training
Petiquette 101
by Barbara Shumannfang Ph.D, CPDT If there were a Miss Doggie Manners, she would tell us that petiquette is about doing our part to help others feel comfortable. Good petiquette dictates that we ensure our dogs do not bother others or encroach on their space. Fortunately, it is easy to be a polite dog owner with a mannerly mutt. Charm School Basics Clean up your dog’s poop. Dogs are wonderful, but dog poop is not. It is no fun to get a whiff of an abandoned pile, or to be out hiking and see a mound of poop just in time to avoid stepping in it. And of course stepping in it is one of the more disgusting ways to put a damper on an outing. Good petiquette means not subjecting others to the sight, smell, or mess of your dog’s waste. Savvy dog owners use portable bag dispensers or tie a baggie to their leash so they are prepared. Instead of saying “Peeew!” your fellow travelers will say “Thank you!” Obey leash laws. It is healthy, humane, and fun for your dog to enjoy off-leash time. However, to practice good petiquette, use dog parks, rotate doggie playtime in friends’ fenced-in yards, or get permission to use private land for off-leash romps. Joggers, hikers, other dogs, children, or those who may be afraid of dogs should not be subjected to the sight of your loose dog (keep in mind that dogs are one of the top ten biggest fears of Americans). It does not matter how friendly or harmless your dog is. It’s poor petiquette to put others in this position and it risks dogs being banned from public spaces. If your dog happens to be off-leash and you encounter other humans, dogs, or wildlife, before your dog has a chance
to approach them, good petiquette means always calling and leashing your dog. Be a good neighbor. Is your dog quiet in your apartment or yard? Unless you ask your neighbors directly (which you should), you may not realize his vocalizing is driving them barking mad. Repetitive barking that upsets others is usually caused by dog owners failing to adequately exercise their dogs, offer outlets for their dog’s behavioral needs, or provide their dog mental stimulation. Nearly all dogs need aerobic exercise (for example, 20-30 minutes of trotting, brisk enough to elicit panting, twice a day). Dogs also need and deserve a chance to express their natural behaviors (for example, by scavenging a meal from a hidden, food-dispensing toy or digging for biscuits in a sand pit). And it is only fair to teach them how to meet mild mental challenges (for example, through tricks training or learning to relax when over-excited). For more petiquette training tips, please visit the Top Notch Dog Blog. Mind Your Manners Your dog is depending on you, and so are your fellow humans. To practice good petiquette, follow the Charm School Basics and address your dog’s daily needs. Not only will you have a much happier dog, but others will be happy to have him around, too.
The Triangle Dog
T Volume 2 • Issue 3 45