Pet Etiquettes

Etiquettes to be followed while taming your pets:

Walking your Dog

Clean up after they mess, dog etiquette requires that you always carry plastic bags with you for this purpose.
Use common sense. We have seen a small kid walking a large dog on a leash (a strap for holding a dog). That dog is not under control.
We have also seen a slightly built woman with two large dogs on leashes. Off a lead they soon get beyond your verbal control. Large dogs can pose a threat to others however well behaved you may believe your pet to be.
Small ones can provoke a dog-fight to their own detriment (loss).
There are strong laws against dog attacks to the point of having the offending animal destroyed.

Dog etiquettes also extends to how you treat your dog when exercising it!

Seriously consider your dog's ability to walk or run.
You may need some professional advice from your vet to determine whether it is too old and arthritic (painful) for long walks.
Always observe how your dog is coping with the walk or run. Use common sense.
Is it struggling to keep up?
Is it limping?
Is it too hot to be out walking or running?
Is the road or footpath too hot or rough for its paws?
Watch out for broken glass, sharp stones or objects that may injure its paws and skirt (avoid) around them.
Always take a bottle of water and a container for the dog to drink from.
If you intend to jog, rollerblade or cycle with your dog, do not force the pace. Do not exceed the dog's capacity to keep up.
Stop for it to rest and have a drink, frequently, if necessary.

Mealtimes (yours)

A dog begging at the dinner table is bad dog etiquette. It reflects badly on the owner and can be an embarrassment or an annoyance to your guests. We love our dogs and sometimes find their pleading expression sooooo cute or irresistible, but this view is not necessarily shared by your visitors even if they smile indulgently (leniently). Do not be fooled. If you have created a food beggar, your dog will consistently be a beggar. It will not suddenly improve its manners because guests are present. It will require patience and persistence on your part to turn this habit around but when you do, your pet will be happier for it and less stressed at your mealtimes. Teach it to stay on its own mat in sight of, but away from your dining table so that it is not underfoot. Your guests will be impressed, but, do not let them undo your good dog etiquette training by offering tit-bits to your animal from their plates or elsewhere.

Training your Dog

Teach basic manners to your dog - sit, stay, heel, down, bed & quiet. This will make it a pleasure to be with and easier to practice good dog etiquette. Remember, don't shout at or hit your dog. Ever. Shouting and hitting only intimidates (frighten) your dog and shows up your own shortcomings - that you do not have patience and are using the wrong method to train your dog. Dogs want desperately to please their owners. Dogs have good memories - even the 'scatty' (dreamy) ones. They watch your every move, closely. Dogs are easily distracted. Dogs respond well to rewards. Dogs have feelings and will always forgive your faults. They are 'pack animals' and want to stay close to you.

What Size of Dog should you have?

This depends on how big your home is and how big your yard is. Is it well fenced?

Are there other animals to consider? Is it being kept for your protection or simply to raise the alarm of an intruder? Use common sense to determine size. It must never be kept as a status symbol. Macho men like to keep big, aggressive dogs to show their manliness. This actually conveys the opposite impression. Helpless people need big dogs for security, but may lack the strength to control them. Self-assured men can show their self-confidence by owning a dog of a size more suited to its living environment. Bigger dogs generally need more room to romp (dance around) and exercise in. Learn about their exercise requirements before you get a particular breed.

Dogs Need (Crave) Company

Dogs are pack animals and crave company. It's in their instinct. It is cruel to keep a dog in isolation. It causes all sorts of anti-social problems from anxiety (worry) to aggressiveness (violence). This makes dog etiquette difficult to achieve. A dog is not an object to be acquired and discarded on a whim. It is a valuable loving member of your family to be cared for its entire life through sickness and in health. If you are unwilling or unable to commit your time, affection and money to them (yes, they can be costly), then a dog is not for you. Buy yourself an ornament instead!

Adults are Ultimately Responsible for the Dog

Teach your kids to be responsible for their dog by all means, BUT, the ultimate responsibility for the animal must devolve (transfer) on a responsible adult. It is just not good enough to delegate (hand over) the job of feeding, cleaning and walking the dog to a child. An adult has to ensure that all matters pertaining (relating) to the welfare of the dog and to the public at large are adequately supervised and properly carried out at all times and not just spasmodically (occasionally).

Etiquettes for the Traveling Dog

Everywhere

Always call ahead to make sure an establishment or place allows dogs.
Travel with a well-behaved dog that is friendly to people and especially children.
If your dog is not comfortable around other people, you might consider taking your dog to obedience classes or hiring a professional trainer.
Please keep your dog leashed. People that are afraid of dogs or even people with leashed dogs will greatly appreciate it. Plus most hotel owners, restaurant owners, store owners, and festival coordinators require your dog to be on leash.
Always clean up after your dog. Pet stores sell pooper scooper bags. You can also buy sandwich bags from your local grocery store. They work quite well and are cheap!

Festivals, Outdoor Events

Make sure your dog has relieved himself or herself before entering a festival or event area. The number one reason that most festival coordinators do not allow dogs is because some dogs go to the bathroom areas where people might sit or on a vendor's booth.

Hotel Lobby

Unless it is obvious, ask the hotel clerk if dogs are allowed in the hotel lobby.

Hotel Rooms

Never leave your dog alone in the hotel room. The number one reason hotel management does not allow dogs is because some people leave them in the room alone.
Some dogs, no matter how well-trained, can cause damage, bark continuously or scare the housekeepers.
Unless the hotel management allows it, please make sure your dog is never left alone in the room.
We have even found a case where two dogs were stolen from a hotel room.
While you are in the room with your dog, place the Do Not Disturb sign on the door or keep the dead bolt locked. Many housekeepers have been surprised or scared by dogs when entering a room.
When your dog needs to go to the bathroom, take him or her away from the hotel rooms and the bushes located right next to the rooms.
Try to find some dirt or bushes near the parking lot. Some hotels have a designated pet walk area.

Restaurants

Most of the restaurants allow 1-2 dogs per table. If you have more dogs than this, you might want to ask the management if it is okay.

Stores

Keep a close eye on your dog and make sure they do not go to the bathroom in the store.
Store owners that allow dogs inside assume that responsible dog owners will be entering their store.
Before entering a dog-friendly store, visit your local pet store first. They are by far the most forgiving. If your dog does not go to the bathroom there, then you are off to a great start! If your dog does make a mistake in any store, offer to clean it up.