Remember when we were young we had to call everyone Mr. or Mrs? We were never allowed to use the first name of anyone older than us out of respect. When we received a present? We had to write a hand-written thank-you note.

As our parents would say: “we taught you manners”. 

The same should hold true for dogs … they should be taught etiquette. And dog etiquette starts with you! Here are some tips from #HelpEmUp to make you a responsible pet owner.

• If your dog toilets on your neighbor’s lawn, always clean it up. Keep plastic bags with you at all times for doggie cleanups. Scoop your dog’s poop!
• Babies and dogs can drool … always carry some baby wipes or other anti-bacterial wipes, etc. to clean up surfaces or floors.
• Your dog should not bark uncontrollably or jump on visitors when they enter your home. You need to make sure your dog has door manners. Teach your dog to sit when the doorbell ringsTeach her to sit when the doorbell rings or company walks through the door, and only allow her to rise when she’s clearly in control of her excitement.
• Ask your neighbor’s if your dog barks nonstop when you’re not home either indoors or outdoors. If so, think about some toys or games to keep him entertained.
• Do not let your dog beg food from the table. Remember, not everyone appreciates dog hair or paws in their food.
• Always supervise your dog when he/she is around children because dogs can be unpredictable. Even though your dog may be great with children, too many children suffer from dog bites every year. You never know what may set a dog off.
• If you come across runners or bikers on a trail, always step to the side.
• Not everyone loves dogs (imagine) so always have your dog on leash when walking around the neighborhood. If you come across another dog while walking, “always ask if it’s okay for your dog to say ‘hello’ before approaching another pet while out and about.”
• If you’re going to a barbeque or a picnic, always ask the hostess if you can bring your dogs … never assume. Never bring a dog that is unannounced. If you are invited to a party, think about how your dog will handle meeting big groups of people all at once or even other dogs. It might be a good idea to carry odor and stain removing spray in your bag in case of accidents.
• If your dog digs up your neighbor’s garden, fess up and volunteer to replant.
• Spay/neuter your dog to increase his/her life and help with pet overpopulation.

Because your dog may be a puppy or senior dog that never excuses bad behavior. If you need a dog trainer to help you with any behavioral issues, it will be money well spent! We all want our dogs to be on their best behavior and be good community members.