Mind Your Manners
Preparing a dog welcomed in public spaces.
Pointing Dog Journal I Spring 2025
By Jack Hutson
There’s a saying, “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” Meaning, though an action may be legal or tolerated, there are times when its application may cause annoyance or harm. Dog owners sometimes go to ridiculous lengths to show-case their dogs in public settings. Though the venue may allow pets, poorly managed dogs (or bystanders) can meet with very undesirable consequences.
Allow me to provide a few examples.
A while back, I was in a regional department store looking for a puppy product. This chain of stores, like so many, allows pet owners and their dogs (controlled) access. There happened to be a lady with a leashed dog in the aisle I, unfortunately, had to be in. Apparently unable to divide her attention between store shelves and her dog, the little mongrel was free to sniff circles around me.
While being frisked like a suspect, within a very few minutes, the dog had completely wrapped the excessively long leash multiple times around my legs. Rather than make a scene, I politely gave a tug on the lady’s end of the leash to gain her attention. Shaken from her distraction of sniffing every pet shampoo on the shelf, she released me with several apologies.
So, just because the store chain welcomes customers with leashed dogs doesn’t guarantee that all dog owners understand the purpose or the practice. The purpose was for everyone’s safety and, in this case, keeping the pet in direct control. The practice would have required greater attention to the dog along with an adequately shorter leash. Had I not been more aware than the dog’s (easily) distracted owner, I could have hit the floor as I turned to leave.
More recently, in the same store, a dog training client of mine was toting a large bag of dog food over his shoulder when an unleashed dog bolted for him. The small dog had jumped from the basket of a (store provided) electro-cart a lady was using and, teeth-bared, made for the ankles of the heavily laden lad. Surprised, and somewhat defenseless, the guy reacted instinctually and booted the small terror across the aisle! He had enough sense about him to limit his defense to merely deflecting the assault; nothing hurt but the dog’s dignity. And, as is usually the case, the true offender - the dog’s owner – became emotionally indignant. The gentleman continued on his way to the check-stand without engaging.
Thankfully, my client was sensible; knowing that he was going to be busy with his shopping, he had left his Brittany pup inside his vehicle. He knew better than to take his young dog into these unpredictable situations. In recent years, many have witnessed several incidences of dogs barking, fighting, and defecating in this and similar establishments. Apparently, those that have a fear of dogs, or out-right allergic, have no advocates?! Simply put, being on a leash (or in a shopping cart) doesn’t mean the dog is safely secured.
Some folks seem to, “Let dogs be dogs,” but, in my mind, that’s a cop-out. It has been recently popular to refer to one’s self as a “pet parent” so why not act like one? To reach their full potential, dogs, (and children, for that matter), require nurturing people that take an interest in their successful, long-term, development. The use of discipline is not necessarily a negative practice; it is a term often used in various professions including arts and athletics and is a major attribute of those who successfully complete life goals. Correctly applied stages that lead to accomplishment. True accomplishment that, hopefully, reaches full potential.
Dogs are quite hedonistic – a fancy term for serving their own self-interests. Left to make their own decisions, that is basically what dogs will do, treat you, and everyone else, like a dog. It often seems reasonable to a dog to mark (urinate) on furniture, violate a person’s leg, stick noses where they shouldn’t, chew-up inappropriate items, jump up to investigate food on counters and tables – or on people. These can be signs of owner irresponsibility and neglect.
We find similar misbehavior in outdoor public spaces – dog parks and the like. There is a nearby spit of land managed by a group of government agencies where many people go to recreate with dogs. There, like many folks, I could train and run my dogs through the sage and grass countryside. At the end of a particular session, I had leashed my dog and was nearing the parking area when a pair of loose dogs charged straight at my shy female setter. The more aggressive lead dog, a young German Shepherd, reached us first but I could tell that it was putting on a growling bluff. Frightened, my leashed dog spun around to escape the charging shepherd! Emboldened by my dog’s reaction, the aggressor continued within range of my boot and received a swift kick under the chin!
As was my intent, the shepherd lost its courage and turned to run away. Its mate, an older Dalmatian, chose to annoyingly bark its threat from a safe distance. Passing the signage that stated all dogs must be on a leash, the two owners had rounded a bend in the trail in time to witness my defense. (Well, “defense” being my point-of-view, not theirs, apparently.) One woman loudly protested while the other coddled the menace and tried to call off the barking Dalmatian. Things got sorted out and we parted, though not likely as friends.
That’s a case where the owners of the loose dogs felt their dogs were friendly and, therefore, the rules didn’t apply to them. Consider, for a moment, what if I leashed my dog because it was terribly aggressive – toward dogs or people? What if my dog had an illness or parasite that had yet to be detected? Afterall, as we have seen, not everyone can or will take adequate care of their dog. And, what of the wildlife in the area? There were deer, cottontails, and coyotes that loose running, and poorly managed, dogs could chase. Wildlife could be senselessly killed or injured and the dog potentially lost and/or injured during the event. All things rightly considered; it was in our mutual interest to keep our dogs in control.
I understand the desire to allow dogs a chance to run free but dogs (again, like children) welcome a sense of established control with boundaries. If they are not motivated by you, the owner, they will generally take matters into their own paws. They display their version of control in various ways including the aforementioned infractions. Some, such as jumping on people, can cause great harm.
“Where’s the harm in a dog affectionately jumping up to greet people?” you may ask. I have mentioned allergic reactions, along with that we can add scratches or cuts; even fractures to arms, skull, or hips of children, the aged or those with an unsteady foundation. According to one study by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), over 86,000 pet-related accidents occur annually*. Over 80% of those injuries were caused by dogs. These aren’t attacks, these are instances where people tripped over, got pulled down, or jumped on by a dog.
It doesn’t take a large-sized dog to cause substantial injuries. I have a client who’s sweet little GSP pup was out for a nice walk around the neighborhood with the guy’s spouse. At around eight months, the young dog was steady enough on the leash and heeled nicely along. All was going to plan until the pup noticed another lady gardening across the street. She’s a very friendly pup and bolted across the front of her owner to greet the stranger; catching the walking owner in mid-stride and unaware. The tumble was immediate and, with leash in one hand, only one arm was available to break the fall. The walker suffered a couple broken fingers along with contusions and massive bruising to her face, knees, and arms.
This case of friendly-fire might have been avoided – or damage lessened – by having a sense for the dog. When a dog isn’t reliably trained or just learning self-control, it is best that a new dog owner treats every outing as a training session. There will be distractions of various forms; especially in areas new to the young dog. The handler should always be prepared to manage and counter any misstep the dog may demonstrate. Knowing your dog and being aware of its surroundings will eventually make dog-related outings more predictable and, therefore, more enjoyable for everyone.
It’s far easier to allow a well-trained dog an occasional favor than it is to de-program (established) bad behavior. A well-mannered dog is always a welcomed visitor. Taking the time to appropriately train a pup reflects true kindness and concern. So, show your dog some love and show it how to mind its manners.
*CDC: Nonfatal Fall-Related Injuries Associated with Dogs and Cats --- United States, 2001--2006
