Is Portland too dog friendly? (buy, yard, car)

[Minervah]

We've only gotten a negative reaction once and it was from an 11 year old who told us restaurants weren't a place for dogs. Which goes to the "who would you rather have to deal with: people's trained dogs or untrained kids?" question beautifully.

Wow, what a rude child. I would rather share the restaurant with your dog any day than some smart Aleck little brat.

[TechmanOR]

It is a little too lenient. Leash law is frequently broken in the park blocks. PSU campus security, which has jurisdiction on and off campus or the PPB turn a blind eye on it.

Multnomah County Section 13.101 requires dog to be licensed, yet you see so many transients with dogs and I've not seen failing to have registration for dogs enforced.

[Leisesturm]

Originally Posted by Clarabelle

We've only gotten a negative reaction once and it was from an 11 year old who told us restaurants weren't a place for dogs. Which goes to the "who would you rather have to deal with: people's trained dogs or untrained kids?" question beautifully.

Out of the mouth of babes... I get that you and other animal lovers would think that the kid was out of line but was s/he? IMO restaurants are, in fact, not a place for mixed human and animal dining unless expressly encouraged. No doubt there's a market niche there, and when and if that is the case, rock on. However, the incident above just shows the passivity of the public in general or perhaps the overall social diplomacy acquired as one ages which the 11 y.o. in question will probably acquire as well as s/he ages.

H

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by Leisesturm

Out of the mouth of babes... I get that you and other animal lovers would think that the kid was out of line but was s/he? IMO restaurants are, in fact, not a place for mixed human and animal dining unless expressly encouraged. No doubt there's a market niche there, and when and if that is the case, rock on. However, the incident above just shows the passivity of the public in general or perhaps the overall social diplomacy acquired as one ages which the 11 y.o. in question will probably acquire as well as s/he ages.

H

It isn't because I am one of the other animal lovers, I just think it is rude for a child to be reprimmanding an adult even if the adult may be wrong. I understand your commenting that restaurants are not proper places for pets but it's not a child's place to speak up like that. Sorry but that's the way I was raised. Kids didn't speak to adults especially adults they did not know in that manner. It's quite possible the other patrons didn't mind the dog being there so they were not necessarily being passive.

So if you had been there, would you have said something to the dog's owners?

[DreamWeavin]

Originally Posted by Minervah

It isn't because I am one of the other animal lovers, I just think it is rude for a child to be reprimmanding an adult even if the adult may be wrong. I understand your commenting that restaurants are not proper places for pets but it's not a child's place to speak up like that. Sorry but that's the way I was raised. Kids didn't speak to adults especially adults they did not know in that manner. It's quite possible the other patrons didn't mind the dog being there so they were not necessarily being passive.

So if you had been there, would you have said something to the dog's owners?

gotta agree. When I was growing up kids were taught to be seen-not heard. Worked well. Not sure what happened to that rule. Wish they would bring it back. Haven't had a decent meal or shopping excursion in awhile due to loud,screaming kids who seem to have either deaf or stupid parents who can't seem to control the little critters.

[JustPatrick]

Thank you for posting, Tiger Lily. This is a comment/reply to your original post of "Is Portland too Dog Friendly?"

Background: I have a lovely shelter dog I adopted 5 years ago and I love my dog and dogs in general. I have also been an animal shelter volunteer and dog photographer. Dogs are great. Dog owners on the other hand...

I live in NE Portland in a nice residential area. Keep in mind, this is in the city. This isn't the countryside. It's not rural here. Nearly every time I walk my dog we are approached by random off-leash dogs (they vary, sometimes a new dog, sometimes one I remember from the last time). Occasionally, there isn't even someone around monitoring the dog. There are a few houses in the neighborhood where the people just let their dog out and their dog walks in the street on it's own, unattended (seriously). Other times, when the dog does have an owner present, the person calls their dog but it ignores them. At times I've stopped my car because I've almost hit a loose dog. Another time a dog ran in the street and I almost hit it on my bike. Other times I've attempted to call dogs out of the street so they don't get hit. Furthermore, my dog and I have been attacked by 3 loose dogs (all at once) in our neighborhood as well. My dog is now very sensitive and defensive when random dogs approach us (and I don't blame her). I'm just astounded at the lackadaisical attitude people take toward dog ownership here. Use a leash unless your dog is under voice command. Doesn't that make sense? Don't leave your dog unattended in public. Many people don't care how "cute" or "friendly" your dog is. Some people just want to take a walk and be left alone.

I think all dog owners need to realize: not everyone loves your dog. Not everyone wants to pet your dog. Not all dogs (and dog-owners) want to interact with your dog. Put your dog on a leash or go to the dog park (there are plenty of those in Portland). If people are so "dog-friendly" shouldn't they want to keep their dog out of the street where it can be lost or hit by a car? At the very least, don't they want to make sure no one will take their dog or their dog won't approach another dog that might hurt it?

Again - if someone has a mellow dog that is under voice control, I understand that it's not a problem. But many dog owners are delusional: they think they have voice control over their dog, but they do not.

Portland needs to begin enforcing it's leash law.

[DreamWeavin]

Originally Posted by JustPatrick

Thank you for posting, Tiger Lily. This is a comment/reply to your original post of "Is Portland too Dog Friendly?"

Background: I have a lovely shelter dog I adopted 5 years ago and I love my dog and dogs in general. I have also been an animal shelter volunteer and dog photographer. Dogs are great. Dog owners on the other hand...

