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

Etiquette for Dog Owners

A reminder to the dog owner who doesn't think enough of his pet to train it properly, that he’d better keep the little chap on his own premises (or car, as the case maybe) until he can teach him sidewalk decorum.

Dog Petiquette

In Denver, Colorado, a grocer, who knows both dogs and human beings, installed hitching posts for dogs outside his store. He put leashes on the posts long enough so the dogs were comfortably tethered, but short enough so they couldn't get near enough to each other to scrap. And he put locks on the leashes, so that fine breeds, as well as mutts, would be safe while their owners shopped. That grocer must have pleased many citizens who owned dogs and a great many more who didn’t. For however much we love our dogs, they don't belong in grocery stores, nuzzling the fruits and vegetables and shedding hair indiscriminately, however unintentionally. 

In New York, and unfortunately in only a very few other cities, street signs warn strollers, “Curb Your Dog.” It is a reminder to the owner who doesn't think enough of his pet to train it properly that he’d better keep the little chap on his own premises until he can teach him sidewalk decorum. A cleaner, pleasanter community might result locally if such hints were to be taken seriously here. And if organizations in putting our best foot forward both for the benefit of local folk and for visitors among us, don’t push the idea as a good one, we'd be surprised. – Sausalito News, 1941

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

Petiquette: Etiquette for Dining Out with Your Pet

Fido dines al fresco.

Petiquette Tips for Dining with Your Pooch

Before you consider dining al fresco with your dog, make sure your dog obeys simple commands. Is your pet well-behaved around people and other dogs?

Does your dog obey you at home?  If your pooch won't obey you at home, bringing him or her out to a restaurant could be a very bad idea!

Call ahead to make sure the establishment allows dogs at their outdoor tables. Restaurants can change owners or policies, and where you once may have dined with dogs right next to you, yours may now be unwelcome.

Feed and exercise your dog before going to the restaurant.  A well fed, relaxed dog, is a happy dog.
           

A well fed dog who has had some exercise or play time, is a relaxed dog. And no, the sofa does not constitute food!

A shady area is best for you and your pet, so ask for a spot in the shade.  Keep in mind that you may feel perfectly comfortable, but your dog is most likely wearing a lovely fur coat.

Bring a water dish along with water, for your dog.

Never leave your dog unattended.  Not even for a few moments.

How is your dog on a leash?  It will need to be attached to a table leg.

Attach your dog's leash to your chair and not to the legs of your table. If for some odd reason your dog tries to make a run for it, at the very least you will have drinks flying and broken dishes.

Does your dog get along well with other dogs at the dog park, or anywhere else you may take your pooch? Friendly dogs are usually welcome everywhere. Aggressive dogs? Not so much.

Be aware of the area you are putting your dog into. Is there food on the ground where your dog will be sitting? Bags, open purses or anything else they might be curious about?  Unusual situations can bring on unusual behavior in your pet.

Friendly, well-mannered dogs, are welcomed just about everywhere.

Never allow your dog to beg for food from other humans or the other dogs who may be there.

Remember, you are sharing the restaurant space with others. If your dog is making them unhappy, or the dining experience of others unpleasant, then it is time for you to ask for your food "to go."

Keep your dog close so he is not in the waiter’s pathway or too close to other diners.

Always tip your waitress or waiter generously, if you and your dog want to be welcomed back.

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