I have to agree--my husband and I love dogs----our granddaughter was here recently with her friend---we were playing shuffleboard at our postal station----it was like being at the Westminster Dog Show---so many different breeds----all very well behaved----some in golf carts with owners picking up mail---some walking---BUT I didn't smell any urine---or poop----have never smelled any urine or poop at our station-----and every dog walker that I have seen has a bag that appears to have poop in it. I am sure there are some dog owners that aren't responsible but I really think they are the minority here.

I am moving full time to TG this spring and I know that where I live now my dogs use the yard for pottying before we walk, but just like people, sometimes even after you use the bathroom at home you have to go again after you are out a while. It happens to dogs also. So I bring along bags and clean up. Always. I don't intend to let my dogs walk on anyone's lawn, but I do, or did, intend to just walk my dogs where I walk, in the streets or on paths. I didn't think I would harm or anger anyone. I thought I would just be walking. Period. Now I don't know what to think. Never anywhere I have traveled with my dogs or lived has walking around ever been an issue before. I never thought it would be now. To an 'outsider' as I guess I still am, you have no idea how silly all of this seems. Didn't the people who are complaining about dogs walking here and there come from towns where dogs were out walking with people? What am I missing? I cannot agree with not cleaning up after dogs or walking on people's lawns; that is just plain unacceptable, but walking with one's dog is just one of life's simple pleasures and not that uncommon in most American towns.

Nice post. Welcome to you and your dogs to the great neighborhood of TG. You will love it here! The dog poo thread will pass!

With your attitude and awareness, you'll be just fine here, lovsthosebigdogs. TV is a really pet-friendly community. The few that have a problem with dogs and the few dog owners who act irresponsibly don't change that. (Just don't expect the topic to disappear anytime soon! LOL!!!)

And Lovshosebigdogs, other dog poop threads will emerge! It's a recurring thread on TOTV. Believe me, this is mainly only a problem on TOTV. I have never met a dog hater out in public with Crosby. On the contrary, I meet many people who want to pet the dog and talk to me about him.

Honestly, it's not an issue here in TV; just mostly on this forum.

"just settle"...hahahaha!!!

...

he said... she said.... wah wah wah. depends on who you are, what your vice is. An awful lot of people ought to mind their own business , build a bridge and get over it. If it isn't poop, its butts. Guess I won't mention the slobs who just left their 2 empty beer cans in the golf cart parking lot at Mallory today..BTW, we picked them up & placed them in the trash.

Welcome to you and your pups. You will love it here and so will the pups. Unfortunately, these threads about poop, butts, and some other crazy stuff pop up every now and again. Folks just letting off steam. You will enjoy your walks and all of the friendly folks that you will encounter.

As posted on district site...

The Villages is designed to be a pet friendly community. However, only domestic pets are permitted and they should not make any unreasonable amount of noise or create a nuisance. Pets must be controlled by a leash when not in the confines of the home. As a courtesy, owners should pick up after their pets and respect neighboring property owners. This same courtesy would apply to common areas, multi-modal paths, and the Town Squares. All city and county pet ordinances shall be adhered to.

Don't change your outlook or what you do based on a couple of grumps that have their panties or shorts in a knot. Most of us with dogs do and think like you.
The grumps will claim anything and aledge wholesale mass preponderance.
They have nothing better to do.

Did you ever have one pass you with your dogs and look like at you like you just violated their very being. They are the ones......with the knot in their panties.
I find a big smile and a hearty good morning just jacks em up.

We can acknowledge the minority reports, but we certainly don't have to change what the rest enjoy.

Dogs
 

I did not mention Community WAtch, I just asked a simple question ! Sorry I asked

Dog Friendly
 

I never imagined that Dog Friendly meant that dogs are allowed on others people property. Honest.

Oh but if it were true. I stepped in dog poop and didn't realize it until I returned home. wondered why I was smelling something awful. Thankfully upon exiting my golf cart, and before entering my home, I noticed it on my left shoe.

I just love phrases people use to manipulate, cover up etc. Politicians are famous for it "dog friendly community"= I can do as I please.

I quit smoking years ago and one of the reasons was I did not want to stink up someone home, I avoid politics with people I know who simply can't abide a diifferent opinion. I refrain from swearing because I feel it is offensive and so do not wish to offend.

The fact that community Watch had to go to those lengths at that postal station speaks volumes concerning some dog owners actions.

I agree with btw the offenders are more than likely a minority and as long as they have owned dogs have more than likely acted in an irresponsible manner. but this is TV. TV has rules. TV has a lifestyle that mimics golf protocols civility, courteous and respect. The Daily sun article captured that fact and reported on it.

You want to stop dog poop threads stop dog poop in unwanted places

Another voice of reason, and right to the heart of it!! This site is full of manipulation, or downright harassment (even if its just cutsie little popcorn boxes) when they don't agree with you. Thank you, but I fear you will now be labeled a "dog hater", rather than somebody that just sees the sense of things.

