In praise of the outstanding dog owners

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, it seems like 90% of dog owners are entitled, selfish, or lazy. But maybe we can sing our praises of the really great dog owners we know? There are a lot of really outstanding owners that get drowned out by the many incompetent ones. I love really great dog owners!

- I live in a high-rise that allows dogs. There is one dog owner, who keeps his dog on a tight, short leash at all times. His dog is clearly well trained and behaved. If we're nearing the elevators at the same time, he will ALWAYS insist I take the elevator, and that he (and his dog) will get the next one. He'll even be adamant that you take the elevator, even if he was waiting first. He never burdens neighbors with his dog, even if you say you're comfortable. He takes total responsibility, all the time, consistently.

- Owners that hold their (non-retractable) leash with two hands.

- Owners that walk their dogs on their side - not in front of them, and not in back of them. And they take the time to train their dogs how to walk properly.

- Owners that clean up after their dogs, and make their dogs feces their responsibility (they do not put the feces in a neighbor's trash can, but carry it home)

- Owners that understand that their dogs are not children or people, and don't bring them out in public. Not at the restaurant, not to go shopping. Owners that understand the division between pet and master.

- Owners who when they see someone coming, THEY make the initiative to move to the opposite side, or go out of the way. They don't ask, they don't wait, they just do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Owners that understand the division between pet and master.

Barf.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, it seems like 90% of dog owners are entitled, selfish, or lazy. But maybe we can sing our praises of the really great dog owners we know? There are a lot of really outstanding owners that get drowned out by the many incompetent ones. I love really great dog owners!

- I live in a high-rise that allows dogs. There is one dog owner, who keeps his dog on a tight, short leash at all times. His dog is clearly well trained and behaved. If we're nearing the elevators at the same time, he will ALWAYS insist I take the elevator, and that he (and his dog) will get the next one. He'll even be adamant that you take the elevator, even if he was waiting first. He never burdens neighbors with his dog, even if you say you're comfortable. He takes total responsibility, all the time, consistently.

- Owners that hold their (non-retractable) leash with two hands.

- Owners that walk their dogs on their side - not in front of them, and not in back of them. And they take the time to train their dogs how to walk properly.

- Owners that clean up after their dogs, and make their dogs feces their responsibility (they do not put the feces in a neighbor's trash can, but carry it home)

- Owners that understand that their dogs are not children or people, and don't bring them out in public. Not at the restaurant, not to go shopping. Owners that understand the division between pet and master.

- Owners who when they see someone coming, THEY make the initiative to move to the opposite side, or go out of the way. They don't ask, they don't wait, they just do it.

If a privately owned restaurant or store allows dogs, then you need to complain to the management or go elsewhere. Clearly those businesses value dogs and dog owners more than they value you and your crazy-ass paranoia and fear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Owners that understand the division between pet and master.

Barf.

Try having some friends that are human, and not canine. Dogs are not pals or buddies - they're animals that necessitate boundaries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Owners that understand the division between pet and master.

Barf.

Try having some friends that are human, and not canine. Dogs are not pals or buddies - they're animals that necessitate boundaries.

wtf did a dog ever do to you????? I have an amazing dog, but also have amazing friends. Dog people aren't weirdos who sit around kissing their dogs and letting them run into strangers 24/7. MY dog gives me a lot of joy and he fits easily into my life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Owners that understand the division between pet and master.

Barf.

Try having some friends that are human, and not canine. Dogs are not pals or buddies - they're animals that necessitate boundaries.

Here's a boundary for you: adults don't get to run other adults' lives or tell them what is and isn't appropriate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, it seems like 90% of dog owners are entitled, selfish, or lazy. But maybe we can sing our praises of the really great dog owners we know? There are a lot of really outstanding owners that get drowned out by the many incompetent ones. I love really great dog owners!

- I live in a high-rise that allows dogs. There is one dog owner, who keeps his dog on a tight, short leash at all times. His dog is clearly well trained and behaved. If we're nearing the elevators at the same time, he will ALWAYS insist I take the elevator, and that he (and his dog) will get the next one. He'll even be adamant that you take the elevator, even if he was waiting first. He never burdens neighbors with his dog, even if you say you're comfortable. He takes total responsibility, all the time, consistently.

- Owners that hold their (non-retractable) leash with two hands.

- Owners that walk their dogs on their side - not in front of them, and not in back of them. And they take the time to train their dogs how to walk properly.

