Have you ever noticed that many dog owners just assume that your dog would want to meet their pet when your paths casually cross on city streets or while you and your dog are enjoying a lovely day at the local park? I mean, do people whose paths cross on a daily basis have a need to take time out to meet and socialize, especially in rush hour pedestrian traffic?
Personally, I find it rather presumptuous, as I am navigating the city streets with my four dogs to stop and meet a lone owner and her dog. Don’t get me wrong—I am not unpleasant. It is just a pain. A pain in my arm, as my four try to get to know this new dog. Okay, maybe if the other dog owner was Orlando Bloom, and he and his dog, Siddah, were passing by, or Brad Pitt, or perhaps a Hollywood hottie, including my gal pal, Paris Hilton, with Tinkerbelle. Wait a minute! Who am I kidding? Paris would never stop, but BFF Nicole Richie might. I doubt Tinkerbelle’s feet ever touch the ground.
Moreover, when put in this situation, I have to handle these meet-and-greets very delicately. In most cases, dogs do find other dogs very interesting and, given the chance, they want to sniff around each other to determine if they could form more than a passing fancy. But, like any good mother, I must use my best judgment in determining if the other dog is suitable to socialize with my darling little angel, or should I say angels, even if it is for a minute. That might sound absolutely dog snobby to you. But imagine if the other dog is really dirty, looks ill or just appears ill-tempered. I ask you, should I subject my dog to a health hazard or uncomfortable situation? I mean, my dog could be a bite victim or target of doggy aggression, taking a pounding by a ruff-ian.
Before I allow my dogs to meet other dogs, I always pull my pooches back and ask the other dog owner if his dog is friendly. If my dog or dogs are the initiator of the meet-and-greet, I then ask if my dog can meet his dog. If he says, “No, not today,” don’t be rude—just move on. Do not be a dog-a-razzi, stalking him and his dog down the street. If he agrees, allow the dogs to interact for a few minutes. If the dogs seem to be playing too aggressively, growling, jumping all over, or if the hair on the neck of one them rises, pull your dog away and say “thank you,” “good-bye” and move on, as these are telltale signs to part ways.
Whether you have time for a social minute or not, being polite in these situations is always imperative, because, trust me, if you live in a big city, you don’t not want to be labeled a dog snob. Your bad behavior could spread so quickly in your neighborhood that when you and your dog go to the dog park, you could easily be the doggie food for thought. The buzz in the air is not necessarily about the flies, but rather about how rude you were on the street to a fellow dog owner and lover. So, I suggest that you be bite down, be considerate and appreciate that someone and his dog would want to meet your little darling, and possibly you.
From dining out, to the proper do’s-and-don’ts of traveling with panache, The Miss Fido Manners Complete Book of Dog Etiquette: The Definitive Guide to Manners for Pets and Their People (Adams Media) by nationally-recognized pet expert Charlotte Reed (a.k.a. Miss Fido Manners) shows readers the best practices for flawless canine behavior in every situation.
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