Public dog behavior: Expert advice from a trainer on maintaining good manners for your pet in public settings
In May 2023, certified dog trainer Melissa Goodman travelled to New York City with her dog Aspen. The duo attended an event, where Goodman shared her insights on training dogs that exhibit aggressive behaviour.
Goodman emphasised the importance of a dog being comfortable around other people and dogs, and being able to ignore them. She stressed that a dog being great on a loose leash, even in a distracting crowd, is a key skill for public behaviour.
Aspen, Goodman's dog, struggles with settling at times, especially when watching other dogs work. However, Goodman made sure Aspen had something to keep her occupied and relaxed during the event.
Goodman believes that getting a well-behaved dog in public doesn't need to be difficult. She recommends reading the article titled "Teaching my dog to 'stop' was the best thing I ever did, here's why" for advice on public behaviour.
Goodman also noted that if a dog can ignore people and other dogs, it will make taking them places easier. She mentioned that if a dog runs off in a busy or unfamiliar area, the outcome might not be pleasant.
Goodman's advice resonated with many dog parents who aspire for a well-behaved dog in public. She noted that there are 32 common dog behaviour problems and solutions that might be helpful in the meantime.
During the event, which had over 550 people and around 100 dogs, Aspen was well-behaved. Goodman noted that this came after plenty of practice and hard work.
In a recent Instagram post, Goodman, who is the founder of Mission Pawsitive, discussed these key things in more detail. She reiterated that a dog being neutral and able to ignore distractions is crucial for good public behaviour.
Poorly behaved dogs in public can be frustrating, disheartening, and potentially dangerous. By following Goodman's advice and putting in the time and effort, any dog owner can get their pup to the same level of public behaviour as Aspen.
