A dog outside the store
Leaving a dog outside a store remains one of the biggest problems in our society.There is an increasing amount of discussion online, and opinions are divided.How does this look from a behavioral perspective and in terms of our dog's safety??Is it possible to teach a dog to stay outside a store??
Stress, discomfort, uncertainty
There’s no denying that most dogs feel extremely stressed when left alone outside a store.One of the primary behavioral needs of dogs is a sense of security, which is disrupted in such situations.
Another important need for our pet is a walk.This is the most important form of physical activity for your pet, and it’s also a way to build a bond between you and your pet.When we suddenly leave our dog alone during a walk—surrounded by strangers in a noisy place—he may feel abandoned and lose his sense of security.
We often don’t notice the problem until the leashed dog barks, howls, or growls at passersby and other animals.These aren't the only symptoms of stress.Just like people, our four-legged friends can experience emotions differently depending on their personality or temperament.
Sometimes we see a yawning pet and might think it’s relaxed and just bored.However, it is important to remember that this reaction means something different in dogs than it does in humans.We yawn when we're tired or right after waking up, whereas for our pets, this reflex is a way to relieve stress.
Some dogs left behind may tremble, others may have the whites of their eyes showing, and still others may lick their lips out of nervousness.There can be a whole host of signals, and without an understanding of canine body language, you might misjudge the situation.
My dog is waiting for my command
We often try to teach our dog the command "wait" or "stay" to help him feel more confident.Let’s remember that working out isn’t always easy, and even exercising at home can be stressful.Outdoor conditions are completely different and can intensify that feeling.
With that in mind, let’s try to recall how we felt as children when we were left alone in line at the checkout.Even though our parents would leave for a little while and always come back, we still felt anxious.If we apply this to our dogs, we can understand what they might be going through.
Sure, we do come across dogs that, when left to their own devices, wander around, sniff things out, and mind their own business.However, that doesn't mean they aren't nervous.
What dangers might our dog face?
We need to be aware that a dog left alone is at risk.
Before New Year's Eve, someone might want to test how loud firecrackers are.Dogs have much more sensitive hearing than humans.When the explosion occurs, they may want to flee, but since they are tied up, they no longer have that option.This could cause our pet to become afraid of gunshots, even though it wasn't afraid of them before.Let’s remember that it’s not just firecrackers that can scare him.
Other animals may pose a threat.Even if our pet has no problem with other dogs, a so-called "runner-up" might approach it.It's a dog that roams the area off-leash and out of control.If it's just a matter of sniffing around, it's not really a big deal.It would be worse if it ended with him attacking.Let’s remember that in such a situation, our dog has no way to defend itself or escape.
Strangers can also be dangerous.We never know who we'll run into.Most people will walk right by without even noticing our pet.Unfortunately, however, some people might scare him, for example by trying to pet him.There are also situations where a dog might be given a dangerous substance, which could have a negative impact on its health.Unfortunately, there are also people who might intentionally let our pet off its leash, and once it feels free, it might get lost.Sometimes, kidnappings for ransom also occur.
Although it seems unlikely, it can happen that an absent-minded owner might forget about the dog and only realize it once they get home.This situation can lead to significant behavioral changes that will need to be addressed with a specialist.
How to Avoid the Dangers of Leaving Your Dog Outside a Store?
There is only one answer to that!
Above all, we as responsible caregivers need to learn that a walk is just a walk, and shopping is just shopping.You shouldn't mix the two.And in emergencies, when we need to pop into a store to buy water for our dog, we should ask if we can bring our dog along and choose a place where our pet is welcome.It's really simple!
A walk is quality time for the owner and the pet, so we shouldn’t combine it with shopping.There’s no point in subjecting our four-legged friend to unnecessary stress.And a couple of walks will do us good ;)
