The Fake Service Dog Problem Nobody Wants to Talk About and Why Keeping Quiet Makes It Worse

Have you ever seen a dog in a service vest and quietly wondered… is that dog actually trained? Most people don’t mean harm. They just don’t know the difference. But when untrained dogs are passed off as service dogs, the consequences aren’t small. It puts real service dogs at risk. It makes public spaces harder and more stressful for disabled handlers. And it can undo years of careful behavior training in a single moment. In this episode, Em sits down with Jaime, a disability advocate and experienced service dog handler, to talk about what real service dog work actually looks like day to day. Together, they share the behind-the-scenes reality of task training, public access, and the emotional toll of constantly navigating misunderstandings—plus why fake service dogs make an already challenging life even harder. Press play if you want to better understand service dogs, advocate with confidence, and help create safer, more respectful spaces for the people and dogs who truly rely on them. Guest Info: Instagram: @embracingecho Free Resources & Support Free Enrichment Guide: Paws, Brains, and Fun Start here. This free guide introduces simple, low-pressure enrichment ideas to help your dog feel calmer, more fulfilled, and more connected in everyday life. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmenrichmentebook Free 15-Minute Clarity Call Feeling stuck or unsure what your dog needs? We’ll talk through what’s going on and find the next step together.👉 https://tinyurl.com/tdwafmbooknow PetMatRx Supplements We Trust Supplements that support gut health and daily wellness. Use code FITZ20 to save. 👉 https://tinyurl.com/PETMATRXtdwafm Email ⁠em@thedogwhoaskedformore.com to get in touch with Em This podcast explores real life with dogs — including dog behavior, reactivity, dog anxiety, stress in dogs, fearful dogs, and everyday training challenges. It’s for dog parents who are overwhelmed navigating life with dogs and want a clearer understanding of their dog, practical support, and a stronger bond while creating a calmer daily life with their dogs. Episodes cover canine nutrition, dog body language, dog communication, dog food and behavior, gut health, dog wellness, enrichment for dogs, dog enrichment activities, routines, dog lifestyle, and regulation — so life with your dog can feel calmer, more manageable, and more sustainable. Hosted by a dog trainer, canine nutrition coach, and retired vet tech, the show blends training, nutrition, and enrichment to support and bond with sensitive, anxious, pure-bred, and rescue dogs at home and in real life. Affiliate links support the podcast and help fuel the RV dream 💛