#Asked

Now that spring has sprung (and it officially already feels like summer), most of us are opting for outdoor adventures – walks around Main St., trips to Riverfront Park, choosing to eat on the patio + putting Fireflies’ Wag-Along Wednesdays on our calendar. And, with the warmer weather, dog parents are bringing their fur babies along. 🐶

But, when it comes to bringing our four-legged children with us, there are rules of etiquette all dog owners (and bystanders) need to keep in mind. For starters, leashes are very important – unless you are at the dog park + within the fenced-in area – and the City of Columbia requires all pet owners to keep their dog on a leash at all times – and not doing so could result in a $200 fine.

Additionally, the City of Columbia and Richland County requires all pets to have a city license. This license ranges free-$25 (depending on the dog’s status) and is to be renewed annually. The fee for not having your dog licensed in Columbia is $200.

Now that we know the required city rules, we want to hear from all of you – dog parents; all our shop, business, and restaurant owners; + those without dogs – what are tips + rules of etiquette to keep in mind when having a dog out in public?

#Answered

Ask before you pet

“Please do not approach my dog and assume she wants to be pet by you (or your children!)...ASK FIRST! Not all dogs love all people, so don’t be offended if I pull my dog away from you when you come barreling into her space! This is a great topic. Thanks for including it in your awesome newsletter!! I love reading this every morning before I start my day! Thanks” – Erin B.

“I have 3 little kids and no pets, so pretty much every dog we see they want to pet. I always asses the dog and have them ask the owner for permission/ if the dog is good with kids. I would just ask that if your dog is more hyper or is not used to children, please tell the parents. I would not feel at all affronted if someone told me we should not pet their dog; I’d rather have them be cautious than not. So please know when parents we are asking more to make sure we are not merely observing a nicety, but rather are making sure we are not putting our kids in a potentially dangerous situation.” – Kate B.

“Teach kids to approach with respect and ask permission too. Kids are the most likely to run at my dog and try to touch him without his permission. You never know what a dog may perceive as a threat.” – @beershua

“Here’s some etiquette we follow and teach our kids:

💯 Always ask for permission first before approaching.

🐶 If owner says ok, slowly approach dog from front, squat, introduce yourself by extending open palm to let the dog sniff.

🚫 Never touch someone’s dog blindside if he doesn’t know you’re there.

💩 Always carry poop baggies. Poop happens.

👀Watch body language to gauge emotion (fear, anxiety, excitement, etc.) Oh, this works for dogs too.

⚠ Dogs with vests on are working, so don’t ask to approach. Must receive an invite.” – Lisa C.

“This one’s for all the people out there without a dog: Just because I have mine out in public does NOT mean she wants to be pet. Always ask before petting a dog. Teach kids how to be respectful of dogs (not grabbing and pulling) and to also always ask first.” – Mallory O.

“Ask before you pet other people’s dogs. There is no way to know if they bite or not, especially around small children. The dog may be a service dog also and not meant to be petted.”

– Rachel B.

“Meeting a dog you’ve never met before (or don’t see very often) ALWAYS ask permission first before you pet someone’s dog – especially a dog(s) you are meeting for the first time! Once you have permission to pet the dog, make a fist with your hand (rather than leaving your fingers exposed for possible chewing or gnawing) and let the dog sniff you for a few seconds before even petting. If it’s a really friendly dog it will probably go ahead and lick your fisted hand and dispense with smelling you.” – Anonymous

“If your dog is injured or recovering from surgery, tie a yellow ribbon around the leash. It alerts others that your pet is vulnerable. And for crying out loud, a nose harness aka a gentle lead, is NOT a muzzle, so don’t lecture dog owners about how they shouldn’t bring their dangerous dog out in public.” – @shegambolsinpearls

Use shorter leashes when around people

“I love dogs but too many at Soda City. I was tripped by a leash (not hurt). So many dogs make it difficult to comfortably walk and enjoy the Saturday morning market. It is getting worse every week. Thx for a place to share this.” – Beverly C.

“Keep them on a somewhat shorter leash so people don’t trip over the leash! I’ve seen it happen 😂.” – @gamecocktoothdoc

“When in a crowd of people and dogs, walk your dog on a short lease. Not all dogs like other dogs coming up to them sniffing, not all people like dogs coming up to them sniffing either.

Remember pick up the poop. Carry poop bags.” – Barbara B.

“That when walking with your pet on a leash, to make sure that a lot of the slack is taken in so the dog can not run up to people… or even on people. I love dogs (from afar) and prefer to keep them off of me when I am walking past. I am terrified of dogs!” – Jamitia H.

“When a dog is off the leash and the owner goes, “it’s ok he/she is friendly”, doesn’t mean my dog on the leash won’t bite your dog for entering her area. Some dogs don’t like other dogs. Just saying…” – @toester

Consider others’ comfort

“Dog owners please be aware that everyone isn’t as comfortable around dogs as you are, especially unfamiliar dogs. At a Lowe’s recently, a lady’s Yorkie was in the child seat of a shopping cart. When she stopped near me, the dog kept growling and lunging at me as I was picking up items from the shelves. The lady just giggled and called him a silly dog. At a downtown store, a large dog kept sniffing my legs and feet while I was shopping. I actually bumped into it several times while browsing because it was so close to me. The owner said/did nothing to move her dog away from me. It was obnoxious. I’m very tired of oblivious dog owners allowing their dogs to get so close to me. Just because you think he won’t bite doesn’t mean I want him in my space!” – Kay P.

