Dog owners tend to be a pretty passionate lot. Their dogs are more than just pets; they’re members of the family who can do no wrong. These are the people who laugh and say things like, “Isn’t that cute!” when their pooch chews through the neighbor’s favorite tablecloth. Worse, owners naturally assume others find their dog just as adorable as they do. While that may be merely annoying to some, for others, it’s a bit more serious. Property owners and rental management companies — people who rent apartments and houses — have no patience for pets that won’t behave or for pet owners who show little inclination to make them.
Property managers have a lot invested in the condition of their rental properties. That’s a real problem when a pet comes along that does hundreds or thousands of dollars’ worth of damage. For them, dog etiquette is a serious matter, something to be expected and paid for when a lack of etiquette leads to destroyed drapes or soiled carpeting.
When you sign a lease, you’re responsible for damage that’s incurred during your stay. For most properties that allow dogs and other pets, the lease includes a pet clause that spells out expectations for pet owners. Trained or not, it’s your job to ensure that it’s well-disciplined and watched carefully to prevent the kind of misbehavior that’ll lose you your security deposit or get you evicted.
Like a child
If it helps, think of your pet as a small child. You wouldn’t allow a little boy or girl to tear up your apartment, so you shouldn’t let your dog get away with it, either. If necessary, use a child gate to keep your furry friend confined to an area where he can’t do much damage. If your dog likes to chew on the baseboards or scratch cabinet doors, it might be best to keep him in the bathroom or in a crate during the day when you’re at work. Another solution is to hire someone to take him outside a couple of times a day so he doesn’t turn the place into his personal toilet. Bear in mind that dogs sometimes act out due to separation anxiety, so consider going home for lunch or adjusting your schedule so you can get home a little earlier.
Clean it up
Failing to clean up a dog’s droppings is one of the worst mistakes a dog owner can make. For most property managers, this is an absolute condition. In addition to the smell and the likelihood that a neighbor will step in it, it’s just plain bad manners. It’s also a frequent complaint among people who live next to a dog owner. Use common sense: if your dog is the only one in your unit or building, it’ll be pretty obvious where the blame lies if Fido’s fecal matter litters the property grounds. You can purchase dog waste bags at any pet store (plastic grocery bags also work well). Try to keep him from going in high-traffic areas. Steer him toward a remote corner of the property or behind a stand of bushes.
The leash
If you’re a dog owner who rents, your leash is your best friend and the best way to keep him out of trouble. Keep your pet leashed whenever he’s outside and when walking through your apartment building. You want to keep him from running free and from startling a neighbor who may not be a dog lover (roughly 11 percent of Americans are afraid of dogs). These days, most communities require citizens to keep their dogs leashed outdoors.
Much of dog etiquette comes down to good manners. If your dog’s doing something that would offend you, make sure he doesn’t get away with it. Diligence and attention to detail can almost always keep you and your pooch out of trouble.