End of Summer Truly Randoms

[wawa]

When I walked out of my door this morning my neighbor was in the middle of my front yard with their dog on a leash, dog was in the middle of taking a shit.  

I was so surprised I just said, "hi" in sort of strangled tone of voice (because what I wanted to say was "what the hell are you doing??" and bit my tongue on that at the last second and she smiled and waved like this was normal and then I got in my vehicle and drove off to the park and ride.  

The dog and this grown adult human reside across the street, but their older family member owns the house next to ours.  So she *could* have started in that family member's yard and just allowed the dog to sniff and wander into ours?  We all have typically suburban sized yards.  But there is plenty of sniffing space in the yards owned BY THEM and the dog was on a leash, so it wouldn't have been hard to stop.  And it's not as if they were just along the road, or along the property line, which would both be totally normal.  Solidly 20+ feet into my yard. 

The fuck?  

We have a weird (to me) relationship with this family in that the main older man is super friendly, we have normal neighbor chit chats on a regular basis (how bout this weather, your xmas lights look great this year, etc etc) but NONE of the women in the family have ever said a word to me.  We've lived here 16 years.  So I mean...add this to the weird damn list I guess.  

[pixy0stix]

IME dogs poop where they want to poop. If she cleaned it up then I don't know what the big deal is?

ETA: Oooooooh, she was way back into your yard. Got it.

[penguingrrl]

Isn’t the purpose of the leash to keep the dog off other people’s property in addition to safety? I have never felt like it was okay to let my dog further onto someone else’s property than where the leash reached from the sidewalk/curb.

[mrsukyankee]

We NEVER let Cooper onto another person's property. He can come up to the edge of the drive (from the sidewalk) and that's it. I know he wants to sniff things on the property, but nope. I can't stop him from pooping on the sidewalk and I pick it up, but I'm not letting him pee or poop on someone's property. That's just bad.

[InBetweenDays]

Yeah, that's weird. We live in a typical urban neighborhood with a sidewalk and then a parking strip between the sidewalk and the street. We let our dog walk, poop, and pee in the parking strip (unless there are signs that ask people not to) but we never even let him walk onto the yard between the sidewalk and someone's house.

My random related to dog poop is we live on an alley and leave our recycling and compost/yard waste bins on the alley. But we pull our garbage back up next to our garage (we live on a very popular walking route and if we left our garbage out we'd probably end up with 100+ bags of dog poop each week). We've had people put dog poop bags into our yard waste frequently enough that I put a sign on them saying that isn't allowed by the city. The sign wears off and I have to replace it but I swear the INSTANT it's unreadable someone throws poop in there. Seems common sense to be that you don't put dog poop into yard waste?

[rubytue]

Aug 19, 2024 8:53:23 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

IME dogs poop where they want to poop. If she cleaned it up then I don't know what the big deal is?

ETA: Oooooooh, she was way back into your yard. Got it.

I’m here. I try my best to keep my dog from pooping in yards, but I do let her wander about 5 feet into yards. 90% of the time this is fine because she has a pattern and won’t poop until we’ve been walking about 10 minutes by which point we are at the park. But occasionally she surprises me. Never 20 feet into a yard though!

speaking of dog poop. This morning, I watched the trash people grab out trash can to dump it. Two bags (one tied poop bag) fell out on to the street, right next to each other. The guy picked up the larger bag and left the poop bag in the middle of the street. We are on a cul de sac, so I ran out and caught them on the way back. That would have been so bad when the truck ran over it on the way back up the street. 

[heygrey]

That would annoy me. Reading a dog's body language isn't that hard. There are a few seconds of sniffing around before they poop where you can guide them to an appropriate place. If this was an emergency situation where the dog insta-pooped, there is no reason she should have been 20+ feet into your yard in the first place.

My own dog is trained to poop and pee in certain areas of our lawn. When we are walking I don't allow her to wander onto other people's property. My neighbours didn't ask me to get a dog, they shouldn't be inconvenienced by her.

[vamoose]

I strongly disagree with “dogs poop where they poop” because they only poop on other people’s property if you let them walk on other people’s property. We have had dogs in suburban neighborhoods for 13 years in several towns and I do not allow our dogs to walk on the grass of other peoples’ houses because I think it’s super rude.