I live in NE Portland in a nice residential area. Keep in mind, this is in the city. This isn't the countryside. It's not rural here. Nearly every time I walk my dog we are approached by random off-leash dogs (they vary, sometimes a new dog, sometimes one I remember from the last time). Occasionally, there isn't even someone around monitoring the dog. There are a few houses in the neighborhood where the people just let their dog out and their dog walks in the street on it's own, unattended (seriously). Other times, when the dog does have an owner present, the person calls their dog but it ignores them. At times I've stopped my car because I've almost hit a loose dog. Another time a dog ran in the street and I almost hit it on my bike. Other times I've attempted to call dogs out of the street so they don't get hit. Furthermore, my dog and I have been attacked by 3 loose dogs (all at once) in our neighborhood as well. My dog is now very sensitive and defensive when random dogs approach us (and I don't blame her). I'm just astounded at the lackadaisical attitude people take toward dog ownership here. Use a leash unless your dog is under voice command. Doesn't that make sense? Don't leave your dog unattended in public. Many people don't care how "cute" or "friendly" your dog is. Some people just want to take a walk and be left alone.

I think all dog owners need to realize: not everyone loves your dog. Not everyone wants to pet your dog. Not all dogs (and dog-owners) want to interact with your dog. Put your dog on a leash or go to the dog park (there are plenty of those in Portland). If people are so "dog-friendly" shouldn't they want to keep their dog out of the street where it can be lost or hit by a car? At the very least, don't they want to make sure no one will take their dog or their dog won't approach another dog that might hurt it?

Again - if someone has a mellow dog that is under voice control, I understand that it's not a problem. But many dog owners are delusional: they think they have voice control over their dog, but they do not.

Portland needs to begin enforcing it's leash law.

totally agree with you. I don't care how mellow a pet owner thinks his/her dog is; they always need to be on a leash when outside the perimeters of their home--always!!!!!

[Aptor hours]

Originally Posted by tigerlily

Not only small dogs. I was in New Seasons the other day and a large dog walked in accompanied by the owner wearing an elaborate vest or coat and what looked like a pair of designer sun glasses. Unbelievable.
Do dogs really like to wear clothing?

I can't say my dog does like clothing in fact other than photo ops he is pretty much a confirmed nudist now If I do decide to have my current or future dog dress it is done of your business how I decide to spend my money as long as I am not hurting my dog you don't need to become annoyed over it. I am not upset that you spend wads of money over your adorable little beatiful children

[Minervah]

On topic. I don't mind dogs in public places as long as they are leashed. I get a bit nervous when a dog I don't know is running around without restraint. When I was a kid I was bitten several times by dogs that were allowed to run free in my neighborhood even though I tried to avoid them.

Some people do have a geniune fear of them. I think I told the story on this forum about how when my grandmother lived in a small Eastern Eurpean village the soldiers used to use their attack dogs to scare and sometimes even injure the inhabitants of the ghetto where she lived.

When she came to America to live, she was surprised to see dogs as pets. My mother got her fear of dogs from her mother and would cross the steet to avoid one running free. I got a bit of that fear too but on the whole, if I know the dog and its behavior I will like it. I really believe though that no matter how nice a dog may be, it should always be leashed in public for the safety of other people and the dog itself.

Oh and one more thing. My sister was a mail carrier for many years. Talk to any mail carrier about unleashed dogs who were "sweet family pets who wouldn't hurt a fly. Apparently flies were safe but people delivering mail were not. My sister was actually hosptialized due to severe bites from a "sweet family" dog. She could have maced it but a kid who couldn't handle it was holding onto the leash and my sister didn't want to hurt the kid.

The family of the dog had to go to the post office to pick up their mail after that. My sister didn't blame the dog and had to testify in court she didn't want it put down; only restrained. The kid was not allowed to walk it even on a leash because it was a big dog and she wasn't strong enough to control it.

[TechmanOR]

Originally Posted by JustPatrick

Thank you for posting, Tiger Lily. This is a comment/reply to your original post of "Is Portland too Dog Friendly?"

Background: I have a lovely shelter dog I adopted 5 years ago and I love my dog and dogs in general. I have also been an animal shelter volunteer and dog photographer. Dogs are great. Dog owners on the other hand...

I live in NE Portland in a nice residential area. Keep in mind, this is in the city. This isn't the countryside. It's not rural here. Nearly every time I walk my dog we are approached by random off-leash dogs (they vary, sometimes a new dog, sometimes one I remember from the last time). Occasionally, there isn't even someone around monitoring the dog. There are a few houses in the neighborhood where the people just let their dog out and their dog walks in the street on it's own, unattended (seriously). Other times, when the dog does have an owner present, the person calls their dog but it ignores them. At times I've stopped my car because I've almost hit a loose dog. Another time a dog ran in the street and I almost hit it on my bike. Other times I've attempted to call dogs out of the street so they don't get hit. Furthermore, my dog and I have been attacked by 3 loose dogs (all at once) in our neighborhood as well. My dog is now very sensitive and defensive when random dogs approach us (and I don't blame her). I'm just astounded at the lackadaisical attitude people take toward dog ownership here. Use a leash unless your dog is under voice command. Doesn't that make sense? Don't leave your dog unattended in public. Many people don't care how "cute" or "friendly" your dog is. Some people just want to take a walk and be left alone.

I think all dog owners need to realize: not everyone loves your dog. Not everyone wants to pet your dog. Not all dogs (and dog-owners) want to interact with your dog. Put your dog on a leash or go to the dog park (there are plenty of those in Portland). If people are so "dog-friendly" shouldn't they want to keep their dog out of the street where it can be lost or hit by a car? At the very least, don't they want to make sure no one will take their dog or their dog won't approach another dog that might hurt it?

Again - if someone has a mellow dog that is under voice control, I understand that it's not a problem. But many dog owners are delusional: they think they have voice control over their dog, but they do not.

Portland needs to begin enforcing it's leash law.

Get your camcorder out, and start complaining to animal control.