BY FRAN JEWELL
I was shocked to hear from a client that was training his dog on a long line that other dog owners were bullying him to let his puppy off the leash. He responded that, “My dog is a puppy and won’t come when she is called!” The other dog owners continued to berate and bully my client, saying that the dog should be allowed off-leash.
While this doesn’t happen very frequently, I am appalled that anyone would demean someone else for taking the time to know their dog and do appropriate training. This is not the first time I have heard this.
Having a “dog-friendly” community does not mean we, as dog owners, can be irresponsible with our dogs. This was a case of someone being responsible who was being ridiculed for doing the right thing. Having areas to allow our dogs off-leash does not mean your dog must be off-leash. Being dog friendly means we, as dog owners, are kind and supportive of other dog owners and non-dog owners.
If someone that is not a dog person does not want your dog near them, being respectful and kind is one way to be a “dog-friendly community.” Belittling someone that is afraid of dogs, or being angry or insulting to someone that doesn’t like your dog, is not a responsible, kind or friendly way to respond. Someone who is afraid of dogs does not have to like your dog, even if your dog is friendly. Call your dog!
If someone has an aggressive dog on-leash and they ask you to keep your dog away, just be respectful and keep your dog away. It doesn’t matter if your dog is friendly when the other dog is not. Everyone has a right to be taking his or her dog for a walk, responsibly. No one should be demeaned for doing what is right for the dog, and within the law.
A dog-friendly community means being kind and friendly to people and dogs, but it also means being responsible with your dogs so they don’t bother, hurt or bully other dogs or people. If you don’t like that someone is using a leash, or using another piece of equipment you don’t approve of, it’s really not your place to share that opinion about it unless you have years of experience as a professional and truly understand that piece of equipment and the situation. Even then, an opinion about training should be asked for, not volunteered. There may be extenuating circumstances you are not aware of.
It seems more and more opinions about dogs and dog training are becoming almost ruthless. I hear of increasing confrontations between people and their dogs on the trails, in the dog park, or even on the streets in town. Personally, I don’t see that as a description of being “dog friendly.” Dogs and our love of dogs should be a place of commonality, not differences. We meet at a place where we love our dogs. We should share that love, not ridiculing folks that are doing things a little differently, or are being responsible in a different manner. Kindness is always the best!
Fran Jewell is an Idaho Press Club award-winning columnist, IAABC-certified dog behavior consultant, NADOI-certified instructor #1096 and the owner of Positive Puppy Dog Training, LLC, in Sun Valley. For more information, visit www.positivepuppy.com or call (208) 578-1565.
