It’s a Dog Life in Germany (Kat Nickola)
I’m busy sniffing a deliciously moldy tree stump, catching up on all the messages left by other dogs on this neighborhood bulletin board. Just as I squat to leave my own note, Boss Mom yells.
“Slim Jim, come!” I pause and consider delaying just long enough to communicate with the stump, but instead, I run to her side. “Such a good boy.”
A new friend is walking up the dirt trail in the forest behind our house. She looks so friendly I whine and pull on my lead. I want to run and play with her!
“Slim, sit.” Boss Mom stands in front of me, so I look at her instead of the fluffy dog. I sit and calm down, then peek around her legs.
Fluffy is trotting along beside her Boss without a leash. She doesn’t even look at me as I whine again. I want so badly to go, but I try hard to be calm. Once they are past, Boss Mom gives me a treat, she unhooks me, and I bolt back to the tree stump.
Slim Jim running in the woods. (Kat Nickola)
I’ve been working hard on my manners since moving to Germany. It’s tough for an adopted Strassenhund like myself. That’s what Boss Mom calls me when we make new friends: “Er ist ein Strassenhund.” This tells them that I’m a former stray mutt.
It also answers the two first questions most German dog people ask:
“Ist dein Hund ein Junge oder ein Mädchen?” (Is your dog a boy or girl?”)
“Was für ein Hund ist er?” (What kind of dog is he?”)
They are always super impressed because there are no stray dogs in Germany and most pet dogs are particular breeds. So, they think a good-boy Strassenhund like me is quite special!
Once you’ve nailed down your good manners, it is so fun to travel all over Europe.
Slim Jim using his good manners in Bavaria. (Kat Nickola)
Bide your time at a café
This is the perfect next-level activity, and you can bring your old Strassenhund skills if you have them. I love to take my family to outdoor cafés. The first thing I do is choose a table by winding myself through the table legs until my leash is tight. Once she sits, Boss Mom will put out my little travel bowl of water and I take a few licks to imply that I’m parched and starving..
Then, I lay down under the messiest kid to gather falling snacks. Pretending to be asleep, shivering or looking starved are great ways to get extra treats. I’ve become a master at working it. The key is to use the best tactics for your location. In Germany, I maintain an air of obliviousness to look cool. In Italy, I attempt to be as pathetic as possible. Same result: Treats! No matter where you are in Europe, don’t acknowledge the presence of other dogs and risk jeopardizing their ‘not’-begging strategy; barking is a no-no.
Slim Jim using his ‘street dog’ skills to look pathetic and get treats at a cafe. (Kat Nickola)
Trains are good for naps
Riding the Deutsche Bahn is one of my favorite snooze fests. I’m always super distracted by the smell of the local train station newstand, and I really want to leave my own message, but Boss Mom never lets me. On the platform, the trains can be loud. I was a little scared boarding the first time, so Boss Mom put me in my doggy backpack. As it got going, I was lulled to sleep in one of the best naps ever. I didn’t even notice or care when the ticket taker came past. Since I travel in my bag, Boss Mom doesn’t pay for me. All you big dogs will need your own ticket, but that doesn’t mean you can sit on the seat.
Slim Jim snoozing on a train. (Kat Nickola)
As a proud mixed-breed mutt from the streets of Tucson, it took some time before I understood all the rules here in Germany. So, to help you new pups, here is a list of important things I’ve learned along the way.
In urban areas:
Always stay on a leash in towns and cities.
Resist pulling to go sniff other dogs unless your Boss asks their Boss first.
If you whine, bark or pull the other dogs will think you are being rude, and their Bosses will NOT let you play or sniff.
Those bowls of water outside bakeries, cafes and shops are for you. Drink!
When you poo, give your Boss time to properly pick it up and toss it in the trash. They can be fined if you drag them away and it gets left behind.
NEVER even think about biting or being aggressive. I don’t even want to talk about the dire consequences. At best, your Boss will get sued: They should have liability insurance just in case your tail gets overly excited and accidentally breaks something.
Don’t bark or howl for no reason, even in your own backyard. This is especially rude during quiet hours or for more than 10 minutes, which means your Boss may get in trouble with the neighbors. Save it for when you mean it.
In the forest or fields:
It’s fun to run off leash in forests or on rural dirt roads and trails, but you must ALWAYS run straight back to your Boss if they call. NEVER wander far.
Near most U.S. military bases, you can go for walks off-leash in the forest all year, but in some States, like Saarland, it’s not allowed during hunting season. In other states, mostly in northern Germany, it’s never allowed. Have your Boss check www.leinenpflicht.com before traveling.
Even if you are super-good, it is polite to put your leash back on if you pass another leashed dog.
Don’t ever run up to another dog, especially one who is on a leash. Your Boss needs to ask their Boss first.
NEVER hunt forest animals or the local human hunter may hunt you.
Unless there are signs saying otherwise, it’s okay to jump into the ponds or lakes you find on doggie walks!
Slim Jim enjoying a day at the lake. (Kat Nickola)
