Building Better Dog Etiquette in UH

In the coming months I look forward to using this space to touch on some common dog issues.

You’ve likely seen me around with my service dog, Guapo, perhaps among a parade of neighborhood dogs. I’m originally from the Midwest where I grew up on a farm and started training dogs as a kid. Besides dog training, I’m a consultant and a disability advocate. I’ve spent much of my career working in animal protection and nonpartisan law reform. I’ve also been active in rescue work. Among the most memorable dogs I’ve gotten to meet are several of the Michael Vick dog fighting survivors, my favorite being Layla who greeted me with kisses, and Oscar who touched my heart from the safety of his closet.

Animals have always been a central aspect of my life, as they are for many of us. Research shows companion animals provide incredible health benefits and improve our quality of life. The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) conducted a survey in which 74% of pet guardians reported mental health improvements, and 75% reported a friend or family member’s mental health improved because of a companion animal. UC Davis Health says that over 60% of dog owners specifically meet the recommended weekly amount of exercise, meaning they get 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week.

For me, Guapo serves a crucial role as my cardiac assistant dog. He helps me manage a neurological condition that makes my heart beat too fast (HPOTS). Companion dogs can make the world more accessible for a lot of people too. Our animals provide in-roads to human conversation and connection. Dogs in particular help build community, and generally speaking and in my definitely biased opinion they’re the best thing about living in University Heights.

We could be even better though. One easy way to boost our community is to improve our relationship with dogs. Whether you like dogs or not, there’s a good chance you’re going to interact with one in the course of your day. When we improve our dog etiquette and learn to better communicate with dogs – because they already communicate clearly with us – we are able to avoid potential problems and increase everyone’s enjoyment of both private and public spaces. A little bit of knowledge goes a long way, and our entire community benefits. So please stay tuned!