I will say that this has definitely been a hot button issue on Nextdoor in the past, along with whether it is acceptable to throw the dog poop bag in a neighbors’ trash bin (also a no from me). I was always surprised at how many people think it’s totally fine, so I decided this is not my hill to die on with neighbors and I choose to take some deep breaths and let it go when it happens even though it bothers me.

@@@@

I cared a lot about this when my kids were tiny and running around on our front lawn barefoot often. I don’t care nearly as much now that we are out of that season of life. People would say “but other animals could be pooping on your grass!!!” But I looked around for poop often because of the small kids running around issue, and only ever had poop smears left on my grass from dogs that had soft poop and the owners couldn’t get it all, which happened a good amount. I then had to be the one to bring out water and try to wash it away.

[AJL]

I start my first post-graduate degree job tomorrow! Wheeee!!! 

[Poeticxpassion]

We went to Denny’s this morning and I saw this sign. My jaw dropped. Wtf people?!

[fernweh]

Aug 19, 2024 10:45:36 GMT -5 AJL said:

I start my first post-graduate degree job tomorrow! Wheeee!!! 

Okay but what are your thoughts on dog poop?

I’m kidding of course - huge congrats!

[Deleted]

Aug 19, 2024 10:51:10 GMT -5 Poeticxpassion said:

We went to Denny’s this morning and I saw this sign. My jaw dropped. Wtf people?!

View Attachment

WTF that people bring a service or therapy animal into a Denny’s with no vest and no identification, necessitating the sign?

Or WTF that Denny’s is requiring a vest and identification to bring an animal into the restaurant?

[hermione]

Aug 19, 2024 10:51:10 GMT -5 Poeticxpassion said:

We went to Denny’s this morning and I saw this sign. My jaw dropped. Wtf people?!

View Attachment

ADA doesn't require service animals to wear anything identifying them as such. Is your shock at the sign or the people not vesting their service animals?

[sonrisa]

This is completely standard in my neighborhood and it is so gross. When I’ve asked, many dog owners on this board insists it’s normal and trespassing doesn’t count if you are with a dog.

[Susie]

Norm in our neighborhood seems to be that the human stays on the street, and dogs are allowed to sniff and pee/poop in yards and this is acceptable as long as the human comes onto the yard to do any necessary pickup after the dog.  I've seen some dogs on retractable leashes come pretty far onto our yard, and if I happened to walk out while they're doing it, definite side eye.  Keep it to 6' or so!  i.e., leash length.  My yard is not your park.  We have our own dogs poop in their own designated spot (not there) for a reason.

I really really hate retractable leashes for this, and also for the number of times I've been jumped on by a dog on a retractable leash while running.  

[EvieEthelGarland]

@@@

My neighborhood weirdness regarding dog business is my neighbor who plants strawberries on her curb strip and yells at people that her kids eat those if they or their dogs get anywhere near it. It's a 30 inch space between the sidewalk and the street that needs to be maintained by the homeowners but it is part of the public right of way. Those are the last strawberries on earth I'd ever eat, but maybe I'm off base?

There are also lots of blackberry bushes at the dog park. I love blackberries right off the bush, but those are the last ones I'd ever eat.

[Vespasia]

While we're on the topic of neighbor dog stories, ours have a 2-year-old French Bulldog that they're planning to breed. He's mentioned it to us a few times, especially after we lost our dog in April. There's absolutely no way we'd go for this though as I don't do puppies and even if I didn't I wouldn't get one that was randomly breed, especially a Frenchie. 

I am however torturing myself with rescue dogs. MH is adamantly opposed to getting a dog (as he was when we got our last one and he never 100% came around) and I keep telling myself I should give him at least a year. But look at this face!!!
www.petfinder.com/dog/destiny-72774780/md/elkton/house-of-hope-animal-rescue-md371/
 
ETA: He was supposed to go on a work trip with me to Cape Town in February, which made getting a dog before then a terrible idea, but now he's backed out. I told him that was a very poor decision on his part because now he'll be home and I won't have to pay for a sitter!

[wildrice]

My neighborhood doesn't have grass between the sidewalk and the street, so yards are basically the only option for dogs to do their business - unless you want it on the sidewalk, which I think is worse since that's where people walk! I think that going 20 feet into a yard is insane, though. My dog has a 4 foot leash so it's always near the sidewalk.

Vespasia that dog is adorable.

I don't know what the right thing is with service dogs. It sucks for people who have actual service dogs that people who don't will claim that they do. It's not right to question someone who is disabled about their dog (whether they appear to be disabled or not) though.

