Pooches in Public: Observing Good Dog Etiquette
Thanks to open-minded and marketing-savvy businesses and canine-friendly cities, dogs are making more public appearances than ever before. It’s not unusual to see a dog accompanying its owner at a restaurant or store these days. If you like the idea of taking your furry friend out on the town, you have plenty of opportunities but only if your dog is well-behaved. One bad experience in a crowd of people can be enough to discourage you from venturing beyond the backyard or the dog park. Before you stroll into a public place together, make sure you’ve covered a few essential points with your pooch. Here are some tips, courtesy of Baloo the Border.
Keep your dog to yourself
Before you go anywhere together, bear in mind that not everyone loves dogs as much as you do. So it is important to keep in mind these safety tips while walking about with your dog. You may not mind being jumped on and licked but allowing your pet to get overly familiar with someone else can end in a very uncomfortable situation, especially if you’re in a restaurant where people are trying to enjoy a meal in peace. Until you’re able to control your pet, it’s probably not a good idea to dine out or go shopping together.
Speaking of controlling your pet, that process is made much easier if you’re consistent. That means when you’re at home, keep your pet on your lawn. If you don’t have a fence yet, you should probably build one – but first, hire a surveyor to make sure you’re building it in the right place. That’ll potentially save you a lot of cash and hassle down the road.
Canine consideration
Dogs tend to leave behind reminders of their presence, so be prepared to clean up after yours. That means taking a plastic bag and scoop everywhere you go. It also means not minding having to clean up dog waste in the middle of a public place, which can be a humbling experience that’ll draw a lot of unwanted attention. It’s common sense, but make sure your furry friend has had a chance to relieve himself in an appropriate place before you grab a table in the bar area or go traipsing through the mall. There’s not much you can say or do if someone slips in a puddle of urine left behind by your dog.
Under control
Don’t assume that everyone is aching to get up close and personal with your dog, no matter how cute or friendly he may be. There are people out there who just don’t care for canines … or who prefer cats (or no pets at all). Others may have had an unpleasant experience with a dog that’s left them scared of getting too close to one. One of the worst things you can do is to allow your dog to run up to a stranger or someone else’s dog without asking first. It’s a thoughtless assumption and an imposition on their personal space that may have very bad consequences. Keep your dog under control unless it’s very clear someone wants to say “hello.”
A tight leash
If you want to go public with your pet, a retractable leash may not be a good idea. You can lock them, but there’s ample opportunity for the leash to get tangled up around your legs or someone else’s, or for your dog to take off, hell-bent to get frisky with a dog that’s too big and too moody. Do yourself a favor and save the retractable leash for an afternoon at the dog park. There are many outstanding leashes on the market that won’t cost you a ton of money and will help you walk your pet in a safe and considerate manner.
Know your pet
It’s fun to go out to dinner with your pooch or to take him shopping, but not if he gets overly excited or aggressive when a lot of people are around. If that’s the case, you may be better off sticking with the park or dog trails. Bear in mind that not all dogs are cut out for the social scene.
Wherever you go together, don’t forget to take along food and water dishes so your pet can refresh himself the canine way.
Observing good dog etiquette is all about consideration and paying close attention to your dog when you’re in public. Don’t allow your pet to intrude on someone else’s privacy uninvited. Avoid places and situations that are likely to cause agitation or negative behavior.
Courtesy of Pixabay.com.
Baloo The Border 