To the Editor,
As a professional dog trainer in Nanaimo, I have to disagree with Dave Toynbee (Photograph epitomizes dog owners’ attitudes, Letters, April 9).
He makes a generalization, branding all dog owners as inconsiderate.
I have long taught park and path etiquette as part of my curriculum, demonstrating how to stop your dog from cocking his leg on public benches, planters and walls, how to stop your dog when it is lunging or jumping or chasing rabbits or deer when off-leash, as well as keeping your dog to one side as a bicycle or jogger goes past.
However, I do agree that the pooch in the photo should not have been allowed to trample the beautiful daffodils. Hopefully, this was a suggestion by the photographer to capture a cute photo.
The City of Nanaimo is endeavouring to educate more dog owners on the finer points of managing their dogs in public areas both on-leash and off-leash.
The Good Neighbour Dog Program starting this month will address these issues and more.
Toynbee will be able to clearly identify those dogs and handlers who pass the evaluation as they will be sporting a bright blue City of Nanaimo bandana. We are working toward educating dog owners to be considerate of other park and path users.
Kathy Reilly
Miss Behaviors Family Dog Training