Dogs Behaving Badly
If they hope to keep the peace with people who don’t own
dogs, or to encourage more people to get a dog, some dog owners
are going to have to do a better job controlling their pets
in public. Nearly half of all non-owners (47 percent) cited
“a lack of picking up after their dogs” as their
No. 1 complaint against dog owners, according to a survey by
the American Kennel Club (New York).
Commissioned in observance of AKC Responsible Dog Ownership
Day, held each year in September, the survey polled 500 dog
owners as well as 500 people who do not own dogs to identify
their top concerns about dog ownership.
Non-owners’ pet peeves included “not controlling
their dog” or “letting the dog jump on you”
(25 percent); “allowing a dog to bark incessantly”
(13 percent); and “the way dog owners fawn over their
pooches or use baby talk to address their dogs” (4 percent).
“Responsible dog ownership not only involves taking
top-notch care of your pet, but also being considerate of
those around you,” said Lisa Peterson, AKC’s director
of club communications. “While you may find Fido’s
jumping and howling endearing, others may not.
“I’m not surprised to hear that non-dog owners
place a high premium on order,” she continued. “Owning
a dog requires flexibility and a sense of humor when Fido
chews on your shoes. The responsibility of pet ownership is
well worth the rewards, but anyone considering bringing a
dog home should realize that it’s a 10- to 15-year commitment
of time, money, and love that should not be taken lightly.”
On the other hand, dog owners were more likely to describe
themselves as “happy” (43 percent versus 38 percent)
and “laid back” (26 percent versus 17 percent).
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