We spend a lot of time talking about training dogs and teaching them how to live with each other and how to live with us, but I think some times people forget how to live with each other as well. Sometimes we forget certain things about how to live with others when we have pets and we felt it was time for a list to help remind us all how to get along better.
Dog Training Humans Tip #1 – Not Everyone Likes Your Dog
I get it – as an obsessed dog lover, any human that DOESN’T like dogs is – well – suspect. The reality is however not everyone loves dogs and not everyone has had good experiences with them. This applies even more if you have a large or “scary breed”. I can’t think of the number of times I’ve had a huge dog come running up without an owner in sight, jumping up to greet and generally acting like a 3 year old on sugar. While you may know that your 75 pound baby wouldn’t harm a fly, others will not and it is not fair for them to be made to feel uncomfortable by someone else’s lack of consideration.
Your dog no matter it’s size, should not be able to run up to people, jump up, bark or have any kind of unsupervised interaction with strangers that you are not in 100% control of. These behaviours are NOT cute, they are not appropriate and they are not okay. For most people that means that your dog should not be off leash in busy areas and that the pillars of your dog training are based on recall, general obedience and firm leadership.
Dog Training Humans Tip #2 – Nobody Wants To Hear Your Dog Bark
While there are difficult situations to navigate where people need to leave their dogs at home while they work and the dogs may bark that are really a different topic of conversation, there are many people who let their dogs incessantly bark when the situation can be easily remedied.
I have seen people bring their dog to a restaurant patio where people are enjoying their dinner and then proceed to let the dog bark for 30 minutes straight at anything that walks, out of frustration and boredom and out of discomfort and fear. The owner meanwhile is enjoying their dinner without a second thought to all of the people who came to enjoy a meal and a conversation, not hear someone else’s dog lose their mind. Please remember I am a dog fanatic but this drives me as crazy as someone who hates dogs. If you are going to bring a dog into human situations like that make sure they are well exercised and ready for a rest on the patio. A well trained and well socialized will be able to relax alongside you in the shade, have a snooze and not suffer or make others suffer through the experience. The same is true of dogs who most dogs who bark excessively in the home – you may need to spend more time with them, spend more time exercising them and spend more time on building confidence so that they don’t suffer from separation anxiety so that your neighbours don’t have to spend their evenings listening to your dog be absolutely beside themselves for 5 hours a day. These things are stressful for everyone and not fair to anyone.
Dog Training Humans Tip #3 – Pick Up Your Dog’s Shit
This doesn’t really need that much explanation but somehow it doesn’t seem to be getting through to people. I’ve stepped in it often enough to know. While not only unsightly and smelly, dog shit can carry diseases for humans and other animal species and honestly – it’s just gross. Pick it up. Seriously, just do it.
A true dog lover not only thinks of themselves and their enjoyment of dogs but also takes into consideration setting a good example for the species, for their neighbours and for other dog owners. In an ever growing and crowded world it’s the best way for everyone to get along.