Doggone Etiquette —

Let’s Go!

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:

For some unknown, very strange reason, people refer to “dog days” as those horribly hot, humid days of summer when all any sensible dog wants to do is splash in the pool or sleep in the shade. Here’s the scoop on the real “dog days.”                           

Now, in the early fall, are the best days for all you dogs! The air is cool, the breeze is full of wonderful new, and some just as wonderful old, things to smell, the sun is warm (not hot) and it’s time for hunting. Even if you are not supposed to be what people refer to as a “hunting breed,” you are still a dog and following the scented trail of a fox, deer, chipmunk – or the neighbor’s cat – wakes up your nose like nothing else. Well, except maybe for dinner.                       

Let’s see what we can do to make your Very Important People understand how really exciting it is to be a dog in the autumn, and to understand the real meaning of “dog days.”

A Word to the Dog’s Owner:                            

No matter what breed, or mix of breeds, your Rufus may be, he has some things in common with all other dogs.

For the most part, their sight is not their strongest suit, but their hearing and sense of smell more than make up for what they may lack in deciding if that distant object is a coyote or a Collie. There are always minor exceptions, but generally speaking this is true of all canines, and also that scent tops sound.                

When you are planning to take Rufus for his daily walk, keep telling yourself this is HIS walk. You are going along to keep him company and make sure he returns home safely. If you prefer to walk or jog for “x” number of miles at “x” miles per hour, that’s YOUR walk. Dogs prefer the nose-to-the-ground (or held high in the air) method which tells them everything that’s going on that they feel a need to know about.                          

We see the color of the leaves change in the autumn. Dogs sense the animals that are storing food, creating winter nests and leaving fabulous scent trails as they do. The morning or late evening dew merely enhances the exciting sniffs for your dog. If you are only able to walk on sidewalks (rare in our area), plan to take Rufus to some of our parks on a regular basis while the weather holds. Hiking in our various wooded spots is great exercise for the whole family and the dog. But, again, be sure to let Rufus enjoy the foundation of Mother Nature – that is, the Good Earth. You probably take along bottles of water for yourselves, so be sure to take at least one for the dog. 

Some dogs are very clever and can drink from a bottle that’s held for them. However, this is no time for tricks. 

Include a bowl for Rufus.                               

There are a few things to be aware of for the dog’s safety. For example, when planning a hike in the woods, check the collar and leash for worn parts, and keep an eye out for snakes. At home, autumn is a wonderful time to dig. 

It’s all those good scents again, but this time they work to lure Rufus under the fence!  While you’re at it, check the entire fence to be sure it will hold up come winter storms.                      

With added fall-weather activity, you might increase the dog’s meal by a small amount, but be ready to cut back as the activity diminishes. The exception, of course, would be for those few dogs in our neck of the woods that do what they were bred to do in snow-covered terrain such as pulling sleds for days on end. That’s the Iditarod Trail. 

Not much chance of that in Newtown! Before winter hits us, enjoy fall with your dogs.

Until next time – Be good!

- Bardi

Bardi McLennan bred, trained and showed Welsh Terriers for 30 years during which time she wrote a monthly column on canine behavior in Dog fancy Magazine. In addition to contributing to numerous dog publications, she has written 15 books on dogs, the latest being Rescue Me! which received the ASPCA Humane Issues Award this year.