Author Topic: Dog Owner's Code  (Read 3306 times)

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Offline Midas

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Re: Dog Owner's Code
« Reply #15 on: September 20, 2010, 10:53:28 AM »
Thank you for all your replies, its really good to get other owner's opinions on it.

I definitely feel very strongly about learning about dog body language and communication as much as possible, I suppose its like having a person live with you for live with you for 12- 15 years and never learning a word of their language the whole time! Especially when dogs adapt so well and become such masters of our body language  :P

Offline Karma

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Re: Dog Owner's Code
« Reply #16 on: September 20, 2010, 01:22:40 PM »

Having had a similar discussion with a bunch of people who are not fans of dogs, I think the key to responsible dog ownership is respect.

Respect your dog - treat it fairly, consistently and appropriately.  Provide suitable outlets for exercise of body and mind, and ensure your dog is healthy and well fed.  Ensure you have trained your dog to a sufficient level to allow it off-lead exercise as appropriate to the breed.  Ensure you know enough about the breed to recognise any breed specific needs/issues and deal with them appropriately.  Learn how a dog communicates and how to motivate it to respond to you.  Don't leave your dog tied up outside shops/schools etc.  Don't leave your dog alone for excessive periods of time.
Respect other dogs - don't allow your dog to approach on-lead dogs unless invited to do so by owner.  Don't allow play to get out of hand into bullying, don't allow aggressive dogs to attack other dogs.  Don't take your in-season bitch out to popular walking spots in the middle of the day. 
(While I understand Ninasmum's view that all aggressive dogs should be muzzled/on-lead, it's a difficult one, as it depends on the dog and the degree of aggression... not all owners know the difference between a grumpy dog, a reactive dog and an aggressive dog... I know some owners of dogs who've been on the receiving end of Honey on a bad day have said we should have had her on-lead and muzzled, yet you know that generally speaking she isn't actually aggressive - and to have reacted initially by keeping her on-lead and muzzled would not have solved her problems... but I guess that comes down to understanding more about dog communication and body language and realising that not all dog disagreements are because a dog is aggressive...  very difficult!!!)
Respect other animals - don't allow your dog to worry livestock or other animals.  Ensure your dog is either under close control or on-lead.
Respect other people - be aware that not everyone likes dogs.  Don't allow you dog to jump up at strangers, run towards people (especially children), lick babies in buggies etc.  Don't allow your dog to raid picnics, or to chase cyclists/joggers etc.  Always pick up poo (or flick it into undergrowth where this is more appropriate) and dispose of it properly.  Keep your dog on a short lead on all roads, even if your dog walks to heel perfectly - drivers don't know your dog!! 
Respect yourself - get a dog that is appropriate to your circumstances, and ensure it is well bred and health tested (if a puppy) or comes from a reputable rescue.  Learn about your dog and enjoy its company.  That way you are more likely to succeed at raising a well-adjusted, well-trained dog!  :D

I'm sure I've missed out some specifics, but that it the gist of my dog owners code.
It would, however, come alongside a general dog code, where the public are also asked to respect dogs, and to teach their children to respect dogs, so that children know not to run around screaming when they see a dog, and that people know not to approach dogs unless the owner says it is ok. (And especially not to say "Oh, it's ok, I don't mind him jumping up" or "Here, have a biscuit"   :005: )
Remembering Honey. Aug 2007-July 2020

Offline Ali R

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Re: Dog Owner's Code
« Reply #17 on: September 22, 2010, 12:46:35 AM »
My pet hate over here in NZ is that people just do not fence their property properly. I know for a fact that if I fancy taking a walk down my road, big grass verges and not a lot of traffic, the pit bull who lives at the end of my drive will hurtle it's way under it's garden fence, the pig dogs who are around the corner have no fence at all and the rotties, who terroize everyone, just barge their way through their hedge. These dogs are on their own for most of the day having been left in the garden whilst owners go to work. So supervision of animals and proper security would be important to me, being aware and respecting how other people may feel.

Offline black taz

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Re: Dog Owner's Code
« Reply #18 on: September 22, 2010, 12:48:57 PM »
Feed appropriately - ie: avoid over feeding/obesity

Offline Pudding

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Re: Dog Owner's Code
« Reply #19 on: September 22, 2010, 12:57:49 PM »
I think that one of my pet hates is when I see another dog out on a walk. I'll recall mine, have them in sit and have the reactive ones on a lead and the other owner lets their dog(s) run into mine.
I don't mind quite so much if they're attempting to recall their dogs and its not happening, its the ones who shout over, "oh he just wants to play" and make no effort to recall them that drive me nuts!  >:D

I am with you all the way on this..... it drives me nutts as well..... and gets me into all kinds of bother when i tell them