ETIQUETTE

• Never suddenly pat or grab a dog or its tail from behind; he or she may snap at you, and it’s just rude to handle someone else’s dog without permission from the owner. Always choose a calm pet, and ask the owner first if it’s okay. Once you have permission, let the dog sniff your hand first, then pet its chest, chin, or back (experts do not recommend you pat the top of its head). Do not stare at the dog’s eyes or it may take it as a challenge, as a crowded pet fair can be stressful.

• Do not bring pets that need a muzzle and choked collars. This goes • Don’t feed other people’s pets; they may have allergies or be on a strict diet.

• Chaperone your pet at all times to keep him or her under control. Unless your dog is well-trained, don’t let him or her off the leash because there is no telling how other animals will react to him or her. without explanation: if they can’t play nice at home, they won’t be able to do so in public―least of all in the crowded venue a pet fair is going to be. Think of the children and small animals who attend those events; nobody wants to be the reason for a tragedy.

• Do not scream at your pet or kick, choke, or otherwise hurt it to discipline it. I saw one owner subduing her dog at a fair in Centris by kicking it repeatedly. His offense? Barking at other dogs―a natural social behavior that should not be punished! Your dog is likely to be excited by the sights, sounds, and smells of a fair, and may be harder to discipline. Cruelty simply proves you are unworthy of being a pet owner and that you do not have the intelligence to discipline your pet otherwise. Incidentally, Dog Coach Francis advocates against such methods, because they are always counterproductive and may end up instilling the wrong behavior in your pet.