Pet Peeve: Your pet relieves herself on a friend’s carpet or decides to use her ottoman as a scratching post.
What to Do: If Bailey is with you on a visit to a friend’s house and makes a mess on the new Persian rug, offer to pay to have it cleaned, says author Jennifer Quasha. If the item is ruined, offer to pitch in to buy a replacement. “Consider what a hotel would ask you to do if your dog ruined a carpet,” she says. “The carpet owner should not be left in the position of having to ask for reimbursement.” (As it happens, the terms-and-conditions sheet at pet-friendly W hotels includes a provision requiring guests accompanied by pets to pay an additional fee and cover any cleaning or repairs that become necessary.) Finally, Quasha suggests bringing a crate or a carrier with you on extended visits. That way, whenever you’re not in your friend’s house with the pet, you can leave the animal in her crate with the door latched.
Pet Peeve: Your dog behaves aggressively with other dogs that aren’t in the mood to frolic.
What to Do: If you have a pooch that’s as friendly as, say, the attack dogs on Magnum, P. I., he should be kept under your control at all times — no exceptions. “Dogs that are aggressive toward other dogs should always be walked on a leash,” says veterinarian Betsy Brevitz. Animal behaviorist Stephen Zawistowski says it’s just a matter of common sense: “If you have a larger dog, simply don’t put him in a dog run or a play area with the small dogs.” The American Kennel Club also recommends letting your dog socialize with other dogs from the time he’s a puppy; he’ll learn he has to play nicely if you teach him that from the very beginning.
Pet Peeve: Strangers (and their children) assume that your dog wants to be petted.
What to Do: If you don’t want people touching your animal, speak up. Simply say, “I’m sorry — please don’t pet him.” You should also warn anyone approaching him if your dog isn’t friendly: “He’s not in the greatest mood today” or “He doesn’t like strangers.”
But if your dog welcomes the attention, encourage people to pet him first under the chin, says Zawistowski. Even though it’s more natural to pet the head, dogs may feel threatened and uncomfortable if a hand comes at them from above.
When it’s you encountering someone else’s animal, “always ask, ‘May I pet your dog?’” says Zawistowski. “Hold out a closed hand, and let the dog smell it.” It’s especially important to educate children about how to behave around dogs. “Teach your children to ask, ‘Is your dog friendly?’” says Quasha. “And ‘Is it OK if I pet your dog?’”
