I recently sent out two informal surveys: the first to trainers and dog sport competitors across the U.S. , the second to family pet owners that are actively training their dogs in the Gallatin Valley .

Trainers and dog sport competitors were asked, “Do you use dog parks, why or why not?” 94% said no, the three main reasons were; they know good dog behavior and see too many disengaged owners allowing their dog to be inappropriate with other dogs, untrained people with untrained dogs, not worth the stress or the risk. The 6% that do use dog parks had specific criteria; certain dog parks at certain times of the day, only with known dogs and responsible owners, only in off leash ‘open space’ dog areas, to work their dog with disc/ball focus not to play with other dogs.

The survey to family pet owners asked a variety of questions regarding how they manage/socialize their dogs while out and about. The answers paint an accurate picture with what is happening in and about town. 99% of people surveyed allow their dogs off leash on trails and public parks, not just dog parks, although dog parks were used regularly by 55%. ON LEASH only signs were disregarded by 90% of people using the trails through town. People that have been actively training and have 100% voice control while hiking do not allow their dogs to meet & greet everyone or every dog and seem to be very respectful of space. Folks that have variable voice control will attempt to call their dog to them if they see a person approaching, but allow their dog to run up to a person walking with a dog. If someone has had a bad experience with another dog 70% of the time it was on Pete’s Hill, the other 30% was split between the Christmas Stroll and all other trails in and around town. While out walking their own dog 50% of the people have had a verbal argument at least once with another person, the words ‘leash’ or ‘poop’ were the two most common words in the argument, and men apparently you seem to be the culprits when it comes to not cleaning up after your dog/s. “Don’t worry my dog is friendly” is the most common phrase used and/or heard on trails, 50% of the time it is not received well by other people and/or people with their dog, followed up with “I don’t care, call your dog!”. Bozeman Creek, Sundance and Sourdough trails were mentioned by over 35% where you usually see dogs long before an owner ever appears and there seems to be no attempt by owners to call their dogs to them. 50-60% of people love off leash options but would also like to see leash areas only. 60% of those surveyed classified dogs as either ‘friendly’ dogs that could go to dog parks, or ‘aggressive’ dogs that couldn’t. As for the ‘M’, that is an article in and of itself…

As a pet owner, trainer and competitor I observe these interactions daily, some with delight some with apprehension. We have some very responsible dog owners that have put a great deal of time into training, socializing, and exercising. But we seem to have a fairly large number of dog owners that treat the City as a giant dog park with little to no regard for other people/dogs space, and become arrogantly defiant if you ask them to call their dog. Off leash areas, not necessarily dog parks, are important for social, emotional, physical well being, whether it is time with the owner or meet & greets with other dogs, but these areas should also be used respectfully not defiantly. What I find sadly naïve is that dogs seem to be regarded as friendly ‘dog park dogs’ or aggressive dogs, dogs are so much more than this and should not be defined by their ability to go to a dog park. The majority of the dogs in town are not dog park dogs and they are far from ‘bad’ dogs. Many people and their dogs find that type of experience stressful or unpleasant and seek other ways to exercise and socialize. I feel very strongly that leash laws should be strictly enforced in the majority of city parks. I think some of the trails in town should have modified signs that read “Under 100% voice control or on leash, strictly enforced” This way owners that have put a great deal of time into training are rewarded with off leash privileges, it gives other folks a chance to step up, and it keeps trails from turning into dog parks. I don’t think it is necessarily ‘cool’ to have a dog off leash in a public area, I think it is a privilege that should be earned.

Nancy Tanner, CPDT is a certified pet dog trainer in Bozeman Montana and the owner of Paws & People, LLC where the focus is on- training, education and behavior. For more information visit www.pawsandpeople.com