Westside Story – Dog is man’s best friend

Story & Video – Joseph Boyle

We have all heard the phrase, “Dog is man’s best friend”.  I guess it is true.  Dogs surround us in our neighborhoods, at the store and even in fine dining restaurants.    Distracted drivers drive with dogs on their laps.  Dogs are everywhere.

While many dogs are nearby, we are not always aware of their presence because they have responsible owners.  Responsible owners are people who care about others including their neighbors.  Responsible pet owners bless us with their social intelligence.  They create a peaceful-coexistence between pet owners and their neighbors.

Sadly there are other folks who are not responsible pet owners.

For those pet owners who irritate their friends and neighbors, here are a few common sense tips to help you become a more neighbor friendly pet owner.

1. Obey leash laws by using a leash, fenced yard or invisible fencing to keep your dog in check.  The rest of us have no interest in picking up after your pet, nor do we appreciate any of your dog damage to our yard, house and car.
2. A barking dog is a natural doggy behavior.  We should have no issue if your dog barks, when the barking is intelligently managed.  Your dog might be doing the rest of us a favor by warding off an evildoer like a car prowler or burglar.  Once your dog starts barking, quickly find out why your dog is barking.  If there is a criminal in your yard, call 911.  If your dog is barking at the moon, make the barking stop.  No one wants to listen to your barking dog for 10 – 15 minutes or for hours at a time.
3. If you leave home and your dog is not well trained, put him inside your home or garage.
4. Consider having your vet perform a “debarking” operation if you can’t hear your dog irritating your neighbors over your T.V.
5. Consider a “Stop Barking Trainer Machine” as a solution to your barking dog problem. Check out web site: www.ultimatebarkcontrol.com.  This device can be used by thoughtful pet owners or neighbors victimized by thoughtless pet owners, if the barker is within 300 feet.
6. If you walk your dog, pick up your pet waste.  Your neighbors are not happy about having to dodge your pet waste while they mow their yards or grassy roadsides.  No one likes stepping into your pet waste and then dragging it into their house and car.
7. If you choose to own a hazardous pet, take extra safety precautions so as to not risk injury or death to other pets, neighbors and small children.

W.C. Fields may have struck a humorous chord with his quip that read something like, “A man who hates dogs and kids can’t be all bad.”  In spite of what one might think, I do not hate dogs.  I dislike the bad behavior of ill-mannered dogs.  I do recognize that it is never really the dog’s fault.  It is the dog owner’s fault.

While I grew up with dogs, I have never had one in my adult life because I knew I would not have the time to properly care for a pet in a socially intelligent manner so as to not harm my neighbors.

Time has marched on and finally I was able to get my own dog.

I wanted to name my dog, “Barf”, but my wife objected informing me that my chosen name would not be in good taste.  Wishing to be a classy guy, I took notice of her concern and named my dog “Ralph”.

My dog does not violate any of the social intelligence rules I suggested above.  One rule not included above is “Mutual Respect”.  After reading this article out loud to my dog, Ralph, I captured his disrespectful behavior on video.   Check it out and you will see that I have something to learn about pet ownership too.

If you choose to be angry with me because of my frankness that will be your choice, but please be kind to your neighbors.