Written by: Aurora James
5 Ways You Can Be a Good Neighbor and a Responsible Dog Owner
If you own a dog, you’ve likely thought about all the ways you can take care of your companion. But have you thought about how you, and your dog, can be mindful of your neighbors? Dogs can bring so much joy to our lives, so it may come as a surprise to know that dogs can also bring a lot of complaints from neighbors. Want to avoid issues for your pup? Here a few simple rules to follow.
1. Help Your Dog with Proper Public Etiquette
You’ll be taking your dog on lots of walks through the neighborhood. Be sure that your pup is displaying good manners when out and about. Keep your dog on sidewalks and out of yards. If you come across other dogs, ask the owner’s permission before you let your pet approach them. Finally, if your dog has a habit of jumping on people, take some time to break the habit. You don’t want your dog to be responsible for toppling a neighbor and causing an injury.
2.Keep Your Dog Leashed and Under Control
Having your dog under voice control is important but you’ll still want to be careful when letting your dog outside. It may be tempting to forgo a collar and leash for those quick potty trips or walks to the mailbox, but keep in mind that dogs are easily distracted. You don’t want your dog to spot a bird in your neighbor’s yard and trample through their garden running after it, or worse, get hit by a car running across the street. Leash up your dog anytime you plan on taking a trip together outside, to protect your dog from harm and your neighbor’s yard from damage.
3.Always Pick Up Pet Waste
If you want to be a responsible dog owner make it a habit to pick up their waste. Aside from the unpleasant odor, dog waste can draw pests like flies, harbor harmful bacteria and lead to parasites, all of which can make your dog, or others, sick. Dog waste is also a major cause of water pollution and can result in unsightly stains on grass. So make it a morning ritual to pick up any waste in your own yard. When you and your pup are out on walks, try to keep them out of other people’s yards, but if they do use the bathroom be sure to use a bag to pick up the mess.
4.Take Care of Nuisance Barking
Your dog may love to bark, and some barking is expected, but make sure it doesn’t become a problem. If your dog barks at your neighbor anytime they are outside, or barks for hours at a time, it’s time to take action. Find other ways to help your dog burn off excess energy and use training to help ease anxiety that can lead to an annoying amount of barking. You don’t want your dog to keep your neighbors from enjoying time in and around their own home and you certainly don’t want any noise complaints against you or your dog.
5.Consider a Fence to Keep Your Dog Safe
One of the best ways to keep your dog secure in your yard, while allowing them more freedom outside, is to install a fence. Fencing in at least part of your yard will give your dog a space they can really run around in, without worrying about them running into your neighbor’s yard. Wooden fences are a solid choice and will offer some privacy and security for you as well. According to HomeAdvisor, It costs around $1,643 – $3,857 to install a fence, but the benefits for you, your dog and your neighbors, will be well worth the investment.
You want to enjoy your life with your dog, so be sure to follow these rules to avoid any problems between your pup and the neighbors. Keep your dog safe and under control and take steps to keep them from annoying your neighbors, and you can easily keep the peace with the people who live around you.