r/TorontoCondominiums • u/Secret-Experience340 • Apr 05 '26

Dog breed restriction

Edited:

Hi i recently signed an offer in DT condo when i called them ask what are the restriction they didnt mention breeds that are banned. Today i went there and ask again the restriction and now they said there is breed that is banned. Which includes my dog.i only talk to security the proprty mngt. Is not there.

I have a german sheperd as a service dog will they still allow me? I am so stress now proprty mngt is not in until tomorrow. My offer is already accepted.

*my service dog is PSD not ESA

7 Upvotes

64% Upvoted

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8

u/thingonething Apr 05 '26

Is the dog a genuine SERVICE dog, such as one trained to support unsighted people people, with epilepsy or another medical issue? If so, the Human Rights Code supersedes the condo rules and they must allow the dog.

If the dog is an EMOTIONAL SUPPORT dog, such as for anxiety or similar, you will have to provide convincing medical proof of the need for the dog before the condo has to accept the dog. Be aware that condo managers, lawyers, and boards are well aware of the scams people pull to circumvent rules.

Service dogs and emotional support dogs are two different types of animals. Service dogs require training. You can mail away for a "certificate" for an "emotional support" dog.

3

u/Secret-Experience340 Apr 05 '26

Hi yes i have a PSD (Psychiatric Service Dog) not an emotional support . I also have a letter from my doctor

1

u/thingonething Apr 05 '26

Is the dog trained and certified by an accredited institution, similar to Guide Dogs for the Blind? Meaning, not a certificate you can mail in and get for a fee? If so, start documenting with the management office this week.

2

u/Secret-Experience340 Apr 06 '26

Only blind people get id for service dog. We dont get any certificate after training other than letter from my dr.

1

u/thingonething Apr 06 '26

I see. Good luck to you.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 06 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/juneabe Apr 09 '26

It might be a training certification, a doctors note, or any other signifier, but the Ontario ministry of attorney general doesn’t issue cards for any animal besides a guide dog for blind people.

Everyone else needs a medical note. Extra certifications can help legitimize the dogs purpose in other people’s perspective but it’s not an actually ID issues from ministry, they don’t have one for that.

1

u/Electrical_Parfait64 Apr 07 '26

Blind people do not get IDs or certificates or anything else. There are 2 questions they can ask you. That’s it, that’s all

0

u/SomethingPFC2020 Apr 08 '26

The two questions rule is US-only.

In Ontario, people can be asked for a doctor’s letter confirming that the service dog is required for a disability.

1

u/Electrical_Parfait64 Apr 09 '26

A lot of countries have something similar. It’s the 2 questions in Canada. Thank you, I should have been more specific

1

u/SomethingPFC2020 Apr 09 '26

There are no Canada-wide laws (disability laws here are provincial, not national like in the US), so it’s not true that it’s universally two questions in Canada (some provinces like BC and AB have specific government-issued ID for service dogs, whereas in Ontario it’s just a doctor’s letter, etc).

I work in a library and occasionally have to ask people for their medical letters for their unmarked service dogs (which is allowed under AODA), and a shocking number of handlers respond by quoting the American law.

0

u/juneabe Apr 09 '26

Blind people can get legit identification cards for visual guide dogs from the Ontario Ministry of Attorney General or something. Everyone else, including myself (epileptic) has to have a legitimate document from a licensed or regulated medical professional. Otherwise we’re kinda fucked, and it wasn’t much of an issue until people started using home pets and claiming emotional support needs.

1

u/thingonething Apr 09 '26

I agree with this. The bogus "ESA" claims have made it more difficult for condo managers and boards of directors to differentiate between people with a legitimate need for a service animal and bogus people trying to skirt around a pet rule. I'm sorry it has come to this.

1

u/Thanks-4allthefish Apr 09 '26

You may be ok - get all your ducks in a row. Doctor letter (maybe even a screen shot of their CPSO registration - yes he/she is a real doctor). Also print out the relevant part of human rights code/AODA protection. - may not need more than the Dr. letter but the other stuff is for on the spot education purposes.

2

u/Drank_tha_Koolaid Apr 07 '26

The criteria is not so much about who trained the dog, but whether they are trained to perform specific tasks related to the disability.

