Very good! FWIW, if she is a high energy dog like you describe, she might really enjoy the training. Then you’ll be getting a doggie that can help you out if need be, and she’ll be having a good time. In my experience, dogs enjoy hard work a lot more than people do. 
No, they don’t want to play with other dogs or when its inappropriate, which is any time we aren’t at home or I am not initiating playtime. When they always want to play with other dogs, any time they see another dog they get distracted to where they aren’t doing what they’re supposed to.
I think you need to ask your dog. After all, she’s the one who has to work while you just get to sit there.
Correct me if I’m wrong, someone…but I don’t think they’ll take your existing pet and turn it into a service dog anyway. Aren’t they usually trained from a young age? The dog needs to bond with you, but a previously bonded dog? Do they even do that?
Some places do. Generally not for things like seeing-eye or hearing dogs, but for something like this I bet you could find someone who does it.
Sure. My trainer does it. Not for Guide Dogs - they require very specialized training from a very young age. I think hearing dogs are the same. But there are dogs for all sorts of other purposes that qualify as service dogs.
Personally, I think the trend towards “non-necessary” service dogs is a little disturbing - anti-anxiety dogs? Too much “abuse the system to get your pet into a restaurant” not enough “pet gives real benefit to someone struggling with a disability.” But the laws aren’t set up for ME to be the person making that determination - and they don’t really seem to be set up for anyone to make the determination. I suspect it will come that such dogs will require special licensing and certificationin order to qualify - at the very least, they should not be pooping in restaurants and we should be as assured as we can ever be with a dog that they won’t bite.
Wonder-fucking-ful. This is news to me, and apparently the manager of the restaurant is either telling people what we want to hear (ie, “Yes, we’ll check”), or he got bad advice.
Every legit service dog I’ve encountered carries ID showing it is such. The lady I know who trains the guide dogs told me hers carry ID; I suppose it was poor reasoning for me to assume that was, y’know, an actual requirement. It fucking well should be. Who the hell do I have to write letters to to make that happen, dammit?
I mean, geez, that’s bullshit. If you want to be able to claim special priviledges (for example, bringing snookums into the restaurant), then you should be required to present proof of some sort that you’re not just a lying shitbag.
Now I’m even MORE pissed. Arrgh!
Well, that’s something, at least. I’ll print that out and take it to him next time I go there.
Furthermore, he should have sent her a bill for cleaning the carpet and such.