DOG OWNER ETIQUETTE

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Written By: Gabby Reed (Founder & Head trainer of WBCS).

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The gift of owning a canine companion should not be taken lightly, as this joyful responsibility can quickly become a liability. As a local dog trainer, my primary mission is to educate and guide pet owners to enhance the well-being of both their pets and themselves, therefore today I want to share promising practices for everyday handling. 

In my role, I work with a diverse range of dog owners across the city, from those who are new to dog ownership to those who have had canine companions before. Regardless of their experience level, all pet owners share common questions and face unexpected challenges due to their limited education on the reality of owning a dog. So, just know you’re not alone.

I think it is safe to say that understanding dogs is an ever-revolving endeavor, and perfection of the craft is elusive. My advice to pet owners is to embrace a continuous learning process, acknowledging that mistakes and uncertainties are part of the journey. Above all, it’s important to find joy in this ongoing learning experience. 

To support you in this journey, I want to offer guidance on common practices and expectations from trainers in hopes to educate you. Below is a list of recommendations to help improve your dog handling skills and ensure a more harmonious relationship with your pet as well as other owners.

1. Always ask permission to pet someone else’s dog 

2. Never let your dog approach a random dog without confirmation from the owner

3. Prevent on-leash greetings where tensity is high

4. Refrain from taking your NON service dog in areas where only service dogs are welcome

5. If your dog does not have bullet proof recall, don’t let them off leash

6. If you see someone clearly doing public training, keep a distance from them 

7. Muzzle your dog if they could potentially bite at a playdate, vet visit, or grooming appointment 

8. DO NOT enter dog parks if your dog isn’t neutral or friendly with ALL dogs

9. Your dog should only be taken in public if it is decently trained and confident enough to behave there

10. Your dog does NOT need to meet every dog to be “socialized”, instead strive for a neutral dog and leave others in their peace

11. If you struggle with your dog's behavior and find yourself discouraged, contact me to seek guidance on a new beginning with your dog. 

If you have questions on the practices of dog handling, feel free to reach out via email, text, or even social media. My contact information is found at the bottom of this page!