Dog Etiquette

(kindly condensed to a manageable read by Ralph Smith)

Dear Fellow Islanders-

It's important for all of us to follow these guidelines, especially on the hiking trails, & respecting our neighbours on dog etiquette & how not to be a bad dog owner. Without following these guidelines, most devoted owners can look really bad.

You might find your dog’s behaviour endearing, but it’s possible that others might find it disruptive or frightening. It's important that a dog owner follow & practice proper dog etiquette (especially in public).

5 veterinarians, dog behaviour experts & dog trainers were asked to weigh in on proper etiquette & explain how bad dog owners can better themselves.

Not disposing of their droppings; you need to bag it & dispose of it properly.

Experts say the most noticeable habit of bad dog owners is—to no one’s surprise—failing to pick up after their dog, says Erin Askeland, a certified animal health & behaviour expert.

You may think someone else will pick it up for you, but it’s your job. “This is incredibly rude behaviour otherwise.”

Putting your dog outside when he won’t stop barking

Banishing your pet to the backyard when he won’t calm down may make you feel better, but it’s sure to upset your neighbours, creating aggravation, migraines & anxiety for them, says Sara Ochoa, DVM, an associate veterinarian at the Animal Hospital of West Monroe. If your dog barks nonstop, talk to your vet about possible reasons for the behaviour and measures you can take to address it, she says.

Don’t just make it someone else’s problem by putting the dog outside — that’s bad dog etiquette and will certainly be noticed by your unhappy neighbours. Ultimately, doing so is also detrimental to your dog’s well-being and a direct entry into the bad dog owners club. A good first step to fix this unwanted behaviour is learning why dogs bark so you can address the problem early on. Bark collars are extremely helpful.

Talking on your phone at the dog park

Dog parks are for dogs, so why can’t you do your thing while your pooch does his? Well, talking on your phone is actually a breach of dog park etiquette. Why miss out on all the bonding with your pup during playtime?

“When you take your puppy to the dog park, yes, he’s there to play with his friends, but just like a child, it’s important to keep tabs on him and watch his behaviour,” says Halle Rieckmann, a dog behaviour expert and the owner of Heel House K9 Training. “If he gets upset or starts picking on another dog, you’ll need your hands free & all your attention to help him out.”

Thank you!