An article popped up the other day focusing on some of the problems that can occur when dogs are at crowded public events. The final few paragraphs (excerpted below) also presented an interesting contrast between USA and Europe with regard to dogs.

I spent some time in England and Germany many years back, but it was well before my first dog so I really didn't pay any attention to the dog culture (attitudes, values, etc) in these countries.

Anyone have any insights into European vs US dog culture?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/22/AR2010092204991.html

From the article...

Some area residents say the tension over dogs in public places is a particularly American phenomenon. Suzanne Nagy, an Alexandria resident who has been posted in Austria with the International Atomic Energy Agency, said dogs are more likely to be seen in public settings in Europe, but with much less friction. The difference, she said, is near-universal obedience training and an onus on owners to make their dogs behave.

"They just see dogs as an integral part of life, and they go everywhere with people, restaurants, shopping malls, beer halls," Nagy said. "Here, I see people getting dragged down the street by their dogs."

...End

I don't know about any other part of Europe, but when I visited Spain (about 15 years ago now), I never saw a dog on a leash. People let them run and left food on the porch. Dog "sign" was a serious hazard while walking around the city. I never encountered a vicious dog while there, but most of them acted like human-shy strays, and I would guess that some would bite if cornered.

I don't know about general attitudes, but I tend to bring my dog to a fair number of crowded public events. The exceptions would be things like fireworks or concerts with mosh pits because it's not something I would subject my dog to, but otherwise if it's outdoors on a nice day, why not.

He's been my 'shadow' since puppyhood so he's used to it. I haven't really heard any complaints except for the occasional person who's afraid of dogs, but he's really well behaved.

Just a couple of weeks ago we attended a dog-specific event that counted over 1000 dogs in attendance. None of the dogs that I saw stood out as being ill-mannered at all. It was a blast.

I think some states are much more dog friendly than others. I get frustrated by how many off-leash dogs I encounter here, but in general people are pretty tolerant of dogs, even the businesses.

I originally come from the Czech Republic. I moved here 13 years ago. When I lived there there were two kinds of dogs; those who lived out in the fenced yard, many times chained to the dog house 24/7, were never trained because the owner did not know how, and basically used as a household alarm.

Then there were people who bred and trained GSDs and they would meet outside of the town at a training field on the weekend and train. It was looked at as a hobby by general population. There were no dog trainers then outside of clubs. Dogs were hardly ever taken to public places. I don't think that many people living in the cities had dogs. That was at least my experience where I lived.

Now Czech is overrun with dogs. Everybody has one. This year people in Prague got so fed up with the dog poop they started a Facebook group whose motto is something like: If you don't pick up your dog's poop we will eat your dog! Overall I don't think there are many trainers who know what they are doing.

I will be interested to hear what other people have to say.

I have to say that the tensions were not there then because you couldn't take anyone to court for liability during communism.

That was an interesting read. I admit, I'm one of those "I bring my dog EVERYWHERE" types (obviously as long as he's allowed there and yes, for public events I ALWAYS call ahead to check). I see them as training situations since it's my goal to have a dog that if I had to I can bring ANYWHERE (I do not know where I will be in 5 years...I want to be 100% sure Ryuk will be with me). He also enjoys being with me and going to new places? Makes it so I can stay longer and go more places as well.

That being said, if my dog did any of the behaviors mentioned in that article...he'd never come again, ever. Especially bathroom things, I'm PARANOID about that. He's not even allowed to pee on telephone poles while in crowds and I make sure he's pooped at least twice before we leave, I also carry emergency wet wipes and poop bags in the event he needs to go again (he's trained to tell me politely with a nose on the leg) he poops on command so I'll have him wait, move him to the area between next to a dumpster so the smell doesn't bother anyone, have him go, clean the area and dispose of the evidence, I will also permit him to pee behind a dumpster ONLY if there is sand to absorb it and it's not a walking area). He does not touch tables or merch (I used to HATE this working at the flea market, little untrained anklebiters would pee on my table all the damn time), if I stop he's expected to hug my leg and sit, if I stop for more than a second he lays down between my legs. He's on a prong collar in crowds (though I trust him off one). His leash system I designed for crowds is designed to clip one end on his collar, the other on the D ring mid back on his harness. This allows to to closely manuver him through tough spots.

That being said, if people started banning dogs from public events I could understand it. I've seen aggressive dogs, dogs jumping on random people, dogs off leash, dogs out of control, dogs jumping up on TABLES WITH FOOD (sorry....this makes me so angry, IF you have to approach a table that sells food there should be no sign you HAVE a dog). I modeled my dog's public behavior after what I expect a service dog's should be (without ever passing him off as a service dog of course, another pet peeve of mine...your intact chi-poo who just peed on my vendor's table is NOT a service dog, and if it is....it needs to be fired)

We need more dogs like Ryuk (and people like you). The two of you are great ambassadors for dogs as true companions. I have to agree, as much as I would like to take my dogs everywhere, others have made that difficult, if not impossible. I hate leaving my dogs at home, I've noticed that I have gotten really bad about not going anywhere anymore. If I can't take my best friend, what's the point of going?

We recently took the 3 Boerboels to an event called 'Norfolk Dog Day' which was a fundraiser for British troops injured in Afghanistan and was attended by over 28,000 people with over 2000 dogs, it was a lovely day, full of eccentric English dog lovers and I can honestly say hand on heart there was no aggresive behaviour or snarling and snapping from the dogs or their owners, and one theory I have is that unlike Crufts that I have gone to for years, it was non competitive and therefore no one had an agenda and there was no segregation of breeds, just loads of dog people genuinley pleased to meet and chat to like minded souls who love dogs of all breeds, there is a great deal of snobbery in the UK at pedigree dog shows, and I felt this was so succesful dog wise because the humans were relaxed and so the dogs were too, there is a great deal of tangible stress at big competitions, one of the two products I awlays sold out of at Crufts each day was montmorillonite and Natural Calm! I was tempted to suggest the owners needed them more than the dogs!

Tracey