Why can't your dog poop on your own lawn?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our street only has a sidewalk on one side, so the strip of land that's in between the sidewalk and the street is only on one side. Every dog owner on the side with no sidewalk crosses the street to walk their dog and let's them go on that strip of land (which yes, technically is city property, but is still in front of someone else's house). There are a few houses on the sidewalk side that have dogs that live across from them (sidewalkless side) where that strip has turned completely brown and muddy (all the grass has died off) due to the dogs across the street using that spot 3-4 times a day. While technically the owners aren't doing anything wrong, and the dogs do not go on the grass between the sidewalk and the house, it is still frustrating that that strip has completely died. But what does one do in this situation - and who is in the wrong?

Wow. They actually go on that strip between road and sidewalk? The second part that is bolded above is usually the experience in now a few neighborhoods we have visited.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our street only has a sidewalk on one side, so the strip of land that's in between the sidewalk and the street is only on one side. Every dog owner on the side with no sidewalk crosses the street to walk their dog and let's them go on that strip of land (which yes, technically is city property, but is still in front of someone else's house). There are a few houses on the sidewalk side that have dogs that live across from them (sidewalkless side) where that strip has turned completely brown and muddy (all the grass has died off) due to the dogs across the street using that spot 3-4 times a day. While technically the owners aren't doing anything wrong, and the dogs do not go on the grass between the sidewalk and the house, it is still frustrating that that strip has completely died. But what does one do in this situation - and who is in the wrong?

That’s weird, I don’t get why they take their dogs to the exact same spots to pee, multiple times per day. If they’re leaving their own property, why aren’t they walking their dogs more than just across the street? If I lived on the side without a sidewalk, I’d still walk my dog on my side of the street.

I don’t know how common this is in the DMV, but in my neighborhood, the HOA has contracted with a landscaping company to maintain those grass strips between the sidewalks and the streets. Homeowners don’t mow or maintain them, so we don’t feel any ownership of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our street only has a sidewalk on one side, so the strip of land that's in between the sidewalk and the street is only on one side. Every dog owner on the side with no sidewalk crosses the street to walk their dog and let's them go on that strip of land (which yes, technically is city property, but is still in front of someone else's house). There are a few houses on the sidewalk side that have dogs that live across from them (sidewalkless side) where that strip has turned completely brown and muddy (all the grass has died off) due to the dogs across the street using that spot 3-4 times a day. While technically the owners aren't doing anything wrong, and the dogs do not go on the grass between the sidewalk and the house, it is still frustrating that that strip has completely died. But what does one do in this situation - and who is in the wrong?

Wow. They actually go on that strip between road and sidewalk? The second part that is bolded above is usually the experience in now a few neighborhoods we have visited.

Yes, the dogs only go on the strip between the sidewalk and the street. In general these are respectful dog owners, always clean up the poop, it's just they cross the street to use that strip of land (because there is only sidewalk on one side). I've never seen the dogs on the yard of the house (between the house and the sidewalk).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our street only has a sidewalk on one side, so the strip of land that's in between the sidewalk and the street is only on one side. Every dog owner on the side with no sidewalk crosses the street to walk their dog and let's them go on that strip of land (which yes, technically is city property, but is still in front of someone else's house). There are a few houses on the sidewalk side that have dogs that live across from them (sidewalkless side) where that strip has turned completely brown and muddy (all the grass has died off) due to the dogs across the street using that spot 3-4 times a day. While technically the owners aren't doing anything wrong, and the dogs do not go on the grass between the sidewalk and the house, it is still frustrating that that strip has completely died. But what does one do in this situation - and who is in the wrong?

That’s weird, I don’t get why they take their dogs to the exact same spots to pee, multiple times per day. If they’re leaving their own property, why aren’t they walking their dogs more than just across the street? If I lived on the side without a sidewalk, I’d still walk my dog on my side of the street.

I don’t know how common this is in the DMV, but in my neighborhood, the HOA has contracted with a landscaping company to maintain those grass strips between the sidewalks and the streets. Homeowners don’t mow or maintain them, so we don’t feel any ownership of them.

They walk on the sidewalk and the dog goes on the strip. They don't just cross the street and come back, they go for a walk, but the dogs tend to relieve themselves on this same strip at the beginning of the walk and other dogs also find the scent so also pee there.

