Pet Perch: Your Dog, Your Choice

By Terie Hansen

There seems to be a trend with dog owners being publicly harassed and/or shamed for not allowing the public (or even friends, family, and neighbors) to pet their dog. I have not experienced this, and it is simply that I am acutely aware at any given time of where and what others are doing around my dog and client dogs.

Moreover, I am frequently in public with dogs I am training. When I am, I always have my game face on. Meaning I am not there to engage with the public. I am working and focusing on the dog while still maintaining awareness of my surroundings. Why? Because at any given moment, a perfect stranger may try to come up to pet a dog I am working without even asking. If someone is encroaching into mine or the dog’s personal space, I move away – while saying “heel” to the dog. If someone asks if they can pet the dog, I simply reply “No, I’m sorry. He’s in training right now.”

I also make sure that I consistently position the dog behind me (where they should be anyway), that way the person would have to go past me to get to the dog. When you are out and about with your dog, you should maintain the lead position so that you can advocate for your dog. Therefore, it is your dog your choice as to whether you want your dog to engage with others. Even at home, if you put your dog in command, like down or place, you can choose who you allow approaching your dog.

Most client dogs are either overexcited or nervous and fearful because in the past their owners have allowed people and dogs to enter their dog’s personal space repeatedly. Under the guise of socializing their dogs, they end up creating a reactive dog. We teach dogs and our client’s existence over interaction. We teach our dogs to exist calmly in all sorts of environments, around dogs, people, kids, etc. Once they can calmly exist (which can take months of training), we can begin to selectively teach our now calm dog how to appropriately interact occasionally.

Do not be shamed, pressured, or influenced by the opinions of others. It is your dog and your choice. Would you allow strangers to touch your child? You are training your dog in a way that creates a much happier, well-balanced, and calmer companion. One which will have a more enriched life than most dogs currently enjoy. You and your dog will reap the rewards of being bold and advocating for your goals.

Terie Hansen is the Owner or Good Dog! Coaching & Pet Care More information at www.gooddogcoaching.com

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