Dog Laws to be Aware of
There are many laws pertaining to dogs, however they will vary depending on where you live. Many places have laws such as -
Dogs must be leashed
Fines for not cleaning up after your dog
Fines for excessive barking
Breed Specific Laws
Bite Laws
City or Town License requirements
You also may not allowed to bring a dog into many places such as restaurants, some stores, etc. You will usually see signs on the door when a dog is not allowed, otherwise you may want to ask if it is okay to bring your dog into an establishment.
The best bet is to go to your city or town website and search the laws there, or visit city hall for the specifics of being a responsible, law abiding dog owner in your town.
~Tracey G., owner of Sato
Your Legal Rights If Your Dog Bites Another Dog
You have the right to know the procedures you are paying for. What is to keep them from having all sorts of things done to their dog on your dime if you don't know what is being done. It's not like you are asking for the dogs health records. The owners need to work with you since you are taking responsibility.
If this turns into an issue, you can call Legal Aid. They will just give you some advice at little or no charge, and a course to follow.
This will show you are trying to be responsible for your dogs behavior, but the owners are refusing to allow you to know what you are paying for.
I wouldn't pay for anything until I was handed an itemized bill. So until the owners contact you, I wouldn't shell out a dime, but I would consult legal advice for my own protection.
~Theresa H., owner of Breed Unknown
Your Rights When Your Dog is Injured at the Dog Park
I was involved in an incident at our local dog park last year, and while my own dogs were not involved, I ended up with broken skin on my wrist and hand, as I reached in to stop a mastiff puppy from killing a poodle puppy (yes, I know, I should not have jumped in the middle, but... it's hard not to intervene and help out in a scary situation like that!)
The poodle owner's dad kept angrily insisting that the mastiff owner pay for the pup's surgery, and (to try to defuse the situation) I called my trainer for her opinion. She has a lot of experience with this kind of thing, and she said: "Dog owners enter a dog park at their own risk. If their dog is injured, they are legally obligated to care for their injured dog. If the other party (the owner of the dog that inflicted damage) offers to pay, that's great! But there is no legal obligation."
~Wendy D., owner of German Shepherd
Tips on taking photos with your camera phone
For best results with a camera phone, take the photos outside, in the sunlight, shooting away from the sun. i.e. Have the dog facing the sunlight but you face the camera away.
~Jayj G., owner of Labrador Retriever/Jack Russell Terrier
When you rescue a dog from a shelter, it's ok to change its name
Changing his name from the name assigned at the shelter is fine and it's a good way to get your dog to learn his new name. Get a handful of yummy treats. Feed them one at a time, saying the pup's new name in varying tones and volume as the food hits his mouth. This helps create a positive association with their name, and ultimately helps with recall too.
~Karolyn W., owner of German Shorthaired Pointer/Boxer
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