Say ‘hi’ or say ‘bye’: Don’t touch my dog without my permission
No one knows a dog like the dog owner (or the vet)
I sighed when he walked past me and did a 90-degree turn. I always wear sunglasses and headphones to make sure people don’t just randomly try to start a conversation with me pre-coffee in the early morning hours. I am not a morning person, but my dog is and that’s her right. I cannot speak for all dog owners. But when I walk out the door, my sole goal is dog-to-owner time, for her to get some exercise and then to relieve herself. When Goals 1, 2 and 3 are checked off, I’m good to go. I already know my dog will attract attention. I understand. However, there are a few common courtesies that both dog lovers and pet owners should follow.
ADVERTISEMENT ~ Amazon
As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a percentage from purchases with my referral links. I know some consumers are choosing to boycott Amazon for its DEI removal. However, I enjoy promoting intriguing products from small businesses, women-owned businesses and Black-owned businesses who still feature their items on Amazon. All four of my Substack publications include a MINIMUM of one product sold by a VERIFIED Black-owned business. If you still choose to boycott, I 100% respect your decision.
Making pet owner friends
She’s made three dog friends so far, and I regularly talk to those three pet owners every time I see them. We trade pet training stories and chit-chat about what’s been going on with our day. One of them knows I’m still praying for the days when my dog decides she wants to wake up at noon, and he knows my odds of a winning lottery ticket are better. I like him though. I like the other two pet owners two (one woman, two men). And what do I like most about them? They all gave me personal space when they first met me and asked for permission for our dogs to meet. That alone wins me over.
ADVERTISEMENT ~ Amazon
As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a percentage for every purchase with my referral link.
The pet owner or the dog lover who doesn’t ask for permission
I’ve been a dog lover since I was 9 years old, so I get it. I’ve also been a dog walker for two years, and was so passionate about owning a dog that I joined my condo board association to try to figure out how to get that pet ban removed. (Note: Our condo bylaws already stated that owners, not tenants, could have pets. But the Rules and Regulations temporarily banned it.)
Recommended Read: “No dogs allowed? When to bend the condo rules ~ Is your no-pet policy doing more harm than good for condo owners?”
I’ve never met a dog I don’t like, and I’ve walked 84 (not including the three I own/ed and others I’d just see on occasion). But the one thing I never did was run up on someone’s dog and try to pat his or her head. I never cornered anyone on a walk so my dog could “say hi” to their dog. I don’t remember when I learned that this is frowned upon. I just always knew it was — even before I knew the American Kennel Club gave it a thumbs down.