Pee and Poop survey
 

A poster said that I should post my pet question on the pet forum instead of hiding it in another post that was about golf.

OK - here goes:

If you have a dog(s) and you walk it outside to do its business, do you let that business happen on private property? In other words do you let your dog do its thing on another person's lawn? Even assuming you pick everything up do you feel that you have some sort of built in right to walk onto another person's property and urinate and defecate on THEIR lawn? This question came up because some people were adamant that golf balls hit onto a home's property should not be looked for or picked up (obviously not hit from) since the ball should be considered out of bounds.

Just curious what most pet owners allow for their dog's bathroom habit. I don't own one so I'd like to know how you go about accomplishing the daily habit.

Think you may find that if the survey is not anonymous, you are not going to get honest answers.

When I leave my property to take my dog for a walk, I try my very, very best to be sure that she has done all business before leaving our property. Unfortunately, she most times has the need to "mark" or pee along the way. This is just what dogs do. The only way to stop it is to put a diaper on or never take them for a walk. I moved here because I felt it is a dog friendly community. Any suggestions? For the record, my lawn is as green and healthy as anyone's. Her pee has not caused any markings. Also, I ALWAYS have bags in my pocket in case she poops. I have even picked up other dog poop that I come across in our travels.

I wouldn't let my dog do it's business on my neighbor's lawns if I had a dog. I've not seen it done in my Village other than when we all first moved in and the dog owners seem not to do it anymore. I see them walking their dogs to the mailbox which is close or to the open area near the Villas.

I would be appalled if my dog went on someone's yard. She is held on a short lead when it's not Ok to sniff around and go. She is released on full lead...5 feet or so, when she is in an appropriate area. She understands when she is and is not allowed to go.
She pees in the yard, her own yard, readily but resists pooping at home. At this point she is walked mostly on unbuilt lots or I take her in the car to a field outside TV. She is not allowed to stand on someone else's yard without their ok. I don't get why people let their dogs walk on private property??

There are not many places to go and fences are not allowed so the problem is situationally challenging but there is no excuse for violating private property.
I hope your post will be read by offending dog owners and that they will be less likely to give the rest of us a bad name, but I don't expect any to confess.

Just a related question, since I feel a bit ornery today...

I haven't checked if this applies to TV, but usually sidewalk is placed a couple feet inside the right-of-way, not on the actual house lot (even though the homeowner is typically responsible for mowing the grass). So if a dog is allowed to use this portion of the right-of-way, does that constitute improperly using another person's property/lawn?

You have a leash, the dog is on the end of it. Use the lead to control the dog from being able to trespass onto private property or are you talking about her going on allowable sites, few as they are? The dog can't mark something she isn't standing on so don't let her walk where you don't want her to pee.

Yes. well, it's easier for you because female dogs don't feel the need to pee-mark every 30 seconds like male dogs do

ditto with Kitty. Our walk starts on our property, with business being done there. Our dog is not a "marker," thank goodness, but nonetheless, we walk down the street in such a fashion that the dog cant reach anyone's lawn. It's not difficult to do that and still keep out of the way of traffic, as long as you keep control of the length of lead you are giving the dog.

In a three-mile walk, we stop to allow sniffing (he doesn't mark but loooooooooves to sniff) twice, both at public TV property. As long as you keep moving, the dog is not going to mark--especially if he's out in the street or on a short lead on a sidewalk.

Remember who's the pack leader.

My female loves to huff and to mark. She will squat when there's nothing left in her but her imagination.

As long as any excrement is picked up, why is it a big deal. Granted I restrict my pups to their own yard, but if they did go somewhere else, I'm responsible for their actions and would clean up.

Personally, I would not let my dog relieve itself on grass or landscaping that another homeowner pays to water and maintain.

I consider it disrespectful to the neighbors to do otherwise. :yuck:

But for those who think it's okay to let a pooch do their business on another homeowners lawn, please post your address so that others can bring their pups over to your house for their daily potty visit!

I agree but it can happen. These are dogs and while we try to control them, and for the most part do, there is a point where nature rules.

Diane, I'm confused..the question is whether you would allow your pup to go on private property? not sure what your answer is to that..
Kitty
Ps can't wait to meet you.

My 2 cents worth:

Always walk my dog on my property to relieve herself.
Only after that will we go for a walk.

NOW on this walk she MAY surprise me - I honestly think it has only happened twice that she pooped while on her walk.

I do however walk her in the street and carry bags. Therefore, she did not do anything on anyone's lawn and it was picked up!

