Dear A$$hole Dog Owner: pick up your dog's poop

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:........is letting your dog urinate/defecate on someone else's lawn something you'd ask the property owner's permission to do? If you wouldn't feel comfortable asking, "Do you mind if I let Fido come onto your property and pee on your bush?" or, "Do you mind if I let Fido come onto your property to poop? I'll clean it up and get *most* of it up, promise," then you shouldn't do it. I bet most dog owners feel at least a little uncomfortable if their dog is taking a shit on someone's lawn, and the owner comes home or walks outside. There's a reason for that - you shouldn't do it. One of the reasons I *don't* have a dog right now is because I don't want to deal with dog waste and remnants of it, in my yard, where I want my baby and toddler to be able to roam. Why should it then be okay for *your* dog to use my yard as a bathroom, then? A yard I work hard, and spend money on, to keep in good condition for my kids? I'd love to hear some specific answers to my questions. Maybe I'm missing something.

Maybe you are not getting answers because you are directing angry questions at the people who actually pick up their dog poop? This is 11:09. Yes, I'm angry at those people who let their dog poop on your (and my) lawn, but that doesn't mean I have no right to be angry at the people who give me grief for no reason. If you want to treat an entire group of people (dog owners) poorly because of the actions of some of that group (dog owners who let their dogs poop in your yard) that's your problem, not mine. No, I would NOT ask someone if I could let their dog come and take a shit on their property because I wouldn't let my dog poop in your yard, period. I do allow my dog to poop on the sidewalk, tree boxes, and other public areas. (If you have questions on whether or not this is public in DC, which is where I walk my dog, please google it.) I always clean up. Always. So I'm not sure how else to answer your questions about *why* I think my dog is allowed to do that because I don't think my dog is allowed to poop in your yard, period, and I don't allow it. I do not even allow my dog to wander up the steps of someone's property, which he sometimes tries to do if he sees a bird or squirrel. I just don't do it. Honestly, I think a lot of this is down to dog-walkers. At least three people on this thread so far have indicated that it was a dogwalker. That said, my friend actually busts a man letting his dog shit in their common alley every day. She has said something multiple times, yet he still does it. So, clearly, there are SOME dog-walkers who just dn't give a crap. But the rest of us generally do, so maybe next time, just wait a hot minute to see if someone picks up the dog shit before barking orders at them like they were your child.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, that last post was meant to say "clearly there are some dog owners who don't care." I'm pretty sure many of the dogwalkers don't care. We walk our own dog, so I wouldn't know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Seems to me like this thread (relatively few grossly inconsiderate dog owners making all regular dog owners look bad) reminds me of the one about parents flying with little kids. MOST parents/dog owners are fine, but the ones that aren't REALLY stand out"

I'd like to believe this, but there is always SO MUCH fresh crap all over my neighborhood that even when I remind myself there are a lot of dogs around, it seems a significant percentage of walkers each day fail to pick up.

I would like to believe it too, but come and visit Georgetown any day and you will be convinced that there are a LOT of horrible dog owners around. I really don't understand how you could be so inconsiderate to walk around with your dog(s) off leash on narrow historical city sidewalks that are teeming with old people and toddlers. And as for the dog poop issue, it's just disgusting and prevalent. Like in every tree box once a week at least - on nearly every sidewalk too.

Well, let me tell you this. Believe it or not, I am someone who ALWAYS picks up my dog's poop and my dog is never allowed off-leash unless in a dog-park or our (fenced) back yard. I've had it, however, with people hovering over me and telling me to pick up my dog's poop. Next person who provides unsolicited guidance on me picking up my dog poop as I'm bending down to get it is going to get hit with a bag of hot dog poop. You know, just so you remember that I was already going to do it before you provided your oh-so-helpful guidance? How 'bout that?

Angry Dog Owner:
I hope you know some good defense attorneys.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is to the repeat offender in AU Park who repeatedly fails to pick up their dog's turd:

I have a toddler, and I don't need your dog crap on my lawn. Maybe you think your dog is so wonderful that even it's turds are like gifts from heaven. News flash: they aren't.

Pick up after your dog. Leaving your dog's crap on someone else's grass is rude. And disgusting.

Not in the same area as you - but totally agree.

Back when there was all that snow two identifical gigantic piles of dog poop appeared on the walkway nearby. Of course, I know exactly what dogs and what owner it belongs to since he has two dogs the size of small horses (can't blame it on the Chihuahua next door, that's for sure). They're the same dogs that tried to jump me once while I was walking down the street.

The piles of dog poop are still there. Dried, crusty, and somewhat trampled. Everytime I take the kids to the playground I inwardly wince, especially since back when they were still fresh the 2 year old almost slipped and fell in it (if that had happened, I would have dropped the dirtied clothes and poop on the owner's doorstep with a thank you note).

