How to Be a More Conscientious Dog Parent

By: Mike Nicholson

Being a pet parent to a dog is a very personal thing.  From the breeds (or non-breeds as the case may be) that we choose, to the way we interact with our best fur friends, each connection is unique. The unique bond is what makes the relationship so special, and yet somehow it is easy to forget that the bond we have with our dog is ours alone. As a pet parent, it is important to actively find ways for family, friends, and neighbors to share a positive bond with our dog as well. Pawstalk Animal Communication & Reiki shares some ideas on how to have a well-behaved pup!

Good Pawrents

John Grogan, famed writer of Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World’s Worst Dog, once wrote, “There’s no such thing as a bad dog, just a bad owner.”  If your dog is getting bad press around the neighborhood, consider evaluating your role in that first.  Before you write off the complaints of others or focus on countermeasures to correct everything your pup is doing wrong, take an introspective look at your own behavior to see how it might be impacting your dog and your neighbors.

For instance, new parents often have less time to care for themselves and their pets once they bring a baby home.  This might also be true if a work schedule or family situation changes.  If fewer walks and less attention are making your dog act out, consider enlisting the help of a dog walker to pick up the slack.

If your pup has the propensity to wander into neighbors’ yards, it’s a good idea to keep him or her leashed or install a fence around your property. If you’re wondering, “Where can I find an affordable fence company near me?” you can find fencing installers on sites like Angi and learn about possible discounts and read customer feedback. The average cost of installing a fence is $4,500, but that can vary widely based on the size of your property and materials used to build the fence.

Good Dogs

While most dogs are friendly, they don’t automatically have good manners. Socializing your dog, teaching them basic commands, and throwing in some etiquette training will go a long way toward having positive encounters with other people.  Training them not to beg when someone is eating, and not to jump when greeting guests are vital skills that everyone will appreciate.  Socializing them with both people and other dogs will help keep excitement and anxiety-related behavioral issues at bay.

Likewise, sit, stay, come, and heel are essential commands every dog should know. Obedience training can be done at home and will prove to be a very rewarding experience for those who have the time and desire.  Even if you choose professional training, you will still need to devote some time.  The effectiveness of the training is tied to the interaction between you and the dog, so in a sense you are both being trained to work with each other.

To enhance communication with your pet in tandem with training, consider a reiki session with Lisa Larson. Her ability to communicate with animals makes her a great conduit with your fur baby so you can better understand what might be influencing their behavior.

Breed Traits

If after careful observation you determine that your dog’s behavioral issues hold an additional, more innate, component it might be time to focus on breed-related concerns.  If your pooch is a breed that has a reputation for being aggressive, or if you own a hound who is naturally prone to barking, engaging those around you in a conversation about innate breed behaviors might help.

For instance, a hound may instinctually chase any critter that runs from it, barking incessantly until being pulled away from the intruder. Understanding when and why the dog barks may make it more tolerable for others.  Ultimately, however, if the issue is breed related and the individual is not receptive to any acceptance tactics, it is your job as a pet parent to take appropriate measures to protect your fur-child and respect those around you.  Minimizing the contact between your dog and the apprehensive individual may be the best or only solution in this case.

Forcing people to interact with your dog is not good for anyone, but helping them have positive experiences can go a long way.  Ensuring you are acting as a good pawrent and are meeting your pups needs is the first step.  Teaching your furry sidekick how to be a good neighbor isn’t a bad idea either.  Whether you are new to the neighborhood, adopting a new dog, trying to resolve old conflicts, or just hoping to be more social in general, it is always important to be a conscientious animal guardian.

Photo credit: Pixabay.com

By Line: Mike Nicholson