When we lived in DC, Emmett and Lucas had very busy social lives. They went to the park for 45 minutes in the morning and 45 minutes in the evening. We took them to Petsmart or to friends’ houses for puppy play dates on the weekends. They went to a doggy birthday party with all their park friends. On nice nights, they would romp on our building’s (fully fenced in!) roof deck with other dogs from our building. Dog owners sought each other out for social activities, group walks, and park meet-ups. Every single day, Emmett and Lucas met and interacted with lots of dogs. In fact, I think that’s what helped Lucas overcome many of his dog-related issues. At some point he realized, Wow! Dogs are FUN!
When we moved to Indiana, the comment we received from absolutely everyone was, “The dogs will be so happy to finally have a yard!”
And they are, of course. Sort of.
When I walk the boys around my neighborhood, they get barked at. A lot. There’s the boxer who yelps from over his blue picket fence. There’s the collie-something who rushes his chain-link fence, snarling and snapping. Then there are the dogs behind electric fences, and the dogs who rush out from half-open garage doors to yip and yap as the boys pass by. These poor dogs sound miserable. And, sadly, I only see the same few dogs get walked consistently. (I’m not really a Gladys Kravitz. I just work from home in an office with a window!)
Now we have to really strive to arrange dog interactions. And, unfortunately, I think Lucas is starting to digress a little. Even though we take him to Petsmart and arrange play dates, he’s doing pretty poorly at greeting unfamiliar dogs again. So we just need to step it up, find more opportunities, or create them!
But it makes me wonder about all those people who were so excited that the boys would finally have a yard… In the city, at least in our neighborhood, dog owners strove to arrange interactions and socialization for their dogs. In the suburbs, at least in our neighborhood, most of the dogs we encounter are barking at us from behind a fence.
So is the yard really all that great? Could it be? Are city dogs happier than suburban dogs?
I think part of the problem with “suburban” dogs is that owner’s assume that once they have a lawn, the dogs stop getting interaction with other dogs and stopping getting proper exercise. They figure, “Hey, I’ve got a back yard now. All I have to do is let them out.” I witnessed first-hand how much interaction the boys got and how well it helped them develop, especially with Lucas. I think if people applied your “city-dog” frame of mind with the “suburban” dogs, they would do just fine! Alas, that is not the case, though.
I completely agree with you, Maggie. We try to take Cady on walks a couple times a day, but I can really tell the difference on Saturdays when Cady comes back from PetSmart and has had even just an hour of interaction with other dogs and people. I’m not sure if city dogs are happier than suburban dogs, but I bet they are much less bored.
I think City dogs get more interaction with their people too. You do lots of activities with them take the places, etc. Where in suburbia, they are left in the backyard. (or worse, on a chain!) They get little enrichment in their lives, so resort to barking and guarding behaviors.
We live in a neighborhood with yards and lots of dogs. I walk Finn twice a day, and take him everywhere I can. Some of the dogs in our neighborhood never leave the back yard. 🙁
I think city dogs get more exercise because they can’t just lounge in the back yard when it is time to go out–they have to walk! I don’t see many obese dogs here in DC. It sure helps with socialization too. Sometimes it would be nice to have a yard (especially when the weather is bad), but I think my girl is pretty happy to get regular walks–there is so much more to smell than you would find in a back yard!
I’m loving this discussion… and I think you’re all right! Backyards and suburban life may be really boring for a dog if their people don’t make an effort to get them out to play, walk, socialize, just be dogs!
Seems like the city dogs have the votes! Before we started traveling for GoPetFriendly, we lived in the city with no car, worked from home, and walked every where. In addition to the consistent morning and evening walks, they were constantly getting out during the day – going to the bank, getting groceries, picking up dry cleaning, etc. There was never and end to the places we’d go and the things we did – and the dogs loved it. I just don’t thing suburban dogs get the same opportunities because there are fewer pet friendly places to go … all the errands take place at strip malls where you would have to leave your dog in the car. Yep, I think the city dogs get the nod here.
I think you’re exactly right!! I just had this conversation with my neighbors last night about how suburban dogs don’t really get to go anywhere. Like you said, they’re not being walked to the dry cleaners or the corner store, which is too bad. And it’s interesting to consider somewhere like Paris where dogs can go absolutely everywhere – and they do! – and they’re so well behaved probably because they have the opportunity to go everywhere!