Just as I tend to assume the majority of the population understands the concept of common courtesy, I tend to assume the majority of dog owners understand the rules of etiquette when in public with your dog. The problem is, I think I’m putting too much faith in the general population with these assumptions.  Far less than most seem to obey the rules of common courtesy and I’ve encountered enough owners with bad dog park manners to make me question that faith.  In thinking about this, I decided to gripe write a post on my personal rules of dog owner etiquette. (Disclaimer: This is based mostly on my experiences and pet peeves as a dog owner, and by no means is an all encompassing list of dog owner no-no’s).

Rule #1 – Understand (and respect) the power of a dog

Just a few weeks ago at the park, Maisey and I had an encounter that illustrates this point. While Maisey and I were walking on the path, a large pit bull mix came running toward us from grassy area in the center of the park. I’m sure this dog didn’t have any malicious intentions (there I go with that faith again) but by running up so quickly, he startled both myself, Maisey, my boyfriend and Mya (my boyfriend’s German Shepherd). Mya jumped into her role as our protector and barked back at the dog, Maisey barked because Mya did, and the pit bull (realizing it wasn’t going to win any sort of match with Mya) went after Maisey. The dog’s owner walked casually from the center of the park toward the commotion while calling her dog (but she expressed no sense of urgency).  

Maisey loves to run free as much as the next dog, but a leash-less dog in the wrong time and place can be dangerous for both the dogs and owners.  An owner that doesn’t understand that, shouldn’t own a dog. We all think of our dogs as loving and caring beings (which they generally are), but when put in a threatening situation, dogs will react like the animals that they are. Just because you know your dog’s intentions are harmless doesn’t mean other dogs know that, and they may react defensively.

Rule #2 – Know when to enter (and when to leave) the dog park

If your dog isn’t comfortable around a large number of dogs, don’t enter a crowded dog park. If your dog is aggressive or excessively protective, don’t enter a crowded dog park. If you are in the dog park, and your dog becomes aggressive, leave. If another dog enters the dog park that appears to be aggressive, leave. This sounds cut and dry because it is. As a dog owner, my first concern is keeping my dog safe. Dogs want to protect their owners, as well. Avoid a potentially aggressive situation before it has the chance to become dangerous.

Rule #3 – Pay attention!

For gods sake, when you’re in the dog park, please don’t talk on your phone, listen to music or just disappear. Your dog is your responsibility. You need to be able to react if your dog is misbehaving, causing problems or is in a potentially dangerous situation. Nothing is more annoying than an owner who isn’t noticing or simply looks the other way when their dog is causing a problem.

Rule #4 – Dress appropriately

Please don’t wear your new shoes, expensive jeans or fancy purse into the dog park. Dogs jump, and usually have dirty feet. You look silly if you get dirty and freak out because you just bought that dress. In general, dress comfortable when taking your dog in public. Don’t wear flip flops, sandals or heels. You can’t run fast in any of these, and if your dog gets away from you, you’re useless.  

Rule #5 – Pick up after yourself (and your dog)

This should be a given, but landmines I see scattered throughout my local dog park suggest that it isn’t. Don’t litter (at the dog park, or anywhere else for that matter) and pick up after your dog. If you don’t, it’s unsanitary and just plain rude.

Rule #6 – Enjoy yourself!

Don’t be afraid to let yourself and your dog  get a little dirty. Dog Parks are a blast for both humans and dogs, so have fun!

As I mentioned, these are my personal pet peeves and not an all encompassing list of dog park etiquette. If any of these came as a surprise to you, or you just need to brush up, pawfriendly.com offers a much more comprehensive list.

Every morning and afternoon, Maisey and I take a walk. We go around the complex, and down the neighborhood streets. Sometimes we go to the park, and sometimes to the dog park.

Just about everytime I pass by the lower level balcony of another unit in the complex, I see the puppy. The puppy is pug, and is absolutely adorable. The problem is, the dog is out there every single day, even when it’s cold. It doesn’t have a water bowl, and it doesn’t have a bed. I’ve seen the owner simply open the balcony door, hold the leash while still sitting on the couch to allow the puppy to go outside to go to the bathroom. I’ve never seen them walking the dog, either. 

I don’t get it. Why do people like this even bother having a dog? They clearly don’t enjoy the company of the dog, or it wouldn’t be outside all day. Dogs (and animals in general) enrich our lives so much, and any good pet owner will tell you that their dog is like a member of the family. If a dog isn’t anything to you but something you have to feed and pick up after, why bother? The puppy pug isn’t a guard dog, it isn’t a working dog, so what gives?

Someone tell me, why do people like this get dogs? I feel terrible for this little puppy, every dog deserves love, kisses and an enjoyable life. So, what do I do? Is this cause to report the owners to the humane society? Wouldn’t we call CPS if we saw a child being equally ignored?

Smoking is gross. It drives me crazy to be in a public place and have to smell some one’s cigarette smoke. I get it, it’s a public place, but with all known dangers of the effects of secondhand smoke, not to mention the fact that it’s just plain rude, why do people do it? Now I have another reason to despise cigarette smoke.

It may seem like common sense, but do smoking pet owners consider the harmful effectsof second hand smoke on their pet?

According to msnbc.com, 28% of smokers would try to quit based on the knowledge that secondhand smoke could cause harm to their pets. I guess knowing that smoking can kill you isn’t enough of a reason?

Well, if for no other reason, do it for your four-legged friends!

Update: The New York Times wrote a blog post today regarding the harmful effects of cigarette smoke on our pets. Perhaps they were inspired by my post!