Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Petiquette in the Park




A daily guide when walking your dog.

When walking your dog, there are rules and regulations in our current society. We can’t just come and go, do as we please. We have to conform to these rules or face fines and in some cases, confiscation of our precious babies. Such rules usually involve your pet’s behavior, their bowel control and stepping on grass.
Petiquette is etiquette for pet owners. It’s not your dog’s obligations to learn rules and manners. It’s the owners. At times we just want to be pet parents and indulge our pets, let them do what they wish. But the truth is, we simply cannot. We have to own them and own up to what they do.
Now, petiquette is not simply following the rules but being well mannered about it as well. We like to walk our pets in the park. It’s nice to meet fellow pet owners that way. Also, most of us in the urban setting don’t have gardens. It’s nice to let our pets have some soft grass to run on.
Rule #1 in going to the park is doing your research before getting there. Find out if the park allows pets to begin with. Some parks are very strict, they require all dogs leashed at all times. They even require your pets to have identification.

#2. Next, on where to thread. Some places don’t allow dogs on certain areas. Please abide by the rules. Like, say, in Greenbelt. They don’t allow dogs on the grass. Yes, the guard will tell you that they and you, can only walk on the paved path. Dogs are not allowed in the mall premises. When you are tired, some cafes don’t allow your pets in, even if it is an outside seating area.

#3. On leashes and collar. Back to rule #1, this must be done ahead of time. I had the misfortune of going to Marquee Mall with Robin. Fortunately, he was still small. The guards don’t allow pets inside the mall. Now they do if there is an event. This was their first doggy event. I had to carry Robin. My friend, who is a small woman, had a Labrador with her. She couldn’t carry a Labrador and neither could I. We had to speak to the head guard. Most public places require leash and collar at all times.

Rule # 4: Pooping practices. Once upon a time, dogs pooped and we didn’t care. Nowadays, we very much care for clean spaces and clean environment. Your dog pooped, deal with it. Always carry poopy bag with you. I carry newspaper with me all the time when I have my doggies. I know they are just dying to have an “accident” somewhere very public. Be prepared.

Rule #5. There are times when we are having fun but not our pooches. Time to pack up and go. A stressed dog will only create problems. For one thing, your pet will be irritable because they are tired. They might snap at unsuspecting people. Another thing, they might get sick. Stress could bring about a low immune systems making them pick up colds and infection. If your pet is not having fun, better go home. We have to consider their feelings when we take them out. Dogs can be very much like kids. They like to have a tantrum now and then. 

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Blog Description

This is a blog on pet fashion, lifestyle and the changing pet trends in the Philippines.