Let’s talk petiquette.
Spending more time with Terry my rescued terrier has forced my focus onto issues I’d have happily remained in denial of.
My outdoors time is generally spent with the cute, but shamelessly productive, pooping machine. Regardless of the time of day, whether or not he’s already done his business in the garden or whether or not he has just eaten, he will dispense the contents of his bowel on every walk.
Having had a bad start to life, he’s a slightly neurotic mutt – spooked by envelopes sticking out of mail boxes or litter flapping in the wind. His nemesis, the fearsome hard-rubbish pile, brings him to a terrified stop.
So, the need to poop during every single outing could be a stinky manifestation of some kind of doggy post-traumatic stress.
The amount of plastic I go through to collect and dispose of dog poop is alarming and carrying it for the rest of the walk is a little revolting but, as a responsible dog-owning citizen, I scoop the poop.
Whether or not to carry it all the way home is a hotly debated modern-manners dilemma. Is it okay to throw your doggy-do into another person’s bin?
No trespassing, obviously, but is a bin on the nature strip fair game for communal use?
My neighbourhood became dog central in 2020 – I assume some people added dogs to the family during lockdown, and others just had more time to get outdoors with their pet.
Infuriatingly, some have no idea of, or don’t give a damn about, good dog-walking etiquette.
Pick up the poo, people. The bin thing is up to you but scoop it up.
And let’s talk leash. The cardinal rule is unless you are in a designated off-leash area, keep your dog attached to you.
It doesn’t matter if you believe Fido to be the friendliest living creature on the planet. I don’t know that when he’s running straight at me.
And even if he got straight ‘A’s in puppy school, you don’t really know what might trigger him to run off , or trigger another dog to get defensive.
We have all encountered that laid-back owner half-heartedly calling back a dog that has quite obviously never returned on command.
My obvious fear just washes over the no-leash brigade whose “he won’t do you any harm” mantra makes me want to do harm.
Rescued Terry’s pre-me life was a tough one, therefore he’s not a stranger-friendly dog.
As another dog walker approaches I keep Terry on a short leash as we pass.
It’s an unwritten rule of dog walking – step to the other side of the path. It’s not rude, just sensible and precautionary. Social distancing before it was famous.
And while I’m ranting – retractable leashes. No. Just no.
Dogs love to go for a walk and walking a dog is – or should be – a joy.
Just saying the word to them, or grabbing your coat or the leash sparks a canine cheerfulness that is infectious.
It is wonderful that so many people have adopted a dog in this very strange year, grabbing the opportunity provided by home-working and lockdown. All that unconditional love, all those extra cuddles and a great reason to get up off the sofa and take a walk.
The Covid era puppy boom bringing larger numbers of dog walkers onto streets and public parks, throws a bit of light on who we are. We can spot the socially aware and mannerly from the selfish and careless. Kind of like Covid health rules can.
If pandemic-ridden 2020 brought the joy of a canine family member to many homes, that’s a thing to celebrate among the hardship and sadness.
So, let’s do it by embracing not just our new furever friend but the out-in-the-world etiquette that comes with pet ownership.
May 2021 be a year of petiquette.
More blog pieces to enjoy and checkout my portfolio and back story while you are here.
donnacarton.org 