Yongsan-gu, 'Happy Dog, Walking Dog' Pet Dog Walking Education... Held 10 Sessions from April to October for Households with Registered Pets, 20 Households per Session Learn Pet Etiquette and Proper Walking Methods
According to the ‘2023 Korea Pet Report,’ as of the end of 2022, there were 5.52 million pet-owning households in South Korea, with ‘dog-owning households’ accounting for the largest share at 71.4%.
Pet-owning households have increased significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the growing need for a proper pet culture.
Yongsan-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Park Hee-young) conducted the ‘2023 Dog Walking Education’ program for dogs and their owners. The program aimed to foster a pet culture that both pet owners and non-pet owners can empathize with by educating owners on pet etiquette and proper walking methods during walks.
The education sessions were held a total of 10 times from April to October at Ichon Hangang Park, targeting dog-owning households with registered animals. Each session accommodated 20 households, with a total of 200 households participating, where dogs and their owners walked together as part of the training.
The program provided practical walking tips that owners can use, including proper pet walking etiquette, basic walking exercises, appropriate leash length, and walking distance. In particular, individual consultations and corrections were offered for problem behaviors such as barking, defecation, and aggression, which received great positive feedback from participants.
One participant said, “My dog usually dislikes going out and shows aggression toward others, making walks difficult. Learning the walking methods and receiving direct advice from a professional trainer has given me confidence to take walks going forward.”
Going forward, the district plans to offer various educational programs reflecting residents’ needs to increase understanding of pets and actively promote a proper pet culture.
Park Hee-young, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, stated, “To live together with pets, it is necessary to have a caring heart for animals along with correct knowledge and practice of pet etiquette. We will continue to devote much attention and effort to establishing a mature pet culture.”
Meanwhile, since March, the district has designated two ‘Neighborhood Animal Hospitals’ to provide health checkups and vaccinations for pets owned by vulnerable groups such as basic livelihood security recipients, low-income families, and single-parent families. Additionally, Yongsan-gu residents who have registered their dogs and cats receive rabies vaccinations once in spring or fall at the cost of the procedure fee only.
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