Doggone Etiquette—

Out Of Bounds!

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:                           

You poor dogs have all kinds of boundaries — a crate, an ex-pen, a fence, gates (indoors and out), and even closed doors. It just makes you want to break out and discover what your people think is so great, but keep you out. That’s especially true if you are still a puppy. Oh, I know that some of you will be puppies forever, but go along with your people on this one. Most of those barriers are for your safety. If there are little kids in your family, they have some of the same ones, and for the same reasons. Your best bet is to accept the boundaries and gradually some of them will disappear. Just be sure that when they do, you remember where they were, or you may disappear, too!

A Word to the Dog’s Owner:            

Before we had all these wonderful gadgets to keep our dogs out of harm’s way, we probably spent more time teaching them where they could, and could not, go. Perhaps there were not quite so many places that were off-limits because today we have cars whizzing by (on 25 mph roads) and dangerous chemicals in general use. Therefore, we had to come up with manufactured barriers like pet gates, exercise pens, kennel runs and crates to say nothing of all manner of fencing.   

Set the boundaries before you bring a new puppy or older dog into your home and your life (and that of the dog) will be a lot easier. Look at the situation from both sides. Think of all the things you don’t want the dog to get into, then add the things that you think the dog might consider interesting. When you can’t watch him every second, be sure he’s out of harm’s way. For example, toilet paper is for people, not dogs. Ditto bathroom towels, so keep bathroom doors closed. Pet gates (same as baby gates) come in styles to suit every décor and configuration, to fit across the top or bottom of a staircase, or across an opening that has no door to close. Crates come in sizes for every dog and in everything from fabric to plastic to wire to fancy wood.

As our Rufus becomes just another member of the family, we often forget that he cannot read! He cannot read the warning labels that tell us certain products are poisonous! Many weed and insect killers, fertilizers and other items we use to improve the lawn and garden are harmful to dogs. They lick their feet clean, and they lick at leaves and grass for no reason other than that they are curious animals! Spread these things on your lawn before a heavy rain, or turn on the sprinklers so they sink into the soil. Take Rufus for a walk elsewhere. Put attractive low garden stake fencing around plants, and take the time to teach Rufus to stay clear of it.                        

A new puppy (or older dog) must be taught the boundaries of his life outdoors. Tie-outs should only be used for short periods of time when someone is outside with the dog. There are numerous styles of attractive fencing to suit both your property and, more importantly, your dog. No fence is 100 percent secure if the dog is not trained to respect it, and even then, checked-up on. All dogs are capable of digging under fences, jumping over them, running through them, or chewing holes in them. The protection of a fence is often dependent upon what’s on the other side! Kids playing ball, a fox, deer or the next door cat walking by can be irresistible lures to a fenced-in dog!

                            

Until next time — BE GOOD!

—Bardi

Bardi McLennan bred, trained and showed Welsh Terriers for 30 years, during which time she wrote a monthly column on canine behavior in Dog Fancy Magazine. In addition to contributing to numerous dog publications, she has written 15 books on dogs, the latest being Rescue Me!, which received the ASPCA Humane Issues Award last year.