The original poster (OP) was simply picking up some cat food at a pet store when they spotted a cheerful-looking dog in a hoodie. With a smile, OP complimented the dog and instinctively held out a hand in greeting. But the mood quickly shifted.
The woman with the dog scowled, pulled the dog back sharply, and told OP it was a service animal, pointing to its collar. OP immediately apologized, but the woman snapped, saying they should know better than to try petting a service dog. She walked off looking disgusted, leaving OP feeling embarrassed, guilty, and on the verge of tears.
In an edit, OP clarified that they never actually touched the dog—just held out their hand while the dog eagerly came forward to sniff. OP says they always speak to the owner first and ask permission. Now, they’re left wondering: did they really cross a line, or was the woman being unnecessarily harsh?
1. OP wonders if they were wrong for greeting a service dog not knowing it was one.
2. OP, while buying cat food, saw an excited dog and told the owner, “He’s so handsome,” while holding out their hand.
3. The dog wore a hoodie. The owner scowled at OP, yanked the dog away, and revealed a service dog collar.
4. OP felt terrible, apologized profusely, but the owner looked disgusted and pulled the still-excited dog away.
5. She snapped at OP, saying they should know better than to pet service dogs. OP apologized again, felt awful, and almost cried.
6. OP isn’t sure if the woman was unreasonable. The dog’s behavior and unclear sign caused doubts. OP seeks Reddit’s opinion on whether they were wrong.
7. OP never petted the dog. The excited dog approached to sniff, and OP held out their hand, not touching the dog without permission.
8. OP spoke to the owner first, not kneeling or baby talking to the dog, and didn’t know he was a service dog at the time.
Now that you have read the story, it’s time for you to see what Redditors had to say about this.
9. You didn’t realize the dog was a service animal, and you approached the owner respectfully. Her reaction was disproportionate and harsh.
10. You complimented the dog respectfully and didn’t attempt to touch him without permission. The owner’s anger seems excessive given the circumstances.
11. Her reaction was harsh and didn’t consider your genuine mistake.
12. Fake collar alert.
13. This Redditors claims OP should have took permission before petting him.
14. The owner should not be disguising the dog as such.
15. You spoke to the owner first and didn’t realize the dog was a service animal. Her reaction was uncalled for, given your respectful approach.
16. Service dogs are different and the wise know the difference.
17. The owner expected OP to have a super vision, tbh.
18. It’s understandable you didn’t recognize the dog as a service animal, you are a human.
19. Service dog handler gives good insight about the situation.
20. She cannot expect everybody to magically know.
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