Dogs aren’t always welcome

It’s summer and your friends have just invited you to the lake, or you have made an impromptu decision to catch an outdoor concert – and the question is, Should your dog come along?

While it’s tempting to bring your pet, there are a few things to keep in mind. Obviously not everyone likes dogs and in come places, you may even be breaking the law.

In Spokane, a city ordinance passed two years ago prohibits dogs at major outdoor public events such as Pig Out in the Park. During regular nonevent days at Riverfront Park, dogs are allowed on leash, according to the City Parks and Recreation Department.

Coeur d’Alene city ordinances don’t allow any dogs in city parks, with or without a leash, but dogs on a leash can follow owners in the Tubbs Hill hiking area or on the Centennial Trail, including the portion of the trail that goes through City Park.

Forget about a side trip to the nearby beach: The public beach at Coeur d’Alene’s City Park is considered part of that park, and no dogs are allowed.

Before you take your dog to the park, check out the rules and regulations. It’s just as important to keep in mind whether your dog is social enough to handle outings around strangers.

“The main recommendation to owners who want to include their dog in family outings and gatherings is to know your dog,” said dog trainer Carol Byrnes. “How well socialized and how much training has he had? Is he comfortable and relaxed? What sights, sounds, actions make him worried? Sometimes, much as we’d like to include our dog, some situations are not dog-friendly and even though he is begging to go, he would actually be happier and safer left behind.”

Even if your dog is good with a few people at a time, it doesn’t mean he will be comfortable surrounded by a crowd of people, including kids grabbing to pet him or carrying tempting food at snout-level.

Always remember, that when your dog is on a leash, he may feel there’s no way to escape, especially if an unknown dog, not leashed, comes up to sniff him.

If your dog seems hesitant, don’t push him into situations where he’s not ready to cope.

“Step between him and the friendly stranger if needed – be his advocate,” Byrnes added. “He trusts you to take care of him.”

It requires something of you, too, if you bring your dog along.

“Will you be able to give your dog your undivided attention to guide and protect him, or will your attention be on the kids, the cooler, the game, while the dog is left to his own devices?” asked Byrnes. “A dog is like a small child. You can’t take your attention off where they are or what they are doing, or trust that they will always use the best judgment.”

Byrnes also recommends that people pack for their dogs as well: water, dish, leash, blanket, crate, a chew toy, and even a bag for picking up pet messes.

Finally, if the choice to bring your dog doesn’t work out, the nice thing is to be ready and willing to leave.