Everyone Loves Dogs

By Gayle Cousineau

Everyone loves dogs, right? I mean, what's not to love about our beloved canine companions? Surely everyone feels the same.

Guess again - we dog advocates and lovers need to be responsible. We need to train our dogs to be respectful of others while in public. I'm not saying that we break them down and do anything to make them into nice little militant beings. I am suggesting that we be considerate of others while we have our dogs out in public.

I can think of many times where I've been enjoying myself at a crowded public place only to have a baby stroller nipping at my ankles as the happy-to-have-her-baby-there Mother is oblivious to it while laughing with her friends. I don't think the baby was enjoying itself any more than a dog enjoys being reeled in on a tight lead while being corrected for attempting to do what is extremely normal and smell every body and every other dog in the vicinity.

Before you decide that your dog should be able to go anywhere you do, think about their comfort and enjoyment. If you are taking them as their form of exercise and out of guilt for not having been home all week, there are other options. Insisting that your dog be allowed even at the displeasure of others could ultimately limit and/or eliminate the privileges us "dog people" are blessed to enjoy now.

Unfortunately, having a really great dog (at least in your eyes) does not give you an "ignore-everything-my-dog-does pass." Some people are afraid of dogs or don't enjoy them. Some people feel that same way about a crying child when they are trying to enjoy themselves. So, this isn't just about dogs. It's about being conscious and aware.

If your dog doesn't do well on a leash or around other people or dogs, don't push them or yourself. Take them some place that is more dog friendly and less threatening for everyone. Otherwise, if this is your goal and desire, hire a trainer to work with you and your dog in an area with a lot of distraction. If everyone around you is annoyed by your dog's nose nudging them, and you're annoyed, chances are your dog isn't having a great time either!

Gayle Cousineau http://divadogtraining.com/blog Dog Trainer and Behavior Modification for Dogs and Their Humans