[wawa]

Aug 19, 2024 12:33:43 GMT -5 Vespasia said:

While we're on the topic of neighbor dog stories, ours have a 2-year-old French Bulldog that they're planning to breed. He's mentioned it to us a few times, especially after we lost our dog in April. There's absolutely no way we'd go for this though as I don't do puppies and even if I didn't I wouldn't get one that was randomly breed, especially a Frenchie. 

I am however torturing myself with rescue dogs. MH is adamantly opposed to getting a dog (as he was when we got our last one and he never 100% came around) and I keep telling myself I should give him at least a year. But look at this face!!!
www.petfinder.com/dog/destiny-72774780/md/elkton/house-of-hope-animal-rescue-md371/
 
ETA: He was supposed to go on a work trip with me to Cape Town in February, which made getting a dog before then a terrible idea, but now he's backed out. I told him that was a very poor decision on his part because now he'll be home and I won't have to pay for a sitter!

I would 1000000% pet sit for you if you get one that doesn't get carsick this time and we're home.  Much better chance of success on that last criteria come winter/early spring.  Or during the week.  Welcome to Wawa's Sleepaway Camp for Adorable Puppers. 

In related news - I really really wish we could have a dog again but we're just away from the house too much in the summer/fall for it to make sense.

And just for clarity on my poop issue - we don't have sidewalks (we live on a little narrow dead-end street with no markings or anything. we all just walk in the road), so there's no parking strip option for people. A dog pooping in the first 6' or so of my yard is not at all a problem and pretty standard.  I dont care about that as long as they scoop it. When I say they were in the middle of my yard, I mean that nearly literally. Closer to my house than the street in depth, about 1/4 of the yard over from the property line with their older relative. 

My IL's house is similarly situated (i.e. no sidewalks) and when they used to dogsit for us there was one particular neighbor who would get irate if our dog even TOUCHED their grass let alone peed or pooped in it.  After being oh so careful to make sure it didn't happen for months and STILL getting harangued by this cranky jerk, my beloved and wonderful MIL started encouraging my dog to pee on their lawn when they walked by because if she's gonna have to take the heat anyway, she at least wants him to have the yellow spots.  Petty Queen.

[fernweh]

Aug 19, 2024 12:56:51 GMT -5 wildrice said:

My neighborhood doesn't have grass between the sidewalk and the street, so yards are basically the only option for dogs to do their business - unless you want it on the sidewalk, which I think is worse since that's where people walk! I think that going 20 feet into a yard is insane, though. My dog has a 4 foot leash so it's always near the sidewalk.

Vespasia that dog is adorable.

I don't know what the right thing is with service dogs. It sucks for people who have actual service dogs that people who don't will claim that they do. It's not right to question someone who is disabled about their dog (whether they appear to be disabled or not) though.

I used to work retail and honestly as long as it was a well behaved dog I assumed it was a service dog. The only time I questioned someone (and I may have broken the law, I don’t know) was when they had a dog sitting in the cart (it was a Pomeranian) and it was barking/growling at everyone in the store. Sorry, there is no way that one was a service dog.

[EvieEthelGarland]

OMG...I just got a text from our neighbor letting us know they had some poop on their lawn and when they checked Ring it was our dog. I'm so embarrassed! Our gate was unlatched and he must've trotted over there, done his thing, and come right back because as far as I was aware, he never left the backyard. We're in the midst of a big remodel so things have been quite chaotic and the neighbors seem to get this and not be too peeved, but still I do not want to be that neighbor.

[Vespasia]

wawa it's funny you say that because his plan is that we can just watch the (small, well-behaved) dogs of our friends when they're away instead of getting our own.

[livinitup]

My friend’s daughter works in a bagel shop. An off leash service /support dog (a small poodle) ran into the kitchen and under the ovens and would not respond to commands from the owner to come out. So, they turned off the ovens and called the fire department to retrieve the pup. It closed the shop down for about 2 hours.

[wawa]

Aug 19, 2024 13:55:47 GMT -5 Vespasia said:

wawa it's funny you say that because his plan is that we can just watch the (small, well-behaved) dogs of our friends when they're away instead of getting our own.

I'm going to reach out to him to suggest we go into business together.  I can't have dog?  Fine.  I open Dog Sitting Side Gig.

