When Spring comes I begin to relish again walking my dog and being out in the warming, fresh air. Our dog, Pickles is always excited for a walk, no matter the weather. Always. Sometimes he even carries his leash to the door himself in his excitement. In a place so densely dog populated, pet owners need to know some common walking etiquette for us all to get along and be able to enjoyably walk our dogs every day. These are the basic commands for good doggie human behaviors.
Pick up after your dog. Most places have laws about this, plus it’s just rude to leave a steaming pile where someone might step.
Don’t allow your dog to trample through someone else’s garden or pee on their lawn. While it’s obviously harmful to the plants, the plants may also be harmful to your dog.
Do restrict meet and greets. Though we like our dogs to make new friends, not every pet owner welcomes a distraction on their walks. Don’t allow your dog to go up to someone else’s dog unless you have permission from the other owner.
Don’t let your dog go up to every person he sees unless it is welcomed. Even though your dog is the cutest dog out there, some people may not be in the mood to stop and love your pet, and others are afraid of dogs.
Don’t go up to other people’s dogs without asking first. He may look like a sweetie, but dog behavior is unpredictable.
Always leash your dog unless you’re at a designated off-leash area. While your dog might be a social butterfly and perfectly well behaved, you can’t assume that of every other dog you pass. Seeing a dog off-leash may also make other people (or dogs) nervous or anxious, so do them a favor and keep your pet leashed.
Share the sidewalk. It makes it difficult and is annoying to other pedestrians to have to maneuver around your dog when he is taking up the entire walkway.
Be aware of others and respect another pedestrians’ space.
Enjoy, you are with your best friend and the weather is finally looking like Spring!