Dog Etiquette question/poll

[TUGBrian]

Ok so heres my dilemma.

I recently adopted a rescue dog (dutch shepherd)...and I walk him regularly.

Most of my neighborhood does not have sidewalks, and the dog never is out off leash.

I always bring a bag to pick up the solid stuff, but generally let him go "mark" whatever he wants as long as im still sanding in the street (ie he cant go more than a foot or so into someones yard)

Today I was walking back from the mailbox, and the pooch decided to mark a bit on a neighbors driveway down the block (just a mark mind you, no more than a few ounces...certianly not a full blown go or anything) and a gentleman ripped open his door and began yelling at me about how he appreciated me letting my dog go on his yard and how it kills the grass etc.

Now again, while I am in total agreement that his lawn is his property...and whatever decision he makes I will respect (I told him that I wouldnt let him go near his yard again)...I am at a loss for how this was handled.

Is it me just being a jerk and he was totally justified? or was this just a really bad overreaction on his part?

Keep in mind, he didnt even go in his yard, just on the driveway/curb area...literally 6" from the gutter...and on a hot sunny day like today...im sure it evaporated in mere minutes.

This prompted me to go do some research and I was amazed to find how many people absolutely positively abhor animals going in their yards under any circumstances.

I could totally see the point about poop and not picking it up, but pee? and even then I guess I could see gettin mad if I let him roam free in his yard and pee on everything etc...but a simple marking of his driveway?

Heck we have more wild animals back here than I can shake a stick at...deer/armadillos, possum, etc etc.

Anyway...I figured I would ask the rest of the class(thats you guys) their thoughts on this as this site always amazes me at the different slices of social interpretation I always read in these posts!

 

[geekette]

I don't worry about it. I clean up after my girl and it seems most people in the neighborhood do the same.

there are "yard nuts" who are convinced that dog pee will kill grass. Maybe, maybe not, but I hardly care if someone's dog kills a teeeeny section of my yard. Big whoop. But, alas, I am not a yard nut. And I am a dog-lover.
My dog's pee does not kill grass.

I agree with you that marking is slightly different. And i think it's quite likely that another dog marked there first. I think the guy overreacted, but your willingness to not let your dog anywhere near his yard ever again was the perfect response. Too bad the guy is so wrapped up in his blades of grass, but, everyone needs a hobby.

 

[wackymother]

Just stay away from his house. There are people who are looking for conflict, period. We have a small dog and more than a year ago one of my neighbors yelled at me for letting the dog WALK on his grass. Since then I just shorten the leash as we walk by that house so the dog stays on the sidewalk.

BTW...dog urine can kill grass. Sometimes you'll see yellow circles of dead grass on a green lawn, and that's often caused by dog urine, especially urine from female dogs. Apparently some dogs have more acidic urine. Also if one dog marks in a spot, it makes other dogs want to mark there, too.

 

[Zac495]

I have a neighbor who hates my cats. They are inside cats, but things happen from time to time - a cat runs out. This is rare - we are careful (Not just for the neighbors, but for the cats - no safe for them to run out). We also appreciate their lawn matters to them as much as our cats matter to us. All of that said, their reaction is over the top, as it sounds as though that guy was with you and your dog.

I think a furious response should be in response to someone doing something on purpose or over and over without remorse.

People get too angry over little things. Enjoy your dog!

 

[TUGBrian]

interesting poll results...I truly had no idea that so many were antidog under any circumstances!

not that I hold it against you or anything, again your lawn is your lawn...it just never crossed my mind that someone would be upset over a number 1!

 

[djs]

Actually, assuming it's cleaned up I think Number 2 would be better than Number 1. It won't set into the grass and for the few seconds it's there, I don't think much (if any) damage will be done.

Your neighbor did overreact though, a simple "I'd appreciate it if you didn't let your dog go on my lawn" would have been more than sufficient.

Living in New England, I find your mentioning that it's a "hot sunny day" much more offensive than your dog's actions

 

[Keitht]

I think I would generally be described as a pet lover, but I would also be less than impressed if somebody let their dog pee or poo on my property. I actually think that the dog being on a lead/leash makes the 'crime' worse. You had the ability to pull the dog away and didn't. It may sound harsh but it smacks of a lack of respect for other people's property.
Taking it to extremes, how would you feel if your neighbour let his kid do the same on your garden??

 

[TUGBrian]

And this is the reason I wanted to get more input on the subject, I personally felt that it just "wasnt an issue" so to speak...given that we were so near the gutter/curb...and there are no sidewalks.

again if I were wandering around his yard letting my dog have his way...thats all on me (none of this of course is the dogs fault...he doesnt know any better).

