Dogs at protests
We often enjoy taking our dogs along with us on our adventures, whether that’s a long walk or on holiday.
Peaceful protests are a great way to make a change for a cause that you believe in. So, you may be wondering whether to take your dog with you to a protest that you are attending.
Here are some things to think about before you do.
Can I take my dog with me to a protest?
Depending on the size of the crowd, be sure to think carefully before you take your dog with you.
If it’s a small local protest, and your dog is used to hustle and bustle, then you may decide that they can come along with you. Though, even these can be noisy, so think carefully before bringing them along and be sure to walk away with your dog if it gets too loud.
If you know that it’s a significant event with a lot of people, we would advise leaving your dog at home.
Larger protests can be unpredictable and will often have:
- large crowds – your dog may be worried around a lot of people and there is always some risk that they’ll get their feet stood on or someone may walk into them without realising
- loud noises (including chanting, clapping, fog horns and music) – dogs can find this overwhelming
- police horses – if your dog is not used to being around horses they may react by barking, lunging or trying to run away. Remember, even if your dog is usually fine with horses, the riot gear may cause them concern.
These situations can cause a lot of stress to our dogs and, unless they’ve had specific training, for these events, this won’t be a situation that they would have seen before.
A bad experience at an event like this may have a lasting impact on a dog. Even loud noises can trigger lasting noise sensitivities.
Signs of stress
If you do decide to take your dog along with you, be sure to keep a close eye on them.
Signs of stress can include:
- panting
- lip licking
- ears back
- paw raise
- tail tucked
Take your dog out of the situation if they look stressed or worried and leave the protest if you suspect that it may get too busy for your dog.
Other ways to involve your dog in a worthwhile cause
Just because your dog may have to sit the protest out, doesn’t mean you can’t get them involved in other ways.
You could:
- take part in a sponsored run or walk with your dog to raise money for the cause
- show their support on social media by taking a photo with them and tagging the cause
- if your dog wears a coat when it’s raining or cold, you could consider branding it with the name of the cause. This can make a nice conversation starter to other dog walkers.
