airport
 
Read a few comments on this article...some dogs will not do their business on the grass....and some cities don't have any grass....

Another comment was: that Service Dogs were trained to do their business on command and anywhere...

:hmm:
 
rockin'robin said:
Read a few comments on this article...some dogs will not do their business on the grass....and some cities don't have any grass....

Another comment was: that Service Dogs were trained to do their business on command and anywhere...

:hmm:
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Some are but I don't know if that's part of their actual training :hmm:. I remember a deaf-blind friend of mine at Gally whose first guide dog did that... she'd pee and poo on command sometimes (I'm pretty sure that small patch of grass next to the basement doors in Dorm V is still recovering....). Actually miss both the friend and the pooch...:(.

Other dogs I think learn by habit to hold their pee/poo until they go outside. One of my aunt's dogs learned to do that because his momma worked long hours.

Interesting idea though. Curious how often it will be used. I didn't think the percentage of guide dogs/Service Dogs that would pass through the airport would be that high...? But considering there are more service dogs now than 25 years ago...maybe.
 
Yes trained dog are trained to go on command , when I was training with Finlay we had to pass the as a team and part of training was taking our hearing dogs into a grocery store. We had to have our dog pee and poop on command before going into the store . One woman dog took a poop in the store and she didn't pass the course . She had to take the week of training over again before she could bring her dog home. This is one command you had to get down b/c you couldn't have your pooping in stores or restaurants . We were told to tell our dogs "You better go now " I thought that was a little too much to say .
 
Although there may be some challenges with it for a few dogs, I think at least the airport made the effort and it's a start.

In my experience working with service dogs < as a trainer> they're pretty "un-flappable" <not easily overwhelmed or unable to acclimate to a situation, once fully trained> They have to be in order to do their job.

And it does give the handler and dog a chance to a break and be together quietly, away from commotion and other people, for a time. This may be especially important for veterans with their dogs.
 
To my thinking - no - it will be same as any fire hydrant or lawn where there are multiple pee's and the dogs will want to stop and see who was there.
But do you mean - will it encourage dogs to mark -if - their handler does - not - want them to? It's certainly possible, but again with trained service dog, undesirable behavior is under much heavier control as these are working animals.
 
dogmom said:
To my thinking - no - it will be same as any fire hydrant or lawn where there are multiple pee's and the dogs will want to stop and see who was there.
But do you mean - will it encourage dogs to mark -if - their handler does - not - want them to? It's certainly possible, but again with trained service dog, undesirable behavior is under much heavier control as these are working animals.
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I haven't own a DOG in SO long! One day, if I am ready to bring dogs home, so I d like to be aware about dogs styles, tendencies and more. LOL!
 
it's good to research about dogs' types and behaviors, FF:) I remember when we got our very first dog - hubby and me. We read a LOT and talked to people with dogs and with the specific breed we were interested in, and we met lots of dogs.

FooEmo, some people with little dogs do have the indoor 'grass' turf area box shown in the airport doggie bathroom pic at the link.
You can also teach your puppy to eliminate in one spot or specific area outside, though it does take some time. I never did that with my puppies but I know people who have.
You can also teach cats to use a toilet.
 
My hub and I grew up having many dogs . we have cats because they are independent, obviously. If our kids are old enough to take care of dog then we will consider about getting a dog. Kids usually come home early than us.
 
You're lucky in that you grew up having dogs! I didn't - that's why I spent so much time in animal shelters and with other peoples' dogs!
:)
 
While I tend to be a "big dog person" and prefer bigger dogs in my own home, I enjoy little dogs too and work with many little dogs at the shelter. All dogs bite - little dogs aren't mean - they're often frightened, of someone bending or looming over them. Imagine if you lived in a world of giant aliens whose language you couldn't understand.
Unfortunately, many times little dogs are also not allowed to be dogs and stuck in bags, people's arms and strollers and not able to experience the world, which leads to insecurity and fear, especially if that is reinforced by a person.
 
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