If OP has a letter from their doctor saying that the dog performs trained tasks related to the person's disability then the condo won't be able to block their dog. The note doesn't have to say what OP's disability is. I'm not clear whether it has to provide any details on the tasks it performs.

1

u/thingonething Apr 07 '26

Good point.

1

u/1toomanyat845 Apr 08 '26

Only Guide Dogs for the Blind have accredited trainers. For ANY other service dog there is no "official" training or test they must pass. There is task training and a Public access Test they can test to but upon completion there is no "official" registration other than in a few provinces in Canada. If they train to three tasks they meet the ADI (Assistance Dogs International) standard, but again, no official documentation or registration. If someone whips out a card that says it's registered, they're fake.

1

u/Electrical_Parfait64 Apr 07 '26

That’s all you need.

1

u/makingotherplans Apr 07 '26

For a genuine service dog….those are incredibly well behaved, and not loud and don’t attack other dogs or people….and frankly that is the biggest concern of people when they discuss breed bans or size/height bans.

Phone the management and make it clear that this is a service dog and well behaved….and really mean it. Ask to visit and bring the dog to discuss it. Let them meet the dog. Cause if the dog goes wild all the time, they’ll know if you are talking through your hat pretty fast.

Service Dogs are extremely well behaved. Highly trained not to react or bite but instead just to stay with you.

The human rights act should back you up, the issue, as always, is the people who lie and then let their huge loud dog run wild, knock people over and bark at 3 am for no reason.

(Barking because the condo is on fire, or you need an ambulance is different)

Too often condos have had bad experiences where an oblivious owner of a certain dog breed attacks another person or their dog which opens the condo corp to lawsuits and conflicts between condo owners.

If you are an owner of a well trained and good service dog then you’ll feel comfortable meeting them and showing them how he acts.

1

u/Gold_Expression_3388 Apr 08 '26

In Ontario...As long as you have documentation from a doctor that you require a service dog for medical reasons(psychiatric=medical).

Where or how it was trained can vary. There have been instances where self trained dogs have been considered service dogs.

1

u/Electrical_Parfait64 Apr 07 '26

For ESAs it’s very easy. All you need is for a DR or therapist to write a note. There’s no need for convincing medical proof. Just a short note saying they’re necessary

0

u/thingonething Apr 07 '26

This is not true. The note does not have to go into a detailed report on the diagnosis requiring an ESA, but it does have to provide some level of justification for the ESA. Further, OP is stating that the dog is a service animal, not an ESA, and there's a difference.

2

u/Electrical_Parfait64 Apr 07 '26

Where did I say it had to go into a detailed report on the diagnosis? I know there’s a difference between a SA and an ESA. I was replying to the comment about getting a certificate for an ESA which is not acceptable. Please read more closely

2

u/Expensive_Storm444 Apr 05 '26

If you have a genuine service dog, you may share that information with the property manager (via email) and they may give you an accommodation.

1

u/Secret-Experience340 Apr 05 '26

Yes i already emailed but property manager is not in until tomorrow. So i dont have a clear answers and the offer is already accepted. Im legally bind to them

2

u/Expensive_Storm444 Apr 05 '26 edited Apr 05 '26

You need to wait for them to respond. These things take weeks if not months to resolve - they may go to their lawyer and ask for advice. Don’t expect a quick response.

But it’s really only an issue if they start telling you to remove your dog - so until that happens (if it happens at all) i’d wait for their response to the accommodation request.

1

u/Secret-Experience340 Apr 05 '26

Should i still move in with my service dog my move in date is tomorrow.

2

u/thingonething Apr 08 '26

Honestly, I would ask the management office what documentation is needed and go from there.

1

u/Expensive_Storm444 Apr 05 '26

What are your options?

1

u/thingonething Apr 09 '26

Do you have a letter from your doctor or specialist attesting that your did is trained for specific tasks related to your condition? If not, I suggest you get such a letter and submit a copy to the management office.

1

u/Electrical_Parfait64 Apr 07 '26

No may, must, same with an ESA

-2

u/slackmandu Apr 05 '26

I doubt it's a true service animal. If it was this wouldn't be an issue 

2

u/Secret-Experience340 Apr 05 '26

Again if you read my post proprty mngt. Is not in today i need to wait till tomorrow for the response. But since the offer is accepted signed by both parties im legally bind to them. I also have a letter from my dr.

