The last really resonates with me. I can call my dog to come, to sit, to lie down, etc., and he complies. Yet people still get angry with me in some areas if I don't have him on leash.

I've found this varies in red vs. blue areas. In places that voted for Trump - as long as my dog is well behaved, people just smile. In places that voted for Biden, they'll report me to a ranger and I risk getting fined, so I avoid those places or use them when we need to strengthen his leash training.

My dog is a high energy breed - a German Shepherd. So he needs to be able to run.

He understands what I expect, and he has shaped up well. He knows not to chase cats or chickens, for example. (In one of the parks we frequent, there are houses nearby where people raise chickens. Sometimes a bird gets out and I've had to train my dog to ignore them.)

He knows that he's allowed to run freely through wooded areas but he needs to sit and wait when a baby stroller passes. He's learned that it's OK to greet and sniff another free dog but he's not allowed to approach dogs on leash. He is better behaved than most American children.

Also, couldn't agree more about drinking. I never understood why children can join the military and go into war zones at 18 but can't drink until they are 21.