Lovey2, it is alright to disagree. If a person places a good argument, it is not harassment. We cannot all agree on things. I think we do all agree on this one. There ARE VERY few people who JUST don't care about this place whether they have dogs or not. They didn't care about the LAST place they lived either.... And they will do what is only best for them. They are not only lazy but self centered and when there are enough of them they make a damned mess. (Sorry Rubicon)


Rubicon is arguing fairly. He is stating facts and is not using the dog poop issue because he doesn't like dogs. Some people do use it because they just don't like dogs. That is fine. We all can't like dogs, or children or old people or whoops...better not say THAT. But we can look out for the greater good. When we don't care, then the law enforcers have to step in.


I give great credit to the Responsible Dog Owners group and I am thinking about joining it even though I do NOT have a dog to see what I can help them do to get another dog park in the southernmost regions. Of course even with that, there will be scofflaws and people who will ruin it for all of the good folks who do the right thing.

I have lived in the Villages since 2005 and had a dog for much of this (adopted in January 2007). Never has anyone complained about my dog going on their lawns as I try to pick it up wherever they he goes. Of course, I am not perfect and sometimes miss something he has left or run out of bags or forget to grab a bag.

I have found the Villages very dog friendly. There are problems here and there of course like an aggressive dog maiming a much smaller pooch after the fighting dog broke the hold and the wrist of the dog walker. That happened a few streets over from me. A beagle was dumped on the street and sometimes dogs break out of there yards or homes by various ways. And, there are some people who do not pick up after the canines maybe they have medical reasons why they cannot bend over and pick stuff up?

Unless you move into a neighborhood with someone with OCD about lawns I would not worry that much about it. I do think that great neighbors can play a huge role in whether you will like the Villages or not.

Other than at home or a culdesac, there's nowhere else around here to allow the dog to poop, as the construction is finishing up and no more vacant lots. It's not ok with me for people and their dogs to trample and toilet on my pathetic zoysia.
However, when someone brings their dog on my yard, I greet them and ask where they live, and seek permission to take my dog to their yard to do her business. It's not a great solution, but given that it's an outrage to allow your animal to crap on someone else's property without permission, this is at least a compromise and agreement to allow it. And hopefully these two dogs will have a yard to go in that nobody will be mad about.

The dog park issue has been taken care of. We've had enough people down here in Gilchrist submit the form asking for a review, and it is being done. I don't have a dog, either, but submitted a form. It seems like a reasonable request and I love dogs. Its the poop, and the use of MY personal property I don't like, and the fact that if I don't agree I am a dog-hater. Simply NOT true, and rude of anyone to assume so. And, I DISAGREE on the harassment issue. Sometimes, it reads as MORE than just a disagreement. New posters get PICKED on...often. It's just not nice. We must all remember (especially me) the written word has no inflection, and can be read in a number of ways. And sometimes CAPS are just for emphasis, NOT yelling.

In Marion county, your pooch can be impounded if it poops on someone else's property. The owner can be fined up to $500.00. I guess that means poaching private or public property for pet pooping purposes is against the law. As far as I know, Sumter and Lake counties don't address turd trespassing in their ordinances.

Speaking for me and my dog, you guys go to the dog park and have a great time. We will go to the woods or an open field. Why's that?

1. Dogs get killed and bitten at parks.
2. Dog poop leavings can harbor bacteria, worms, and parasites.
3. Other people tell you how to handle your dog.

YIKES!! See, not having a dog, I never knew any of that!! That's scary, for sure!! I see a lot of people out by the fields by the Colony Health Care place. Whattaya think of that? Seems harmless, and a biggish area.

Good information!
And does anyone really believe that if a dog park is built all the issues posted here will go away? I think not............the disrespect will continue.

that's one the fields where we go....find toys out there all the time but have only seen another dog once. there are safe places, if you work at it.

well, I love the look of your baby and saw her once at the New Years thing...would love to run into her. We were gonna get a boxer when we retired and moved, but the breeder gave us another kitty, so with 2, we decided against it. She's definitely a beauty!

gomoho: I know.......but if I didn't someone else would have:pepper2:

not a lot
 

oh, good grief...you make dog parks sound like the wild west. most dogs just love being with other dogs. again, responsible owners remove their dogs if any problems with another dog. most of the people here have foo-foo dogs who are lovers not fighters. believe me, the people there point out immediately if they see your dog eliminate...as for the grass in general, it's no worse than one with pesticides on it and bird droppings. it's a great opportunity for both the dogs and the owners to socialize.

We live in typical PA suburbia. Our local dog park was closed due to Parvo. Our dogs are immunized, but there is no checking of vaccination records at a dog park. Our one rescue ended up with kennel cough after being in a dog park. I asked the vet how this can happen when she was immunized 8 months earlier. Some dogs it only last for 6 months. It can be a breeding ground for disease.

With that said, we still go to the dog park. We weigh the options and it's good socialization and exercise. We now get the kennel cough every 6 months and keep all the other shots up to date.

