You've experienced it before. And maybe many times before!
Another dog owner acts irresponsibly.
Maybe it was something small like not cleaning up their dog's poop.
Or maybe it was something larger like not having their aggressive dog on a leash.
In any case, they crossed the line.
What do you do? How do you handle that situation?
Continue reading below to learn how to deal with irresponsible dog owners in ways that will (hopefully) trigger positive change in their behavior.
1. Try to Keep Your Cool
Reacting with intense anger over what happened is generally counterproductive and likely to only trigger defensiveness in the irresponsible parties.
It's hard not to react with anger, no doubt.
But, wouldn't you rather have a positive conversation that leads to changes, rather than a negative conversation that really doesn't get you anywhere at all?
To help you keep your cool, try to assume the best about the other party.
For example, they may allow their aggressive dog to be that way because they're too embarrassed to seek help. They may have full knowledge their dog's behavior isn't all that great. But, it may just be too humiliating for them to do anything about it.
Do whatever helps you keep your cool. That way, you at least can have a positive, non-confrontational conversation that potentially leads to desirable change on behalf of the irresponsible dog owner.
2. An Example of Diplomacy at Work
Diplomacy is the name of the game...even theough it can be excrutiatingly difficult to keep your head cool in the heat of the moment.
Here's an extreme example of someone who used diplomacy to do the best for a neglected dog. You may not want to go this far. But, you'll at least see how diplomacy can do the best for a dog in need.
One woman had a neighboring family who consistently neglected all their animals in rather dramatic ways.
This woman could have called law enforcement or given her neighbors an ear full.
Rather, she herself instead stepped up to care for the neglected animals.
She lured one of the neighbor's dogs over to her house because it was obviously in bad condition. She then took it to a vet without her neighbor's knowledge.
Unfortunately, it turned out the dog was ravaged by fleas and infections.
Rather than curse her neighbor out or report them to the authorities, this particular person took a different approach.
When the neglectful neighbors saw the dog at this person's house, the person talked them into having their dog adopted.
3. What If Diplomacy Doesn't Work?
The previous case was a shining example of diplomacy in action.
But being nice to the extreme, to the point of where you're doing for others what they should be doing for themselves, doesn't always work.
What if the irresponsible dog owner becomes nasty or abusive towards you after you do your very best to talk with them in a diplomatic way?
Well, then you have no choice but to call your local Humane Society or law enforcement.
Some people just won't take action until they are confronted in a powerful way.
Remember that in the vast majority of cases, diplomacy does work. But when it doesn't, you can try a more confrontational route.
So, there you have it. That's how you handle irresponsible dog owners.
Best of luck out there!