Dog Watching 101

Every now and then, being on campus is drag. Maybe you just didn’t want to get out of your extra cozy bed at 8am, or your professor just explained the most confusing proof that lost you by the second step. In the darkest of times, when you feel like that day is going to be a bad day, a new challenger appears. This challenger will fight the negative thoughts away. The name of this challenger? Ask the owner! I’m talking about dogs. Those really calm dogs that prance around campus and catch your eye with their curious bouncing steps. People watching is a great activity to do on campus when you’ve already completed any assignments during a gap or just absorbing the sunlight, but dog watching feels more special. In the high speed environment of UCLA, dog watching is a fun, wholesome way of keeping your head out of the clouds. Here are a few tips on spotting the different kinds of “good boys” and how to approach them. Note that the term “good boy” will be used as a gender neutral word for dog in this post.

First and foremost, it should be noted that the most optimal place for dog sightings are down Bruin Walk and grassy areas on campus. This is a place where the pet owners tend to stroll around, and if you are lucky you will see a dog playing fetch in the dewy grass. There are also rare occasions where the dogs are just sitting somewhere as their owner takes in the scenery of our beautiful campus, and this is the perfect time to get a closer look at the dog. Let’s dive into our classifications.

---

1. Service Dogs

(Photo by Dorothy Kozlowski/UGA.)

We are starting with service dogs because this fact is imperative to know. Do not just pet the dog! This is a very common piece of knowledge, but it is a good refresher. It is very tempting to reach your hand out and brush their soft coats, but this is not the right way to do this. These dogs are on duty! The tiny jacket they wear and their title comes from potentially months of hard training. They are certified good boys, constantly being aware of their owners and how they are doing. Serving their humans is their main priority, and keeping them safe is their job. The proper way to touch the dog would, as usual, always ask the owners first. Make sure their owner doesn’t look like they are in a rush because then this question disrupts their travels. Hopefully you get to pet the certified good boy.

2. Leash-less Dogs

(Photo by Instagram user @dogsatucla and other contributors)

There is nothing that makes my heart warmer than seeing a very obedient dog that’s off the leash. They slightly wander, but try to stay close to their owner as much as possible. Most importantly, the dogs will rapidly respond to their names and rush back to their owners. In my opinion, these are the BEST of the good boys. A personal favorite so to speak. Sometimes the dog will run up to you begging for attention. Try to look up, get a glance at their owner and communicate if it's okay to praise their dog. This communication can be a very cool nonverbal thumbs up or an upfront “May I pet the dog?”. If the dog came to you, it’s more than likely that you will be able to pet it.

3. The Classic Good Boy

(Photo by Instagram user @dogsatucla and other contributors)

Now, to conclude this post, is the most common dog you will spot on campus. This is what I like to call a classic good boy. These are just any dog that is on the leash. Often times the furry little creatures are overly excited about being on campus around so many people, and they tend to tug on the leash. No need to fret over these actions, but it can be an indicator of their personalities. Sometimes they are impatient and even a bit nervous, so they get scared to be pet. For this reason, it is essential that you verbally communicate with the owner. These little friends might like the attention of the flood of students wanting to give them all the love, but be sure not to overwhelm the good boy. Enjoy their company!

---

Now hopefully this post served as a guide, or maybe just a refresher on the good boys on campus. This is a completely free activity that any UCLA student can participate in. Time to go out there and dog watch!