Courteous Dog Behavior

There are many dog behavior actions you, as a therapy dog handler, should be aware of: your dog jumping on someone, sniffing at their crotch, prolonged eye contact, toy and treat guarding... all are behaviors that indicate poor dog behavior and courtesy.

I had been looking for a good working definition for what I mean when I use the word "manners." Then I saw one of those bumper stickers on the back of a vehicle that said, "How's my driving? If I don't drive with courtesy please call..." I realized that all manners are, really, is being thoughtful and courteous to another individual. This definition crosses all cultural limits and places responsibility for an act on the person doing the action.

That works for me. Now, how do we tie that back to our role in society with our therapy animals? Having the dogs I do - Dobermans - I have become more aware, perhaps, than those of you who have a sweet, little fluffy dog or cat. (Even as I am writing this, I am interrupted because my dog, who is out in the fenced yard, is barking at a person walking by. What do you think her perception of Dobermans is? Right - vicious attack dog! It isn't true in my dogs' case, but it sure could be perceived as that.)

Dobermans, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, pit bulls and other large breeds have a tendency to make other people nervous. I have had people cross a street to avoid me and my beautiful, well-behaved dog. But how many people will cross a busy street to get away from a poodle or Bischon? Very few. And yet some of the most obnoxious and ill-mannered dogs I know belong to people who think the yapping and snarling of a spoiled, pampered pet is cute and that Fluffy would never bite anyone.

I think my personal least favorite encounter is with the person whose dog is loose and yells, "Oh, don't worry, he's friendly," as their dog is rushing up to mine, stiff-legged, tail arched over its back and with a hard stare. This epitomizes lack of courtesy or good manners.

Those of us who have therapy and service animals are in the public eye more often than the average person, in places where people generally aren't expecting to see animals. We are easily identified by our dog's attire as to the nature of what we do. While many people are delighted to see a dog walking down a hospital hallway, others may be shocked or indignant and will be inclined to pass judgment! We take our animals into sensitive areas and, sometimes, against the desires of various individuals. Now is the time to be even more conscious of the picture we are presenting to the general public. If there is even a slight infringement of courtesy in a visit or presentation venue, we are setting back the cause for which we are so deeply committed. Following are some basic good manners for therapy and service animals.

A - Clean-Up Manners: Therapy dog handlers clean up after their dogs: saliva, shed coat and other deposits! But what kind of a picture does it give hospital staff and patients, or school students and administrators, if they look out their windows and see one therapy dog after another lifting his leg on the same bush, week after week. Not only will this ultimately kill the plant, but it leaves an unpleasant association with our otherwise beneficial visit. What can you do about this? Exhibit good dog behavior and courtesy and find an area away from the facility you are visiting to let your dog relieve himself.

B - Greeting Barks: Do you enjoy the sounds of several dogs vocalizing at the top of their lungs? As much as I love dogs, I don't. It quickly becomes annoying! Those dogs who express themselves with great woofs, whines or howls can be cute for the first few seconds and then the situation becomes bothersome, especially in a hospital setting. If your dog loves to greet other animals this way, practice good dog behavior and courtesy and get greetings over with away from the facility. What is very normal and expected to handlers can be interpreted as a dog fight by someone who doesn't understand the process.

C - Stay on Leash: When you are in uniform, do NOT take the leash off or turn your animal loose except as it is outlined in your organization's by-laws. There are leash laws in most communities and there is no time that it is legal, polite or courteous to break the law. What you do on your own time, in your own place is your business, but once you are in uniform then you become an ambassador for you particular group and for what it stands for - and it should certainly want to stand for legal, polite and courteous behavior.

It should certainly want to stand for legal, polite and courteous dog behavior.


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Orignal From: Courteous Dog Behavior