Anonymous wrote:For those of you that think it's fine to let your dogs do their business on someone's grass, would you allow your dog to do it while the owner was there watching? Let's say the owner of the grass was out in their driveway washing their car, and you didn't know them. Would you still allow your dog to pee on their grass?

What would you have us do in that situation, if the dog decides it’s the place to mark?

Anonymous wrote:We live in the city and don’t let our dogs wander into yards. They poop in the grass strip between the sidewalk and the street. What gets me is the people that put up no pooping signs on that strip, particularly if they just cut the crab grass and haven’t cultivated it. It’s city property and it’s the only public space for them to go. (No, you can’t train an adult dog to pee in the street. They develop preferences as puppies and there are cars parked along the sidewalk anyways.) I don’t like piles of poop left in front of my house either, but when you’re in a rowhouse it’s generally better practice to err on the side of neighborliness unless you want every random jerk to target your house specifically.

We also live in the city and this drives me nuts. I swear I could start an Instagram with the, "no dogs, keep off landscaping!" where the "landscaping" is nothing but an empty tree box with some dead leaves and empty Chik-fil-A boxes and 40s cans. The apartment buildings with nothing but dirt and rat boxes are also key offenders. I'm sorry, I am a very responsible owner. I would never not pick up poop and will even do it if I see it for OTHER dogs just because it bothers me and is gross. But...we live in the city. Where TF do you think these dogs are supposed to go if not in your city-owned box filled with weeds, dirt, and trash? Like...what kind of right do you think you have to prohibit that? Plant some flowers or something and I'll at least avoid due to your effort, but NOTHING? Forget it, that's fair game and not rude at all, that's where they are supposed to go.

There are a few signs I like. "Dogs! Feel free! Humans, pick up after!" Sure. Respect!

We live in the city and don’t let our dogs wander into yards. They poop in the grass strip between the sidewalk and the street. What gets me is the people that put up no pooping signs on that strip, particularly if they just cut the crab grass and haven’t cultivated it. It’s city property and it’s the only public space for them to go. (No, you can’t train an adult dog to pee in the street. They develop preferences as puppies and there are cars parked along the sidewalk anyways.) I don’t like piles of poop left in front of my house either, but when you’re in a rowhouse it’s generally better practice to err on the side of neighborliness unless you want every random jerk to target your house specifically.

Anonymous wrote:Poop gets picked up, dog leash doesn't extend beyond the first foot or so of lawn.

OP you do realize squirrels, raccoons, deer, birds etc freely use your yard as a bathroom all day and night, correct?

Well most of those critters are much smaller than many dogs and don't typically take pisses and dumps regularly on the yard. I thought it would be logical that you can't control nature. Nature drops leaves in the fall and will fall on people's yards. That being said those same people would not be thrilled if I dumped my leaves there. Even if it was temporary (mowing or some other reason), odds are I would leave some behind. Nobody can pick up their dog's pee. Stick to the strip.

Anonymous wrote:Dog pee doesn’t cause yellow spots on lawn.

The nitrogen content in their urine kills the grass

My dog refuses to poop in our yard, or any yard she plays in. She could literally circle for hours needing to go and ultimately cry until we take her on a walk. We always clean up after her, but I think some dogs don’t want to foul their space.

Anonymous wrote:Dog owners who allow their dogs to pee on lawns other than their own are entitled asshats. Pee all over your own lawn. Or use the strip between the sidewalk and the curb. Or go to a dog park. But in the middle of someone’s lawn? Come on. Signed, dog owner.

Not every neighborhood has sidewalks. I generally agree and always use that strip in my own neighborhood, but when we visit my parents, there's nowhere else to go on walks but the edge of yards. That being said, people don't mind as long as you clean it up.

The pee whereever, though NOT in the middle of someone's lawn. At the curb, on the edge, base of mailbox . . . sorry, I'm not worry about that. And it's weirdly controlling if you do.

Poop, it gets cleaned up immediately, but they poop where they poop (same as above, caveats).

