Sacramento hairstylist Jennifer Cerutti enjoys the company of her two dogs, Lola and Ruby, in her shop most days, but accommodates customers who would rather not interact with them.

"I tend to attract people who like animals, so most of my clients love seeing them," Cerutti says. "But the customer's needs have to come first."

· 2. Tell guests in advance about your dog's personality and habits.

Give them fair warning if your pooch typically jumps on visitors or barks at strangers. At mealtimes, make sure that your dog has no opportunity to beg for food or steal from plates or countertops.

"That is more than just rude," Reed says of food theft. "It's totally unacceptable."

· 3. Call ahead if you're uncertain whether your dog is welcome in a public space or a private business.

Canines, other than service dogs, are not allowed inside restaurants, malls or stores where food is served. As for other businesses, from pet stores to boutiques to department stores, the decision about whether to allow animals is generally up to the owner or manage.

Muffin the Maltese gets showered with greetings at many of the businesses frequented by her human companions, Sally and Robert Wichert. "They don't know our names, but they know hers," Sally Wichert says.

When it comes to dog tolerance, size seems to matter. Like Muffin, Ashley Soy's Chihuahua, Sassy, is petite at 4 pounds. When Sassy sits quietly on Soy's lap or rides in a basket attached to Soy's cruiser bike, Sassy draws nothing but smiles. "Everyone wants to pet her," Soy says. But bigger dogs, even friendly ones, tend to be seen as more threatening.

· 4. Never drop by a friend's home unannounced with Barky in tow.

"I would never, ever bring my dog to someone's house unless it had been specifically discussed and cleared," says Spadafori. "That is an absolute etiquette faux pas."

· 5. Keep it cool on road trips.

Leash your dog before it gets out of the car. An unleashed pet can frighten other travelers or get spooked and bolt away. If your dog uses a rest stop, be sure to clean up after it. If you are staying at a hotel, Reed advises, your dog must be clean and free of fleas and ticks.

Before heading out on a hike or to the beach with your pup, check with park authorities about whether dogs are allowed.

· 6. If something goes wrong, make it right.

Reed's cocker spaniel once lifted his leg on a friend's new sofa.

"I immediately got on my hands and knees, cleaned things up and offered to pay for any damage," she says. If your dog jumps on someone and soils her outfit or tears her blouse, do the right thing and cover the damages.

Perhaps the most egregious violation of pet etiquette is the most common one.

"We've all stepped in it," Wichert says. "You've got to carry the poop bags at all times."

Poop happens. Pick it up.

For more information about pet etiquette, go to Reed's Web site at www.missfidomanners.com.

Source: montereyherald.com