October 08, 2009
Dog-Walking Ettiquette
No, I'm not going to bore you with a rant about how people should pick up their dog's poop. That's a given; there's nothing new to say on that topic.
Instead, I'm here to pose an ettiquette dilemma. I don't know what to say when someone says, "Your dog is so pretty!" And they both are, so I get compliments on both of them.
But do I thank the person? Seems odd. They aren't complimenting me or anything that I could take responsibility for. All I did was arbitrarily pick a cute puppy, from a slew of cute puppies, that happened to grow into a pretty dog. Pretty hard to go wrong there!
It's not like they're complimenting my child's looks, which I could take at least 50% of the credit for. When I'm out with Billi's kids, and someone says, "Oh, what adorable children!" I say, "Thanks!" Because it's at least somewhat feesible that I could produce children that cute.
It is, however, somewhat less feesible that I could produce offspring of an entirely different species. And if I could, they probably wouldn't be pretty.
The other day, I had this brief interaction while out walking Daisy.
Stranger: What a pretty dog!
PW: Yeah, I think so, too!
Stranger: Okay then.
So apparently, my response -- however accurate and appropriate I thought it to be -- was the wrong one.
My other problem is that I seem to keep apologizing for walking my dog.
Example #1: That family with the six year old boy who is terrified of dogs happens to be walking towards us. The boy starts screaming that he wants to go home. I walk past them, in the street, and say, "Sorry!"
Example #2: Someone with an aggressive dog happens to be walking towards us. The dog starts barking and jumping and pulling on its leash. I walk past them, in the street, and say, "Sorry!"
WHAT THE FUCK AM I APOLOGIZING FOR??? For walking my dog on a public sidewalk in my own neighborhood? For owning an animal, which I keep leashed, collared, tagged and vaccinated? For existing?
Look, if one of us turns a corner, and it happens that our paths will cross, and your kid starts freaking out, it is NOT MY FAULT. Probably not your fault, either, but it's your responsibility to take care of your kid. Pick him up and take him home, preferrably via a route that doesn't force me off the sidewalk.
And if your dog can't handle the mere sight of another dog, not only is it NOT MY FAULT, it is 99% certain to be YOUR FAULT. You don't see MY dogs barking or pulling or throwing a shit-fit. If you can't handle your dog, it's your responsibility to drag your psycho dog into the street so that me and my well-socialized, well-adjusted and well-behaved dog can use the sidewalk.
Huh. Turns out I did end up getting on my soapbox for a bit. Sorry 'bout that. All I want to do is walk my dog without seeing any other living beings. Is that so much to ask?
Comments
Because Nibbler (my puppy) is so cute, I get that a lot. May I recommend, "Say 'thank you', (insert name of dog here)." Gets the message across to the complimenter even if the dog says nothing.
If a small child is coming along, I probably will pick Nibbler up and warn the parents that even though Nibbler is trained, he still is an excitable little puppy. The parents frequently will understand, so no need to apologize.
If someone with an untrained dog walks by, recommend to them that PetSmart offers excellent training courses. Don't apologize, and if it escalates, get out your phone and pretend to call 911. That probably will nip anything in the bud. Do call 911 if necessary, though.
-L.
Posted by: Lori at October 8, 2009 12:23 PM
Um, did you just refer to Stella and Daisy as "well-adjusted and well-behaved?"
Posted by: whistlepunk at October 9, 2009 12:15 PM
Hey, no need to apologize for standing on a soap box ... it's your blog and your can rant if you want to, rant if you want to!
Especially since everything you said is true. I like what Lori has to say re dogs.
A thought ... when someone says "What a pretty dog!" you can say "Thank you, here's a gift!" and hand them your bag of doggie doo-doo.
SB
Posted by: Snippy Bitch at October 14, 2009 02:05 PM