Where is all the dog owner ettiquette these days? (poop, barking, black)

[Skatergirl]

I'm baffled with some dog owners and wonder if this is the appropriate place to post. I'm wondering how to deal with dog owners who let their dogs run all over your yard. I wouldn't let my kids run all through someone's yard--why are dogs let go to run so recklessly through people's yards? Imagine if my kid pooped or pee'd on your lawn.

I just bought a home and have already started on bad terms with a dog owner who I guess lives in my neighborhood. I was waiting in the car for my husband. My son was on the sidewalk waiting and a guy walks by with his dog and wife and says something to my son and then throws his bag of dog poop in my garbage can. I got out and told him he shoudnt' have done that as garbage day is days away. He told me my son said it was okay. My son is 8!!

He proceeded to walk with his dog and wife where the dog ran all over the neighbor's yard and pee'd many times.

This guy may be an anomaly, but at our previous house--in another state--dog owners were pretty oblivious and inconsiderate about their dogs.

One example was I was on my hands and knees gardening in my flower bed when a dog comes running in the flower bed and the owner walks by and says nothing. I called to her and asked her why she let her dog run through my flowers.She honeslty said that her dog doesn't know what flowers are. I told her she did and should have stopped her dog. She was pissed and walked away in a huff. There were more and equally upsetting situations like that one. I got it that there are some dog owners who think their dogs do no wrong.

FF to now. New town, new home (to us). Lot's of dogs. I want them off my lawn and flowers. I expect dog owners to have their dogs on leashes (our city has a leash law) I have taught my kids to use the sidewalk, not people's lawns to walk on. Why can't dog owners do the same? Do you see grass as your dog's right of way?

[Aptor hours]

I don't know what to say but I guess since I like dogs so much I don't relate. The neighbors dogs comes over sometimes and plays with my dog but I love it. I personally don't let my dog out of our yard if that makes you feel better I just don't get all crazy if other dogs come over and see my dog. I get all happy

[sdweisman]

i think if a dog's owner is letting the dog just run loose it's illegal, and inconsiderate. it's not like the dog just got loose and it's a one time occurance.

i have two dogs. when i walk them (always on a leash) i stick to the street and only go on grass where there are no houses or peoples yards. they can do their business in my yard and then use the neighborhood to get exercise and to meet and greet their friends.

i think you may need to have a talk with these neighbors and if that doesn't work, see if any of your other neighbors have had the same problem and get together to work out a solution. having just moved into a new neighborhood, i know i want to make sure i am being kind and considerate to my neighbors.
good luck!

[FiveHorses]

Skatergirl - you have every right in the world to be annoyed. You must be seething. I would be. I, for one, would like to thank you though for one thing: you are reasonable enough to point the finger of blame squarely at the OWNER(S). Indeed, that is where the blame lies. And to answer your rhetorical question... I don't know, but if you find it, let me know!

My dogs would not be allowed on anyone else's property without an invitation - EVER. Dogs not under EFFECTIVE control (100+10% failproof recall) should not be off leads, EVER. That may sound harsh.. but we've paid the price.

And just to paint a clear picture of where I'm coming from folks: I live rurally and I raise livestock. In one incident, we lost THOUSANDS of dollars due to 3 dogs (who live further down the road) digging in under our fencing and killing a number of animals... But let's not go there . I have also lived in surburbs in a subdivision on the outskirts of a major city. I would walk a good long distance to find somewhere where our dogs could run - they're farm dogs and suburbia was doing there heads in. BUT - for the sake of "peace" and being a good neighbour, my dogs were on leads through the subdivison (if only for the sake of appearance and I suppose, "etiquette") most of the time - but as my subdivision was deserted during the day, I have to admit () that I'd break my own rule .. but my dogs walked with me in the street, never walked on anyone's lawn, and are very well-trained.

As for what you can do & what you should do... well, let's see: do you live in a subdivision &/or anywhere with applicable HOA rules & regs? What are the city/town codes where you live? What avenues are open to you?

I am going to assume that a "friendly chat" with the offenders - judging from past actions/reactions - isn't going to work? Sometimes a bit of reason and explanation will work... sometimes it won't. And I think sometimes the owner is just embarrassed and gets defensive trying to think of a way out.

[Lana C]

I understand completely! I leash my dogs for walks on my two acrea lawn. I also have a little fenced in area off my porch so I can let them out to do their business quickly. I clean up after my dogs EVERY time they poop. My neighbor lets his dog out loose at night thinking I don't know it's his dog pooping on the other side of my fence and all over the two acreas which I mow...so I step in it when I don't see it, and have to clean it on the outside of my dog fence which makes my dogs nuts with sniffing and barking because a dog has been lifting his leg on the fence and pooping outside of it and on my sidewalk. It's a trademark that I know exactly who did it. I've told the neighbors about it (my friends) and it stops for a while but it just started up again...grrrr!!!!

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

This is one of the most annoying things about living in a city/town. My neighbors walk their dogs on those retractable leashes and they go over my yard, which drives my dogs inside the house wild! They bark and jump up at the windows so I know every time it happens. Rrrrr.

[Skatergirl]

Yeah, people are the problem. I love doggies!! I really love those creatures! Their owners are proving to be idiots. I do garden quite a bit and take pride in my work. It's infuriating to see your yard work trampled by dogs and indifferent owners who think you're the problem.

I know I'm going to **** off some neighbors, but they probably aren't people I'd be friends with anyways. No hoa's, only city lots with small yards, big houses.

My reputation at my last house finally got most dog owners to walk their dogs on the opposite side of the street. I made cute signs asking dog owners to keep their dogs out of my flowers. People let their dogs pee on the signs. I could see it all from kitchen window as I did dishes.

I used black pepper, cayenne pepper, some commercial product. All did nothing. Asked nicely, nada. I worked up to just yelling at people to keep their dogs off my flowers. There was one or two exceptions and they were great people. They trained their dogs to listen to their commands. Their dogs were great and the owners were great. I just hate being put in such awkward situations that don't have to really happen.

[MadisonM]

Skatergirl - when I lived in Colorado a few people in my neighborhood had little "no pooping signs" in their yard. It was a silly little sign with a dog squatting (nothing obscene). Maybe that would help get the point across?

Do you have a homeowner's association? If so, maybe you could propose community trash cans. If not, at least the poop is being picked up! There is nothing worse than stepping in it

I would never let my dog run loose like that. I hate to see irresponsible pet owners give the good ones a bad name.

[MAK802]

If you really hate the dogs being on your property so much, get those little flags that have pesticide warnings on them and say that this area may be harmful to your pet. That usually does the trick.

[FiveHorses]

Originally Posted by Skatergirl

It's infuriating to see your yard work trampled by dogs and indifferent owners who think you're the problem.

just hate being put in such awkward situations that don't have to really happen.

Originally Posted by MAK802

get those little flags that have pesticide warnings on them and say that this area may be harmful to your pet. That usually does the trick.

I love looking at nice gardens... and wish I had one, but my "talents" (such as they are! ) lie elsewhere. Indeed, it is unfair, and I am like you - there's nothing more annoying that being forced into a confrontational position when just a bit of common sense would have stopped the problem arising in the first place.

Pesticide signs... an innovative approach!

I guess another sign alternative might be a copy of your area's city/town ordinance citing the leash law as a reminder...