We’ve attended various events over the years from Super Pet Expo to BlogPaws to PetCon and lots more. We’ve also attended lots of Training Classes including Dock Diving, Tricks, and Agility classes. What seems to have deteriorated is how people act with their dogs at some events and it’s easy to see why its becoming more limited where dogs are allowed out in public. It’s also easy to see why there seems to be an increasing number of dog-on-dog problems or even dog-to-human problems in interactions which is no fun for anyone. At one event we attended, everything was super well run and everyone in attendance was respectful of each other, kept their dogs out of each other’s space, and the human and four legged individuals in attendance were much happier for it. It was a great day for everyone! All dog events should be like this one!

Here are 7 Must Knows before attending an event (and to follow when attending any event or when in any areas that allow dogs):

1) Take Your Dog To Potty BEFORE Going Inside

Especially if the event is held indoors, take your pup potty before going inside! The most recent time we attended the Phoenix Pet Expo I was appalled at the various areas and objects where dogs had peed. There was pee on merchandise and booths and on the main floor where people and their dogs walked. I’ve noticed a similar thing at PetSmarts, Petcos, and other pet stores-some dogs lift their legs on the products and merchandise. It’s not sanitary and if one dog does it, it starts a chain reaction of other dogs trying to pee over it!

Take your pup to pee in the appropriate area before entering the building or event and ensure they potty. This greatly diminishes the possibility of your dog peeing on something they shouldn’t. And keep an eye on your dog so they don’t pee when you’re not paying attention (especially on a person or a person’s things-yes, I’ve had someone else’s dog actually pee on me and have had a dog pee on my bag at an event and neither are something I want to repeat nor believe anyone else would want to experience)! Make sure you also give your pup plenty of opportunities to relieve themselves throughout the event-leave and come back if you need to.

2) Scoop That Poop

Similarly to the inappropriate peeing problem, if your dog poops, CLEAN IT UP! Carry poop bags or get creative and find something to clean it up with (we’ve had to use plastic drink cups before). When you’re in public and especially in places where there are other people, it’s your responsibility to clean up after your dog. No one likes to step in poop.

And if you don’t have your own poop bags (hey even the best of us can sometimes forget to bring one), then ask someone else if they have one. If you’re at a dog event, more often than not SOMEONE will have a bag and be happy to let you use one! And again please take your dog to an appropriate area before entering an event to give them the opportunity to poop if they need to. This seems to have gotten worse at some dog friendly hotels and I’m again appalled at how gross some areas are where people haven’t picked up after their dogs.

3) Keep Your Dog Out of Other People’s Dogs Space

You’d think this would be common sense or at least common courtesy, but it’s not! Don’t let your dog wander to the end of their leash and go bum rush or face rush another person’s dog. Yes dogs are probably going to say hi to each other in passing if it’s super close quarters at an expo and a tightly packed event. And if both people ask to let their dogs say hi and both agree then that’s one thing. But if you’re trying to get ahold of your dog and it’s dragging you to say hi to another dog, you and your dog probably need some more training before attending a public event, or you should should be actively training together while you are attending. Likewise, if you’re not paying attention and your dog pulls or wanders to the end of its leash to go ‘say hi’ to another dog and goes into their face and space, that’s extremely rude and the person needs to be paying better attention. Your dog may get told off or bit by the other dog whose space your dog just invaded.

Here’s a great article by Suzanne Clothier about those “My dog is friendly! He Just Wants to Say ‘Hi!'” dogs. Spoiler alert-they are actually being very rude invading another dog’s space. Many dogs do not appreciate unsolicited greetings from strange dogs and really just want to be out and about having fun with their people and be left alone. Not adhering to this is how many problems of snarling, snapping, growling, or straight up fights occur! You don’t run up to, jump on, and start feeling up every person you meet. You don’t need to let your dog do that either. And how would you act if a complete stranger threw themselves at you or started stroking you? I’m guessing not so kindly, patiently, and accepting?

Give space and respect each other’s space-human and canine and everyone will have more fun together. I’ve seen some dog events and gatherings between perfect strangers where people maintain space and follow this protocol and the people and the dogs all seem much happier about it and there are many less incidences in these events.

4) Always ASK Before Petting a Dog

Again this is something that should be common courtesy and it’s something you should have been taught by your parents. But if you didn’t read about it in a book, or weren’t told by your parent, trainer, vet, breeder, rescue coordinator, or some other person, now you know: ALWAYS ASK BEFORE PETTING SOMEONE ELSE’S DOG! It bears repeating: Dogs appreciate having their space respected. Yes there are some dogs who seem to have never met a stranger and who want to be pet by every person they meet, but that’s in part because those dogs were respected by strangers and people who ask to pet. Don’t be a jerk and just pet someone’s dog-this is why there seems to be an influx of ‘reactive’ dogs especially in the US and why I’ve seen some people use a muzzle for their dog even though their dog is friendly and loves interacting with people; they just don’t want people randomly touching their dog. Overseas people are very aware of this and abide by this rule or even just ignore everyone else’s dog and those dogs are so well behaved and good at going everywhere.