Doggie Doo Run Run
 

The Villages area's private dog park is Doggie Doo Run Run which is up about 9/10s of a mile from CR101 and the junction of CR466. It is on CR101 near the cell phone tower and the T with CR104. They request that all applicants fill out their information about shots and the like. They require a copy of the vet's certificate. Of course, that does nor insure that the pooch is always current on shots and the like. They can and do remove aggressive dogs but they have been fights and bites on occasion. I am not aware of any dog deaths there unless you mean dogs that get out of the enclosed areas for some reason and are hit by cars. That as far as I know has happened only once in the seven years I have been going there. There is also the occasional dog heat stroke as well as dog heart failure.

They pick up the poop and supply flags which you are supposed to mark where your dog goes. There are people who miss marking the dogs leavings, however, so you do have to be careful walking around the 10 acre or so private dog park.

The people do socialize but it is pretty much by size of dog as the park is separated into areas for dogs of 30 lbs (above and under). There have even been a few romances created there. Of the people type as the dogs have to been neutered and spayed. That does not stop some from trying even if they no longer have the equipment. Probably the same can be said about some of the people. ;)

Why on earth would anyone believe they have a right to use their neighbors lawn as pet waste are even if they do pick up after it:0000000000luvmyhors

ditto.

Danger in Dog Parks...
 

"The owner was nowhere in sight"...
Calls for dog park changes after dog's death | Video | kare11.com

"It was all we could do to get her out of his mouth"...."she passed out in my arms..."
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0zv-jdCVJE]7 Pound Chihuahua Mauled To Death at Local Dog Park - YouTube[/ame]

Pit bull kills Yorkshire terrier at Eden Prairie dog park - KMSP-TV
Leerburg | Dog Parks: Why They Are A Bad Idea
Man accused of fatally stabbing pit bull at Auburn dog park | Local & Regional | Seattle News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News | KOMO News
Dog death prompts search for toxic substance at off-leash park - The Santa Fe New Mexican: Local News

Unless you have an enclosed yard and just keep your dog enclosed back there and in your house, it is next to impossible not to have some dog pee or poop falling on other people's yards. That's in the Villages, however, and would not apply to areas where the front and back yards all have fences of some kind.

We really should try to bring a reasonable person standard into these discussions. If your dog is sick and really needs to go I doubt if many people would leash him or her up and just have their dog go in their own yard unless it is already fenced. You clean it up after your dog goes but it is very hard to control where a dog with the runs goes. And, if you have ever had a dog with the runs you probably know that it is quite difficult to get everything in the area that you want it to be.

my experience in dog parks with Emma. upside is where there are wide spaces. playing with dogs, running in water. That same park has had a least one death dog on dog.

downside:
--about half the foofoos run up at Emma and bark, which the owners don't generally object to, and my large dog is expected to stand there and be nice, which she does.
--a growling pit type charged me and the pom I was holding. Emma rolled him over and then let him up without biting when he submitted.

My opinion is that owners don't and can't always control or predict animal behavior. The worst example I have is that a highly credentialed trainer was standing behind me with her german shepherd when the dog lunged and bit me several times. She did not have the animal under control and was shocked. This person trains police dogs and has an excellent reputation.

During a trial meet with Emma and her dog, a dear friend sat on the ground trying to use her weight to stop her dog's charge. The woman is an excellent horsewoman, but could not control her dog.
Emma was bitten on the hip and still has a scar.

I'm not dissing socializing and mixing dogs up for no reason. My dog is better behaved than most of them and doesn't deserve that kind of confrontation. She is regal and I wish I carried myself with her humility and dignity.

These do happen at Villages area dog parks but it is very rare. My dog was bitten by a dog named Jesse James along with his buddy who helped hold my dog down. They were new to their owners back in the summer of 2007. My pooch wanted to go back the next day despite the staples in his butt. He also collapsed with a heart failure on January 21, 2014 at the Doggie Doo Run Run but made it to the vet in time for them to get him on a pill regimen. Things that are very hard on the owners and various others happen at the local dog parks. My dog wanted to also go back the day after his heart attack last month. Now he can only go to the dog park for a few minutes every visit so as not to get too excited and have his heart stop again.

I'm not suggesting bad things don't happen, but given the number of dog parks in the US, most are safe. at the Bonita park, a retired veterinarian brings his dog there....so he apparently thinks its safe.

also, I would never go to a dog park that didn't have separate small and large dog areas. I also watch carefully and if I think the "atmosphere" in the dog park is too charged, I take my dogs and leave. It's like everything in life....you assess the situation and consider how much risk you are willing to take. some people refuse to fly because of the risk of plane crashes, i.e. John Madden only took buses to games.
frankly, I'm surprised there aren't more incidents in the dog parks here because they are so small and poorly designed.

THANK YOU! Maybe if we keep saying it the dog owners will get the message. PRIVATE PROPERTY IS PRIVATE PROPERTY!!!

Omg, you're telling me now that it's ok for you to bring a dog with diarrhea to other people's property??? This is not ok. Why don't you see that?