OP here. Thanks for the nice answers.

Yes, the dog is microchipped. Based on your answers I won't be leaving her outside a store even for a nanosecond.

We adopted the dog from a shelter. Getting the dog to pee and poop has been a big deal. We have had some success after a lot of walking. For the person who said to have the dog just do it in our yard, I would love that. But dogs from shelters have a hard time with housebreaking so this has been a process. This morning, for the very first time, the dog actually pooped during a walk. Yes, for the first time ever. She has yet to pee during a walk -- ever -- and has never pooped or peed in our yard.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't tie your dog outside of the store. Nothing's more annoying than walking in and out of a store and having someone's dog trying to lick you. Plus the barking is annoying.

OP, please learn the rules and be a responsible dog owner.

Uhmm...I don't mind a lick. I do mind a dog who bites (or looks mean enough to bite).

I hate licks. Dog licks are gross. And spare me with the, "a dog's mouth is cleaner than a human's mouth" bullshit.

Sometimes our dog wanders a little too far in a neighbor's lawn for my comfort b/c she is trying to find just the right spot. But in general, it's best to stay close to the sidewalk.

Also, do not tie the dog outside a store. Yes, there's a possibility of theft, but a dog might get nervous if harassed by an over-zealous kid and bite someone.

Congratulations on the new addition to the family!

Anonymous wrote:Don't tie your dog outside of the store. Nothing's more annoying than walking in and out of a store and having someone's dog trying to lick you. Plus the barking is annoying.

OP, please learn the rules and be a responsible dog owner.

Uhmm...I don't mind a lick. I do mind a dog who bites (or looks mean enough to bite).

OP, do you have sidewalks? Even so (I have three dogs), most of my neighbors thoroughly detest the leashes that extend. Go with a traditional leash, and don't let your dog take control and veer into others yards. If you do have sidewalks, the outer strip is more than sufficient, and the dog can stay on that side out of habit when you walk.

Maybe slightly (into your neighbors yard), but honestly there are times all of the poop can not be retrieved (runny or whatever), and if people have children, that is THEIR yard they are paying taxes on to enjoy. Not for your dog to leave his mess, inadvertently or not. Just remember what your mother (presumably) taught you. Be a good person, a good neighbor; be considerate and ALWAYS pick up after your dog, and dispose of it in your OWN barrel. No one wants to clean their barrel out from your dog's waste.

I would suggest walking him as close to the edge as possible. On behalf of all neighbors who might not otherwise tell you so.

Also, do not taunt other dogs as you walk by. I have seen stupid people try to go up to fenced yards with clearly braking, upset dogs (who are guarding their territory, if you know about dogs). That would be at fault if they or their dog were bitten. Don't be stupid about that. You would be surprised how many don't know the facts. Avoid the property if there is an upset dog, out of consideration if nothing else.

Enjoy!

I have seen anxious dogs chew through leashes before.

If you have to ask these questions, then you probably don't need to own a dog.

I don't want a dog shitting in my yard...whether you pick it up or not. The remnants attract bugs and I just don't want it in my yard. I also don't want a dog pissing on a tree in my yard.

Find a park where he/she can walk.

And definitely don't leave the dog outside while you shop. I hope that wasn't really a serious question.

I think letting the dog go a couple of feet onto the lawn is fine for peeing. For pooping find public grass rather than someone's lawn.

Despite it being a possibility that someone may steal your dog (is it microchipped?) your dog may not be able to handle being tied up and that can be outrageously stressful for a dog, to think it's been abandoned. You need to know your dog's temperment before you do this. Or do it, but walk out of the dog's site line and listen to whether or not it cries.

Also, OP, it's a complete faux pas to dump your poopy bag in your neighbor's trash. Take it home and put it in your own.

Don't tie your dog outside of the store. Nothing's more annoying than walking in and out of a store and having someone's dog trying to lick you. Plus the barking is annoying.

OP, please learn the rules and be a responsible dog owner.

Let the dog poop in your yard. I hate a-holes who let their dog poop in neighbors yard and "sort of" pick it up. You leave traces in neighbors yards and sometimes it's runny and cannot be completely picked up.

As a new dog owner, you need to realize that people don't like looking out their window seeing your dog shitting in their yard...even if you pick it up.

When walking the dog, I would only allow him to get off the sidewalk a couple of feet, basically enough to do his business. Just try to keep him as close to the sidewalk as you reasonably can.(No 30ft retractable leash going halfway across the yard) And no, I would not leave the dog tied up outside while you shop. Besides theft, there are a host of other problems that this could cause. If you need to shop, leave the dog at home.

Anonymous wrote:We just adopted our first dog. Sorry for the stupid questions.

When walking the dog (yes, I carry plastic bags and scoop up after the dog) how far into someone's lawn may the dog intrude? What is permissible? Our neighborhood does not have a strip of grass on the other side of the sidewalk. There is simply a sidewalk and the lawn, or many times no sidewalks at all.

Is it safe to walk with the dog to Whole Foods or Safeway and tie the dog outside and shop for a couple of items? Or is this a theft risk?

Don't let the dog go too far into the neighbors lawn (I for one, would be pissed if I saw a dog taking a dump in the middle of my yard -- even if you cleaned it up). Stay on the edge and don't stop at the yard too often. In fact, if you can find another strip of grass that doesn't belong to anyone, do that. And ALWAYS ALWAYS PICK THAT SH*T UP!

And no, it is never OK to leave a dog tied up while you run inside a store. I hate seeing this. Walk the dog, take him/her home and then go handle your business.

We just adopted our first dog. Sorry for the stupid questions.

When walking the dog (yes, I carry plastic bags and scoop up after the dog) how far into someone's lawn may the dog intrude? What is permissible? Our neighborhood does not have a strip of grass on the other side of the sidewalk. There is simply a sidewalk and the lawn, or many times no sidewalks at all.

Is it safe to walk with the dog to Whole Foods or Safeway and tie the dog outside and shop for a couple of items? Or is this a theft risk?