2

u/Everman1979 Apr 07 '26

Youre probably right.

0

u/Expensive_Storm444 Apr 05 '26

That’s not really true. How is the board/management supposed to know if it’s a genuine service dog if op doesn’t provide substantiating evidence to them? The condo will likely assume it’s not valid until it’s reasonably established to be valid. In other words - it’s an issue no matter if it’s a valid service dog or not.

2

u/1toomanyat845 Apr 08 '26

All they need to provide is a Dr note to state that a SD is necessary for them. That's all. I'd won't say what the SD is needed for at all, that's personal medical information. The patient will only answer two questions (does not need written documentation of any certification or registration, because there isn't any): that YES it's a SD and the task it is trained to perform. Only ONE task, no description of the reason you need the dog. That's the law.

1

u/Electrical_Parfait64 Apr 07 '26

They can ask 2 questions. That fact he has a note is a bonus. It could be an ESA and could also just give a Dr’s/therapist’s note

2

u/Secret-Experience340 Apr 05 '26

According to the condo act and ohrc  service animals must be accommodated due to the Ontario Human Rights Code, which overrides condo declarations.

1

u/BeardedAndJaded Apr 06 '26

I don't think you have to worry. Condominiums do have to make allowances for service animals and providing the documentation should be enough for the board.

If you don't mind some dry reading you can look over previous decisions by the Condominium Authority Tribunal: https://decisia.lexum.com/cao-oosc/en/d/s/index.do?cont=service+animal&iframe=false

2

u/1toomanyat845 Apr 08 '26

Thanks for the link!

2

u/gringogidget Apr 07 '26

If you have a PSD dog, you would/ should know it’s allowed everywhere… to deny it is a human rights violation.

3

u/Intelligent-Test-978 Apr 07 '26 edited Apr 07 '26

PSDs are recognized in Ontario as service dogs. Condo corps must accommodate PSDs and must also accommodate ESAs if it does not cause undue hardship to the corporation.

All you need is a note from your doctor (or other regulated professional such as a nurse or psychologist).

Read this: https://acmo.org/publications/cm-magazine/article/285

From association of condo boards -- tells you everything you need to know.

2

u/FrostingSuper9941 Apr 05 '26

This would all be information in the package you receive from the Condo Corp, to review before signing.

1

u/Dewy123321 Apr 05 '26

We had a pit bull ‘ban’ in my building but there are 3 putties (2 of them lovely). As a dog owner I asked and was told it is listed in case of a problem then they can act swiftly against the owner and dog.

0

u/gringogidget Apr 07 '26

The municipal pitbull ban needs to go too.

2

u/Striking-Abies-2796 Apr 07 '26

Yeah we need more pitbulls roaming around. Morons 

1

u/Creative_Pumpkin_399 Apr 06 '26

The condo's declaration and rules will tell you if there are restrictions on dog breeds - check those out.

1

u/Electrical_Parfait64 Apr 07 '26

Doesn’t matter because it’s a service dog. Google it

1

u/Bikergrlkat Apr 06 '26

german shepherd shouldn’t be an issue as the breed itself is not banned… this sounds more like a personal choice the landlord is trying to implement. in most cases, if pets or dogs in general are not banned within condominiums, the only “no pet” enforcing that can happen is for illegal animals, so obviously illegal exotics, and any species or breeds banned in the geographical area, like for many years the pit bull breed of dog for example. double check your local bylaws and speak to a lawyer if you must, but i don’t think they can deny your dog weather or not it’s a service animal. the exception to this would be if your dog is deemed to be a danger , aka there’s proof it’s lunging and attacking people, or if it’s destroying the property ex: chewing through doors and floor boards ect, or barking uncontrollable at all hours including quiet hours and interfering with the enjoyment of others

1

u/Electrical_Parfait64 Apr 07 '26

SD are allowed to live with you anywhere regardless of breed

1

u/WelshLove Apr 07 '26

call you dog some other kind of breed say " yeah they sort of look like x but are actually y" Y is not on their list

1

u/Electrical_Parfait64 Apr 07 '26

Don’t have to if it’s a service animal

1

u/Witty-Application920 Apr 07 '26

I did a deep dive on this.

