AS more Ipswich cafes, parks and venues welcome four-legged visitors, dog owners are being reminded that taking your best mate out and about comes with responsibilities, and a little “petiquette” can make all the difference.
Almost three-in-four Australian households now own at least one pet, with dogs increasingly included in everything from the morning coffee run to family holidays, and Ipswich has no shortage of places to take them.
From riverside walks and conservation reserves to sprawling parklands, dog-friendly cafes and pet-friendly accommodation, our city offers plenty for owners wanting to bring their best mate along.
But with more dogs sharing public spaces comes greater responsibility, and one of the most important rules is remembering that not every dog wants to make friends.
A dog-friendly venue does not mean owners should automatically allow their pet to approach other dogs, with different breeds, sizes, temperaments and energy levels interacting in very different ways.
Owners should give other dogs space and ask before allowing their pet to approach.
Owners should also learn to recognise signs their own dog may be uncomfortable, including a stiff body, tucked tail, pinned-back ears, lip licking, yawning, turning away, hiding, raised hackles, growling, barking, lunging or freezing.
Knowing when it is time to leave can be just as important as knowing where dogs are welcome as rules also differ depending on the destination.
Under Australian food safety guidance, assistance animals must be permitted in customer-accessed areas, while pet dogs may be allowed in unenclosed outdoor dining areas as individual food businesses can decide whether they allow pet dogs and can set their own conditions.
Rules for parks, reserves and other public spaces can also vary, making it important for owners to check signage before unclipping the lead.
Joseph Brady Park provides an on-leash riverside walk, while the city also has designated off-leash areas for dogs needing more room to stretch their legs, historic Queens Park is another popular option for an on-leash wander, although dogs are not permitted inside Nerima Gardens or the Ipswich Nature Centre.
Nearby Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve offers bushwalking tracks through the heart of Ipswich Central, with dogs permitted on-leash.
Dog-friendly cafes across the region mean owners can also stop for breakfast, lunch or coffee without necessarily leaving their companion at home, with some venues offering puppycinos and treats for their canine customers.
Wherever the destination, owners are being encouraged to remember that “dog-friendly” is a privilege rather than permission for pets to go anywhere or do anything.
