How to Be a Good Dog-Owner in San Francisco

Step 4 YOUR DOG ON A WALK: ADVANCED

Those are the basics. There are of course, other ways to enhance your dog-owner experience:

Get to know the other dog owners (and dogs) in your building or on your street. Put up a flyer, or stop to talk with fellow dog-walkers you run into around your place. Some neighborhoods even have dog owner associations, like Duboce Dog for example. These are all people you can trade tales, tricks, and tips with. And much like you, dogs are social animals-- so help yours make a few friends. David Troup, head of Duboce Dog, says: "In my neighborhood, we formed a dog owners' group and managed to get a great new off-leash area in our neighborhood park. I think people's involvement in the group gives them a sense of community and ownership of "our" park, and as a result, everyone takes better care of it and everyone gets a nicer park to enjoy." He also points out that, it's especially useful for new dog "parents."

Beyond your neighborhood, you can check out dog friendly hot spots. Parks are a great place to start (try Duboce or Buena Vista). Some restaurants, cafes and bars allow dogs to socialize along with their owners. Check out www.dogfriendly.com or www.sfdog.org for a bunch of listings. Some places might surprise you. (Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus? Really?)

And don't forget that this is San Francisco-- a city of many outdoor attractions, beyond just parks. Get your furry friend out of the house and on a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, or to one of the many beaches (try Baker, Fort Funston, or Ocean Beach). And whenever you think it's too cold or rainy to head out, just remember your dog-owning friends in Minnesota, or all of Canada for Pete's sake. If they can bundle up and do it, you can surely put on your flip-flops and brave the 65 degrees.