5 Tips to be a Bad Pet Neighbor

   A few weeks ago I shared 5 tips for Being a Good Pet Neighbor. It seemed only fair to give equal time to ways you can become a bad pet neighbor. I could have also titled this post, 5 Ways to Ensure that the Neighbors will Hate You and Your Dog, but that seemed a bit too long. Let's start with #5 so the anticipation can build.

#5 ~ Have overconfidence in your dog’s recall

    If you want to guarantee your neighbors will hate your dog, be one of “those” people that think it is okay to allow your dog in the front yard or on a walk without any type of restraint. Imagine a neighbor walks, jogs or rides a bicycle past your home and your dog decides to run out to join them.  You are confident that calling your dog’s name will immediately have it running into your loving arms. That is until it actually happens. Then you are screaming the dog’s name and “NO! I said come HERE!!” using the high-pitched voice of a lunatic. The dog is barking and nipping at the person’s feet or pedals and they are frantic to get away from you both. Congratulations, now they hate you and your dog.

#4 ~ Allow your dog to approach a neighbor’s dog without permission.

   As hard as it is to believe, your dog is not irresistible to every dog or human that's outside getting exercise. When you take your dog for a walk, other dog walkers don’t want yours invading their space without permission. If you let your dog get close to a random dog’s face while walking, it is at risk of being bitten. This is not only dangerous but will lead to a verbal confrontation with the other person. This person will now cross the street or turn around when they see you because they hate both of you.

#3 ~ Allow your dog to bark loud and often

   All dogs bark with the exception of the Basenji and one of our former neighbor’s Doberman that had its voice box removed. That’s an entirely different story for another day. If your dog barks before the sun is up or after normal bedtime hours, your neighbor HATES your dog. Even during the middle of the afternoon, if your best friend is barking non-stop while your neighbor is trying to tend their flowerbeds, drink a cup of coffee or relax, you are a very bad and hated pet neighbor.

#2 ~ Don’t pick up their poop.

   You don’t like picking up after your dog. I get it…we all get it. There is only one thing worse than grabbing a big warm pile of your dog’s poop with a plastic bag and that's having to grab a pile of another dog's poop. If your dog takes a dump in a neighbor’s yard and you don’t pick it up; they HATE your dog.  *They also think you are a jerk.  

#1 ~ Let your dog run loose.

   If you allow your dog out of the house or fence to roam the neighborhood, the neighbors HATE your dog. Not only is it causing havoc, it is taunting the indoor/fenced dogs. Your dog is strutting around marking its territory in front of them without any restraints. This makes other dogs crazy. You can hear them trash barking to your dog. Now, the neighbor’s dogs hate your dog too.

   Let’s face it; nobody wants the neighbors to hate their dog. It only takes a little effort on your part to have a dog that your neighbors can enjoy. Good dogs make good neighbors.

5 Tips to be a Bad Pet Neighbor! Discover 5 tips to ensure the neighbors will #hate your dog. #humor https://t.co/cwVYqREFve

— M. K.Clinton (@mk_clinton) January 14, 2016

   I have a guest post on BlogPaws™ today in celebration of National Dress-Up Your Dog Day. I’d love for you to take a moment to read and comment on it. Thanks!

This is Thoughtless Thursday’s blog hop with Ruckus  the Eskie, Love is being owned by a Husky, and me! No fancy rules and no need to think…just link!