[wawa]

Aug 19, 2024 13:20:49 GMT -5 fernweh said:

Aug 19, 2024 12:56:51 GMT -5 wildrice said:

My neighborhood doesn't have grass between the sidewalk and the street, so yards are basically the only option for dogs to do their business - unless you want it on the sidewalk, which I think is worse since that's where people walk! I think that going 20 feet into a yard is insane, though. My dog has a 4 foot leash so it's always near the sidewalk.

Vespasia that dog is adorable.

I don't know what the right thing is with service dogs. It sucks for people who have actual service dogs that people who don't will claim that they do. It's not right to question someone who is disabled about their dog (whether they appear to be disabled or not) though.

I used to work retail and honestly as long as it was a well behaved dog I assumed it was a service dog. The only time I questioned someone (and I may have broken the law, I don’t know) was when they had a dog sitting in the cart (it was a Pomeranian) and it was barking/growling at everyone in the store. Sorry, there is no way that one was a service dog.

Just for your and other's edification - (general) you (as retail staff) are legally allowed to ask exactly 2 questions -  if is a service dog, and what service functions/tasks it performs.  (answers may be non-specific things like "medical alert" or the like since the aren't required to disclose their disability)  Most anybody with a legit dog will have a clear and concise answer for the second one.   It's also totally permissible to tell somebody with a service dog that they need to keep it under control and and safe, and that an out of control dog must leave if they want to continue to receive service.  

ADA.gov has a very good FAQ with allllllllllll the details on this topic if you're ever curious.
www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-faqs/

Q28. What can my staff do when a service animal is being disruptive?

A. If a service animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it, staff may request that the animal be removed from the premises.

[laterz]

Aug 19, 2024 12:29:57 GMT -5 Susie said:

Norm in our neighborhood seems to be that the human stays on the street, and dogs are allowed to sniff and pee/poop in yards and this is acceptable as long as the human comes onto the yard to do any necessary pickup after the dog.  I've seen some dogs on retractable leashes come pretty far onto our yard, and if I happened to walk out while they're doing it, definite side eye.  Keep it to 6' or so!  i.e., leash length.  My yard is not your park.  We have our own dogs poop in their own designated spot (not there) for a reason.

I really really hate retractable leashes for this, and also for the number of times I've been jumped on by a dog on a retractable leash while running.  

retractable leashes are the devil.  They are dangerous to the animals and the humans.  When they get donated to the rescue I volunteer with, they go straight in the trash.

[pixy0stix]

Retractable leashes need to be banned. I hate that they're sold and people buy them.

[pixy0stix]

The service/guide dog stuff is going to end up with animals being banned wholesale again. Or is going to require formal licensing.

This reminds me that there was a dog training class happening in Home Depot when I was there last. The trainers were wearing bright shirts advertising the business. 1) Dogs aren't allowed in Home Depot per their policy even though the workers aren't paid enough to kick people out. Only trained service dogs are allowed. 2) An entire other business was using Home Depot to train dogs.

[polarbearfans]

Aug 19, 2024 16:50:12 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

The service/guide dog stuff is going to end up with animals being banned wholesale again. Or is going to require formal licensing.

This reminds me that there was a dog training class happening in Home Depot when I was there last. The trainers were wearing bright shirts advertising the business. 1) Dogs aren't allowed in Home Depot per their policy even though the workers aren't paid enough to kick people out. Only trained service dogs are allowed. 2) An entire other business was using Home Depot to train dogs.

In my area Home Depot is pet friendly, and very common for people to take their pets there, especially for socialization. They allow all leased pets, not just service animals.

[pixy0stix]

Aug 19, 2024 20:41:08 GMT -5 polarbearfans said:

Aug 19, 2024 16:50:12 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

The service/guide dog stuff is going to end up with animals being banned wholesale again. Or is going to require formal licensing.

This reminds me that there was a dog training class happening in Home Depot when I was there last. The trainers were wearing bright shirts advertising the business. 1) Dogs aren't allowed in Home Depot per their policy even though the workers aren't paid enough to kick people out. Only trained service dogs are allowed. 2) An entire other business was using Home Depot to train dogs.

In my area Home Depot is pet friendly, and very common for people to take their pets there, especially for socialization. They allow all leased pets, not just service animals.

I don't know why people correct me about this - it's company policy to not allow dogs in the stores. People could give two shits about following a company policy. Most don't enforce it because what would happen if your store did so? There would be arguments, and they're understaffed.