Home Mortgage Alliance Corporation (HMAC)

Helping your dog be a good neighbor depends on you

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Published Date 7/9/2020

There are rules we have come to appreciate regarding human etiquette. But what about the canine variety? As dog owners, what is expected of us as good neighbors?

ThisDogBarks’ Aurora James says, “For dog owners, there are a set of rules to follow to ensure that the relationships between you, your dog, and your neighbors remain cordial. The first, of course, is to clean up after your dog. Indeed. Since the world is their personal toilet, we are the ones who must push the “flush” lever by magically producing a colorful little poop-bag so that what our furry friends leave behind is never regarded as a nuisance. “Curbing your dog is the act of keeping an eye on the bathroom habits of your dog while in public,” says James. “Keep him from relieving himself on buildings or on the properties of others.”

Proper dog walking etiquette means keeping your dog leashed at all times when you are out and about. James advises that this is not only for the safety of your own precious animal, but also to help put the people around you at ease. You may have noticed that not everyone is automatically comfortable around dogs, big or small. So it’s your responsibility to let others around you know that you are in control of your animal by practicing proper dog walking etiquette and keeping your dog close to your side and leashed at all times no matter how well-behaved and trained you believe your dog to be.

Respecting the space of others is also important. “Don’t let your dog come up and sniff or jump up to say hello to any other person, or any other dog, you encounter along the way,” says James. “You should still apply dog etiquette rules even when your dog is off his leash on your own property. You probably have set many ground rules to keep your dog out of your own garden. But you should also make sure that your dog respects the property of your neighbors.”

In some ways, it seems almost cruel not to have fencing if you own a dog. True, there are neighborhoods (mostly in the Midwest and East) where fencing is considered “unfriendly,” but even then, there should be some way to let your dog either run free or be tethered to a long tie-out. According to HomeAdvisor, the cost of installing a fence around your property ranges from $1,643 to $3,857.

Let’s face it. Some dogs will bark at flies. Dogs are sentinels, thinking they are protecting their turf (and you) by barking. And while they typically bark with good intentions, loud and constant noise will eventually wear down your nerves and those of everyone else on the block. ”There are a few steps you can take to help curb your dog’s barking in order to reduce the amount of times he breaks this precious dog etiquette rule,” says James. “This includes keeping the blinds down, playing relaxing music to drown out outside noises, or training your dog to bark less.

Keeping your pet clean and groomed is actually another form of good doggie etiquette. It protects other neighborhood pets by preventing the spread of ticks and fleas. You’ll want your dog to be up to date on all his shots so that your dog and others remain healthy when they come into contact with each other.

James concludes by saying, “Practicing proper dog etiquette is how we respect our neighbors. Not all your neighbors may be dog people, but showing them respect is how you earn respect back. By following these basic dog etiquette rules, you and your dog will be the talk of the block.”

Source: thisdogbarks | TBWS

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