Grrr - Picking Up After Your Dog

[TrishB]

I ALWAYS pick up after Parker. I can honestly say that I have never left a 'deposit' anywhere in my community. The one time I didn't have a bag, I took Parker home, got a bag, went back and picked it up.

This weekend, I saw a woman with a Golden Retriever. Her dog made a deposit on a neighbours lawn. She took out a bag, looking around. She then PUT THE BAG BACK IN HER POCKET WITHOUT PICKING UP THE POOP!

I tried to catch up to her to give her a piece of my mind, but Parker slowed me down by making a deposit himself.

Do the people in your neighbourhoods pick up after their dogs? Have you ever witnessed people leaving it? Have you ever said anything?

I love my dog - but in no way do I feel that he has the right to poop anywhere. I don't want it on my lawn or to step in it (or my dog for that matter) while out on our walks!

Grrrrrr

[babybluetx23]

I have never noticed my neighbors do it, but I MUST admit I am BAD about it in my OWN yard. Other peoples yards, parks, trails, ect I DO NOT just leave it. I always pick it up, but I am bad about picking it up in my own yard if Harley does it there. I go in the house to get a bag, the phone may ring and then Harley is getting into something he shouldnt, and then it is time for dinner and then hubby calls me to his office to see something really cool on ebay and then the pot of water on the stove boils over and then its time to eat and feed the dogs and then.,..........Ect.
By the time I remember it I had JUST mowed over it with the lawn mower (BLECH) and its too late.

[Squeaky2004]

Yep people let their dogs do it around here all the time without picking it up. I have seen people leave it on the front lawn, all over the sidewalks. It's disgusting, I mean how much energy does it take to pick up after your dog???? Our backyard, i can see being a bit different it is our dogs, we go out about once a week and do a land mine find lol and it all gets done at the same time. But i NEVER leave it out on the city sidewalks or the front lawn or other people's yards. That is why so many people complain about the dog even using there lawn because alot of people say well forget it, save myself a bag......sheesh i could go on and on about this but i will be quiet now. Thanks for letting me vent lol.

[jakesfostermom]

Trish, I keep poop bags on the leash, and I take extras so I can "offer" them to offenders like the lady you mention. I say something like "I have an extra bag if you'd like one"....most people look at me like I'm crazy, but I haven't had anyone tell me "no" per se. On our way to the park, one of my neighbors has actually printed a cartoon of a dog stooped "in position" with a great big red mark through the cartoon (to indicate "NO POOPING") and under it is a note that says "your dog poo in my yard is disrespectful"....She tacked it to her fence and I've noticed the poo there has dramatically decreased I also had to tell a repeat offender to my front yard (while I was there watering no less) - that they should practice the boy scout moto and leave the area cleaner than when they found it.....she buffawed me and kept walking - that's okay - next time I will scoop her poo and follow her home...and redeposit it in her front yard.....

[sweet Justice]

Every coat I own has multiple bags in the pockets. I have "offered" people bags when I see them casually stroll away from a pile. I have also picked up their dogs doo doo and followed them along saying "Excuse me. This is not okay in MY neighborhood".
I had a friend I occasionally walked with who thinks if she can't see it, she shouldn't pick it up. We no longer walk together as I don't want to be tarred with the same brush.
I'm also diligent about my two not marking on lawns or trees or signposts within people's property. There is a field about 2 blocks away and they know not to fuss about a piddle till they get there. And within town they are on a lead on a heal. I know, meanie me, but I have rock gardens in my front and I sure appreciate it when dogs don't mark the alpines and rocks there!
Our 2 can use the back yard if they have too but most times chose not too as we walk often and long and they play and sun bask in their yard.
And besides, most of the time we load up and hit the trails out of town and then they can pee wherever their hearts' desire. In town, we are respectful. Funnily enough, they know the difference.
I just ordered a sling pack that has multiple removable pockets and pouches so I can carry my bags, keys, treats, water and bear spray with both hands free and easy access to my gear as it hangs bandolier style across your front and back. Can't wait to get it and not have to dress based on clothes with pockets!

[Squeaky2004]

Originally Posted by jakesfostermom

Trish, I keep poop bags on the leash, and I take extras so I can "offer" them to offenders like the lady you mention. I say something like "I have an extra bag if you'd like one"....most people look at me like I'm crazy, but I haven't had anyone tell me "no" per se. On our way to the park, one of my neighbors has actually printed a cartoon of a dog stooped "in position" with a great big red mark through the cartoon (to indicate "NO POOPING") and under it is a note that says "your dog poo in my yard is disrespectful"....She tacked it to her fence and I've noticed the poo there has dramatically decreased I also had to tell a repeat offender to my front yard (while I was there watering no less) - that they should practice the boy scout moto and leave the area cleaner than when they found it.....she buffawed me and kept walking - that's okay - next time I will scoop her poo and follow her home...and redeposit it in her front yard.....

