Entries in the Category "complaining"
Notes to Dog Owners
On behalf of Skylar.
To dog owners everywhere, but especially in my neighborhood:
- Yes, you have to pick up your dog’s poop. Don’t think that because I have a dog that I am secretly with you on this whole “leaving it there” thing. I walk these sidewalks and yards every single day. I don’t want to step in that pile any more than the nice person who lives in that house does. Don’t want to pay for poop bags? Use grocery bags. Don’t buy groceries? Who are you?
- Retractable leashes are stupid. They allow you basically no control over your dog. I’m talking especially to you, teenage girl from the other day whose collie raced into the road while you waited patiently on the curb. That’s because the dog pulled a bunch of extra leash out of that contraption in your hand. And what could you do when that happened? That’s right. Nothing.
- My dog will not give your dog smallpox. It’s OK for you to walk it over to mine and let the dogs say hello, rather than giving me that wide berth on the sidewalk. My dog will not fight yours; she is sweet and just wants to say hello. If you expect that your dog might try to fight mine, it should be trained to not do that. P.S., that is your responsibility.
- On a related note, “socialization,” i.e., regular exposure to other dogs, is healthy, normal, and widely recommended for your little princess there. Look into it.
- Training your dog in the basics is not that hard, and you should do it for the benefit of you, your dog, and anyone who comes in contact with you. Associate bad behaviors with bad results (saying “NO!” or “bad” in a harsh tone) and good behaviors with good results (petting, saying “good girl”). Also, learn the difference between a dog doing something bad, and a dog who is simply distracted. Nine times out of ten Skylar only does something bad because she is bored or being ignored. Saying “no!” and then demanding that she sit in front of me and shake hands pulls her right back out of it.
- “Controlling” your dog is not a bad thing. Neither is “leading” nor “bossing.” Dogs are pack animals and want to follow someone’s lead. If your dog is acting out, it might be because the dog senses that you are ineffectual. Dogs do not want to act independently, to be left alone, or to follow their bliss. The dog does not need to be prepared to someday leave the nest and fend for itself. You can and should tell it what to do.
- Having said that, dogs are neither our punching bags nor our home furnishings. They are living creatures and deserve respect, kindness, and attention.
Skylar thanks you for reading.
