Sick of people w/dogs walking them up to and on elementary school property

[Anonymous]

I don't see many long or retractable leashes in my neighborhood, actually -- occasionally, but not often.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe using a 6 ft leash is the first thing you learn in obedience schools, but what if the owners have not attended the schools? Will the dogs tell them? Few people actually train their dogs. Most dogs become a nuisance bc their owners do not take the time to train. That's the 2nd thing I learned in dog obedience schools.

What are you talking about?? I've never heard of an obedience school that doesn't require the owner to be there - the whole point is to teach the owner how to train the dog and quite frankly, they always talk about training the owner not the dog. There are VERY few obedience schools that take your dog off your hands and train them (the only one I can think of in this area is in Old Town) and even then, they require the owner to come at the end of the two week session and learn what they have taught the dog. You speak very authoritatively about dog school for someone who clearly has no idea what she/he is talking about.

This was showing cynicism. If owners don't go to obedience schools with their dogs, then they may not know the first thing about shortening their leash. And YES, I have been to obedience school with my dog. The dogs becoming a nuisance was something the obedience school trainer mentioned.

[Anonymous]

Oh what the hell .... I use the 25 ft retractable leash with my small dog, and he runs all over the place during our walks in a non-downtown part of DC. And I always pull him close (2 ft or less) when we approach a corner, intersection or people up ahead. Oh, and other dogs.

Peoples, it's not that hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's interesting here that no one admits to having a twenty-foot leash - and no one has a dog that would ever approach children!

I admit it! I have a retractable leash!

And I use it responsibly -- so when I see anyone coming down the sidewalk, I reel the dog in. She doesn't get to go close to anyone without my say so -- and I'm very strict about that. I don't care for spoiled dogs or spoiled children.

[Anonymous]

I don't have a retractable leash, and I make my dog walk right next to me at all times. I can not promise that she will not go towards a child, who is coming towards her, but she doesn't seek them out. She has two children fawning all over her as it is.

[Anonymous]

I have at least 4 leashes - 1 long retractable one we use in the burbs and in the woods (unpopulated areas), a short one (for city/populated areas), a gentle leader (for really populated areas or to get him back on-track with obedience) and another short one I keep in the car for when we are doing short errands/walks.

I agree - it is not that hard to be a good dog owner. I just wish the few bad apples would stop spoiling it for the rest of us!

[Anonymous]

When I read Marc Fisher's column this AM, I immediately thought of this post.

Danuta Wilson and the OP seem to be comrades in arms on this issue. Who cares about wars, famines and global disasters when there are pooches on school property!!

When It Comes to Dogs at Schoolyards, One Parent Sinks Her Teeth in and Isn't Letting Go

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/17/AR2008051702456.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I read Marc Fisher's column this AM, I immediately thought of this post.

Danuta Wilson and the OP seem to be comrades in arms on this issue. Who cares about wars, famines and global disasters when there are pooches on school property!!

When It Comes to Dogs at Schoolyards, One Parent Sinks Her Teeth in and Isn't Letting Go

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/17/AR2008051702456.html

I bet if more people could complain anonymously (like on this board), this woman would have more allies. I would never complain publicly about all the unleashed dogs in my neighborhood - so many of my friends have dogs. But I worry all the time about my kids.

If people just kept their dogs on leashes and away from little children, there would be NO need for forbidding dogs to enter school property!

[Anonymous]

I posted the Fisher column above. It's strange. I live in a typically suburban neighborhood and I don't see this happening at all. I've experienced it in parks and by and large, the kids are excited to see the dogs and vice versa. The owners are also very careful with their dogs.

[Anonymous]

WOW this topic is still going strong. Lots of opinions!

[Anonymous]

I am a dog owner and a parent. I think it is important to separate this issue into people who keep their dogs UNDER CONTROL and on a leash and those who allow their dogs OFF-LEASH. Two very different situations. I think off-leash dogs can be scary, even for me! Dogs on leashes who are well-controlled by their owners are not the menace to society that some on this thread seem to imply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If people just kept their dogs on leashes and away from little children, there would be NO need for forbidding dogs to enter school property!

How is it possible to keep your dog away from little children and yet be on school property with the dog at pick-up or drop-off times? That was the OP's concern and I agree with her that it is inappropriate. (And I am the owner of two dogs.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I read Marc Fisher's column this AM, I immediately thought of this post.

Danuta Wilson and the OP seem to be comrades in arms on this issue. Who cares about wars, famines and global disasters when there are pooches on school property!!

When It Comes to Dogs at Schoolyards, One Parent Sinks Her Teeth in and Isn't Letting Go

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/17/AR2008051702456.html

I read the same thing this morning and immediately thought of DCUM and wondered if Danuta Wilson started the whole thread!

Seriously, who CARES. Dog owners should act responsible but some parents need to RELAX. There are so many bigger issues to worry about, who the heck cares if your kid gets licked by a dog every once in a while.

[Anonymous]

I agree with PP. Everyone needs to chill a bit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I read Marc Fisher's column this AM, I immediately thought of this post.

Danuta Wilson and the OP seem to be comrades in arms on this issue. Who cares about wars, famines and global disasters when there are pooches on school property!!

When It Comes to Dogs at Schoolyards, One Parent Sinks Her Teeth in and Isn't Letting Go

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/17/AR2008051702456.html

I read the same thing this morning and immediately thought of DCUM and wondered if Danuta Wilson started the whole thread!

Seriously, who CARES. Dog owners should act responsible but some parents need to RELAX. There are so many bigger issues to worry about, who the heck cares if your kid gets licked by a dog every once in a while.

I do. I don't care for dogs and would prefer your dog's tongue not make contact with my toddler's face. If it does, I will promptly vomit on you as you lecture me on the world's "bigger issues."