“Stop looking at your phone and pay attention to what your dog is doing.” – @binkley

“I have two Weimaraners and I keep them reined in when bicycles or runners pass, even though they won’t go after them. I don’t want the bicyclists or runners to worry.” – Kathryn F.

“I’m not a dog owner nor do I have a shop, but I walk all the time on trails and have encounters ALLLLL the time with dogs and their owners. It is totally annoying when dog owners don’t keep their dogs away from walkers, have them on a long leash and not close to their side allowing their dogs to charge at people or close enough that they sniff or lick them. I’m afraid of dogs and get scared when a dog comes too close to me. I also don’t care to be licked. I think dog owners need to realize everyone doesn’t think as fondly of their Fido as they do and would prefer to have a nice walk without having to be on alert when a big dog is up ahead and having to plan their strategy of how to get around the dog on a long leash or one who is not under control.

Can you tell it’s a pet peeve (no pun intended) of mine :)??” – Hannah L.

“Keep dogs close to owners. Not all people are dog people. Barking dogs are like crying babies. If you can’t keep them quite, then you need to leave.” – Tammie H.

Make sure they are having a good time

“#Tip: Bring them to #YappyHour on Tuesdays + Thursdays for some off leash fun! #ProTip: Dogs are always welcome on the back deck until 10pm. 🐶❤️” – @jakesondevine

“Hello , answering for Gervais&vine...we love all dogs and always welcome them on our patio. Please do make sure they are chill with people and other dogs however so we don’t have to host any dog fights and scramble to catch the .Thanks! Happy Friday... y’all are doing a great job at Cola Today!!” – Roberta M.

Pick up after your dog

“I would truly love to see folks picking up after their dogs more often. At the little green space at Main and Lady, there are two doggy bag dispensers, yet quite a few poopy piles are always scattered around the pine straw area. The pine straw is not a place to drop it and leave it!! Please oh please be thoughtful” – @allison_m_bertram

“I always always always pick up dog waste. Even when we are on the trails; it is considered a Leave No Trace principle.As a dog lover, I remember to ask an owner for permission before petting their dog. Even the friendliest looking dog might nip when a stranger approaches.” – Allison K.

“And this: City of Columbia says the biggest complaint they’re receiving from neighborhoods lately is bags of dog poop tossed onto street compost piles. They’ve even resorted to making a public service announcement about it! The point of bagging poop is to keep it away from storm drains and water bodies, and if it is in the compost pile, the bag may break and the poop will go where it shouldn’t. Plus, many people view depositing a bag of dog poop in front of their house as an unfriendly act. Go figure!” – Susan H.

“You didn’t mention this, but I am getting really upset about the number of dog owners in Columbia who are leaving their dog poop on our sidewalks! And of course, in our front yards too. Clean up after your dog!!!!” – Nancy S.

“Please bag your dogs poop! It is unhealthy not to do so, not only for people but for other dogs as well. That’s more important etiquette than any license in my opinion and I’m surprised you did not mention this. Personally I think they ought to instigate a fine for people who do not bag their dogs poop...Namaste” – Gwen S.

“Pick up the poop” – Greg K.

“Pick up your dog poop AND throw it away. So many people toss their poop bag to the side. I’m not sure what they’re thinking…” – Karen J.

“ALWAYS PICK UP AFTER YOUR DOG!” – Amber P.

“Pick up the poo!” – Harriett S.

“When waking your dog in your neighborhood, please don’t drop your poop bags in yard clipping piles. Put them in the trash! Yard clippings are picked up and converted to mulch, and no one wants dog poop and plastic in their mulch!” –Herbie H.

“One of my pet peeves is dog owners who go to the trouble of carrying poop bags and then toss them into the street trash pile, which just happens to about my property. I guess an even worse lapse is letting their pet poop on top on my perennials, which happened at my mailbox last year, prompting me to order one of those signs that says ‘Please be respectful.’ Some dog owners seem to be like mothers with babies who think they own the universe.” –Susan H.

“Not disposing of plastic poop bags in leaf and debris piles on the roadside.” –Beth M.

Consider their paws on hot concrete

“KEEP THEM OFF THE CONCRETE/ASPHALT WHEN IT’S HOT! If it burns your feet, it’s burns theirs. I watched some poor dog crawl off to the side of the road on its heels and the tops of its paws at Soda City last year bc it’s paws were burning so bad.” – @laurenaud2009

“Not walking them on asphalt when it’s above 80 degrees!!!! Bringing them to soda city market in the middle of July is seriously torture to them” – @atishappatel

Be prepared

“Dog Owners ALWAYS have poop bags with you! You’re displaying ignorance (and lack of respect for others) when you aren’t picking up your dog’s #2.” – Karen D.

“Bring plenty of bags” – Brent M.

“Bring water & any supplies they may need! I see so many dogs panting in this SC heat & their owners seem to have no water in sight for them.” – @emilyafolk

Poll