You can get mad at the above. That's fine. But not going to change my view or habits. And no cop in the world is going to deal with complaints about the above.

I would suggest if you are that uptight, you seek help for that rather than policing your neighbor's pet. You'll def want to unclench a bit b/c you'll enjoy life more.

Anonymous wrote:The boulevard ( between sidewalk and street ) is technically fair game as it is City property, but in our area the bylaw states it must be cleaned up.

The other side of the sidewalk is private property, whether it’s grass, flowers and shrubs or a low maintenance rock landscape as mine is….. but that is my property and not for others to use at their discretion.

It’s pretty simple and it’s a small ask… and really we shouldn’t have to ask to begin with…

Just be respectful, responsible and courteous dog owners or cat owners for the at matter and read up on dog owner etiquette.

Dog poo and pee is carrier of potential harmful bacteria ( fact )

Perhaps a carrier of bacteria, but nothing like cats who carry a bacteria that can cause miscarriages. And too many cat owners let their cats roam as they do freely in my yard and garden.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are supposed to have your dog use your own yard as a toilet. The purpose of a walk is exercise, not to find some other sucker's yard to use as a toilet. If on the walk your dog HAS to go, you avoid other people's property and clean it up afterward.

I've fostered a LOT of dogs. Many will only poop while being walked. Despite taking them out in the yard often. I don't get it but, whatever.

+100 THIS! Like with some people, movement as in exercise/waking will stimulate the need for the bowels to move. This is especially true for older dogs. Honestly, no one can control where a dog poops or pees on a leash - although I will avoid letting the dog pee on something really lovely even if the owner is naive enough to plant it right by the sidewalk. But grass?! not a treasure. My dog is on a 6-foot leash and will never be further from me than that. I will pick up poop and the rest is frankly too bad. There are plenty of plants that can withstand dog pee -- loriope, irises, to name two. Plant sensibly (or don't -- but don't come crying).

Honestly I've seen abuses and don't appreciate it, and I will curse you if you leave poop at the curb so I track it in my car, or if you wander into my yard up to my house to let your dog take care of business. I don't want either of you wandering through my gardens. Not least because it can send my dog into a frenzy and jumping at a window or door. That ain't right.
But routine peeing next to the public walk is life in the city. (fwiw up to 8 feet from the curb is public access in Arlington) Dogs bring so much joy and companionship and mental health in the form of regular outdoor time to so many. Please don't "rain" on their parade. Stop and chat! Pet the dog. So many nice alternatives...

Anonymous wrote:Dog owners who allow their dogs to pee on lawns other than their own are entitled asshats. Pee all over your own lawn. Or use the strip between the sidewalk and the curb. Or go to a dog park. But in the middle of someone’s lawn? Come on. Signed, dog owner.

+100

Dog owners who allow their dogs to pee on lawns other than their own are entitled asshats. Pee all over your own lawn. Or use the strip between the sidewalk and the curb. Or go to a dog park. But in the middle of someone’s lawn? Come on. Signed, dog owner.

Dogs are not allowed to void on private property. They are only to use public grass areas. We have rules in our community about this, but some dog owners are stupid and irresponsible.

Put some deer poop on the spot that the dog likes to pee on and cover it with some bacon fat.

One bad diarrhea and they'll stop coming to your yard.

Or hose them.

Anonymous wrote:Our dogs have “aged out” (ie. passed on), but we taught them to urinate/defecate in our yard BEFORE we went on walks. I found/find it rude when people don’t want to mess up their own yard, but take their dogs out to someone else’s yard.

As our one dog got older (over 10), he used to need to “go” during walks. He was trained to go on the sidewalk or on the boulevard. We always brought extra water and if he did pee, at least put a bottle of water over it.

Dogs should also be on leash and not roaming yards. This is as much for their own safety as kindness and concern to neighbors.

Unfortunately, some dog owners, like some parents, and ultimately, like some humans, can only see life through what is best and easiest for them.

You are good dog parents.