Yes, allowing a dog to pee in public can be illegal or against local rules, often falling under nuisance by-laws or public order offenses, especially if it's on private property or causes a disturbance, though enforcement varies and it's often seen as a lesser offense than human urination. Laws focus more heavily on dog waste (poop), requiring cleanup, but urinating on private lawns, flowerbeds, or commercial property can lead to fines or owner responsibility for damage.
The bottom line
Most adult dogs can hold their pee for about 8 hours if necessary. But it's best to give dogs bathroom breaks about every 4 hours if possible. Providing regular opportunities for your dog to pee instead of asking them to hold their pee for long periods is important to their health.
The 3-3-3 rule is a roadmap for the first three days, three weeks, and three months after pet adoption. It emphasizes patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement to help pets acclimate to their new environment.
No, pet dogs are generally not allowed in Woolworths stores due to food safety regulations, but registered assistance animals (like guide dogs or disability support animals) are permitted if clearly identified. Woolworths welcomes assistance animals but prohibits everyday pets, a policy consistent with Australian food safety laws that restrict live animals in food handling areas.
The "5-second rule" for walking dogs is a safety test: Place the back of your hand on the pavement; if you can't hold it there for 5 seconds, it's too hot for your dog's paws, risking burns, so walk early/late or on grass. This applies to asphalt, sand, concrete, and dirt, as these surfaces absorb and radiate intense heat, potentially leading to paw pad burns and heatstroke in dogs.
In conclusion, dogs are sensitive creatures that can remember and react to raised voices. While they don't hold grudges, repeated negative experiences can impact their behavior and emotional well-being. Understanding your dog's emotional states and body language is crucial for building a strong and loving relationship.
An hour for a dog feels much longer than an hour for a human because dogs perceive time more slowly due to their faster metabolism and heightened awareness of routines, so a 10-minute wait can feel like 70 minutes to them, and your hour-long absence feels like an eternity, though they don't grasp clock time but rather the intervals between events like meals, walks, and your return.
No, pet dogs are generally not allowed in Kmart Australia, but officially recognized assistance animals (like guide dogs) are permitted if kept on a lead or controlled. While some shoppers bring pets (sometimes in trolleys), it violates Kmart's policy and public health standards for food areas, so it's best to leave pets at home unless they are certified assistance animals.
Yes, dogs are generally allowed in Bunnings stores in Australia if they are well-behaved, on a lead, and under control, with owners responsible for cleaning up after them; however, they must be secured in a trolley, carried, or wear a muzzle if not in a trolley. Assistance animals are always welcome. The policy allows for flexibility, but staff can ask for a pet to be removed if it's not well-behaved or causes issues, with the policy being a source of occasional debate among customers.
No, pet dogs are generally not allowed in Coles stores due to food safety policies, but certified assistance animals (like guide dogs or disability support animals) are permitted if clearly identified with a harness, coat, or collar, as they are essential for their handlers with disabilities, not pets. You might see dogs in shopping carts or trolleys, but this sparks debate and goes against Coles' official stance, with assistance animals needing to be controlled and not in trolleys for hygiene reasons.
The most commonly surrendered dog type is the "pit bull type" (including mixes), often due to negative stereotypes, breed-specific legislation, and high energy levels, followed by other popular breeds like German Shepherds, Huskies, and Labrador Retrievers that may not fit owner lifestyles. Breeds like Staffordshire Bull Terriers (especially mixes) also top surrender lists in some regions like Australia.
The time it takes for a dog to adjust to a new home can vary from one dog to another. Normally, it takes 2-3 weeks for a dog to adjust to a new home, but it can take up to 3 months for them to fully adjust behaviourally.
The safest place for dog poop is in the landfill.
Dog poop should not be flushed down the toilet, and not just because it can clog pipes.
A red flag dog behavior signals deep fear, stress, or potential aggression, going beyond normal misbehavior, and includes intense growling/snapping without cause, sudden aggression in a calm dog, persistent hiding, resource guarding (food aggression), freezing, destructive behavior linked to separation anxiety, or signs of extreme anxiety like trembling, lip-licking, and tail-tucking, indicating underlying problems needing professional intervention.
The "21-second pee rule" comes from a scientific study showing most mammals over about 3 kg (6.6 lbs) empty their bladders in roughly 21 seconds, a phenomenon explained by physics where longer, wider urethras in larger animals use gravity to maintain a similar flow rate to smaller ones, and it serves as a loose benchmark for human bladder health; significantly shorter or longer times can signal issues like overactive bladder or holding it too long.
No, pet dogs are generally not allowed in Woolworths stores due to food safety regulations, but registered assistance animals (like guide dogs or disability support animals) are permitted if clearly identified. Woolworths welcomes assistance animals but prohibits everyday pets, a policy consistent with Australian food safety laws that restrict live animals in food handling areas.
But from customer inquiries and responses from the chain's customer care, it is clear that Aldi does not allow dogs or any other pet into the store unless it is a service animal.
Animals are not permitted in Costco warehouses unless admission is required by applicable law.
A spokesperson for McDonald's Australia confirmed to 7NEWS.com.au they “do not allow pets into our restaurants for safety and hygiene purposes” with the exception of support animals. “We expect customers to follow the restaurant entry rules,” they said.
The "K" in Kmart stands for Kresge, named after the company's founder, Sebastian Spering Kresge, who started the S.S. Kresge dime store chain in 1899, with Kmart being a modern, discount-focused evolution of his original business. While officially trademarked as "Kmart," the initial is a direct nod to its founder, even though the Kmart name became prominent after his retirement and the company's shift from dime stores to big-box retail.
Pet-friendly malls often welcome dogs in common outdoor areas, with some offering designated play zones, water stations, and specific stores allowing pets, but rules vary, typically requiring leashes and cleanup, and often prohibiting pets in indoor dining areas; examples include Australia's Harbour Town Gold Coast, Cockburn Gateway, East Village Zetland, and Westfield Chermside, while Burwood Brickworks uses paw prints to guide visitors to pet-approved spots.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for new owners, especially for rescues, showing a dog's typical adjustment phases: 3 Days (overwhelmed, decompression), 3 Weeks (settling in, learning routine, showing personality), and 3 Months (feeling at home, building trust, fully integrated). It's a framework to set expectations, reminding owners to be patient and provide structure, as every dog's timeline varies.
How do they do this? It's biological. All animals have circadian rhythms - physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle, responding to light and darkness in the environment. They may also be affected by factors like temperature and social cues.
Fortunately for us, dogs do not understand they are being put to sleep. They may behave differently at this time generally because they feed off the emotions of their closest humans, who are understandably destraught. Plus they also getting all of this extra attention so they probably wonder what is going on!