PEAK PETS • JACKSON HOLE NEWS&GUIDE, Wednesday, June 24, 2020 - 13
Behavior and training
An idea whose time has come: Dogs in Need of Space N
o doubt you’ve noticed, the pandemic has brought dog owners out in full force. Even my parents have commented that there are lots of canines they’ve never seen before out on walks in their neighborhood. Indeed, many dogs are just delighted to find their humans home and up for more outdoor outings than in the past — and that could be one of the silver linings of this chaotic situation. Many of our resident furry friends have seen an improvement in the quality of their life, and many families took this homebound opportunity to foster or adopt a pup who was in a shelter. Of course, that increased traffic means busier streets, sidewalks, parks, pathways and trails, which can also mean more conflict. And it’s probably safe to say that the main source of friction, at least here in the Jackson area, is off-leash dogs running up to people and other dogs, many of whom are on leash. Until you’ve had a dog who needs some space it’s hard to imagine what that feels like, how stressful, upsetting, and frustrating it is for both the on-leash dog and the person holding on to that leash. But just because you don’t have one doesn’t mean dogs like this don’t exist, and it doesn’t mean there’s anything “wrong” with these dogs. The acronym DINOS (Dogs In Need Of Space) was created by professional dog walker Jessica Dolce in 2012 after one too many experiences of having off
leash dogs being allowed to approach well as tension on the leash. Plus, many dogs know they are unthe dogs she worked with, which put her able to move away from something that in a very tricky position. She also coined another acronym for bothers them when they are leashed, the offenders: MDIFs, since they so meaning their only option is to up their commonly try to excuse their dog’s inap- defenses. As as a general rule it’s wise to propriate behavior with a happily shout- just not allow an off-leash dog to greet ed “Don’t worry, my dog is friendly!” But an on-leash dog, anytime. It’s a shame that many folks with of course, for the owner of DINOS it’s DINOS find walking in our town or not OK at all. Who are Dogs In Need Of Space? Of- on the local pathways and trails totally ten they are injured or sick, perhaps re- stressful, always trying to dodge or ward off out-of-control off-leash covering from surgery. They dogs that come bounding can be elderly, arthritic, frail, up to them, the owners not perhaps blind or deaf. They in sight or, more commonmay be in pain; they may be ly, shouting at their dog to a female in heat. They may “Come!” over and over, even be in training for basic manthough it’s clear to everyone ners, or service work. a mile around that their dog They may just not be into is not trained to come when that sort of thing. The fact called amid the temptation is, dogs do not all love and of another dog. welcome dogs — or people Krissi Goetz I’ve even experienced this — rushing up into their in places that are designated space or touching them. They may actually be fearful of other leash zones, with owners who behave dogs or people. They may be a puppy like I’m the one in the wrong with an whose owner is trying to build confi- on-leash dog. It’s due to situations like those that dence. They may be newly adopted and already overwhelmed enough with all the Yellow Dog Project was born, with the goal of educating the public and dog the changes in their life. They may be perfectly friendly but owners how to identify dogs needing just not comfortable with greeting an- space and promoting appropriate conother dog while on a leash, since dogs tact with those dogs. They encourage meeting on leash is a recipe for miscom- the use of yellow ribbons tied on a dog’s munication. That is due to a dog’s inabil- leash — although yellow bandanas are ity to greet normally, compromised body also used — to identify DINOS as “yellanguage that can be misunderstood, as low dogs” to everyone who encounters
Good Dog
them so they can be given more space. Perhaps the Yellow Dog Project is a good place for Jackson to start. I’ve heard Park City, Utah, has already launched the concept of “yellow dogs” into its trail system education, with information and yellow bandanas available at trailheads. While I love the idea behind the Yellow Dog Project, I’d love it even more if this wasn’t necessary. Really, it shouldn’t be up to a dog’s owner to convey normal dog needs to others. It should be common sense and standard etiquette to not allow your off-leash dog/your on-leash dog to rush up/drag you to another dog and for people to not try to interact with a dog unless given permission by both the owner and the dog. Instead, perhaps a good rule of thumb to start incorporating into the cultural mindset — especially here in Jackson — is to assume people and their dogs don’t want to say hello unless you are specifically invited to do so. And now may be the perfect time; America has undergone a big change with social norms relating to people and in just a couple of months has morphed into a society where keeping space between people is generally accepted. So perhaps we’re ready to see this much-needed cultural change regarding dog etiquette as an idea whose time has come. Krissi Goetz is a trainer with JH Positive Training. Contact her via columnists@jhnewsandguide.com.
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