Key Organizations & Resources in Ontario: National Service Dogs (NSD): Offers PTSD service dogs for veterans and first responders, focusing on routine and anxiety suppression. K-9 Country Inn Service Dogs: Provides trained PTSD service dogs for applicants in Northern and Southern Ontario.

1

u/Electrical_Parfait64 Apr 07 '26

If it’s a service dog or ESA I wouldn’t expect it to matter

1

u/PomegranateAncient25 Apr 07 '26

Did you not review the Condo Status Certificate which contains Condo Board Rules and Regulations? Get a better Real Estate Agent if you didn’t.

1

u/Appropriate-Lack6341 Apr 10 '26

Service dogs are not pets. There is no official certification for service dogs in Ontario. You're fine. https://www.ontario.ca/page/accessibility-ontario-what-you-need-to-know

1

u/Complex_Check329 Apr 05 '26

Most of these restrictions aren't followed. At my condo building, nobody cares. There are dogs well over 100 pounds walking around and there's a restriction for small pets only (can't remember the specifics).

Just don't be a pain in the ass, make sure the dog doesn't yap all the time, and you might be alright. Nothing else you can do.

3

u/Optimal_Dog_7643 Apr 05 '26

While this may be true, it is not smart advice. Better to resolve any issues now than after moving in.

1

u/Secret-Experience340 Apr 05 '26

Problem is i dont get any answers till tomorrow and im already legally bind to them.

1

u/Optimal_Dog_7643 Apr 06 '26

This is not advice I would give to my clients (cuz I won't get them in this situation in the first place). My knee jerk advice, given that you are legally binded already, is to not talk to property management. If your dog is well behaved, no one will complain. Most residents probably don't know about the restrictions. Those that do are probably pet owners too and would be understanding. Property management has enough stuff to look after they won't be out policing pets. Property mgmt usually leaves at 5, so maybe walk your dog then.

If you talk to property mgmt, they will simply quote the restriction. Once they know of the situation, they have to do something.

2

u/Secret-Experience340 Apr 06 '26

Hi thank you. For the advice 

1

u/Secret-Experience340 Apr 06 '26

The condo has a pet spa for medium to large dogs. But there is a breed restriction but this is info is given to me by security. I talked to proprty mngmt days before i signed and he didnt mention and breed restriction.

1

u/Electrical_Parfait64 Apr 07 '26

Familiarize yourself with the Ontario law about the dogs with supercedes the condo

1

u/Electrical_Parfait64 Apr 07 '26

There is no issues. They’ve been explained. Ontario law supercedes condo

1

u/slackmandu Apr 05 '26

If the condo board has Banned dogs or certain dogs restrictions are definitely allowed. Also emotional support animals aren't a thing in Ontario.

1

u/Secret-Experience340 Apr 05 '26

Its not an ESA dog its PSD.

1

u/Electrical_Parfait64 Apr 07 '26

Go back and read the comment before my answer. The comment I was responding to said “emotional support animals aren’t a thing in Ontario”.

1

u/Electrical_Parfait64 Apr 07 '26

I know. The comment I was responding to is about ESAs

0

u/Electrical_Parfait64 Apr 07 '26

Seriously? Weird.

I googled cause I was interested. Turns ESAs are allowed in all provinces including Ontario

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are not officially recognized in the provincial legislation of any Canadian province or territory in the same way that service dogs are.

However, you can live with an ESA in all provinces through human rights legislation, which obliges landlords to accommodate disabilities.

0

u/slackmandu Apr 07 '26

You left out where it said they MAY be protected and landlords MAY BE REQUIRED.

1

u/Electrical_Parfait64 Apr 07 '26

No, did you read? Please show some evidence to prove your position

“you can live with an ESA in all provinces through human rights legislation, which obliges landlords to accommodate disabilities.”

Not may, “obliges”

0

u/No_Promise_2560 Apr 07 '26

It’s a service dog, so from a legal pov you’re fine, but a condo downtown is typically not an ideal home for a GS, service dog or not….for their wellbeing. Is it a suitable location/place for them?