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REAL VEGAS
OUR
marvelous
handling experience do not
from the fence line and do not
cozy
allow them to put their hands
With influence from ranching
fact, gone to the extreme, a
through.
and post-industrial design, the
poorly socialized dog or well-
• If the dog(s) begin barking,
City of Las Vegas didn’t start
intentioned
without
do not engage. Meaning, do
with
populated,
urban dog etiquette knowledge
not make eye contact and
core
is a recipe for disaster.
As our
begin talking to the dog. If
urban
densely walkable
has
a
33
RealVegasMagazine.com
challenge many others don’t.
a
City
//
and
bedfellows
make.
human
Valley
In
expand into concentric rings
wonderful
becomes
you think you have special
of suburbia as so many other
more urbanized there are things
“whisperer” skills and the dog
major US cities did. It happened
we must know as responsible
will stop barking, you’re wrong.
in reverse. Over the last 10
dog owners to keep our dogs
Making direct contact with a
years, monumental growth has
happy and healthy and safe.
dog that feels threatened is
begun reversing the tides, and
fuel for the dog’s fire.
now we are experiencing life in
One new area for many dogs is
• If you have a dog with you,
a way that is increasingly akin
the experience of encountering
do
to a “typical” city.
dogs on the other side of a
approach the fence.
not
allow
your
dog
to
fence. For many people this This is excellent. It is, however,
experience is new as well. Pro
Beyond fence etiquette here
also
real
tip: If you see dogs behind
are some other general tips to
dogs
a fence, leave them alone.
help you and your dog enjoy
Whether they are friendly or
an urban experience:
not is irrelevant. Even a friendly
• Think like a dog: It’s important
dog may react negatively to
to
typically are poorly socialized.
someone
process
They live in homes with yards.
“turf”. There is no way to know
experience the world if you
They may or may not go for
how a dog, even a friendly
want
walks. They don’t encounter
one, may react. When you see
them well.
most of the kinds of stimuli in
a dog behind a fence, here
• Keep your eye on the dog:
a typical urban environment
are some tips:
It’s tempting to walk down
–
wheelchairs,
• Do not approach, touch,
the street chatting or on your
bicycles not to mention sirens,
put your hand through/over or
mobile
lots of traffic and crowds of
even up to the fence for the
walking with your dog. Focus.
people.
dog to sniff.
Be aware of your surroundings.
• If you have small children,
• Get grounded: In addition to being aware, be present. Be
the
catalyst
issues—specifically
for for
and their humans. Suburban
and
skateboards,
rural
dogs
hands
and
their
Under-socialized
dogs
and
hold
humans
urban
dog
them at least one foot back
without
their
approaching
keep
understand
to
how
dogs
information
and
communicate
device.
Not
with
when
grounded.
Cathy Brooks is owner of The Hydrant Club, a facility specializing in teaching urban dog etiquette in downtown Las Vegas. She also operates a virtual community helping owners improve their handling skills.