January 17, 2020

Shop Team K9

We know you love your dog and want to take them everywhere with you, but are they well-behaved around other people and other dogs? As a dog parent, you have a responsibility to manage their behavior and follow some specific rules of etiquette. So here are 10 rules to be a courteous and responsible dog parent.

1. Build your dog’s manners or they never will

Teaching your dog some basic commands early on will prove to be very beneficial when there are other people around. Commands such as “Sit”, “Come”, or “Stay” will make both you and your dog safer. Enrolling your dog in obedience classes may be the way to go for this. One advantage of obedience classes is that they allow your dog the opportunity to practice being social with dogs of all sizes and their parents. When your dog successfully completes an obedience class, be sure to keep a tab on any of their behavioral problems so you can correct them before they become bad habits.

2. Take extra care of your dog when you travel

It’s a good rule to have your dog well-kept any time you travel, whether that be by plane, car, train, or any other form of transportation. You should keep your dog clean, well-groomed, and pack enough supplies to keep them fresh. Baby wipes and spare towels can prove to be helpful. When your away with your dog, keep their paperwork, tags, and licenses on hand just in case. If your dog sleeps in your bed at home, take along a roll-up dog bed and encourage them to stretch out there when it comes to bedtime.

3. Keep tabs on their messes

This goes for all dog parents because there’s no excuse to leave the stinky stuff where it doesn’t belong. Pick up your dog’s poop In any public place, especially where people and other dogs could potentially be walking. You can walk your dog close to the curb and encourage them to relieve themselves there so it will be easier for you to take care of. When your dog is experiencing tummy troubles and their poop is too soft to pick up, use a water bottle to wash away the mess. If your dog starts to explore around other people’s belongings or around some kids’ toys, gently pull them away to prevent them from making and mess with their stuff.

4. Exercise…

Most dog parents don’t want their dog to be overly excited all the time. So you should take them for regular walks to release some extra energy. This will also keep them from overly chewing, digging, and barking. It’s a good idea to keep regular walk times so your dog can familiarize themselves with a schedule. Once you and your dog have established a regular routine, they should settle down after each walk and might even be tired enough for a nap.

5. Don’t leave a stink at the dog park

Of course you want to play by the rules, but you shouldn’t be too nosy in other people’s business. If you see a fellow dog parent ignoring their dog’s mess, approach them and kindly ask them to pick up their dog’s mess. Many dog parents take their dogs to the park so we want to be courteous and keep it as clean as possible.

6. Be responsible when you come across a careless owner

Maybe your dog is a little bit timid or shy around other dogs. If another dog parent wants to have their dog play with yours but yours doesn’t want to, simply pull your dog to the side and have them sit with their back facing the other dog. The other dog parent should take the hint and direct their dog in another direction. If not, be the responsible owner in this situation and kindly ask them to go elsewhere.

7. Don’t leave your dog with unsuspecting friends

Dog-sitting is a great way to spend some extra time with dogs (and maybe even make some extra cash) but it’s not okay to spring it on a friend or relative. If you can’t find anyone to look after your dog while you’re away, hiring a professional sitter is probably the next best option. You can usually find a great dog sitter through your vet or websites like the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. Be responsible and confirm they are insured and get at least a couple of references before bringing them onboard.

8. Know your friends and co-workers

You probably already know that dog companionship is part of your life. Before you decide to sign up for “Take Your Dog To Work Day”, consider whether your dog knows basic commands and will be well behaved around others. Also, don’t assume that your dog is welcome at all social gatherings. A new baby might be around or someone might be hypersensitive to germs at the time, so always ask beforehand if your furry friend is welcome to come. Once you’ve got the OK, it’s definitely a good idea to take along some wipes, a towel, or a seat cover in the event of an accident. Maybe even a bottle of stain remover… just incase.

9. Accept that your dog isn’t well behaved when you leave home

Your dog can get lonely if they are left alone at home all day. When this happens, dogs tend to bark loud and constantly to try and get some attention. While you have the ability to go to work all day from 9-5, your work-at-home neighbors might not be so pleased with your dog’s constant noise. If you get a noise complaint from your neighbors, you should address it calmly and professionally. Promise them that you’ll look into some solutions such as a dog bark collar, a dog sitter, or even a midday dog walker. All three of these things can help keep your dog’s noise in check.

10. Teach your kids about manners when around other people’s dogs

Your kids might be the perfect size to play “Ride The Pony” with your dog, but this can get old for the dog. While it is great that your kids can roughhouse with your dog, not every dog is used to kids or loud noises for that matter. Also, your children and your dog will be better off if you establish rules for encountering other dogs and people early on. When you’re coming up on another person on the sidewalk, pull your dog to your side and encourage your kids to walk in a single file line behind you. Remind them to keep their hands (and paws) to themselves before they ask if they can pet another dog or introduce the two dogs.

You might also like:

5 Steps To Prevent Your Dog From Begging For Food

5 Ways To Make Your Dog Walks The Best They Can Be