To be a good neighbor, follow these golden rules of dog walking.
- Teach your dog basic commands, such as sit, stay, heel, leave it, and come. Most people don’t take kindly to a jumping dog.
- To keep your canine under control, always keep your dog on a 4 to 6 foot leash when walking through the neighborhood.
- Don’t allow your pet to potty on other people’s lawns or flower beds. Allow your pet to relieve himself before your walk.
- Keep plastic bags with you to pick up after your pooch in case of accidents.
- Ask permission before allowing your dog to greet another person or dog. Not all people are dog lovers, and not all other dogs are well-socialized.
- Warn people beforehand who are visiting your home that you have a dog. Some people are allergic to dogs, so bathe your pet and vacuum throroughly before guests come over.
With these good manners, you and your dog are ready to hit the dog park!
Reprinted from EAST COBBER’s March 2016 issue