*giggle* ok I LIKE your way lol. I'm gonna steal your idea and try it

[LavenderRott]

I have a neighbor that lets her beagle run loose to poo on other yards. I find it doubly aggravating because one of my neighbors came over to tell me that MY dog was loose and poo'ed in her yard! Missy has escaped from my house twice in the year that we have had her. The first time we were hot on her tail and caught her toot-sweet. The second time, we ran out and opened the van door. End of chase.

[RottyMom]

I alway say something...I just can't believe how people can leave their dog poo on someone else's property or in a public place. I too offer bags...people usually take them while stammering "oh thanks...I was just about to pick it up". all the while they were walking away...quickly. I too have poo bags everywhere...in all my jacket pockets, in my purse, in my car. My friends think it's pretty funny...if they ever need a poo bag they sure know who to ask.

[Patty1231]

When my son was young I had a neighbor whose large fat dog was always coming over doing its business in my yard. I had a lot of kids in my yard all the time and was concerned for them and dragging the stuff inside. Had several conversations with the neighbors to no avail. So when I had to scoop I started throwing it over next to their picnic table. Still no change. Spoke with them again - they said they'd watch her. A large pile ended up at my back stairs which I watched for a week - still there. I'd had enough - it was a very rainy day and that big sloppy pile soon ended up flung over in a lovely smear pattern across their carpeted back porch. The wife came over to complain and I told her I had politely asked numerous times yada yada yada - there was never a pile anywhere in my hard again after that.

As far as now, I ALWAYS clean up after my dogs - at home and out. Would I approach someone caught in the act? That would depend on whether or not I thought they would beat the crap out of me If I thought I could take them, I'd say something

[TrishB]

But that's just it, this woman HAD A BAG!!!

I don't have a yard, so I have to pick up every deposit. I've gotten used to it. We have a 'Pooch Pouch" attached to the leash. I picked it up for $2 and it holds 5 bags at a time.

That way as long as I remember to fill it, I'm golden. Because if Parker is out, his leash is out with the bags along for the ride!

If I see that woman again - I'm going to give her a lesson in how to not just fling the bag around and make a production out of it, but to also BEND OVER AND PICK IT UP TOO!!

[Denise L.]

Oh this one really pushes my buttons! Boston Harbor is right at my front door and a few years back they fixed up a very pretty walkway and stairs down to the water. Now it is just full of dog poo. Every now and then I go down armed with plastic bags and pick up a bunch.

I used to manage a condo in the city that was dog friendly and you would not believe how many times folks let their dogs poo and pee INSIDE the building! One time a dog pooed in the hallway directly in front of a unit owner's door! I did an intensive e-mail, letters under doors, signs in the elevator campaign and, working with the responsible owners, managed to get it to zero incidents.

Amazing how ignorant so many folks are!

[Brooke&Ryan]

Most of the people in our neighborhood are pretty consciensous about picking up the poo.

But...there are very few parks that dogs are allowed around town. Most in the borough dogs are not allowed. There is a gorgeous park (pictures in Picture This) with a large stream running through it where dogs are allowed. We love to take Julius there because there are big fields, a stream & a playground in case Ryan's brother tags along.

I fear that before long they will not allow dogs at the park because people don't clean up the poop. After all of the snow melted it was "poop central." It just ticks me off because we may lose the rights to take our dog to this park because of some freakin' lazy people.

[Mary Bouchard]

This bugs me too, I always pick up after our three. Yet the neighbors felt free to walk their dogs on our front lawn until we purchased a wrought iron security door.

My husband did not double lock it one day and along comes the little dog and owner to make a deposit Guess our male growled and hit the front security door it flies open and he just stood there in the doorway with a look that said lift your leg or squat and I'm coming out.

Needless to say they have never darkened my front lawn again.

And I was very surprised he did not go out the front door when it opened suddenly!

[Patty1231]

Originally Posted by Brooke&Ryan

I fear that before long they will not allow dogs at the park because people don't clean up the poop. After all of the snow melted it was "poop central." It just ticks me off because we may lose the rights to take our dog to this park because of some freakin' lazy people.

Where I live, this has already happened in one park and we are in danger of losing the privilege in our larger park. Letters to the Editor abound about this on a regular basis. All fenced in playgrounds are now off-limits to all dogs, as well. I just don't understand the mentality of not cleaning up after your dog, it's just not that difficult - AND I HAVE TWO BIG DOGS!!

[Rottnlove]

It just goes to show that if you don't have the energy to pick up after your dogs in public, then you have no business taking your dogs out.

I am lucky they allow dogs where I live. I notice a lot of people not cleaninig up after themselves. We could loose our opportunity to have dogs here, since so many people never clean after the poop. The manager has already brought this issue up in a community newsleter. It stated that your dog will be removed from the premises if they find that the owners are not cleaning up after them.

It's aweful to think a few people in the community could ruin it for all.