Guest Post – How You and Your Dog Can Be Better Neighbors!

Aurora James from dogetiquette.info has written a guest post for us on How You and Your Dog Can Be Better Neighbors! We hope you enjoy it 🙂

Are you worried that your dog may not be fitting in with the neighbors? Whether you just moved to a new neighborhood, just got a new dog, or have had your dogs for years, you may want to give thought to how you can be a mindful dog-owning neighbor. The last thing you want is for your best buddy to cause a rift between you and your neighbors, so here are some ways you can take care of your pup while taking care of any unwanted negativity.

Most communitieshave leash laws which require dogs to be leashed at all times when out in public, and it’s a good idea to adhere to those rules. Even if your area doesn’t have leash laws, keeping your pup on leash can ensure the safety of your dog and other people and pets in the neighborhood. So even if you are walking a short distance, say from your car to the front door, keep your dog on a leash and controlled. Without a leash, a weird noise or random bird could set your dog to running, possibly causing harm to neighbors, their pet, or their property.

Providing proper trainingfor your pup can be beneficial for his mind and your sanity, but it can also help you both be better neighbors. If you plan on taking your dog out for walks around the block or to the local dog park, it is essential for you both to be aware of proper public pet etiquette. Always ask before allowing your dog to meet other animals, no matter how friendly your dog might be, and teach your dog that jumping on people is not allowed. Jumping up on you may be an adorable greeting in your house, but your dog could cause serious injury when jumping on children or a neighbor who is older or physically impaired.

Whether you’re walking around the neighborhood or just hanging out in your own backyard, cleaning up your dog’s waste is always the right choice. Besides being a source of contamination and producing pests, your dog’s poop and urine just smells and can damage grass. That’s not the first thing you want your friends next door to notice, and neighbors shouldn’t have to put up with your dog’s waste in their yards. Bring along bags when taking walks and find a practical wayto get rid of anything left in your yard.

Your dog needs to get out and play on a regular basis, so make sure you set up a spot where he can run around without causing problems for your neighbors. If you don’t have a fence, consider installing one around at least part of your yard, to keep your dog out of trouble. Be mindful of your dog’s jumping and digging abilities when planning your fenceto prevent escapes. You may also want to post a “Dog on Premises” sign (avoid “ Beware of Dog”) on the outside of your new fence to alert utility workers and avoid mishaps with people opening gates. Giving your canine companion a secure area to stretch out can provide some much-needed exercise while providing you and your neighbors with peace of mind.
You want to maintain positive relationships with your neighbors whether you just moved to the area or have lived in the same house for years. Having a dog shouldn’t have an effect on those bonds, but you can be proactive in practicing proper pet etiquette and head off any issues before they arise. Then your neighbors may come to love your dog almost as much as you do.