Dog walking question. Long.

We, me and my 7 month old golden retriever were out for one of our long walks this morning. She rarely has a BM on walks but I always keep a bag holder clipped to her leash just in case.

We were walking along at a good clip, she is learning "heal" very well. I always walk her on my left side and walk on the right side of the street so if she does walk on grass it is on the easement (the area between sidewalk and curb), I never let her on anyone's front lawn or driveway.

Suddenly she tugged to the left, sniffed twice and then had a BM. Before she was done I had a bag over my hand. She finished I adjusted the leash made her sit and cleaned it up, completely. Had no idea I was being watched.

The homeowner who was walking back from her neighbor's house greets the puppy so nicely and then snarls at me "My husband works very hard on the lawn, why don't you have your dog ish in front of your house?" I said she does when she has to, I can't control when she goes but I did clean it all up right away" Then she says "How would you like it if I brought my dog to ish in front of your house?" I said "that's perfectly fine as long as you clean it up like I just did" She ranted on and on using the "ISH" word, I was so glad my daughter wasn't with us. She even asked for my address so she could bring her dog to ish at my house. I said "she was being rude and I wasn't giving her my address" I wanted to say I don't give my address to crazy old b!7ch3s but I held my tongue and walked away.

I was so bugged by this, I thought I did the right thing, walked on the sidewalk with a leashed dog, kept her curb side, she went on the easement, I cleaned it up immediately.

I called code enforcement to find out what the rules were to make sure I was not wrong and he said yes it's best to curb your dog but no you can't control where they go. As long as you clean it up it's not a problem. Six feet from the curb is village easement.

So I ask you, was I wrong? Can you suggest what I should do differently if I was? This house is on my route and I'm not changing it, but I also won't try to antagonize the poor old lady either.

Re: Dog walking question. Long.

As far as I am concerned, you did everything right.
It's not like you marched your dog in the middle of her lawn and let her go and walk away.
You can't control where they go, you cleaned up and that's the end of it.

Ii wouldn't change your walking route - but if it would make you more comfortable walking past her house - if you can just step into the street for the stretch of her house... or heal your dog right at your leg until you pass by.

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You did everything right, don't worry about it, she's a nut.

Is it possible not to walk over there with your daughter?

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I had the same exact problem with a neighbor down the block from my house. Honestly, it's not worth the headaches so I just take my dog into the street (it's a quiet, dead end street) and circumvent their property altogether. It's not right, but I can't be bothered.

Re: Dog walking question. Long.

YOu are not wrong. You did everything right. I would have said all the same things as you. And yes, the first 6 feet (some towns 8 feet) is TOWN PROPERTY, even though it's appears to be the homeowners lawn. So I would have told the homeowner that in addition if she kept pushing me. I then would have suggested she call the cops so we can have them help settle the dispute (mostly to protect myself b.c I know I am right and she clearly is a nut).

Do you live near to her? Could she have followed you home?

Re: Dog walking question. Long.

I had the exact same thing happen to me once (minus the cursing.) My dog pooped, I immediately cleaned it. The guy said "Is that necessary?" I was dumbfounded because I always clean up after my dog and I was insulted. I just don't walk him on that side of the street anymore. Some people have nothing better to do but complain.

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You did not do anything wrong. Sounds like this person does not have anything better to do with her time.

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I never let Maggie go on anyone's lawn, poop or pee. I personally think it's disrespectful. Pee burns the lawn and poops leave residue no matter how well you pick it up. Even though that's the easement area, it's still the homeowners responsibility to maintain it. I walk my dog in the street, not on sidewalks.

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Re: Dog walking question. Long.

I think you did everything right. I do feel bad when Darwin goes on someone's lawn and for the most part I walk him on the part of the grass between the sidewalk and the street but you really can't control where your dog decides to go and you cleaned it up right away. Plus not all dogs will go on cement/pavement.

ETA: Does that crazy old bat curse and yell at stray cats when they go on her lawn or gardens?

Message edited 5/13/2011 5:06:29 PM.

Re: Dog walking question. Long.

you did nothing wrong. The lady is crazy. You can't control where they go every time - i would not change my route and if she harrassses you gain tell her you are calling the cops and they can tell her who is right

it is safer to be on the sidewalk and glden's need a lot of exercise so long walks are good ways to get rid of some energy - i would not change my route and go about it

there are nuts everywhere - my mom got chased with a poop bag because she put it in someone garbage pail on the curb the morning of garbage pick up

Re: Dog walking question. Long.

Thanks everyone. Luna generally does her business in our back yard. She is 7.5 month old and that was only her second poop while out for a walk. Walks to me are for training and exercise and it seems that way to her too.

I always make sure she pees in my yard before we go as I know it burns the grass. It is not safe to walk her in the streets around here, we have to be on the sidewalk. Yes as a golden she NEEDS her exercise.

I appreciate the feedback and will just continue to do what I do.

Re: Dog walking question. Long.