Okay so maybe that was 3 cents worth !!!!

Yeah, but it was worth a million bucks!:coolsmiley:

Ya know, it took 30+ years of public service announcements to finally convince people smoking is dangerous to your health. Little by little, people quit, and now the smokers are in the minority of the population.

I know the poop threads have been on TOTV ad nauseum, but there are new people to TV all the time, and the private-property vs your dog's right to poop issue needs to be revisited now and then. Sooner or later, the property owners may win out through public awareness. Hopefully it won't take 30 years.

Russ, maybe you would enjoy having a dog. In Key West, they put them (even retrievers) in their beach cruiser bike baskets and tool around. I seem to remember you like to ride. (That was a non sequitur, I know. Sorry sorry.)

I don't think the OP is trying to understand the topic. I think he is just trying to generate discussion on the issue. As you said, it's been discussed over and over and over for years. We've all made our positions known.

My position is that we need more dog parks in The Villages. Since two dogs are allowed per household, there are a heck of a lot of dogs living in The Villages. There are three tiny dog parks provided by The Developer. If we had more dog parks, we would have a lot fewer problems with dogs being walked in the neighborhoods.

I don't have a horse in this race. We don't walk our dogs in the neighborhood. We take our dogs daily to the private dog park on CR 101, and we're happy to pay to do that.

Guess I'll have to start going to the dog parks.

:bigbow: :agree:
For those that say it is their dog and dogs will be dogs, that still is no excuse to go on private property..period. Whether it is the "few feet" as mentioned that they "only maintain" or not! Doing simple math, to maintain approx. 10% of the area right away on property... Costs to mow, fertilize, weed, shrub maintenance at ~$1500 per year for a lawn service, plus watering should be about $150 + per year. If you want to pay that to each home owner for your use of that area, and still pick up your dog's excrement, than perhaps they will strike a deal with you.
Those that believe this has been covered than don't read it. But it shows that there is a division of people in TV who believe they have the right to use other's property because their dog couldn't help themselves and it should not be a big deal if they do.
There are many "pet peeves" each of us have and it shows in these threads. I would guess many that think this is alright also complain that they don't like what others are doing to them at stores, cars, pools, etc. We just need to be cognizant and courteous of other's property and think of others in our actions of how it would make them feel if the shoe was on the other foot.

This thread has awakened me that it is true that dog owners let their dogs walk, pee and poop on private property. I'm new here, so whatever positions you all hold I'm not going to research.
I watched a guy tonight with his dog on a lead so long he could have walked in the middle of the street while the dog waltzed through private yards and it was just looking for the best yard to go in. What are people thinking? Dogs are not supposed to walk us, we are supposed to walk them.
We need Cesar Milan. Lead the dog. The dog is not in charge of you. If you have a cat, this won't work.
K.

I hope you have a small dog or easy access to the large dog park Barefoot is referring to (Doggy Doo Run Run). It is pretty far away if you live down in the 466A area. And the developer-provided dog parks down in this area are pretty small for the larger dogs to get good exercise.

Hey if we're lucky, maybe some cat owners take their bags of litter box poo and clumped-up pee to the mailbox trash cans and dump them there! I'd pull up a chair for that thread.

Huffy, huffier, huffiest.

If you only knew what great fertilizer and sand in material that makes for the lawn. My kitty's used litter is not for sale!
Kitty

A lot of new people have moved in. Another thread opened it up again and some in that thread said to have a new one - so I did.

From what I'm reading most people try to restrict to their yard or sidewalk. I'm glad to hear that. I have no problem with dogs - as long as the human is the one in charge:)

No I would not purposely let my dogs go on private property but if it accidentally happened what can you do.

You said far better what I was trying to say. Thank you.

Personally, I find dog poop threads interesting. The variety of comments amuses me. And the fact that these poop threads keep popping up over and over and over tell me that I am not alone. I keep hoping that some single post will enlighten me as to why those few thoughtless folks who purposely allow their dogs to poop on other people's lawn without picking it up, will appear here. Until then, I read...

Well we take our dogs to the "poop station" aka the "pump station" to do their business before their walks and always, always always pick up their poop and sometimes that of stupid dog owners who don't have a clue. But on occasion walking makes them have to poop again so they do it in the street 'cause I wouldn't dare let them on someone's lawn. Personally I would rather a dog poop in my grass and have it picked up rather than the street where it is as picked up as good as it can be. And don't tell me not to walk my dog on the public streets - dogs need to walk - that is what they do - and unfortunately sometimes they just have to go.