If you would walk on the sidewalkless side of the sidewalk do you let your dog pee in people's yards then?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our street only has a sidewalk on one side, so the strip of land that's in between the sidewalk and the street is only on one side. Every dog owner on the side with no sidewalk crosses the street to walk their dog and let's them go on that strip of land (which yes, technically is city property, but is still in front of someone else's house). There are a few houses on the sidewalk side that have dogs that live across from them (sidewalkless side) where that strip has turned completely brown and muddy (all the grass has died off) due to the dogs across the street using that spot 3-4 times a day. While technically the owners aren't doing anything wrong, and the dogs do not go on the grass between the sidewalk and the house, it is still frustrating that that strip has completely died. But what does one do in this situation - and who is in the wrong?

Wow. They actually go on that strip between road and sidewalk? The second part that is bolded above is usually the experience in now a few neighborhoods we have visited.

Yes, the dogs only go on the strip between the sidewalk and the street. In general these are respectful dog owners, always clean up the poop, it's just they cross the street to use that strip of land (because there is only sidewalk on one side). I've never seen the dogs on the yard of the house (between the house and the sidewalk).

Lucky you. That is not the case in most neighborhoods.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every suburban neighorhood needs a damn dog park with a track course for the four leggeds to run around to get "their bowels moving" or get their exercise so they can poop in that same dog park where a shitting area should be made. Get the dogs off other people's lawns and sidewalks! Not in my front yard (NIMFY) movement!

Who cares if they walk on sidewalks, as long as they’re leashed and their owner has them under control?

Because they don't just walk on their side of the sidewalk like most sensible humans do. They will sniff the hell out of an entire area along whatever side of the sidewalk they want, bushes and trees they peed on before or to sniff other dogs' pee. And often with a damn leash that takes up the width of the sidewalk. Walkers are forced to accommodate them forcing them to go onto a road just to get by that portion of the area. Sidewalks are not that wide.

You clearly just hate dogs. Yes there are some clueless dog owners out there but many of us have total control over our dogs when walking. It’s no different than passing other people or bikers or people with strollers on sidewalks. I step aside with my dog as do many others. You don’t own the sidewalk either you know.

Will look for places to live in YOUR neighborhood. Do share where it is so all those who love dogs but not in dogs in their butts on a narrow sidewalk can move to your hood.

There is no neighborhood that will satisfy you. You are clearly a self-centered person suffering from a pathological need for control. If it wasn’t dogs, it would be kids, or the elderly, or…

Lol furthest from that. Try again.

Nope, pretty sure I nailed it. Only petty, miserable, controlling people complain about the audacity of their neighbors walking their dogs on public sidewalks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every suburban neighorhood needs a damn dog park with a track course for the four leggeds to run around to get "their bowels moving" or get their exercise so they can poop in that same dog park where a shitting area should be made. Get the dogs off other people's lawns and sidewalks! Not in my front yard (NIMFY) movement!

Who cares if they walk on sidewalks, as long as they’re leashed and their owner has them under control?

Because they don't just walk on their side of the sidewalk like most sensible humans do. They will sniff the hell out of an entire area along whatever side of the sidewalk they want, bushes and trees they peed on before or to sniff other dogs' pee. And often with a damn leash that takes up the width of the sidewalk. Walkers are forced to accommodate them forcing them to go onto a road just to get by that portion of the area. Sidewalks are not that wide.

You clearly just hate dogs. Yes there are some clueless dog owners out there but many of us have total control over our dogs when walking. It’s no different than passing other people or bikers or people with strollers on sidewalks. I step aside with my dog as do many others. You don’t own the sidewalk either you know.

Will look for places to live in YOUR neighborhood. Do share where it is so all those who love dogs but not in dogs in their butts on a narrow sidewalk can move to your hood.

There is no neighborhood that will satisfy you. You are clearly a self-centered person suffering from a pathological need for control. If it wasn’t dogs, it would be kids, or the elderly, or…

Lol furthest from that. Try again.

Nope, pretty sure I nailed it. Only petty, miserable, controlling people complain about the audacity of their neighbors walking their dogs on public sidewalks.