This actually seems to be a recurring problem. People seem to think that it doesn't matter and people won't notice if they don't pick up their dog's poop. Do they not realize that we DO notice and that we DON'T want to step in it and that feces carry diseases?

[Anonymous]

Whoops. Typo above - should read "identical"

[Anonymous]

"Do they not realize that we DO notice and that we DON'T want to step in it and that feces carry diseases?"

They may not. First of all, they can walk away from it and put it out of their minds entirely. It seems they are perfectly able to remove themselves from any sense of responsibility for the maintenance of public space like tree boxes by walking away.

Second, I really think dog owners have a much higher tolerance for things I would consider unsanitary. In order to live with a (non-human) animal inside your home, you have to put up with a certain amount of smell, slobber, and hair anyway as well as something that can't ever learn to flush its waste away. I think they're already less sensitive to considerations about disease-spreading, smells, and attracting vermin, and they're a lot less disgusted by dog shit than those of us who would choose not to have dogs. It's a bit like trying to communicate with someone who doesn't speak the same language, because they just don't see what all of the fuss is about and wouldn't consider our private or public property spoiled for our pleasant enjoyment by a steaming pile of fly-studded turds or yellow grass. They could enjoy themselves just fine right next to the doggie mess because it doesn't bother them nearly as much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whoops. Typo above - should read "identical"

hehe, I thought you were trying to write "identifecal"...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:........is letting your dog urinate/defecate on someone else's lawn something you'd ask the property owner's permission to do? If you wouldn't feel comfortable asking, "Do you mind if I let Fido come onto your property and pee on your bush?" or, "Do you mind if I let Fido come onto your property to poop? I'll clean it up and get *most* of it up, promise," then you shouldn't do it. I bet most dog owners feel at least a little uncomfortable if their dog is taking a shit on someone's lawn, and the owner comes home or walks outside. There's a reason for that - you shouldn't do it. One of the reasons I *don't* have a dog right now is because I don't want to deal with dog waste and remnants of it, in my yard, where I want my baby and toddler to be able to roam. Why should it then be okay for *your* dog to use my yard as a bathroom, then? A yard I work hard, and spend money on, to keep in good condition for my kids? I'd love to hear some specific answers to my questions. Maybe I'm missing something.

Maybe you are not getting answers because you are directing angry questions at the people who actually pick up their dog poop? This is 11:09. Yes, I'm angry at those people who let their dog poop on your (and my) lawn, but that doesn't mean I have no right to be angry at the people who give me grief for no reason. If you want to treat an entire group of people (dog owners) poorly because of the actions of some of that group (dog owners who let their dogs poop in your yard) that's your problem, not mine. No, I would NOT ask someone if I could let their dog come and take a shit on their property because I wouldn't let my dog poop in your yard, period. I do allow my dog to poop on the sidewalk, tree boxes, and other public areas. (If you have questions on whether or not this is public in DC, which is where I walk my dog, please google it.) I always clean up. Always. So I'm not sure how else to answer your questions about *why* I think my dog is allowed to do that because I don't think my dog is allowed to poop in your yard, period, and I don't allow it. I do not even allow my dog to wander up the steps of someone's property, which he sometimes tries to do if he sees a bird or squirrel. I just don't do it. Honestly, I think a lot of this is down to dog-walkers. At least three people on this thread so far have indicated that it was a dogwalker. That said, my friend actually busts a man letting his dog shit in their common alley every day. She has said something multiple times, yet he still does it. So, clearly, there are SOME dog-walkers who just dn't give a crap. But the rest of us generally do, so maybe next time, just wait a hot minute to see if someone picks up the dog shit before barking orders at them like they were your child.

You are an angry, angry woman.

[Anonymous]

Yes, i'm a very angry woman and i just looooooooooooooove dog doo! As another PP has me pegged pretty accurately. We don't bathe ourselves or our kids. Why bother when they'll just be living in our filthy, pestilance filled home amidst the dog smells and doodoo?

Puh lease. I think the people who hate dogs and dog owners have something wrong with that. I'm not really angry so much as bemused by the lot of you. You seem like jerks. Well, I'm off for a walk with my dog and kids in this lovely weather!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, i'm a very angry woman and i just looooooooooooooove dog doo! As another PP has me pegged pretty accurately. We don't bathe ourselves or our kids. Why bother when they'll just be living in our filthy, pestilance filled home amidst the dog smells and doodoo?

Puh lease. I think the people who hate dogs and dog owners have something wrong with that. I'm not really angry so much as bemused by the lot of you. You seem like jerks. Well, I'm off for a walk with my dog and kids in this lovely weather!

PP, I guarantee your home smells like dog to someone who doesn't live with a dog, and that the smell will be especially overwhelming in carpeted rooms to people who aren't used to it. It's the same as the wet dog smell, but dog owners tend not to notice it until the moisture intensifies it.

