I didn't grow up in a home with dogs. My mom had a terrible fear of them instilled from childhood and it was a huge step when I finally got a cat in high school. When I was 25 I finally bought my own place and could not wait to get a dog. A few months later I became the proud mama to our resident Boster Terrier and Mr. Personality himself, Ares. The problem was, I had no clue about dog behavior or any idea about the concept of etiquette as a dog mom. Nearly 4 years later I'm the proud mama to 4 dogs and boy have things changed since I brought home that tiny black and white ball of fur.
Having settled into life in suburbia with my husband, a certified dog trainer, and our pack, it's time to start spreading some awareness on a topic we both feel is incredibly important: dog walking etiquette. Yes, there is a right way and a wrong way to walk your dog. The problem is, so many people are like I used to be, utterly clueless.
The first thing dog parents should understand is that dogs are dogs, not humans. Duh, right? They coexist domestically so well with us it's sometimes easy to forget that they are in fact a different species. We have to teach them exactly what we expect of them while also staying privy to the fact that dogs have their own set of behaviors and ways of communication. A wagging tail does not always equal a happy dog.I can't even count the number of times I've encountered people who let a leashed dog walk directly up to another dog and/or person cheerily explaining it's okay he's friendly. Not only is this completely unfair to the other party, it has the potential to quickly turn into a nasty situation.
In the human world socializing means interacting with others. In the dog world, these are two separate concepts. A socialized dog is one who remains neutral upon seeing other dogs and humans while out walking. The dog does not become aggressive, nervous, intensely excited or distracted. Socializing your dog is as simple as walking her and allowing her to see, hear and smell the environment without physically interacting with other walkers. It is important to understand that even if you know your dog is properly socialized, other dogs you encounter while walking may not be. Your friendly, neutral pup should still only be allowed to interact with dogs she is already familiar with and you are certain the two get along. As humans this is counter intuitive because but with dogs, this is a standard social norm we as responsible parents need to follow.
Remember how I said my mom has been afraid of dogs her whole life? She's made huge strides in overcoming this fear as an adult but she is still very uneasy around any dog she doesn't know well. She certainly is not the only person who feels this way and many others have even greater fears. Plus, it's nearly impossible for dog lovers to understand this concept, but some people just don't like dogs. Gasp, I know. In the spirit of human decency and common courtesy, you should never walk your dog right up to a stranger. The fact that your dog is friendly probably doesn't make someone who fears dogs or simply isn't a fan any more inclined to meet your dog. And quite honestly, some of you only think your dog is friendly with all people.
Improper dog walking is not only rude to others, but it could have dangerous effects. While we as humans view looking someone in the eye and shaking hands a polite manner in which to meet, this is far from natural dog behavior. Dogs prefer to meet side to side, and sniff each other out, usually in the famous nose to tail position. Now, just as not all humans follow proper social guidelines, not all dogs do either. Imagine how you would feel if someone you don't know came up and hugged you from behind at the grocery store? Could it happen because that person is oblivious to social norms, chooses to ignore them or just never learned them? Of course. Does it make it any more acceptable behavior to the rest of us who do abide by them? Probably not.
Just like us, dogs will react differently in these situations based on several factors including personality, past experience, level of training and how mom or dad handles it. Knowing your dog is absolutely essential to proper walking etiquette, but I will come back to that. Of my 4 dogs, Ares is the only dog who would take it in stride if a strange dog approached him in an atypical matter such as head on or from behind. Tigger, our Boxer-Shepherd mix, would most likely snap at the offender, essentially scolding the dog for an improper greeting. If the dog isn't familiar with how to properly greet other dogs, he or she may also may not be hip to the warning and that is where the situation could turn dangerous. Worst case scenarios could happen with Chaos, an American Pit Bull Terrier, or Trinity, an American Bulldog, as they tend to be the most timid of the bunch. A scared dog is the worst kind as they react in defense to a perceived threat. Note that the approaching dog could certainly be very friendly, but if he is not following dog appropriate guidelines for interaction, he can appear frightening to another dog. Of course, as I mentioned, your dog might not truly be as friendly as you believe. A wagging tail can also indicate nervousness or fear. It's your job to know which one your dog is communicating. Who is blamed when dogs and/owners are injured in these situations? Almost never the dog acting improperly and the owner who allowed it to happen.
Walking your furry friend is great exercise for both of you and a wonderful bonding experience. But dogs aren't born knowing how to walk on leash. We have the responsibility as parents to teach them. So many people never take the time to train this very important skill and are left with a constant slew of problems. Dogs are pack animals. If you don't make it known you are in charge, he or she will take over. Heeling is a command dogs can be taught where they are expected to walk right next to the person holding the leash (usually on the left side) regardless of whatever else in the environment that may be of interest. It takes some patience and some practice but it is the most effective way to maintain walking etiquette. When your dog is always keeping pace with you, never allowed to walk ahead or fall behind, you are in control, the way it should be. It's dangerous for you if your dog is pulling you along, possibly into the street, bolting after a squirrel, or simply so hard you fall down. And it's dangerous for others with dogs who won't appreciate the fact that you can't control your pooch and accidentally allow an improper meeting. Pay attention to your dog and make sure she is paying attention to you. She should stop when you stop, turn when you turn and move faster or slower according to your pace. Correct your dog if he is out of line and reward him when he does the job right. Buy a durable leash and collar, take the time to train your dog to walk next to you either yourself or via certified trainer, and steer clear of retractable leashes and harnesses that can give full control to the dog.
Most of us walk our dogs through neighborhoods, parks and down busy city streets. This means we have to share the road so to speak. Pay attention to your surroundings and respond accordingly. Your pace may be faster or slower than someone you encounter along your route. Move off to the side your dog is on to let a runner or someone moving faster than you pass by. You should act as the barrier between the stranger, with or without a dog, and your own dog. If you are passing by someone walking slower, again, keep your dog on the outside. I'm also talking to those of you walking without a dog. Be sure to pass by a dog walker on the human's side, not the dog's. If you have multiple dogs, they should all be on one side, not both.
Finally, let's go back to knowing your dog. Learn how your particular dog responds to specific stimuli, types of people and situations. If you know your dog barks at other dogs when closely encountered, such as passing by on the sidewalk, avoid that situation at all costs. Unless you are currently in training for this behavior and instructed on how to appropriately work through it, putting your dog in a situation you know he is uncomfortable with is unnecessary and irresponsible. Simply because your dog is small or you feel you have him or her under complete control doesn't mean it is okay. Proper etiquette is to move away to a further distance when you spot another dog. As well as you know your own dog, you do not know the one passing by. Your barking dog could easily spook or upset another dog and cause a negative reaction.
Proper dog walking etiquette might sound kind of silly but it's actually something that all dog owners should be aware of and practicing. Be a responsible parent, your dog deserves it and so do the rest of us. Be courteous to other humans and their dogs. Be educated and aware of the behaviors of your own dog as well as others. Be proactive with training to keep you and your dog safe. And my favorite, be in control when you stroll. The single most important part of dog etiquette is ensuring you and your dog are always on your best behavior.
Be sure to hop on over to Rover.com for many more tips on dog walking and responsible dog ownership. You can also find a dog walker or dog sitter while you're there.
Happy Sunday!