- Owners that clean up after their dogs, and make their dogs feces their responsibility (they do not put the feces in a neighbor's trash can, but carry it home)

- Owners that understand that their dogs are not children or people, and don't bring them out in public. Not at the restaurant, not to go shopping. Owners that understand the division between pet and master.

- Owners who when they see someone coming, THEY make the initiative to move to the opposite side, or go out of the way. They don't ask, they don't wait, they just do it.

Holy cow OP - this thread went sideways FAST!!!

ANyway, I just wanted to say I agree with what you say. I have a friend (and through her, several other aquaintences (sp? it's been a LONG day!) who trains police/working dogs. The behavior you describe is exactly what they say "proper behavior" should be. Their thought is that the dog/dog owner should always control the dog & situation, and only allow the "release" (which totally has a double meaning thanks to the above responses...sorry about that!) should be given once the other humans in the area have all given some sort of indication that it's OK for the dog to just "be a dog"



There are several/many dog owners in my neighborhood who also seem to follow this concept. I've taught my toddler that he must never run up to a dog, and that he should always ask the dog's "person" if he can pet the dog. Mostly the people walking the dog just shake their head and continue talking on their phone but for a few particular dogs & owners, this gets rave reviews - they'll stop, let DS pet him, and then we always get into a conversation about how most people just don't get how dogs and and people should interact.

Maybe that's because we don't interact with people who don't want us to (I'm totally OK with a "he doesn't like kids" response)? Or that I won't allow my son to interact with a dog that's not on a lead/clearly in control?

Anyway, given the recent posts I'm clearly in the minority of things, but I wanted to support your post OP!

Happy Weekend.

[Anonymous]

How many threads do you need to express yourself on this subject? People who french kiss their dogs seem healthier right now than all the weird anti-dog posters who can't stop their compulsion to post how much they hate dogs or dog owners. Seriously, you have OCD. You need medication. Stop posting about this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, it seems like 90% of dog owners are entitled, selfish, or lazy. But maybe we can sing our praises of the really great dog owners we know? There are a lot of really outstanding owners that get drowned out by the many incompetent ones. I love really great dog owners!

- I live in a high-rise that allows dogs. There is one dog owner, who keeps his dog on a tight, short leash at all times. His dog is clearly well trained and behaved. If we're nearing the elevators at the same time, he will ALWAYS insist I take the elevator, and that he (and his dog) will get the next one. He'll even be adamant that you take the elevator, even if he was waiting first. He never burdens neighbors with his dog, even if you say you're comfortable. He takes total responsibility, all the time, consistently.

- Owners that hold their (non-retractable) leash with two hands.

- Owners that walk their dogs on their side - not in front of them, and not in back of them. And they take the time to train their dogs how to walk properly.

- Owners that clean up after their dogs, and make their dogs feces their responsibility (they do not put the feces in a neighbor's trash can, but carry it home)

- Owners that understand that their dogs are not children or people, and don't bring them out in public. Not at the restaurant, not to go shopping. Owners that understand the division between pet and master.

- Owners who when they see someone coming, THEY make the initiative to move to the opposite side, or go out of the way. They don't ask, they don't wait, they just do it.

ANyway, I just wanted to say I agree with what you say. I have a friend (and through her, several other aquaintences (sp? it's been a LONG day!) who trains police/working dogs. The behavior you describe is exactly what they say "proper behavior" should be. Their thought is that the dog owner should always control the dog & situation, and only allow the "release" command once the other humans in the area have all given some sort of indication that it's OK for the dog to just "be a dog"

There are several/many dog owners in my neighborhood who also seem to follow this concept. I've taught my toddler that he must never run up to a dog, and that he should always ask the dog's "person" if he can pet the dog. Mostly the people walking the dog just shake their head and continue talking on their phone but for a few particular dogs & owners, this gets rave reviews - they'll stop, let DS pet him, and then we always get into a conversation about how most people just don't get how dogs and and people should interact.

Maybe that's because we don't interact with people who don't want us to (I'm totally OK with a "he doesn't like kids" response)? Or that I won't allow my son to interact with a dog that's not on a lead/clearly in control?

Anyway, given the recent posts I'm clearly in the minority of things, but I wanted to support your post OP!

Happy Weekend.

