Cutler suggests saying something like ‘My dog isn’t feeling well right now, and he doesn’t want to say hi.’ In dog parks, there’s a different etiquette. “Dog parks can be very scary for dogs that are unfamiliar with interacting with a lot of other dogs. A good time to go for the first time is when there’s nobody there, and let your dog explore the park. If you can’t find a time when there’s nobody there, then a second-best alternative is to go to the park, but not go into it; just hang around the outside,” says Cutler. “Check out the dogs… get to know them and the people. Make sure you like what you see.” Cutler says she recommends avoiding parks where dogs play rough or run out of control. “Don’t ever hesitate to intervene if the play doesn’t look like it’s fun.” If it’s not a good time for your dog, leave the park, she says. The goal at a dog park is to find a compatible playmate or two for your dog. You should feel comfortable talking with the owner, and free to make comments if things aren’t going the way you’d like. To start, “keep the sessions really short and positive,” she says. And pay attention to your dog; don’t just visit with the other owners. Dog parks shouldn’t substitute for your one-on-one time. “Make it a part of your dog’s life,
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but not the only way to spend time with your dog,” Cutler says. And puppies that haven’t been fully vaccinated should not visit the park, at risk of infection. When out in the wilderness, you don’t want your dog chasing game, people or other dogs. “You need a good recall,” Cutler says. If you can’t trust your dog to come when you call, “a 50-foot line… is a really good idea.” And for cats, if you live in an undeveloped area where there are coyotes, keep your pet in at night. Cutler suggests feeding them in the evening to get them to come in. And “cats, like dogs should be good neighbours.” Cats that dig in other people’s gardens, howl at night or eliminate in other yards are not appreciated. If you have an outdoor cat, create a place in your own yard for them to poo and encourage them to go there. “Cats will often choose a place that’s dry,” said Cutler, such as under decks or overhangs. If needed, place a litter box outside and train your cat to use it.