Behind Closed Doors...?

I am currently thinking about the difference between people's behaviour with dogs in public places, versus what goes on "behind closed doors." The legislation and provision of safeguards are vastly different, depending on where the dog is.

Where legislation is in place, we are still often relying on people "doing the right thing" as opposed to direct enforcement, because there just isn't enough resource put into enforcement currently.

So- we have laws that tell us what we should and shouldn't be doing. If enforcement isn't there, we are relying on people believing that something is the right or wrong thing to do, or peer support and/or judgement giving other people the courage to say "you shouldn't be doing that!"

If your on your own with an animal, or a child, you need that belief to be inbuilt or instilled, to protect those who are more vulnerable.

I remember learning about cognitive dissonance, when I started my PhD, and this idea that we all have our own invisible lines as to what we know to be both legal and acceptable behaviours, based on our knowledge, education and experiences. So what might be acceptable to one person, may not be to another.

I heard a solicitor this morning talking about " an enormous amount of money to be spent on a dog"- but, if that dog belonged to you, they were considered to be an integral part of your family and you felt a certain amount of money needed to be spent to safeguard their safety, health or happiness, then where would your limit be?

Many of my behaviour clients have wonderful relationships with their dogs at home, in their safe space and with the people, and/or other animals who make up that household. The trouble starts for them, when they leave the safety of the house and have to encounter people, dogs or situations, they are not familiar with. When you ask other people to put their dog on the lead, because your own dog is nervous, and they refuse, or tell you how great their dog is! When you warn people to be careful, that your dog is fearful and they stick their hand out to them anyway?

What about the dogs who are left in a crate or kennel, for long periods of time, doing practically nothing, while their owner is away from the house. How long is too long? Everyone's line is different, many animal charity's have different guidance on this too. For me- if a dog is distressed when left and unable to play/ chew/ eat and entertain themselves, for even half an hour- then that is half an hour too long for them!

These are life skills, we need to train puppies to carry out, just exactly the same as we train them to toilet outside, or to "sit"- I would argue that independence is more important than toilet etiquette and although sit might be easy to teach, there are way more important and potentially life saving skills like, "Stay" (before they run onto a road) or "Leave" as they are about to stuck into the Christmas choccies!

Legislation covers what happens in public places, theoretically. Keeping our dog on lead and under control, is hugely important, irrespective of where you are or what type of dog you own. We need more "dedicated" spaces where dogs can run off lead, exhibit normal exploratory, play and social behaviours, without providing any risk (physical or emotional) to other dogs, children, joggers, cyclists etc. no matter how well behaved and socialised the dogs are- the potential "victim" of exposure to an off lead, out of control dog has an unknown history, where previous emotional and/or physical traumas are often unknown, under- estimated and under- considered by the dog owning public.

Whether behind closed doors, or in a public place, we all need to be mindful of not only our legal responsibilities as dog owners, but also showing empathy and understanding for those, who do not know nor care how great our dog(s) are. The effects of trauma are very real, for both people and dogs, and for some, they can be life limiting and also lifelong.

As we plough on with our recommendations for updates to the Dog Control legislation in Ireland, it's worth being mindful of the full spectrum of impact dogs in society have, for those who choose to own them, and for all those who do not. Everyone deserves to be safe and respected, as far as we are able to influence that, both at home and outside of it. In the absence of 360 degree legal enforcement, we as a society need to be mindful and "mind each other" as my Irish family and colleagues have taught me!