Im definately more aware of the situation now, it just really suprised me that something like that would be tolerated so little.

I guess more info would be relavent, there are perhaps 10 total houses on my cul-d-sac...ive met most of the owners...and I know 6 are also dog owners. This one particular house though I had never even seen the owners much less met them in the few years ive lived here....so perhaps thats another issue.

I certainly wont let it happen again thats for sure!

 

[AwayWeGo]

The Perfect Dog.

The ideal solution would be a poopless dog.

Wouldn't that be something ?

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[jules40]

I'm an animal lover. I have 3 dogs and when I walk them in my neighborhood I keep them completely on the sidewalk or in the street. I don't let them pee or poo in anyone's yard.
That being said, if someone let their dog pee at the edge of my yard or at the end of the driveway, I wouldn't say anything and I certainly wouldn't yell at the person. If it happened often, then I might say something.

Julie

 

[rickandcindy23]

Brian, how wonderful that you adopted the dog! I wish more people looked at rescue shelters and pounds for their animals! You are truly a great human being, and your reward is in your new dog's love and affection. Do you know that for every two cats or dogs born today, one will die without having a home and being loved for its entire life? That statistic makes me sad, and that is the one reason we should all spay and neuter even our purebreed animals.

On the dog pee on the lawn thing--if dog pee kills grass, then how come my stepdad's yard has six-inch round areas that are greener (and taller) all winter where the dog has urinated? I would say it is great fertilizer.

The guy totally over-reacted. And you are so nice to even feel concerned for the guy and his lawn.

Brian, your poll doesn't cover all bases. What about, "clean up the poo, but okay to pee."

 

[krissydee]

I'm a firm believer that people who have strong negative reactions like that are just venting some type of frustration about their own life.

Yes it may irritate them and they may not want your dog to do it anymore, but why not just politely ask? My reasoning is this guy just needed a punching bag and was waiting for something small to set him off.

This philosophy helps me to not take things personally, and instead of me getting angry and upset about strangers who are rude or snap at me (as this can bother you internally for hours or days even if you're sensitive to it), instead I just feel sorry for them.

 

[abbekit]

Brian,
I think you are handling this the right way. The guy is obviously an unfriendly person who doesn't like dogs (probably not too keen on people either). Just live your life with your new dog and stay away from him.

We walk our dog all over the neighborhood 2-4 miles every day. I've never had anyone complain about dog pee but we do keep him from peeing on flowers, Christmas decorations, etc. A fire hydrant, lamp post, curb, etc. are okay in my mind. Poop is most definitely picked up. We never walk without TWO plastic bags (always have a back up).

Congratulations on your new dog! We do volunteer work at our local animal shelter so I'm really happy you gave a needy dog a good life. How lucky for him that you took him! Let's see a photo!

 

[TUGBrian]

okie dokie

and for scale (hes quite large)

 

[somerville]

I agree that poop should be cleaned up. I don't care about dogs peeing in my yard, although it can kill the grass in concentration. However, most people's property lines are on the other side of a sidewalk, so in many instances, a dog peeing in the grass between the street and the sidewalk is doing it in the public right of way. This is also usually true where there are no curbs or sidewalks, as the right of way usually extends past the paved road.

 

[ciscogizmo1]

I don't care if a dog pees on my lawn or does number 2 but the owner better clean up number 2. Honestly, my dog isn't a marker for some reason. I guess, I got lucky. But if he does mark, I just tell him no. You can train your dog to pee on your lawn only. Very easy to do. I don't like it if my dog marks other peoples lawns and I actually discourage it. I think, with the way the world is today you shouldn't allow it. They guy seems a little bit over the top but who knows you might have been the 10th person that day that let their dog pee on the lawn. It isn't save and you don't know what will set them off. I'd rather be safe than sorry..

 

[rickandcindy23]

He's beautiful, Brian!

 

[normab]

I owned dogs in the past and always kept them off the neighbors property. My philosophy is that most surburban (where I live) homeowners spend good money to care for their lawn and the urine does kill the grass, I have seen holes of grass missing due to repeated urination.

I guess even if I don't think my lawn is as important as they think theirs is, I still respect it's their property. Respecting their property is the key in my opinon. So, I love dogs, but I think that they should be curbed unless in your own yard or in a dog park!!

I am guessing the guy probably is fed up from multiple dogs leaving marks and that's why he overreacted....