Lucky for you to have wide sidewalks or sidewalks at all. Continue with your privileged life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our street only has a sidewalk on one side, so the strip of land that's in between the sidewalk and the street is only on one side. Every dog owner on the side with no sidewalk crosses the street to walk their dog and let's them go on that strip of land (which yes, technically is city property, but is still in front of someone else's house). There are a few houses on the sidewalk side that have dogs that live across from them (sidewalkless side) where that strip has turned completely brown and muddy (all the grass has died off) due to the dogs across the street using that spot 3-4 times a day. While technically the owners aren't doing anything wrong, and the dogs do not go on the grass between the sidewalk and the house, it is still frustrating that that strip has completely died. But what does one do in this situation - and who is in the wrong?

That’s weird, I don’t get why they take their dogs to the exact same spots to pee, multiple times per day. If they’re leaving their own property, why aren’t they walking their dogs more than just across the street? If I lived on the side without a sidewalk, I’d still walk my dog on my side of the street.

I don’t know how common this is in the DMV, but in my neighborhood, the HOA has contracted with a landscaping company to maintain those grass strips between the sidewalks and the streets. Homeowners don’t mow or maintain them, so we don’t feel any ownership of them.

They walk on the sidewalk and the dog goes on the strip. They don't just cross the street and come back, they go for a walk, but the dogs tend to relieve themselves on this same strip at the beginning of the walk and other dogs also find the scent so also pee there.

If you would walk on the sidewalkless side of the sidewalk do you let your dog pee in people's yards then?

I’d walk him on the street and mostly stay off the grass, but I would let him pee on the edge of a lawn. He wouldn’t be allowed to just wander into yards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every suburban neighorhood needs a damn dog park with a track course for the four leggeds to run around to get "their bowels moving" or get their exercise so they can poop in that same dog park where a shitting area should be made. Get the dogs off other people's lawns and sidewalks! Not in my front yard (NIMFY) movement!

Who cares if they walk on sidewalks, as long as they’re leashed and their owner has them under control?

Because they don't just walk on their side of the sidewalk like most sensible humans do. They will sniff the hell out of an entire area along whatever side of the sidewalk they want, bushes and trees they peed on before or to sniff other dogs' pee. And often with a damn leash that takes up the width of the sidewalk. Walkers are forced to accommodate them forcing them to go onto a road just to get by that portion of the area. Sidewalks are not that wide.

You clearly just hate dogs. Yes there are some clueless dog owners out there but many of us have total control over our dogs when walking. It’s no different than passing other people or bikers or people with strollers on sidewalks. I step aside with my dog as do many others. You don’t own the sidewalk either you know.

Will look for places to live in YOUR neighborhood. Do share where it is so all those who love dogs but not in dogs in their butts on a narrow sidewalk can move to your hood.

There is no neighborhood that will satisfy you. You are clearly a self-centered person suffering from a pathological need for control. If it wasn’t dogs, it would be kids, or the elderly, or…

Lol furthest from that. Try again.

Nope, pretty sure I nailed it. Only petty, miserable, controlling people complain about the audacity of their neighbors walking their dogs on public sidewalks.

Clearly many dog owners don't realize the meaning of PUbLiC. The audacity of those dog handlers to force walkers onto roads because their dog takes up the entire sidewalk is NOT being a neighbor. Try looking up neighbor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our street only has a sidewalk on one side, so the strip of land that's in between the sidewalk and the street is only on one side. Every dog owner on the side with no sidewalk crosses the street to walk their dog and let's them go on that strip of land (which yes, technically is city property, but is still in front of someone else's house). There are a few houses on the sidewalk side that have dogs that live across from them (sidewalkless side) where that strip has turned completely brown and muddy (all the grass has died off) due to the dogs across the street using that spot 3-4 times a day. While technically the owners aren't doing anything wrong, and the dogs do not go on the grass between the sidewalk and the house, it is still frustrating that that strip has completely died. But what does one do in this situation - and who is in the wrong?

That’s weird, I don’t get why they take their dogs to the exact same spots to pee, multiple times per day. If they’re leaving their own property, why aren’t they walking their dogs more than just across the street? If I lived on the side without a sidewalk, I’d still walk my dog on my side of the street.

I don’t know how common this is in the DMV, but in my neighborhood, the HOA has contracted with a landscaping company to maintain those grass strips between the sidewalks and the streets. Homeowners don’t mow or maintain them, so we don’t feel any ownership of them.

They walk on the sidewalk and the dog goes on the strip. They don't just cross the street and come back, they go for a walk, but the dogs tend to relieve themselves on this same strip at the beginning of the walk and other dogs also find the scent so also pee there.

