10 Rules of Pet Etiquette
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There was a time when house pets were banished to barns or the backyard, but with celebs toting their tiny (and not-so-tiny!) dogs to dinner and down the red carpet, it’s safe to say the rules of pet ownership have changed. Still, it’s possible to do right by your pets without insulting your human friends. Modern animal lovers trying to maneuver through the potential social minefield that is “petiquette” should start with these 10 commandments—culled from animal experts—to avoid a pet faux pas.
1. Mind Your Pup’s Manners or He Never Will
Rushing your new dog off to obedience classes may feel like a bit
much; you just got him, after all. That said, the sooner
he learns some basic commands (“Come!” “Sit!” “Stay!”), the
happier—and safer—you’ll both be, says Nancy Furstinger, author of
Why I’d Rather Date My Dog. Another
advantage of obedience classes is that they allow your pooch to
practice being social with
dogs of different sizes and dispositions—and their human
companions. After graduation, keep tabs on any behavioral problems
and correct them before they become bad habits.
2. Take Extra Care When You Travel
The rules are the same whether your pet will be resting his paws in
a hotel or at a friend’s home: Treat pet
travel like a privilege, not a right, says Arden Moore, who
penned both Happy Cat, Happy You and Happy Dog, Happy
You. Arrive with a clean, well-groomed animal and pack enough
supplies to keep him that way. Baby wipes are helpful after an
especially muddy walk; a spare towel is handy for an end-of-day
wipe-down. Have paperwork, tags and licenses on hand, especially if
you’ll be travelling by air or spending time at a campground. Even
if your pup sleeps in your bed at home, pack a roll-up dog futon
for vacations, suggests Furstinger, and encourage him to stretch
out there.
3. Keep Tabs on His Messes
“Always scoop poop!” says Furstinger. “There’s no excuse to leave
the stinky stuff sitting where it doesn’t belong.” Walk your dog
close to curbs and encourage him to relieve himself there;
eventually, doing so should become second nature. If he gets sniffy
around someone’s personal property—a bike chained to a signpost or
a child’s abandoned toys on the sidewalk—pull him gently but firmly
away. When he experiences
tummy troubles (and poop that’s too soft to pick up), carry a
water bottle so you can rinse away the mess.
4. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise
Dogs that are taken for regular walks, runs or hikes won’t need to
release pent-up energy by chewing, digging or barking. “A bored pet
can be bad to the
bone,” says Furstinger. Strive for regular walk times so your
dog can familiarize himself with a schedule. Once you’ve
established a routine, your pup should calm down after each walk
and might even settle in for a snooze.
5. Don’t Make a Stink in the Dog Park
Of course you’re playing by the rules, but don’t turn into
a hall monitor when someone forgets (or ignores) them. If you see
an owner ignoring his dog’s mess, be diplomatic, warns Moore.
Here’s how she suggests confronting an ill-mannered owner:
“Approach the person with a
smile and say, ‘Is that your dog? Wow, what a beauty! What’s
her name? Stella? Sweet. Hey, you probably didn’t notice, but
Stella just made a doo-doo over there.’ Then reach into your
pocket, hand over a spare plastic bag, and say, ‘Here, I have an
extra.’ End with a guilt-inducing finish: ‘We are truly lucky to
have such a well-maintained doggy park. Don’t you agree?’”
6. Take Charge When You Encounter a Careless
Owner
We’ve all come across the fellow dog owner who insists, “My
dog loves every dog!” Don’t bother trying to convince the owner
that your pup is timid or tired (or just doesn’t like bull
mastiffs). Instead, pull your dog onto the grass and have him sit
with his back to the oncoming mutt. If the over-friendly owner
doesn’t take the hint, Moore suggests saying hello, then explaining
you’re practicing commands and encouraging Spot to stay focused
amid distractions. The owner should take the hint and keep
walking, she says.
7. Don’t Dump Your Pet on Unsuspecting
Friends
Sure, your neighbor (or cousin or
college roommate) tolerates your cat when she stops by to visit
you. Still, that doesn’t mean she wants your furball setting up
camp on her couch for a week while you’re in the Poconos. Unless
you can return the favor—and feeding her goldfish over a long
weekend doesn’t count—you should pony up for a professional pet
sitter. Find one through your vet or the National Association
of Professional Pet Sitters, suggests Charlotte Reed
(http://www.missfidomanners.com/index.html), author of The Miss Fido Manners Complete Book of Dog
Etiquette. Confirm your pro is insured and bonded and has
three references before you turn over your house keys, says
Reed.
8. Know Your Audience
Constant canine companionship is part of your life—but not everyone
can relate. Before you sign on for Take Your Dog to Work Day,
consider whether he follows basic commands or is prone to wandering
off. On a similar note, don’t assume your mutt is welcome at every
social gathering. A family with a new baby or an ailing
parent might be extra-sensitive about germs, so ask beforehand
if Fido’s allowed to come. Once you’ve got the OK, you should
always be prepared to replace or repair any items your pet damages
or destroys, says Reed. And tuck a bottle of pet-stain remover in
your purse, just in case.
9. Accept That Your Little Angel Becomes the Devil as
Soon as You Leave Home
Scout can’t possibly whimper at the door all day, even if
he’s
whining loudly while you turn the lock, right? Wrong. You have
the luxury of walking away from a dog that barks from 9 to 5—while
your neighbors who work from home slowly go insane. If you get a
noise complaint, address it calmly and don’t blame the beagle down
the hall or another tenant’s loud television. Promise your neighbor
that you’ll investigate solutions (such as bark-activated spray
collar or a midday dog walker) that will keep your noisy pup in
check.
10. Teach Your Kids to Be Cautious Around Other People’s
Pets
Your cat doesn’t mind if your
toddler bashes her tail. And your dog’s fine doing double-duty
as a ride-on pony. It’s great that your kids can roughhouse with
your pets or run at them screaming, but not every pet is used to
kids or loud noises. Your children (and your pets) will be better
off if you establish rules for encountering strangers early on.
When you approach another family on the sidewalk, pull your dog to
your side and encourage your children to walk single file. Remind
them to keep their hands to themselves until they ask an animal’s
owner if they can pet it or introduce their own pooch.
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