14 Rude Habits Bad Dog Owners Need to Stop ASAP

Leaving the bag of poop on the ground

According to our experts, the most noticeable habit of bad dog owners is—to no one’s surprise—failing to pick up their dog’s poop. But it’s not enough to simply pick it up and bag it. You also need to find an appropriate public garbage disposal to throw it away in, says Erin Askeland, a certified animal health and behavior expert.

You may think someone else, like the grounds crew, will pick it up for you, but it’s your job, she explains. “A park worker actually thanked me [when I threw the bag of poop in the garbage] and said most people don’t bother; he also said he’s not allowed to say anything to those who leave the poop behind,” she says. “This is incredibly rude behavior.”

Talking on your phone at the dog park

Dog parks are for dogs, so why can’t you do your thing while your pooch does his? Well, talking on your phone is actually a breach of dog park etiquette. Moreover, why miss out on all the bonding with your pupper during playtime?

“When you take your puppy to the dog park, yes, he’s there to play with his friends, but just like a child, it’s important to keep tabs on him and watch his behavior,” says Halle Rieckmann, a dog behavior expert and the owner of Heel House K9 Training. “If he gets upset or starts picking on another dog, you’ll need your hands free and all your attention to help him out.”

Putting your dog outside when he won’t stop barking

Banishing your pet to the backyard when he won’t calm down may make you feel better, but it’s sure to upset your neighbors, says Sara Ochoa, DVM, an associate veterinarian at the Animal Hospital of West Monroe. If your dog barks nonstop, talk to your vet about possible reasons for the behavior and measures you can take to address it, she says.

Don’t just make it someone else’s problem by putting the dog outside—that’s bad dog etiquette and will certainly be noticed by your unhappy neighbors. Ultimately, doing so is also detrimental to your dog’s well-being and a direct entry into the bad dog owners club. A good first step to fix this unwanted behavior is learning why dogs bark so you can address the problem early on.

Ignoring “no pets allowed” signs

If we could, we’d take our pooches everywhere. But there are some public spaces—like restaurants and stores—where dogs aren’t welcome or are explicitly banned. Yet many dog owners think those signs apply to all pets except theirs, so they either sneak in or brazenly bring in their animals, says Ruth MacPete, DVM, a veterinarian and author of Lisette the Vet.

Doing so is disrespectful to the place you’re in and to those around you. It’s a serious breach of dog etiquette—you don’t know who there might have an allergy to or a serious fear of dogs, she says. If you want to be a good dog owner, follow the rules. And if you can’t leave your dog at home or outside with somebody else while you run a quick errand at the store, some obedience training might come in handy for your pet.

Calling your dog a “support” or “service” animal when it’s not

A service dog has a specific definition—a “dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability,” according to the Americans with Disabilities Act—and it must be specially trained, tested and certified. Some people choose to say their dog is a “support” animal or even lie about it being a trained service dog in order to take it places it doesn’t belong.

Dr. MacPete says this isn’t just rude. It’s dangerous. “People who flout these rules make it harder for those dog owners who truly depend on their certified service animals,” she says.

Allowing your dog to pee on other people’s property

Letting your dog pee on fence posts, mailboxes, shrubs, trees, trash cans or car tires that are on someone else’s property is a definite sign of a bad dog owner, says Neil Cohen, owner and head trainer at Sit Means Sit. Some people go to great lengths to keep dogs out of their yard, so be respectful about where you allow your dogs to go.

“While it is in male dogs’ nature to ‘mark,’ there is nothing that says he needs to do it anywhere he chooses,” Cohen explains. “It shows poor manners for the human and the dog. Additionally, it teaches the dog that there are no boundaries. Dogs, like children, need to know their boundaries.”

Dropping the leash to let your dog “make a friend”

Your dog understandably gets excited when she sees a new dog, but allowing her to just walk up to another dog and owner is begging for trouble, Rieckmann says. While many dogs like to make furry friends, some dogs don’t do well with other dogs, especially if they are leashed and the approaching dog isn’t, she explains. Even if you have an affectionate dog breed, you never know if the other dog they are approaching is friendly or not.

“Dogs are just like us in that they enjoy their personal space and want to warm up to meeting a new friend,” she says. “Don’t be that obnoxious party guy that hugs everyone the first time he meets them—no one sticks around him for long!”