Took out the parts of my post that don't apply now that the randomness of the thread was cleaned up (and corrected some typos since I'm here)!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, it seems like 90% of dog owners are entitled, selfish, or lazy. But maybe we can sing our praises of the really great dog owners we know? There are a lot of really outstanding owners that get drowned out by the many incompetent ones. I love really great dog owners!

- I live in a high-rise that allows dogs. There is one dog owner, who keeps his dog on a tight, short leash at all times. His dog is clearly well trained and behaved. If we're nearing the elevators at the same time, he will ALWAYS insist I take the elevator, and that he (and his dog) will get the next one. He'll even be adamant that you take the elevator, even if he was waiting first. He never burdens neighbors with his dog, even if you say you're comfortable. He takes total responsibility, all the time, consistently.

- Owners that hold their (non-retractable) leash with two hands.

- Owners that walk their dogs on their side - not in front of them, and not in back of them. And they take the time to train their dogs how to walk properly.

- Owners that clean up after their dogs, and make their dogs feces their responsibility (they do not put the feces in a neighbor's trash can, but carry it home)

- Owners that understand that their dogs are not children or people, and don't bring them out in public. Not at the restaurant, not to go shopping. Owners that understand the division between pet and master.

- Owners who when they see someone coming, THEY make the initiative to move to the opposite side, or go out of the way. They don't ask, they don't wait, they just do it.

no one cares what you think about dogs or dog owners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, it seems like 90% of dog owners are entitled, selfish, or lazy. But maybe we can sing our praises of the really great dog owners we know? There are a lot of really outstanding owners that get drowned out by the many incompetent ones. I love really great dog owners!

- I live in a high-rise that allows dogs. There is one dog owner, who keeps his dog on a tight, short leash at all times. His dog is clearly well trained and behaved. If we're nearing the elevators at the same time, he will ALWAYS insist I take the elevator, and that he (and his dog) will get the next one. He'll even be adamant that you take the elevator, even if he was waiting first. He never burdens neighbors with his dog, even if you say you're comfortable. He takes total responsibility, all the time, consistently.

- Owners that hold their (non-retractable) leash with two hands.

- Owners that walk their dogs on their side - not in front of them, and not in back of them. And they take the time to train their dogs how to walk properly.

- Owners that clean up after their dogs, and make their dogs feces their responsibility (they do not put the feces in a neighbor's trash can, but carry it home)

- Owners that understand that their dogs are not children or people, and don't bring them out in public. Not at the restaurant, not to go shopping. Owners that understand the division between pet and master.

- Owners who when they see someone coming, THEY make the initiative to move to the opposite side, or go out of the way. They don't ask, they don't wait, they just do it.

no one cares what you think about dogs or dog owners.

Actually, I do care what this person said. As a dog owner, I try to maintain that respect of other people by being a responsible dog owner. I also try to take care of my dogs needs by having spent time to properly socialize her so that she knows how to respect the boundaries of other dogs and people, and I keep up with her health needs and grooming needs. I love the material about this on the AKC website: http://www.akc.org/public_education/responsible_dog_owner.cfm I try to be the responsible dog owner and I value the ideas listed on this website.

By the way OP, thanks for recognizing the responsible dog owners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, it seems like 90% of dog owners are entitled, selfish, or lazy. But maybe we can sing our praises of the really great dog owners we know? There are a lot of really outstanding owners that get drowned out by the many incompetent ones. I love really great dog owners!

- I live in a high-rise that allows dogs. There is one dog owner, who keeps his dog on a tight, short leash at all times. His dog is clearly well trained and behaved. If we're nearing the elevators at the same time, he will ALWAYS insist I take the elevator, and that he (and his dog) will get the next one. He'll even be adamant that you take the elevator, even if he was waiting first. He never burdens neighbors with his dog, even if you say you're comfortable. He takes total responsibility, all the time, consistently.

- Owners that hold their (non-retractable) leash with two hands.

- Owners that walk their dogs on their side - not in front of them, and not in back of them. And they take the time to train their dogs how to walk properly.

- Owners that clean up after their dogs, and make their dogs feces their responsibility (they do not put the feces in a neighbor's trash can, but carry it home)

- Owners that understand that their dogs are not children or people, and don't bring them out in public. Not at the restaurant, not to go shopping. Owners that understand the division between pet and master.

- Owners who when they see someone coming, THEY make the initiative to move to the opposite side, or go out of the way. They don't ask, they don't wait, they just do it.

no one cares what you think about dogs or dog owners.

+1000
End of discussion. Period.