B y nature, most show dogs are well traveled and accus- tomed to being around people. Many even enjoy schmoozing with spectators. These traits allow for easy community involve- ment and education about the joys of purebred dogs (and trained ones!). Here are some fun and easy ways to make your dogs a visible and valuable part of your community.
STORES & RESTAURANTS There are several stores and chains that allow dogs inside and on patios. As with public parks, these are great places to expose your dogs to different people and things and practice work- ing with distractions. Take advantage of these stores, with one caveat: know your dog and remember that people are watching. If he or she is petrified of linoleum floors, be prepared for a slow training session and make sure that everything you do both is kind and appears kind. If your dog is aggressive or gets weird about strangers in tight spaces, a store is probably not the best place to go. Restaurants with dog-friendly pati- os are a great opportunity to showcase your beautiful, well-behaved dog. Peo- ple are impressed when they see a dog laying calmly beneath the table and it is positive PR for all dogs. Patronizing these types of restaurants with well- behaved dogs encourages the restau- rants to continue welcoming canine guests and might make other restau- rants less hesitant to do the same.
and don’t let him or her go up to peo- ple that haven’t expressed interest.
TRAIN IN PUBLIC PLACES This doesn’t have to be a formal or involved thing. Just be out and about with your dog. Pretty much every town has public space of some sort, whether it is a park, green or square. My origi- nal hometown has a huge town park with a playground and sports fields and my current town has a central square by the town hall and courthouse with a gazebo and benches. Any place like this (as long as dogs are allowed) is a great spot to both practice with dis- tractions and showcase your dogs. A young puppy might just need some exercise and mental stimulation, while older dogs can work on stacking, gait- ing and obedience skills with other people and dogs milling around. As with any time you are out with your dog, be prepared for interest and questions (and don’t go to a busy spot if you aren’t in the mood—the idea is to give people positive experiences). “Leonberger” will need to be spelled a hundred times and you’ll have to explain that no, your parti Cockers are not twins. Have some fun facts about your dog, breed or whatever training/ skill you are going to be working on.
BE A RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNER
The simplest and easiest way to keep community members happy about dogs? Pick up after your dogs. Every time. If you are off your property, carry at least two bags with you. I also keep my dogs off people’s lawns if walk- ing through town. Public property is fair game for walking as long as there aren’t signs saying no dogs allowed, but we should all respect that homeown- ers may or may not be okay with dogs on their lawns, even if they have dogs themselves. (I certainly don’t like dogs of unknown vaccination and parasite status going in my yard.) Other ways to be a responsible dog owner are to know and respect your town’s dog-related laws, including leash laws. Keep your dog to yourself
PARADES & WALKATHONS
Most towns hold parades of some sort throughout the year and partici- pating can be a lot of fun. Local ken- nel and training clubs can march and bring a bunch of dogs or you can walk with a different group that you are
connected with. When my brother and CANINE GOOD CITIZEN COMMUNITY STYLE 68 • S how S ight M agazine , F ebruary 2017
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