How inconsiderate this is! Since the bylaws in my city appear to deal only with the wearing of leashes and picking up of feces, all I can do is hope the owners get their pay back some day.

As for a dog using another’s lawn as a toilet – yes, dogs have to go when they have to go….. The bottom line here is that as the one holding the leash, you control where your dog walks. If you KNOW a neighbor has an issue with dog peeing on their lawn, don’t let your dog pee on their lawn. What is so difficult here? Also…. there is NO reason – NONE – for a dog owner to give their dog enough lead to walk clear into the middle of someone’s lawn to do their business. Again – you control where your dog goes – DON’T LET IT HAPPEN. In my humble opinion – that is simply rude and unacceptable. Keep in mind – I am PASSIONATE about dogs and cannot live my life without them.

My dog is trained (why? because I trained him – go figure) and when he starts sniffing because he wants to mark somewhere I don’t want him to mark, a gentle tug on the leash along with the command “leave it” and he walks off. In fact, simply telling him to leave it will do it.

So many people don’t train their dogs because it takes work and time and commitment and effort. People get dogs and don’t know the first thing about owning a dog. These are often times the same people who piss off their neighbors with those dogs. And it’s not the dog’s fault – it’s the owner’s fault. The dog is doing what the owner is allowing it to do.

If you have a yard, let your dog pee in your yard at the start of your walk. Yes, he’ll want to mark again on that walk, but at least you know he doesn’t NEED to go.

And what is with the person yelling at the writer because he let his three-legged dog rest on the sidewalk on a hot day when he got tired?? I don’t understand that one.

Again…. I love dogs. It’s people I can’t stand.

Loved the blog. Thanks!

the gentleman came out of his business and actually thanked me. it was nice of him and he gave eddie a treat to take home lol a piece of fresh baked bread

That is a great story. It is nice when people treat each other with respect, and also show appreciation of each others’ efforts.

I think that is a very good point and a very important distinction.

I also agree with you in terms of cleaning-up after our dogs. Nobody likes poop on their lawn and it is our responsibility to pick up after our own dogs. Poop on the sidewalk is even worse.

As for dog urine, what I have read says that it is bad for the grass when there is too much of it. So I think your suggestion of changing where you go makes a lot of sense. I like changing where I walk anyway, because then it is more interesting for me and my dog.

I also really like Jennifer’s suggestions of –
1. Letting a dog potty first before the walk.
2. Taking a squirt bottle along to dilute the dog urine after the dog pees.

I think we are all coming up with a very nice list of things that both dog owners and home owners can do in this matter, which is already helpful to me, and hopefully will be helpful to others as well.

Our immediate neighborhood is actually very good. We have made friends with most of the people, and it is actually a very fun walk. When we venture farther away, there are more strangers, but we are slowly getting to know them and slowly winning them over.

There are one or two who would prefer to shout, so we just quickly pass them by. Can’t make friends with everyone, but best not to make any enemies.

You make some really great points on the advantages of having dogs around and I definitely agree that dog owners need to be responsible and pick up after their dogs.

Thanks for sharing your story with us. Wish there are more people like you around