If you would walk on the sidewalkless side of the sidewalk do you let your dog pee in people's yards then?

I’d walk him on the street and mostly stay off the grass, but I would let him pee on the edge of a lawn. He wouldn’t be allowed to just wander into yards.

I think this is much worse than peeing on the strip. I would not want a dog peeing on the edge of my lawn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every suburban neighorhood needs a damn dog park with a track course for the four leggeds to run around to get "their bowels moving" or get their exercise so they can poop in that same dog park where a shitting area should be made. Get the dogs off other people's lawns and sidewalks! Not in my front yard (NIMFY) movement!

Who cares if they walk on sidewalks, as long as they’re leashed and their owner has them under control?

Because they don't just walk on their side of the sidewalk like most sensible humans do. They will sniff the hell out of an entire area along whatever side of the sidewalk they want, bushes and trees they peed on before or to sniff other dogs' pee. And often with a damn leash that takes up the width of the sidewalk. Walkers are forced to accommodate them forcing them to go onto a road just to get by that portion of the area. Sidewalks are not that wide.

You clearly just hate dogs. Yes there are some clueless dog owners out there but many of us have total control over our dogs when walking. It’s no different than passing other people or bikers or people with strollers on sidewalks. I step aside with my dog as do many others. You don’t own the sidewalk either you know.

Will look for places to live in YOUR neighborhood. Do share where it is so all those who love dogs but not in dogs in their butts on a narrow sidewalk can move to your hood.

There is no neighborhood that will satisfy you. You are clearly a self-centered person suffering from a pathological need for control. If it wasn’t dogs, it would be kids, or the elderly, or…

Lol furthest from that. Try again.

Nope, pretty sure I nailed it. Only petty, miserable, controlling people complain about the audacity of their neighbors walking their dogs on public sidewalks.

Clearly many dog owners don't realize the meaning of PUbLiC. The audacity of those dog handlers to force walkers onto roads because their dog takes up the entire sidewalk is NOT being a neighbor. Try looking up neighbor.

Nobody has ever forced you onto the road, Karen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every suburban neighorhood needs a damn dog park with a track course for the four leggeds to run around to get "their bowels moving" or get their exercise so they can poop in that same dog park where a shitting area should be made. Get the dogs off other people's lawns and sidewalks! Not in my front yard (NIMFY) movement!

Who cares if they walk on sidewalks, as long as they’re leashed and their owner has them under control?

Because they don't just walk on their side of the sidewalk like most sensible humans do. They will sniff the hell out of an entire area along whatever side of the sidewalk they want, bushes and trees they peed on before or to sniff other dogs' pee. And often with a damn leash that takes up the width of the sidewalk. Walkers are forced to accommodate them forcing them to go onto a road just to get by that portion of the area. Sidewalks are not that wide.

You clearly just hate dogs. Yes there are some clueless dog owners out there but many of us have total control over our dogs when walking. It’s no different than passing other people or bikers or people with strollers on sidewalks. I step aside with my dog as do many others. You don’t own the sidewalk either you know.

Will look for places to live in YOUR neighborhood. Do share where it is so all those who love dogs but not in dogs in their butts on a narrow sidewalk can move to your hood.

There is no neighborhood that will satisfy you. You are clearly a self-centered person suffering from a pathological need for control. If it wasn’t dogs, it would be kids, or the elderly, or…

Lol furthest from that. Try again.

Nope, pretty sure I nailed it. Only petty, miserable, controlling people complain about the audacity of their neighbors walking their dogs on public sidewalks.

Clearly many dog owners don't realize the meaning of PUbLiC. The audacity of those dog handlers to force walkers onto roads because their dog takes up the entire sidewalk is NOT being a neighbor. Try looking up neighbor.

Nobody has ever forced you onto the road, Karen.

How would you know, Kenneth?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My dog cannot just go outside and drop a load. He needs some exercise to get things going and that's going to happen on the walk. Some humans are the same in that they have to go after running or working out. How would you like it if someone told you to go in a particular place at a particular time?

This. She needs to get the legs and the sniffer going before there's any action.

So why not loop your own yard 3 or 4x and time it that way?

Exactly. Some of the excuses on this thread are WILD.

