Walking dog on neighbors’ lawns (Pittsburgh, Indiana: house, neighborhoods, live)

[gladhands]

How do we feel about this? Is it considered a breach of etiquette. I know a lot of Pittsburghers feel they have the right to park curbside in front of their homes (on public property), but what is the general consensus about walking dogs on private property?

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by gladhands

How do we feel about this? Is it considered a breach of etiquette. I know a lot of Pittsburghers feel they have the right to park curbside in front of their homes (on public property), but what is the general consensus about walking dogs on private property?

No. Absolutely not. Never. And I am a dog lover.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by gladhands

How do we feel about this? Is it considered a breach of etiquette. I know a lot of Pittsburghers feel they have the right to park curbside in front of their homes (on public property), but what is the general consensus about walking dogs on private property?

If you're talking about sidewalks, even though it is the homeowner's responsibility to maintain them, they are actually part of the public right of way. I actually think our front retaining wall is in the public ROW as well, and our property only starts a few inches further back.

If you're talking about the actual yards, I'm shocked people do this, but I know very little about dogs.

[svband76]

No way. Though I'm ashamed that as a kid I let my dog poop everywhere, didn't pick up, etc. God will hopefully forgive me

[PghYinzer]

Do you mean actually walking into someone's yard with a dog or the dog going off the sidewalk a foot or so into the grass to sniff? If the second, then I am guilty. I always strive to get my dog to do his business on the tree lawn, but he often sniffs around on the house side of the sidewalk too.

[gladhands]

I’m talking about the dog walking, and occasionally doing its business on private property. It happens all the time on my block, and I’ve never said anything to anyone about it, because when I see them they clean up after their dogs occasionally I find the remnants in my lawn.

[RonSantoRules]

Get a sign that says "no poop" zone or something to that effect, if you don't want them on your lawn. I have a neighbor who has one, and I respect that request. That said, given that my neighbors treat the roads like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and my township doesn't have sidewalks, I still end up in that yard on occasion to avoid becoming roadkill.

[Lost_In_Translation]

Originally Posted by PghYinzer

Do you mean actually walking into someone's yard with a dog or the dog going off the sidewalk a foot or so into the grass to sniff? If the second, then I am guilty. I always strive to get my dog to do his business on the tree lawn, but he often sniffs around on the house side of the sidewalk too.

Seriously, the first 3 feet of the lawn is pretty much a universal city/borough easement. Dogs poop and pee on grass. Get a low shrub if you really want to keep dogs off the 3 feet section of lawn.

[gladhands]

Originally Posted by Lost_In_Translation

Seriously, the first 3 feet of the lawn is pretty much a universal city/borough easement. Dogs poop and pee on grass. Get a low shrub if you really want to keep dogs off the 3 feet section of lawn.

I have about 20 feet of setback, and I’ve found dog poop more than half the way back. I don’t own or particularly care for dogs, nor do I believe I should have to get a fence or shrubs.

[katharsis]

Originally Posted by RonSantoRules

Get a sign that says "no poop" zone or something to that effect, if you don't want them on your lawn. I have a neighbor who has one, and I respect that request. That said, given that my neighbors treat the roads like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and my township doesn't have sidewalks, I still end up in that yard on occasion to avoid becoming roadkill.

I agree. I walk my dog but will respect the owner's "no pooping zone" signs or if they ask me to not let her poop on their lawn.

That being said, I am surprised that if there are not areas set aside for dogs to relieve themselves in neighborhoods, that some people seem to expect the owners to just let their dogs just poop on the sidewalks or in the streets.

However, I think a lot depends on just the attitude of most people where you live. Dog walking is the "norm" in our neighborhood -- I would say that about 90% of our neighbors have dogs -- and even though we all have yards, dogs do not always "hold it" until they are back home; and in the more than five years we have lived here, I have only had one unpleasant encounter because my dog walked on someone's lawn (she did not relieve herself on it!) -- and, yes, she was leashed!

Btw, the last time I read a thread like this one, it turned into a snarling, snarky, insult-filled contest between those will put up with some dog misbehavior and those who won't.