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Dog etiquette

7 rules for dog owners to show courtesy

Two women are walking their dogs in the park.
For a relaxed walk in the park, dogs and their owners should adhere to specific rules Photo: Getty Images
Sonja Jordans

September 29, 2024, 8:48 am | Read time: 8 minutes

Whether in the city, on a walk in the park, or traveling, humans and dogs should always adhere to certain rules of etiquette – especially when they meet others. PETBOOK explains these rules.

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Whether you’re a jogger, dog owner, or walker, you have probably had an unpleasant encounter with a strange dog. Regardless of whether a dog came running towards you, you were jumped on, or your four-legged friend was barked at, such situations cause resentment and, in the worst cases, dogs are considered annoying, ill-mannered, or even dangerous. Dog owners should, therefore, stick to a few rules so that everyday life does not become a challenge.

Our author, Sonja Jordans, is a dog owner with a few experiences. For PETBOOK, she researched what owners should pay attention to, which basics the animal should master, and what is considered absolutely unacceptable.

Overview

1. Only let your dog run free if it can be called off

A dog wants to move, run freely, and sniff around, which is understandable. Nevertheless, you should always keep an eye on your pet – not just for your own sake, but so that your four-legged friend doesn’t disappear into a den or eat something it shouldn’t. The dog should also not chase joggers or other animals.

One of the most important rules for dog owners is that dogs only be allowed to run free if they can be reliably recalled at all times. Your dog should come back to you immediately at crossroads, blind spots, or when cyclists or passers-by suddenly approach, not only because this prevents injury to your dog but because if a cyclist can’t avoid you or if a pedestrian trips over your dog, it can end badly and expensively.

Under certain circumstances, you should even put your dog on a lead, especially if you cannot assess the situation or are walking your dog in traffic. If your dog has spotted something, it may be guided only by its nose and no longer pay attention to your calls – and certainly not to cars.

2. Jumping on people is unacceptable

As great as you may think it is when your dog jumps up to greet you or announces every visitor at the front door with loud barking, you should not necessarily expect strangers to understand this behavior. If a dog jumps or barks at other people, it is not only badly behaved but can also cause fear. A panting dog’s mouth right in front of their face is unpleasant for bystanders. Therefore, our rules for dog owners include not allowing jumping up on strangers.

Children, in particular, can react in panic if a dog jumps or barks at them. Depending on how formative the experience is, they may be afraid of dogs for the rest of their lives. This should not be your fault. Call your dog off immediately if he starts to jump at someone. Practice this in good time, not just after repeated incidents.

Incidentally, a dog does not have to be particularly large and heavy to be able to knock over a child or an adult. If a person stands relaxed or does not notice a dog jumping towards them, they can quickly lose their balance. Moreover, if they then fall over backward, injuries can occur.

If your dog has jumped at someone, take it back and apologize. However, beware of scolding your dog. No one else is “to blame” because you alone are responsible for your dog.

3. Do not let dogs pee against fences, cars, or houses

If your dog has to go, it doesn’t have to do it on other people’s houses, fences, or cars. Front gardens, unfenced lawns on private property, and letterboxes are also not places where your dog should relieve itself or mark. Not only does it leave stains, smell unpleasant, and encourage other dogs to pee in the same place, but it is also simply inappropriate and is, therefore, part of our rules for dog owners.

Take a close look at how your dog behaves. If he starts to relieve himself on other people’s property or gardens, take him away in a friendly but firm manner. Say “no” or another word to indicate its behavior is unwanted. If you think that it is not a problem and allow your dog to pee wherever he wants, think about how you would feel if he were constantly urinating in your front garden.

4. Take your dog to your side when other dogs come towards you

If other dog owners with four-legged friends come towards you, the following applies: Dog on the lead, people in the middle, and dogs on the outside. Even if the other dog owner does not adhere to these rules, it is generally considered polite among dog owners to walk the dog right next to you until you have passed each other.

Unfortunately, most encounters look completely different: the dogs run in front, pull towards each other, and meet highly excitedly, while both owners stay behind and can no longer react quickly enough. There is a high risk that the dogs will get tangled up with their leads or even collide.

5. Always remove dog excrement

Dog waste should be placed in a bag, and the bag should be disposed of in a trash bin, not left in the bushes. Pick up your pet’s poop wherever you are. Nobody, not even you, wants to step in dog poo and carry the tracks into their home. Dog poo also attracts vermin, smells bad, and can pose a health risk. Dog owners also know that most four-legged friends tend to ingest the droppings of other animals.

Your dog could also eat something lying around on the path and become ill. This can be prevented if no piles are lying around. Therefore, it should be a matter of course for dog owners to remove their dog’s droppings. Bags are even available free of charge in many towns and municipalities.

Even if you find carrying your dog’s excrement unpleasant, throw the bags in a garbage can, not the bushes. Plastic bags do not decompose; they must be collected by city cleaning staff or others.

6. Ask before initiating contact with other dogs

Ideally, a dog should remain calm and friendly when encountering other four-legged friends. Barking, pulling on the lead, or running impulsively towards other dogs are absolute no-goes. Teach your dog to behave appropriately.

Another important rule for dog owners is to ask other owners before allowing their pets to make contact with other dogs. Some dogs do not want contact because they may be old, ill, antisocial, or in training. Unwanted contact can unsettle the animal, transmit possible diseases to your four-legged friend, or interfere with the stranger’s learning session.

Tip: If an unfamiliar dog has a yellow ribbon on its leash or collar, it’s a sign to keep your distance. This indicates that the dog does not wish to interact with other animals or people. Do not pet the dog. Instead, allow the dog and its owner to pass by at a safe distance and keep your dog close.

7. Respect others’ fear of dogs

Even if your dog is “harmless,” friendly, and well-socialized, it can still frighten others. Some people are generally afraid of dogs. There are many reasons for this. Perhaps they have had a bad experience, are afraid of being bitten, or are generally not good with animals.

Respect whatever is behind this fear, however irrational it may seem. Do not force anyone to have contact with your animal. Don’t let the dog sniff strangers without asking “because it just wants to smell,” and don’t persuade anyone to stroke your animal. Keep your dog with you, or even put it on a lead if many people are around.

A park or city center belongs to everyone, and no one should have to panic because of a loose dog. Do not ridicule the fear of others. Remember that someone who is afraid may not behave as expected. If a person raises their arms in the air, screams, or jumps to the side, don’t scold them for this behavior. Take your dog to one side and move on. Lectures or even an argument will not change an anxious person’s mind and could do the opposite.

Conclusion

Dog owners and their pets should be able to move around in forests, parks and city centers just as freely as other visitors. However, consideration is essential to ensure that the outing does not become a stressful experience for you and others. Think about how you would feel if someone else – dog or human – startled, harassed or barked at you.

Even if you think you are in the right, it is sometimes easier on your nerves to give in. It is better to call your dog back before it runs into a group of cyclists or children. Train your dog to come back immediately when called. Moreover, always expect others to make mistakes: you can encounter inconsiderate people anywhere.

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Sources

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of PETBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@petbook.de.

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