And I guarantee that anyone who sits on your upholstery or uses a laundry machine after you or walks in your house without shoes will take away at least a small helping of dog hair even if you're more diligent than most about attempting to remove it promptly from most surfaces.

So while it's good that you, at least, seem to be better about removing poop from public places than most (and I think more dog owners than you acknowledge fail to scoop because we have a whole lot of dog crap lying around outside), there's no question in my mind that you simply have a higher tolerance for dirty things than non-dog owners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, i'm a very angry woman and i just looooooooooooooove dog doo! As another PP has me pegged pretty accurately. We don't bathe ourselves or our kids. Why bother when they'll just be living in our filthy, pestilance filled home amidst the dog smells and doodoo?

Puh lease. I think the people who hate dogs and dog owners have something wrong with that. I'm not really angry so much as bemused by the lot of you. You seem like jerks. Well, I'm off for a walk with my dog and kids in this lovely weather!

PP, I guarantee your home smells like dog to someone who doesn't live with a dog, and that the smell will be especially overwhelming in carpeted rooms to people who aren't used to it. It's the same as the wet dog smell, but dog owners tend not to notice it until the moisture intensifies it.

And I guarantee that anyone who sits on your upholstery or uses a laundry machine after you or walks in your house without shoes will take away at least a small helping of dog hair even if you're more diligent than most about attempting to remove it promptly from most surfaces.

So while it's good that you, at least, seem to be better about removing poop from public places than most (and I think more dog owners than you acknowledge fail to scoop because we have a whole lot of dog crap lying around outside), there's no question in my mind that you simply have a higher tolerance for dirty things than non-dog owners.

Well, I don't have a high tolerance for dullards, either, which is why someone like you would never be taking any dog hair away from my house. You're a rude person, in addition to being dull. Why be so rude to a stranger who is on your side? I don't like dog poop in the street either, but you hate dogs so much you want to be rude to a person you don't know. Wow, you get the "awesome human" award tonight. Congrats!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What always gets to me is how fast these complaints turn into a free for all against all dogs and all owners. I posted about how I always pick up my dog's poo and someone posted that they don't beleive me. And then people start railing against how someone let their dog wander into their yard. Newsflash, this is not standard dog owner behavior any more than every single driver on the beltway is looking to cut you off. There are assholes among every population. Anyone who let their dog run into someone's dog and then acted beligerantly about it qualifies as an asshole. But the way some of you are going off about all dogs, etc, you just sound like you've got a personal vendetta against all dogs or those of us who own one. The thing is, dogs are going to be a part of your life or not. I'm sure it takes much more effort to be nasty about it than it does to be nice.

Oh, and by the way, the woman who put the dog poo in the neighobor's mail slot? That I love. If someone is clearly NOT doing their part, they should get called on the carpet. But I can't tell you how many times I've been told to "pick up my dog's poop" by some busybody before the shit even had a chance to hit the pavement. To anyone passing by it probably looked like I wasn't going to do it anyway, which I was.

So maybe if some of you back off a little bit, you'll still have to deal with the occasional turd in your yard, but you might just find yourself a little bit less high strung in general?

FUCK YOU!

[Anonymous]

I hate this. I actually saw a person allow their dog to poop right in front of my basement apartment window. I mentioned something as the dog began to poop and he started to laugh. How rude.

[Anonymous]

Well.. I for one am a dog owner that picks up my dog's poo, and as a home owner.. I understand the frustration when boneheads don't.

But please let me say that in being a member of a society, I have to deal with your annoying kids and pay for their schooling. Please remember - No, your kids are not so cute that I should be feel blessed to be in their presence.

So until we are all able to live in our own private communes, I have do deal with, and pay for, your screaming brats, and you have to deal with my dog wizzing on your tree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well.. I for one am a dog owner that picks up my dog's poo, and as a home owner.. I understand the frustration when boneheads don't.

But please let me say that in being a member of a society, I have to deal with your annoying kids and pay for their schooling. Please remember - No, your kids are not so cute that I should be feel blessed to be in their presence.

So until we are all able to live in our own private communes, I have do deal with, and pay for, your screaming brats, and you have to deal with my dog wizzing on your tree.

If you don't have your own brats, why are you here? Even so, there's no possibility of a valid comparison between human children and doggie "children". My brat is a member of our society in a way that your pet never can be, and she'll one day contribute to your society considerably. As such, you have an interest in her education and well-being. Your pooch may give you pleasure, but he'll never pay taxes, cure cancer, write the great American novel, or even volunteer in a soup kitchen. He'll never even make a Mother's Day present. To me, he's nothing but a foul emissions generator, though I recognize that there's a certain social good in companionship for people so lonely they have to resurrect dead threads on message boards they would otherwise have no interest in.