When you own a dog you unknowingly join a large tribe of people who are generally know to “The Others” as “Dog People.” We are all lumped together into one group. This happens automatically and there are no exemptions, nor are there yearly dues. (Unless you count the piles of money you spend on quality dog food, yummy treats, cozy beds, and squeaky toys that you purchase for your furry friend.)
As a “Dog Person” you are held equally responsible for the actions of any and all Dog Persons by The Others. This is why I always have extra poop bags with me, in my pockets, in my purse, in my car… because if I see dog excrement rudely left in a public place, I am inclined to pick it up to protect the reputation of my tribe. If Dog People and by association, dogs, are seen to be irresponsible, a public health hazard, or a nuisance then we all suffer. When dogs are Public Enemy Number One they are no longer welcome to frequent parks, cafes, beaches, etc.
So there is no excuse for just pretending not to notice that your dog pooped over there, even just this once. Someone will step in it, and that someone could have influence over public policy.
Poop may be a major pervasive issue between Dog People and The Others, but it is hardly the only one nor most dangerous one. It is dangerous and rude to let your dog approach people unsolicited. Not everyone likes dogs, or wants slobber on their pants, and some people are downright afraid of our beloved pets. I’ve known people to leap over fences and smash their face in to avoid an oncoming, friendly, smiling Labrador Retriever!
It’s also not cool to let your dog roam free in the neighborhood. (YES, people still let this happen, can you believe it?) There is a dog in my area who roams free. Even worse, he always leaves his own yard to defecate a few houses away where he won’t have to live in proximity to his own filth.
What about barking? It’s poor form to let your dog bark uncontrollably for hours at a time whether out of the excitement of play or when he is left unattended.
These are the reasons why there are so few dog-friendly rentals out there, folks.
It is not okay to ignore leash laws, where they already exist. If the snowy plover is nesting, please, for the love of Mother Nature do not let your dog wreak havoc in their avian nursery. Right now there may only be a portion of the beach that is off-limits, if the park rangers find that Dog People seem able to read no better than their dog, we will lose park and beach access altogether.
Another extraordinarily dangerous scenario that seems to be on the rise in California open spaces and parks is the harassment of horses on park trails by off-leash dogs who are out of control. I’ve heard reports of dogs outright attacking horses on the trail, causing mayhem and endangering their own lives. A horse kick can be fatal and most certainly will send a dog to the hospital, but more importantly, a dog frightening a horse greatly endangers the human rider. Most importantly, and please, for the love of dog listen up here folks, while it is obvious that a dog who is biting a horse is dangerous, it is just as bad if your dog barks and lunges at horses on the trail. Even just running up to a horse, circling it, or approaching from behind, can cause a horse to feel threatened. Domestication aside, your dog is a predator and horses are prey animals. A horse will resort to fight or flight when startled or upset and, as prey animals, it does not take much to give them a fright.
If your dog has not been exposed to horses or livestock, it’s hard to know how they will respond in their presence. Keep a well trained eye on your path in front of you as well as behind you on trails and beaches, and leash up your dog as soon as you see large animals. All animals on parkland deserve equal space and respect.
If you’d like to work on your dog’s trail manners or emergency stop and recall on command under exciting and distracting circumstances; of if you need consultation about barking issues; or if you simply want to talk dog-etiquette, I highly recommend you enlist the service of a trained professional to guide you through the process. It will be well worth it. You’ll have done your part to keep everyone safe and to help raise the status of Dog People in the eyes of The Others and that is what allows our dogs to enjoy cool cafes, public land and places to roam.
Kelly Gorman Dunbar is Director of the Center for Applied Animal Behavior, where she recruits and trains the instructors for the Dunbar family business, SIRIUS® Puppy & Dog Training. She is the creator of the SIRIUS Sniffers scent-detection program. Kelly is also Founder and President of Open Paw and consults on various matters.
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