5) Respect if the Person Says “No”

Don’t be a person who after asking to pet someone’s dog and being told “No” by their person goes “Oh, but all dogs love me!” and go to pet the dog anyways. It’s not your dog nor your right. I’m appalled at people’s entitlement mentality reading some pretty horrific things online about people getting angry at being told “No” by a dog’s owner. If you just HAVE TO pet a dog, then go home and play with your own dog. Or if you don’t have one, go get your own or volunteer at a shelter. Dogs are not public property, inanimate objects, and they are not there for your entertainment or petting pleasure. You have no right to touch someone else’s dog and honestly you’re being rude for not listening to the other person. It doesn’t matter why the person says no-a no is a no is a no, and thank you so much for asking!

6) Respect if the Dog Doesn’t Want to be Pet

Again this is mostly for those “OH BUT ALL DOGS LOVE ME!” types of people but may apply to others as well. Firstly, your loud voice and exuberant demeanor is a major turn off to many dogs. Secondly, not all dogs WANT to be pet. Mind-blowing, I know. Here’s an excellent article that goes into this and remember not all dogs want to be pet, and that’s ok. It’s amazing how many times I’ve asked to pet a dog, and while the person says “Yes, go ahead” the dog says “No, thank you.” Many people seem shocked when the dog growls and tries to bite even if the person says yes. It’s important to read the dog’s body language and act accordingly. And guess what? Even if the dog approaches you, that DOESN’T mean the dog wants to be pet! Again, shocking and a little confusing, I know.

But the dog may want to just check you out, is hoping you’ll ignore him or her, and then want to get away from you. To increase your chances of a dog accepting your interaction try this: speak in a softer voice or even don’t say anything at all (many dogs have a lower affinity for men because of their loud and booming voices as well as intimidating statue. Similarly dogs have a lower affinity for children because of their high pitched noises and erratic and startling movements).

Kneel down, turn your body slightly sideways to the dog, offer your hand near your side for the dog to sniff, let the dog approach you (world renown dog trainer Ian Dunbar says “How do you approach a strange dog? Never! You let the dog approach you.”), wait a few seconds and if the dog seems relaxed gently pet the chest of the dog. Do not go over the head as that is intimidating to many dogs. Wait a few seconds before attempting to make physical contact because even if the dog approaches you, they may not want to interact with you and that gives the dog a chance to walk away without feeling cornered or trapped. Also check out our 5 Dos and Don’ts of Greeting a Dog.

Doing this I can’t count the number of times I’ve had someone say “Oh, she/he doesn’t really like people, but he/she seems to like you!” This has helped numerous timid and shy does warm up to me-they appreciate that I respect their space, understand their signals, that I don’t push them/just try to pet them, and that I know how to approach them. For an extreme comparison, essentially imagine you were trying to interact with a tiger or a horse-how would you act? Then act more like that with any dog.

7) Don’t Let Your Kids Run Up To A Dog You Don’t Know (or Even Ones You Do!)

This should also be common sense. Teach your kids to respect other people’s dogs. Don’t let them run up to a stranger’s dog, grab the dog’s face, hug the dog, or pick the dog up (for small dogs)! I was amazed and incredulous at how many times a kid would run up to Bella and grab her face. While she was extremely patient and wonderful having grown up with loud, grabby kids, it made me very uncomfortable that the kids were allowed to do that and I talked to the kids telling them that’s something they shouldn’t do and they should always ask before rushing up to or petting a dog. Kids running and screaming can also excite some dogs and make others very uncomfortable. Teach the kids to approach calmly and quietly and teach them the importance of respecting animals while interacting with them. This is very important even if you know the dog. Many dog bites and problems happen because the kid hadn’t been taught to respect and properly interact with animals. Also teach the kids to ask before petting a stranger’s dog (and again teach them it’s ok if the person tells them no and sometimes it’s best to ignore a dog). These simple guidelines keep your kid safe and keeps dogs more at ease around kids so everyone can get along and enjoy the other’s company and presence.

These are good general rules for dog events, training classes, and even just in any day to day interactions at cafes and while out and about in public. Let’s all have more fun and respect one another so we can enjoy our dogs together and dogs will continue to be allowed places!