I live in a courtyard villa neighborhood. Most of the neighbors here have dogs.

Except for the area outside our villas entrance, all the grass/landscaping here is paid for and maintained by individual residents. (for those who may not know, there are no sidewalks or parkways in CYV enclaves)

What most do is twofold: When walking their dogs in the immediate area, the dogs are kept on a short leash (as others have mentioned) and walked in the street up to say, the mail station, where there is a grassy, public area.

This area is not specifically designated for dogs, but with proper follow up, dogs can sniff and pee and poop back there, BEHIND the mail station.

In addition, many take their pups for a daily golf car ride. We have at least 90 miles of golf car paths. Most have grassy, sometimes shaded areas adjacent to them. They find a quiet spot, pull their golf car safely off onto the grass and park, then walk their dog to their heart's content, away from any homeowner's property. They pick up the poop, bring it home and properly dispose of it.

Those who have dogs afraid of the golf car, (rare, but okay) those who don't HAVE a golf car (rare, but okay) and those who have multiple dogs may not find this an option- so in that case, your own property is the only reasonable potty solution.

If a dog does not 'like' your own property, oh well. When nature calls they will opt to use it if that is the available option (vs inside). I guarantee.

Wise words, gomoho. :^)

There are those on both extremes who will never be satisfied. But imho this generally sums up the behavior of most responsible dog owners and describes reality pretty well.

Who made the decision that the mail stations would become a pet waste relief area? Are the postal stations and the grounds public or private land? If it is private land then the owner whether the Morses, VCDD, or private contractor sets the rules. If they are public then usage would be regulated by whatever governmental agencies have jurisdiction. Most Sumter County parks prohibit dogs completely while a few allow dogs but require that pet stations be used. Sumter County, FL - Official Website

So the fact that land is even public does not mean that it therefore becomes a dog defecation zone.

No disrespect intended, but if you're taking about typical public road right-of-way, good luck with enforcement, even IF it's deemed to be a violation.

I let my dogs pee and poop all over the place. I pick up the poop, the urine-not so much.

Wow. I'm impressed that all the dog owner responders to this topic do it the right way. How is it that on any ride of at least 10 minutes duration in virtually any direction it is almost impossible to not see a canine with a foot in the air or hunched over the destination of it's forthcoming poop. Usually either on public property or a homeowners yard which Id bet isn't the yard the dog belongs in.

Well since Admin shut down the political forum I find the poop threads exciting and fully charged. I am one who puts humans, most anyway, above all else animals, conservation, etc . to me earth was made for humans . naturally some respect by humans is essential so that we leave plenty of living for future generations.

Dog owners rights of owning two dogs come with responsibilities. I'll make a wager that the application of those responsibilities falls within the bell curve. someone like Barefoot captures my respect because she has a good balance between her rights and the rights of others. such courtesy goes a long way.

I agree, see post #2. No one on TOTV allows their dogs to poop on others' property. Well, except Patty. :a20:

I am referring to the large grassy area BEHIND the mail station that is designated to OUR village of Tamarind Grove. I used phrase 'the mail station' as a reference point.
If you will visit the area, perhaps you will see the grounds I am referring to.
Neighborhood watch has told me that since this is a common area, they will not prevent people from walking their dogs back there.
However, the dogs MUST be on a leash and the owners are EXPECTED to pick up the poop, take it HOME and dispose of it properly.


I did NOT infer that mail stations are poop stations.
Personally, I love dogs, owned many, but don't presently have one. Most of my friends and neighbors do and I enjoy them immensely.

I get annoyed when I see a dog allowed to pee on a flowering ornamental plant border.... wherever it may be. (and here's a clue, if enough concentration of urine is deposited by yours AND other dogs, the plants will burn and die. Honest.) I get annoyed when a dog is allowed to pee/poop in front of outdoor dining tables at a restaurant, whether the owner picks it up or not.
Dog owners with that habit are blankety-blank slobs to me. SLOBS.
Call me quirky.
This whole thing is so easy. The only requirement is that you must give a s--t about others (no pun intended) or at least care about preserving the beautiful surroundings you chose to live in.

Actually the right of way is for utilities to have access if needed. I worked in the urban cities of New Jersey (Newark Paterson etc.) in the high rises people would urinate in the halls, stairwells, elevators. When I would ask them why they would do that, they would say they don't own it.

I love all animals so I don't care about the yellow circles, but I think for the sake of those folks that do care, I say!!!!!!!!!

KEEP OFF private property. You are welcome to use my lot