By Heidi Clayton
Owning a dog comes with certain public responsibilities and etiquette. In the past two months, two of my clients’ dogs have been accosted by loose dogs on the beach and at a park.
Both clients were walking dogs that are not fans of meeting other dogs. They were well within their rights to do so. The loose dogs and their owners are the at-fault parties for any resulting injuries or lasting mental damage. There is etiquette that is followed at dog shows regarding dog behavior, and I apply it to my day-to-day life with my dogs.
I completely understand why communities prohibit dogs from certain locations like the beach because of irresponsible dog owners. Believe it or not, there are people who do not like dogs at all and have zero tolerance for a loose dog running up on them or jumping on them.
I do not care how well you think your dog will come when they’re called or how friendly you think your dog is. Your dog does not have the right to run up to a person or a dog that is walking on a leash. It is beyond rude.
One of the main reasons most governments don’t want dogs on the beach is because of how often this happens. For some, a dog running up on them can be terrifying, and it is your responsibility as a dog owner to never let that happen.
City governments when making leash laws have to consider their liability for dog bites and keeping the public safe. If you do not have a fenced-in yard for your dog to run loose in, join a dog park or find a fenced-in area for that to happen. Running your dog off-leash in public parks or on the beach is wrong.
One of my main complaints about dogs running loose is that dogs who do not like other dogs deserve to be walked. Owners of reactive dogs are being responsible when walking their dogs on a leash and in many cases have worked very hard to be able to do so. A loose dog running up to them that is overstimulated and jumping or is approaching with their hair up can be disastrous.
It is very poor etiquette at dog events to let your dog just walk up close to another dog without asking. Letting your dog run loose is just not acceptable at all.
If your dog is loose and runs up to another dog that will not appreciate it, you are putting your dog at risk of being attacked. The bottom line is if your dog was leashed it would not have happened. It is your fault.
Finally, regarding dog etiquette out in the world, pick up your poop. I walk frequently at Lake Lenape, and nothing annoys me more than poop hiding among the leaves that either I or my dogs step in.
Remember not everyone welcomes your dog in public. If dog owners want to be more accepted in public places you have to give people zero reason to complain. Never leave home without a poop bag. It is a privilege for our dogs to be accepted in hotels, beach areas, and parks. It is certainly not a right. Don’t abuse the luxury by allowing your dogs to run loose and please pick up your dog poop!
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net.
Heidi Clayton started Four On the Floor Dog Training to provide positive, reward-based dog training in South Jersey. She breeds, trains and shows bull terriers under the SoraBully’s Bull Terriers kennel name. Email questions to heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net or learn more at https://fouronthefloordogtraining.net
