Sometimes we dog lovers forget that many people don’t share our adoration for these four-legged furballs. A recent advice column on Newsday.com featured a letter from a dog-fearing worker who was upset because her boss often brought his boxer to work and let it freely roam the office. Many times, people will complain to a local government official about dogs running loose in a public park. Or, you may simply have friends who don’t often come to your house out of fear that they will get slobbered on by your dog.

Not everyone is a dog lover, but you can make them more tolerant of those of us who are by observing a few simple rules of “Canine Owner Etiquette.”

Pick Up After Your Dog

This is one of my personal pet peeves (pardon the pun) when I take me dogs out in public. I will go to bag up my dog’s poop, and there will inevitably be two or three other presents in the same vicinity, and the perpetrating dogs and owners are long gone.

Now, if that bothers someone who likes dogs, imagine the crazed response you would get from someone who doesn’t like dogs. Owners, do yourself and other dog owners a favor by being courteous to others using public spaces, and clean up after your dog. You should always have poop bags with you when you’re out with your dog, and in some places, cleaning up after your pooch is a matter of law.

Use A Leash

Letting your dog run loose in public isn’t only annoying to some people; it can be dangerous to your dog as well. Even if your dog is perfectly trained to come on command, letting him run loose in a park or other public venue can be asking for trouble. One wrong turn might land your dog in front of a car in the parking lot, in the middle of someone’s picnic spread, or on top of a small child that happened to wander in to his path.

Any of these could put your pet in danger from a car or an angry parent. This can even run you afoul of the law in some places, as well. No matter how well your pup is at home, plan to keep him on lead when out in public.

Train For Proper Greetings

You may run into many people who want to pet your dog when you are out together, and you’ll find others who want your dog to stay far away, but you’ll find very few people who want your dog jumping on them. Before walking in public, make sure you’ve got your dog under control. Train your dog to meet people on lead by sitting and waiting for affection. If you have trouble getting to that level at first, walk your dog on a short lead and don’t stop to meet people. Instead, keep walking and keep your dog’s attention on you until you can train him to greet people correctly, especially if you have a large dog. You might think it’s funny, but not everyone enjoys a big, sloppy lick in the face.

Handling your dog properly in public not only makes people you encounter happier, but it makes the all of us dog owners look good by association. Be courteous whenever you and your dog are out, and encourage your dog-walking friends to do the same.