Letting your dog off-leash anywhere that isn’t a dog park

“Being on a leash in public is an absolute must, no exceptions,” Rieckmann says. So yes, your dog needs to be leashed even if he follows voice commands, even if he finds the leash a bit uncomfortable, even if you’re in the woods and there’s no one in sight, and yes, even if he’s the gentlest, sweetest pup around. Because even the most well-behaved dog can have an “off” moment—snap, get startled or take off running.

If you want off-leash time, going to a dog park is the best choice, as it’s made specifically for that purpose.

Saying “It’s OK, she’s friendly” to excuse bad behavior

“Just because your dog is friendly with you, doesn’t mean she will be the same with every person or dog she encounters, and you can’t predict her actions in every situation,” says Askeland. Letting your dog get away with bad manners because “she’s a sweetheart” makes you look negligent and doesn’t teach your dog the skills she needs to be in public, she says. And remember that this holds true even if your pup belongs to a super calm dog breed.

Allowing your dog to jump up on other people

Dogs are naturally gregarious and love to show their enthusiasm for new (or old) human friends by jumping up on them. You may think this is cute, but it could catch a person unaware, knock them down or cause other injuries, particularly with kids or senior adults, Askeland says.

“Just because a dog might do this out of excitement doesn’t mean it’s appropriate,” she adds. Instead of rewarding jumping with pets and cuddles, look for these signs that your dog loves you and reward those behaviors instead.

Ignoring what your dog is trying to tell you

Just like we want other people to listen to us, we need to listen to what our dogs are trying to say, Askeland says. When dogs bark, snarl, lunge or whimper, they are trying to tell you they are uncomfortable with the situation, and you need to take it seriously, she adds. “Dismissing this behavior could put someone else or another dog at risk of injury,” she adds.

Forcing your dog to accept being petted

Having a stranger ask to pet your adorable pup can feel like a great compliment, but sometimes dogs aren’t as open as their humans to new friends, Askeland says. And yet when animals resist being petted, hugged or otherwise handled, she often sees owners forcing their dog into social interaction by holding them in place. Not only is this bad dog etiquette, it can make your dog more fearful of strangers over time, as they will build a negative association to people or animals approaching them, Askeland says.

Knowingly bringing an aggressive dog around other people or animals

If you know your dog is prone to aggressive behavior toward others, particularly children or other dogs, it’s rude and dangerous to bring that dog to public places, says Dr. MacPete. Sometimes, owners of aggressive dogs may not realize the gravity of the risks involved or may believe they can always keep things under control. But even with the best intentions, situations can escalate within a split second, and that’s when people or other animals can get hurt.

A simple way to be a thoughtful dog owner is to consider your pup’s temperament before planning your day out.

Giving human medications to your dog

It’s true that there are some crossovers between human and canine medicine, but that doesn’t mean that anything that works for you will work for your dog (and vice versa), Dr. Ochoa says. “Most human drugs are not approved for dogs and can make your dog very sick [or even die] from just a small amount,” she explains. The meds could also cause them to behave in unexpected—and dangerous—ways. Always talk to your vet before giving any medication to your dog.

At the end of the day, being a good dog owner isn’t just about training your dog and giving them food on time—it’s also about practicing everyday dog etiquette. Keep those habits in check, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a proud paw-rent.

Why trust us

Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of etiquette stories that help readers navigate communication in a changing world. We regularly cover topics such as the best messages to send for any occasion, polite habits that aren’t as polite as they seem, email and texting etiquette, business etiquette, tipping etiquette, travel etiquette and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. For this piece on bad dog owners, Charlotte Hilton Andersen tapped her experience as a longtime journalist who specializes in etiquette and communication for Reader’s Digest. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division: “ADA Requirements: Service Animals”
• Erin Askeland, certified animal health and behavior expert
• Halle Rieckmann, dog behavior expert and owner of Heel House K9 Training
• Sara Ochoa, DVM, associate veterinarian at the Animal Hospital of West Monroe
• Ruth MacPete, DVM, veterinarian, pet media personality and author of Lisette the Vet
• Neil Cohen, head trainer and owner of Sit Means Sit