 

[falmouth3]

We walk our two dogs and in the warm (snowless) days, we keep to the edge of a wooded area so we don't bug the neighborhood. I always have bags for the solids. However, one winter day last year our dog was sniffing, not even raising his leg and a guy on the neighboring street went nuts. We just walk on the other side of the street now when we get near his house.

Congratulations on your new boy!

I voted #1 is OK, #2 is a nono, but the clean up is also fine with me, since you can't clean up number 1 (not easily anyway)

Sue

 

[AwayWeGo]

Looking Good (Man & Dog, I Mean.)

You're looking slimmer, Brian.

Trimmed down a bit since that TV interview, eh ?

Good going & more power to you.

Working out with that doggy will add to to your exercise routine for sure.

Keep it up.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[Zac495]

second post on one subject - sorry

First - CUTE DOG!!!
Second - I duh - didn't notice the poll until after I posted.
I think you need to add - I'd prefer dogs don't come on my lawn deliberately, but I certainly wouldn't be upset if the dog peed.

I wouldn't want someone to let their dog wander up my lawn - but I wouldn't come running out. I had to choose between (with your poll) - your neighbor was right and it's okay to come on my lawn and pee. I'm in the middle there.

Wow - I'm too long winded for a poll.

 

[NWL]

This is one of the reasons we moved from suburban Virginia to rural Montana!
Our 3 dogs (all rescued from shelters ) have 40 acres to run, play, pee and poop on. No neighbors to make angry. When we do venture back to civilization, I feel it's the owner's responsibility to pick up after their dog. #1 is a toughie, though. If the neighborhood has sidewalks with grass between the sidewalk and street, I steer them to the grass next to the street. If not, I make sure they only go a foot or 2 into the yard and hope the owner doesn't see.

You have to be realistic. Many people have pets and our neighborhoods are not that pet friendly. I vote for more doggie parks!

Kudos to you Brian for adopting your sweet companion. :whoopie: :whoopie:

 

[Wonka]

Dog Urine can kill lawns

I've had several female dogs, their urine does indeed kill the grass. We have so many dogs in our neighborhood, I don't think anyone cares about dogs going in their lawn as long as it's picked up. Many don't pick-up, and there's always #2 on the sidewalks. I don't get it, and believe any responsible only should clean up their dog's mess. I try to avoid my dog urinating in lawns, but it isn't easy. I think the grass dying occurs from constant use often in the same spot. But, I can say with certainty we've had many dead circles in our lawn from our own dogs.

I should add that if I had a neighbor react like yours, I'm kinda "reactionary" and would have probably responded negatively...most likely telling him to "take a leap". However, your reaction is more appropriate and adult.

 

[BevL]

Some people don't have enough to worry about.

We live in a condo and walk our dog three times a day. It's pretty hard to keep a dog, especially a male, even if he's neutered from peeing. And unless your dog peed in exactly the same spot every day, I'd be hard pressed to see how it would damage the grass.

We don't let our dog pee in someone's garden, lawn decorations, etc., and we try to just use common sense. A tree or a lightpost is pretty much fair game.

Poop should always be picked up, just no exceptions.

But sounds like you ran across either a lawn Nazi or someone who is just mad at the world - I'd do as others have said, just avoid his property and be thankful you have enough going on in your life that you're not flipping out over something so trivial.

Nice looking dog, by the way. We love our adopted baby.

 

[LynnW]

This is an interesting thread! In Sept we also adopted a dog, an Australian Shepherd/ Border Collie cross. Being a male it is really hard to stop him from peeing on every post or fire hydrant but we do try to keep him out of peoples yards. With all the snow we have now it's on every snow bank that another dog has peed on! We have a lot of dogs in our neighborhood and always see 1 or 2 others when we are out walking. Of course we always carry bags and it seems everyone else does too. We also have an off leash area close by where we go when it's not so cold. We had an experience on Sun that makes me so happy that we took him. The couple that owned him had to go into assisted living as she had a stroke and he was not well either. Their DD and SIL took him for 6 weeks but that have 2 dogs of their own and found it too much. There other DD called us from Toronto a week before Christmas to say she was visiting her parents and wanted to now if she could bring her mother to visit Homer. They came on Sun and he was so excited to see them. They took a lot of pictures and I could tell how hard it was for her to have given him up. She is recovering pretty well from her stroke and they thanked us for taking him and were so happy he looked so well taken care of. Of course she and her DD were both crying when they left but know that they can come and visit him anytime. He is a very special dog

Lynn