Canine Etiquette

When talking canine etiquette, we’re not speaking of anything quite this formal!

In their relations with one another dogs have a keen sense of etiquette. A well known traveler makes this unexpected remark about a naked, native tribe of men living on one of the south sea islands: “In their everyday intercourse there is much that is stiff, formal and precise.” Almost the same remark might be made about dogs. Unless they are on very intimate terms they take great pains never to brush against or even to touch one another. 

For one dog to step over another is a dangerous breach of etiquette unless they are special friends. It is no uncommon thing for two dogs to belong to the same person and live in the same house and yet never take the slightest notice of each other. We have a spaniel so dignified that he will never permit another member of the dog family to pillow his head upon him; but, with the egotism of a true aristocrat, he does not hesitate to make use of the other dogs for that purpose.-Henry C. Merwin in The Atlantic, 1910

 🍽️Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber of The RSVP Institute of Etiquette, is the Site Editor of the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia 

Notable Feline Petiquette

“ He looks around the table, and without a word or suggestion, he puts out his paw, and a gentle stroke of the table bell summons the waitress to clear away the course and bring on the next. He waits for the roast, and then his special feast of sponge cake is put before him in a Sevres saucer. He eats with better manners than some folks...”–  Was Platt’s cat Julius an inspiration for Disney’s “Three Lives of Thomasina?” – photo source, Pinterest

Feline Fancies of New York’s Famous Easy Bosses

Ex-Senator Thomas O. Platt has a collection of cats which he would not part with for a nation. One of these cats is of the tiger breed, big and gentle, and rejoices in the name of Julius. This cat is the chief point of interest at Mr. Platt’s country home at Highland Mills. No meal is taken at that house that Julius is not a favored guest at the table. He has an infant’s high-chair, expressly for his use, and when the meal is announced, Julius jumps into this high chair. He sits up straight and the waitress ties about his throat an embroidered bib.

Julius is one of the most polite cats on earth. He is not fond of soup or fish or entrees and the like, but he knows full well when the course is over and the next should be brought on. He looks around the table, and without a word or suggestion, he puts out his paw, and a gentle stroke of the table bell summons the waitress to clear away the course and bring on the next. He waits for the roast, and then his special feast of sponge cake is put before him in a Sevres saucer. He eats with better manners than some folks, and does not leave the table till coffee is served. Mr. Platt takes endless delight in Julius and the six other cats on the farm, but Julius is the king pet of them all, and could not receive greater consideration if he were the ex-senator’s eldest son. – Minneapolis Times, 1896

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Pet Etiquette, aka “Petiquette”

If you find your dog’s barking or your cat’s scratching objectionable, decide what you are going to do and do it every single time your pet misbehaves. If you are conscientious, your pet will be better behaved within about three weeks. If you waver, the process will take much longer.

Pet’s Bad Manners Are Owner’s Fault

The hustle and bustle of the holidays may bring out your cat’s or dog’s worst manners, but you can correct your pet’s etiquette. Your pet’s bad manners are partly your fault, according to an article in “Country Living,” because you didn’t nip bad behavior in the bud. Make a resolution to use behavior modification techniques to improve your pet’s manners. The key is consistency. If you find your dog’s barking or your cat’s scratching objectionable, decide what you are going to do and do it every single time your pet misbehaves. If you are conscientious, your pet will be better behaved within about three weeks. If you waver, the process will take much longer.

Here are some specific suggestions: 

• Barking – The best way to teach a dog to be quiet is to train him to bark on command. When he barks, use a command such as “Speak,” and praise him. Once he connects “Speak” with barking, introduce the command “Quiet.” If necessary, hold his muzzle shut the first few times you issue the command. Reward him for being quiet. Practice these commands at times when your pet wouldn’t ordinarily bark. Then start using them when someone is at the door. 
• Incessant Barking – When you are away, incessant barking is harder to control. A companion animal or leaving the radio on may help. If he starts barking soon after you leave, you can return and scold him or invest in a sound activated tape of a one-minute scolding whenever the dog starts to bark. 
• Jumping – If you don’t want your pet to jump on guests, you must teach him not to jump on anyone, including you, tell him “No” sharply, if he doesn’t respond, hold his front feet and bring your knee to his chest, forcefully but not brutally. An alternative is to teach him to “Sit” and “Stay” and use those commands when someone arrives at the door. 
• Cat Nipping and Scratching – If the cat attacks because it is afraid, physical discipline won't work. Instead, hold the cat while you greet strangers, have them approach it gently and tell them how it likes to be stroked. The alternative is to shut it in a room where it feels safe. If the cat attacks guests to defend its territory, the best response is a squirt of water from an atomizer. 
• Relentless Meowing – You may have inadvertently trained your cat by offering it food when it meows. To decondition it, set up a strict feeding schedule with no between meal snacks. If boredom is the cause, create a quick diversion by pulling out a Ping Pong ball, hanging a wad of crumpled tissue from a string, opening a closet or leaving an empty bag on the floor. – Associated Press, 1986

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia