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My yard. Your dog. What would you do?

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Started 3 months ago by yayunicorns
Latest reply from lifeisamazing

yayunicorns

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I really, truly didn't want to be the person who puts one of those signs that says: 'I love my yard. I just paid a lot of money on new plants and it looked so pretty. But now your dog is eating my plants, pooping, peeing, and trampling over everything. Please be mindful and keep your dog kindly off our property." Of course, there's no sign like that but that is how I feel. I've tried the vinegar/cayenne thing (and also just heard about the dog owners who just sued a homeowner when their dog had a bad reaction to the cayenne treatment) and it really only lasts for the few days that it doesn't rain. I rather not use chemicals.

A fence won't do and I didn't want to do one of those surprise sprinklers. I'm not trying to train your dog to be respectful. I understand he/she is a dog and sees plants and dirt and just wants to eat and poop wherever. It's more about the owners. I need to train them.

But how?

Would you knowingly allow your dog to come in my yard if I put one of those dumb signs up? Because that's what I think my last option is. If you have another idea, I'm totally willing to listen. I can never seem to catch these dog owners, so talking to them is out of the question. I'm not installing cameras or trying to get anyone in trouble. I just don't want dogs eating, pooping, and peeing in my yard.

Let me know if you think the sign approach would work on you. And if not, what would? Thanks guys!

Posted 3 months ago #
ynh98107

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Are you saying a loose off-lease dog is doing all this? That's a problem. Confront the dog owner. If it's the parking strip, I believe it's fair game, since you don't own that land. A nice sign will get the point across.

Posted 3 months ago #
yayunicorns

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I don't know if the dog is leashed or not (but I do know I can see paw prints all the way up to our house, so they must either be unleashed or have a long, retractable leash). I'm not at home to see the dog or the owner doing the dirty deed. All I see are my beautiful plants ripped up when I get home.

This portion of yard is our property. This isn't a parking strip.

Posted 3 months ago #
phoo

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I know this is a long shot, but if you catch the animal in your yard when you're home, you can have animal control pick them up. If he's lost, you're doing the owner a favor and it is illegal to let your animal wander knowingly.

Posted 3 months ago #
Ernie

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I'm not at home to see the dog or the owner doing the dirty deed

Are you sure it's a dog, and not a raccoon or some other wild animal? I think it's kind of unusual for dogs to eat plants while out on a walk.

Posted 3 months ago #
onederfullone

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Our VP says get a shot gun.

I figure its about time I agree with someone.

Posted 3 months ago #
SmartsyArtsy

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ernie +1

That is my thought-- it sounds more like a raccoon or other animal. Take a pic of the paw print and research.

Posted 3 months ago #
onederfullone

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lol

We could never take the word of a neighbor.

I'd bet it is some alien, which I sure as hell want deported.

Posted 3 months ago #
Mondoman

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Cameras are cheap -- set one up pointing out your window or attached under the roof edge and let it run all day. It should be pretty easy to figure out if a critter, spoiled pet, or even feral dog is causing the problem. The first and last won't have humans along to read a sign, anyway. Knowledge is power, and maybe even wisdom.

Posted 3 months ago #
Mondoman

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1d - if an alien, he/she/it will likely have technology much more advanced than yours. You shouldn't count on Jeff Goldblum or Will Smith being handy to deal with the alien for you.

Posted 3 months ago #
onederfullone

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I could give an alien real trouble dude.

I've got a bunch of tinfoil hats scattered around, I never wear one, its a flawless plan.

Feel free to use it. ;-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5MAg_yWsq8

Posted 3 months ago #
great idea

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also, are you really offended by a dog peeing in your yard?

I suppose I could bring a sponge and try to dab it up.

Posted 3 months ago #
BuffaloHawk

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I wish I took another language in school so the birds, possums and racoons could be deterred from peeing after reading my sign;)

Posted 3 months ago #
Cate

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"are you really offended by a dog peeing in your yard?"
Some people like to walk barefoot in their grass.
Some children like to play leapfrog in their grass
I can think of a lot of reasons people might be offended by a dog peeing in their grass.

Posted 3 months ago #
BuffaloHawk

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Cate

I like to play dodge ball with urinal biscuits.. A little patchouli after an active day at the public park with restrooms is great exercise;)

Posted 3 months ago #
Cate

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HaHa. Funny BuffaloHawk.

Posted 3 months ago #
racerX

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Not really....

Posted 3 months ago #
Aunt Salad

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We have had problems on our street over the years from a particular neighbor who would let her dog out so he could pee and poop in the neighbors yards and gardens. She would not walk her dog - ever. It was particularly nasty when I had a gravel driveway and would run over a dogpie or worse yet step in one with work shoes on the way to the house in the dark. It got better when I paved the drive, but then he would go in the grass. When I asked her to please pick up after her dog, she would call me all sorts of names. We neighbors would call animal control, they would give her a warning, but they never picked up her dog or fined her because the dog had to be caught in the act. One neighbor was so disgusted that he slung a pile at her car parked in her drive and it resulted ending up in her air intake under the windshield. I think that cost her a pretty penny to get to the bottom of that.

When that dog died, they got another dog, and lo and behold that dog was just as bad as the first! Must be just the way she picks them I guess, and that only got better when he moved out of town with her daughter.

I am sorry you are dealing with this problem, but a neighbor home during the day to watch or a camera may be your only option to figure out who the culprit is so you can manage this issue. Good luck as it is frustrating!

Posted 3 months ago #
great idea

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I still don't see the fuss of dog pee.

I mean, it's not like they pee in the same spot several times a day.
if my dog wants to 'mark' your parking strip so be it.

Posted 3 months ago #
lifeisamazing

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The eating of the plants is what's throwing me. I have to agree, it could be a raccoon kind of thing.
If it is a dog - I think a polite sign is not a bad idea. If you know someone that has some talent in lettering it doesn't have to be ugly.
The more people are exposed to a new way of doing something the more the general attitude changes. Think about the fact that there was a time when dogs were let out to run wild all day. (as illustrated by Salads story some never grew out of that way of thinking - love the visual of the neighbor losing their cool and flinging it in the cooling system of the owner's car!)
I do my best to keep my girl on the parking strip and out of yards proper but I can see where people don't think letting their dog pee on a lawn is a big deal. It makes a big yellow spot and as Cate says, if your kids are rolling in the grass... but some wouldn't think it's a problem so a sign like that is kind of a cool idea I think.

Posted 3 months ago #
Norge

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ynh98107 - The property owner owns the parking strip. The city has taken an easement on your property for use of your land for the sidewalk, the property owner is now responsible for the sidewalk and the condition of it. About 8 years ago the city quietly made a change in who is responsible for a cracked and broken sidewalk. It used to be the city's responsibility but they changed that to the homeowner. So, if the city drives by your property and determines that the sidewalk has issues (from tree roots for example buckling the pavement) they can require that the homeowner fix the sidewalk. Now if the trees that are causing the problem were planted by the city, they will take responsibility but if the trees were planted by the homeowner, the homeowner is responsible. Homeowners pay taxes on the land under the sidewalk and for the parking strip.

Posted 3 months ago #
great idea

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the property owner might have to take care of it, but he/she does not own the parking strip.

in this part of town, the lot line is often two feet behind the sidewalk (toward the house).
many people put fences right along the sidewalk which is not their property.

Posted 3 months ago #
Ernie

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The city owns the parking strip.

Posted 3 months ago #
RichY

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Both Norge and Ernie are somewhat correct

http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/publicrow.htm

Posted 3 months ago #
Nora Bell

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The type of person to let their dog destroy somebody's garden is not the type of person to read signs.
Thinking you may have some stray cats too. They DO eat plants. Perhaps installing a camera is a good idea.

Posted 3 months ago #
great idea

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what are you talking about Richy?
norge is incorrect, especially when he says "Homeowners pay taxes on the land under the sidewalk and for the parking strip."
that is completely wrong and makes no sense. I checked my deed.
you pay taxes based on the size of your lot, regardless of how much land is between it and the street.

Posted 3 months ago #
gracie

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GI is absolutely correct.

Posted 3 months ago #
RichY

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GI, read the link -

"When property is developed, property owners dedicate part of the land as "public right-of-way" for streets, sidewalks, utilities and similar public uses.

What some property owners do not realize is that they are responsible for maintaining part of the right-of-way next to their property, including the sidewalk and planting strip, or the roadway shoulder if unimproved. Property owners are also responsible for maintaining unpaved alleys next to their property."

If you live North of 85th then your legal description shows that you own to the curb or street right-of-way, south of 85th it will depend on the way the plat was setup

Posted 3 months ago #
faura4

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I walk my dogs on long, retractable leashes. When we come across a sign that says to not allow dogs on the property (yard, garden, etc.), I make sure my dogs don't go there. So, yes, a polite sign helps.

it won't work 100%, there will always be people who think that as long as you don't have a fence, any open area is fair game for the dogs to use. But I imagine most people would respect your wishes.

Posted 3 months ago #
GAM

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As a non-dog owning property owner, I find it presumptuous that anyone would assume it's OK to let their dog in my yard just because there's no sign. The planting strip, sure. But not the yard.

There can't be a sign for everything. Good judgement comes into play too.

Posted 3 months ago #
yayunicorns

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Thank you all for your opinions and suggestions. If I didn't mention it before, this is not a parking strip--it's on our property right in front of our home. I may do both the sign and the camera, especially since I found (dog) poop right next to the rosemary plant last night. It could be a very huge cat poop or a raccoon or a million other things to blame for the tracks/plant eating/etc, so thank you again for helping me on this awesome Sherlock journey. If I can find a camera to borrow, I'll keep ya'll posted as to who's to blame.

Posted 3 months ago #
great idea

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you would actually go through the trouble of putting up a camera to see who pooped on your lawn? (not to mention reviewing the footage later to see if that guy with the bag was just pretending to pick it up).

do they sell 'poopy-cams' that are triggered by a creature squatting?

seems like overkill to me.

Posted 3 months ago #
BuffaloHawk

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Believe it or not !!!!

There is actually a website for humans called rate my poo ... WTF ewwww

Posted 3 months ago #
Ernie

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When property is developed, property owners dedicate part of the land as "public right-of-way" for streets, sidewalks, utilities and similar public uses.

I read this as when the property is initially developed, as in when farmer bob sells his farm and it is developed into lots. At that point some of the land is dedicated to "public right-of-way".

What some property owners do not realize is that they are responsible for maintaining part of the right-of-way next to their property,

Notice how this sentence says that the property owners are responsible for the right-of-way next to their property, not that it is their property.

The right-of-way is publicly owned, and the private landowners are responsible for maintaining the portion that is adjacent to their property.

Does that mean that your're responsible for picking up poop on the parking strip? let's debate it!

Posted 3 months ago #
Lou98107

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do they sell 'poopy-cams' that are triggered by a creature squatting?

When we went to the Museum of Flight and toured the Space Shuttle trainer, our guide mentioned that when NASA had the astronauts practice using the toilet, a camera was necessary for them to get proper placement. He said they had to practice a lot because they needed spot-on perfect placement every time, and I'm happy to say that I've managed to forget any further detail. Then when we left the trainer and saw a much nicer looking toilet display that the little boys thought was hilarious, I wondered what they'd think if they knew what was necessary for it to be used as required.

NASA's 'poopy-cam' wouldn't work in THIS particular case, but if anything fits that description, I think NASA's camera should qualify. Maybe a motion-activated camera would do the trick?

Posted 3 months ago #
earl danger

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As a dog owner in Ballard, I'm completely disgusted by other owners - letting their dogs run around on those expando leashes onto other people's property, into the streets, etc. and then not picking up on them. Our little guy obviously has a rough life - he's on a 6ft lead and only gets to use the "public" areas, i.e. parking strips, etc. And it's always picked up, even if he's having a tough day. I'd love to see people crack down on the owners that are making the rest of us look bad!

Also, OP, as a dog owner, if I saw a sign like that in someone's yard, I'd respect it (since my dog shouldn't be on your property anyway). As long as it's not worded in some nasty way, can't see why it'd be bad. And hey if it works, even better!

Posted 3 months ago #
lifeisamazing

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I don't think a camera is overkill. Depends on how much time and money it would take to put it up and how much frustration this is causing. If you work hard on your yard and it looks lovely and it is often ruined then only the gardener can say if a camera is overkill.

Things like this get frustrating after a while. I have a wooden chair in my parking strip that dogs keep peeing on. I have 3 convenient trees there also.

I'm thinking of putting up a sign that says. "Anyone is welcome to sit on this chair but for pooch peeing purposes, please have them use the tree of their choice."

I can't believe that anyone would think letting their dog pee on a chair that will then - wait for it... SMELL LIKE PEE - is OK but clearly they do.
Thanks, just needed to vent.

Back to the point. This kind of stuff gets frustrating.

Posted 3 months ago #
BuffaloHawk

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If people can get the dog owners pics on camera they can post there pics on the homepage. If you recognized one of the bad dog owners in public what would you say to them?

Good Times haHa

Posted 3 months ago #
Cheese

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Our biggest diggers in our yard are our neighbor's cats and we are on a street that is very populated with dog walkers. BTW we don't particularly mind, just thought I'd say that one species doesn't have a monopoly. And our biggest pooper problem has been either a raccoon or an opossum - disgusting.

As far as the camera - once it is done gathering the mystery interloper info it can be put to use as a security camera - catch those package thieves!

Posted 3 months ago #
gracie

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There are pre-printed yard signs about not having dog pooping/peeing on your property. Can probably find in a pet store.

Posted 3 months ago #
BuffaloHawk

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What if the camera reveals that the culprit is not a critter but instead a neighbor.Do you have any campers parked on your street?

Posted 3 months ago #
great idea

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"There are pre-printed yard signs about not having dog pooping/peeing on your property. "

I prefer the hand-scrawled ones where someone grabs a sharpie in a fit of rage and puts up an angry, amateurish sign.

Posted 3 months ago #
racerX

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I prefer the hand-scrawled ones where someone grabs a sharpie in a fit of rage and puts up an angry, amateurish sign.

Why would you prefer that?

Posted 3 months ago #
lifeisamazing

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Because it really puts across the frustration we all feel when stuff like this happens. You can vent your frustration vicariously through them. I cracked up when I read GI's post so clearly I feel the same way.

Posted 3 months ago #
teigyr

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It would be interesting to see if a sign makes a difference. Our neighborhood has been exploring options about how to get the point across to people with unleashed dogs, also the abundance of dog poop around. There are signs but maybe not enough. I'm under the impression that most people know right from wrong but a few people think they are the exception to laws and basic decency. For those people, I think they will notice a sign but they will also think they don't need to abide by it. If it's a person with an off-leash dog doing damage to your yard, how can the owner not know it's wrong?

I was gratified to see a bit of spousal berating the other day though. A dog owner (leashed dog so yay! retractable leash but better than nothing) was letting their dog dig around where the city and volunteers had just planted and done landscaping. The wife chastised the husband for allowing the dog to do that! It was city property but you'd think people would realize the world isn't their (or their dogs or their childrens) playground if it causes damage.

Posted 3 months ago #
lifeisamazing

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Even if each of those stray dog poops (the poops being stray, not the dogs) were because someone forgot bags it's still no excuse. I have forgotten bags -you'd think it wouldn't be hard to remember, but she's more of a yard pooper rather than a walk pooper) Ya just find someone with a bag (dog owners are very bag generous) or go home to get one. A quick trip back to the scene of the poop in the car or on bike and it's taken care of.

One time someone let their dog poop on my parking strip and started walking away. I went out and said politely "could you pick that up please".
Unfortunately, when he said "I'm just going home to get another bag. I live right there" he said with a puzzled look.
That's when I realized he was my neighbor that I'd had many conversations with.
How embawassing!

Posted 3 months ago #
phoo

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I had a chronic problem with dog poo in the last place I lived. It seems a dog that was allowed to run around (but had an owner) decided that my side yard was his favorite potty. One day I caught them together and talked to him. He promised to come over frequently and clean up the poop. He still let his dog run around stray and if he picked up the poop, it wasn't consistent. The problem got "solved" by my moving, but if I had stayed there, I would have had to eventually call animal control to have the dog picked up. I didn't want to do it, but you can't allow your dog to go around pooping in everyone's yard.

Posted 3 months ago #
iPlod

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yayunicorns, it's your property?

Well then, when you see them pet owning outlaws who have no compunctions about allowing their property (pet) to desecrate your property (lawn), you need to step up and blow their property away with your proprietary shotgun. After which, you will need to confront the former pet owner with your proprietary other barrel.

Illegal? Yeah.

Effective? If you actually do it.

Satisfying? Only in your dreams.

Posted 3 months ago #
Cheese

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There is still a yellow spot in my back yard from the gigantic runny poop from my neighbor's dog. The neighbor moved at least four or five years ago.

He (the dog, not the neighbor) must have eaten something toxic...perhaps cayenne pepper?

Posted 3 months ago #
neudl

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I'll admit I am one of those people that have made the sharpie sign. An unknown neighbor's dog would habitually crap by my garbage cans, so when I went to the side of my garage in the dark to throw out the trash, I would inevitably slip in poo. It drove me nuts, to the point I scrawled a "curb your dog" sign and jammed it in the ground. Sometimes shame works. My father-in-law had a problem with dog craps winding up in his backyard. He was understandably mystified as to how a dog was s--tting in his yard when the gate was locked. He was looking out his window one morning and saw his 80-something year old neighbor teeter by with her pug on a leash. It crapped by his fence, and he saw her look around to see if anyone was watching then kick the poop under his fence into the back yard. Old nor not, he ran outside in his bathrobe and gave her a verbal beat-down. Problem solved.

Posted 3 months ago #
teigyr

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I love that furtive look back and forth when an owner is confronted with the potential of picking up their dogs poop.

Posted 3 months ago #
lifeisamazing

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Neudl - wow, that takes some I don't know what! Glad he caught her.
Teigr, funny thing is that we all do the furtive thing. those that don't clean up are making sure no one is watching and those of us that do are, well, hoping no one is watching.

Posted 3 months ago #
iPlod

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teigyr, yeah. Bag it or eat it. ooooh! You don't have a bag?!

Posted 2 months ago #
neudl

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Funny thing is that my father-in-law lives in Broadmoor (which is no reflection on my financial condition). Apparently money and gated communities do not deliver one from the scourge of lawn-crapping neighborhood dogs and inconsiderate pet owners.

Posted 2 months ago #
shelley

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I really do sympathize with the OP on this. Our neighbors (renters) had a Great Dane who used to dump in front of the bush under our downstairs bedroom window. Pretty happy when they moved.

From the other point of view, a few months ago, I was walking Mynah in Blue Ridge, and she sniffed a car tire which had obviously been peed upon by a male dog. She squatted to make her mark in the street next to the previously marked tire. A woman came running out of the house across the street and said she didn't appreciate seeing my dog peeing in the street from her window. No pleasing some people I guess ;)

Posted 2 months ago #
phoo

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Please tell us how your sign works out!

Posted 2 months ago #
pennygirl

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"but if I had stayed there, I would have had to eventually call animal control to have the dog picked up. I didn't want to do it, but you can't allow your dog to go around pooping in everyone's yard."

That is the biggest amount of shit (excuse the comparison) that I have ever heard on this site Phoo. You would get the Dog Nazis out because a dog was pooping in your yard? And not even a warning - have the dog picked up? Lovely.

Posted 2 months ago #
Ernie

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That is the biggest amount of shit (excuse the comparison) that I have ever heard on this site Phoo

Wow. Really? LOL.

Posted 2 months ago #
pennygirl

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Yes Ernie.

The very idea that someone would call the Dog Nazis because of a little poo on their side yard is ridiculous. It isn't the worst thing, just the most ridiculous thing.

Especially when it doesn't come from an actual dog owner, rather someone who owns rabbits or hamsters or whatever.

Posted 2 months ago #
lifeisamazing

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I get what your saying Penny and I probably wouldn't call the shelter but on the other hand, it sounds like she talked to the guy and he still let his dog run around which isn't safe for the dog. (and I have to say it would make me cranky. I don't like cleaning up my own dog's land mines in my yard so I can imagine how big a drag it would be for someone who doesn't even own a dog.)

Maybe it would depend on the neighborhood. I must say that if I couldn't get someone to stop letting their dog run free on my block I might call because I live two houses from a very busy street.

On the other hand- there's always another hand :) - cats run around near busy streets and they don't get called on. Interesting.

Posted 2 months ago #

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