Train your dog to pee on command. Any new dog should be crate trained anyway. From the crate, they go straight outside to whatever designated "pee spot" you're going to use (on your own property, if at all possible). You give them a command and a reasonable amount of time to go. If they do, treat. If not, offer water, then back in the crate and try again in an age-appropriate amount of time (for a puppy, 30 minutes, and increase from there for full-grown dogs).

I have worked with over 100 breeds of dogs over several decades. Never met the dog who didn't learn this. It's 100% lazy owners.

Are you saying your dog will never mark on a walk outside of their pee place? My dogs usually pee on our front lawn or backyard as soon as I take them out. However, they will mark during a walk, which I only allow on the strip of grass by the street. I only allow them to poop on that strip too, and not only do I clean it up, I also pick up poop left by inconsiderate dog owners.

Are you somehow confused or bewildered by this? No, I do not let my dog(s) randomly decide where to "mark". If I'm going to be out on a long enough walk/hike that they'll need to rehydrate, I plan ahead to make sure we're near open/public space so they can be cued, again, to do any business they may need to do (again), but they're not allowed to just dictate where they drop their mess.

If your dog is just randomly stopping to piss, it's walking you.

I’m no dog expert, but the rescue I adopted from explicitly told me that dogs need to be able to sniff around for mental stimulation, and for that reason, it’s not enough to just let them out in the yard to do their business. They have to be walked so they can sniff out new scents. Do your dogs sniff freely, but then avoid marking? How did you train that out of them?

Sniffing isn't squatting/lifting a leg. These things happen at opposite ends. If they have nothing they need to deposit, and you see them start to squat/pee stance, and they're properly leashed like they should be, a quick "nope" and walking off should get the message across easily. You shouldn't be out on extended sniffs before your dog has its basics dialed in. Puppies don't even have all their shots yet, and older dogs benefit more from intense focus at home and proper leash demeanor before going too far in public.

I take my dogs on extended sniffs because, yes, it's good for their mental health and well-being to engage their environment. I don't let them piss on other people's property, because they're properly trained and controlled. This is completely controllable/trainable behavior.

As long as you don’t take your dog to your kids’ school entrance.
There was a mom at our school whose dog went to sniff another woman’s butt.

That's madness. No, I train my dogs to pee/poop in my yard. You think I'm going to let them sniff a stranger w/o said stranger deliberately inviting this by asking me first and offering a hand or other appropriate target? Nope. My dog, my bubble. Your bubble isn't for us. We're good.

Good for you. Most people's experiences with dogs are that though.

That's because most dog owners these days suck at dog ownership. Licenses. Fees. Insurance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every suburban neighorhood needs a damn dog park with a track course for the four leggeds to run around to get "their bowels moving" or get their exercise so they can poop in that same dog park where a shitting area should be made. Get the dogs off other people's lawns and sidewalks! Not in my front yard (NIMFY) movement!

Rather than invest the resources for creating/maintaining/patrolling this, I'd rather see a dog-owner's license that requires a written exam on appropriate dog-owning etiquette and local laws, and proof of liability insurance.

We don't need a(nother) dog park for nutters to be stupid in. We need smarter, better-educated (dare I say "trained"), more responsible dog owners.

PP. Not sure about a license. humans pass a driving test to get their license to operate a vehicle yet some still don't necessarily drive like the way that the driving booklet and driving school taught them.

But when they don't, they're cited, and they can't claim/feign ignorance, because they passed the test.

There's lots of "nobody told me that" in the dog community, because any AH who wants one, and can afford one, can have a dog. There's the problem, and a license solves it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every suburban neighorhood needs a damn dog park with a track course for the four leggeds to run around to get "their bowels moving" or get their exercise so they can poop in that same dog park where a shitting area should be made. Get the dogs off other people's lawns and sidewalks! Not in my front yard (NIMFY) movement!

Who cares if they walk on sidewalks, as long as they’re leashed and their owner has them under control?

Because they don't just walk on their side of the sidewalk like most sensible humans do. They will sniff the hell out of an entire area along whatever side of the sidewalk they want, bushes and trees they peed on before or to sniff other dogs' pee. And often with a damn leash that takes up the width of the sidewalk. Walkers are forced to accommodate them forcing them to go onto a road just to get by that portion of the area. Sidewalks are not that wide.

Oh you poor little put upon baby. You have to share the sidewalk. It must be so tough to be you.

DP - you know, honestly, it's tough for all of us to have to share space with anti-social pricks who act like you. Where's your self-respect?