As a dog owner, living in Boston, I know it can be challenging to find places where you can bring your dog, and not feel like you’re accompanying a monster.
Click here for more info on the other voices we heard during the show:
Catie Copley, the "Canine Ambassador" at the Copley Plaza Hotel. (Photo by Korri Leigh Crowley)
Many parks and beaches around town have “no dogs allowed” signs posted, and even in the places where dogs are permitted, it’s rare to find a spot where dogs can be off-leash. Some might say, dogs don’t belong in the city…urban environments are not compatible with dog ownership, but in fact, dogs have been a part of human civilizations for centuries. This week, we’re examining our relationships with our canine friends, and looking at some ways to make the city more dog-friendly. Click here to comment, and join us on Friday at 1 for the show.
I love dogs but I do not feel the need to subsidize their owners’ guilt. If, as part of a dog license (and sorry if this already happens and I just don’t know it), dog owners pay a user fee that would be dedicated to the dedicated space they want, I’d be fine with it. Seniors and people who use service animals should be exempted. Otherwise, I do feel it is the responsibility of city dog owners to bear most of the burden. It is a luxury and not a necessary choice to have a dog here for most. Can we build a mountain for city skiers? I’d like that. Sorry for the snark.
Part of being a responsible dog-owner is making sure the dog is getting enough exercise and socialization. With open space at a premium here in the Boston area, it’s really challenging to find places that are secure (fenced off from traffic) and open to dogs. I have a hard time believing that creating a few designated dog-friendly areas within existing parks would be a huge burden to other dog-free park users. I’d be willing to plunk down some dough for a “pay-to-play” fee that would go to the maintenance of the dog park.
Too many times have I tried walking home from work to encounter dogs off-leash in posted leash areas. It is not dogs I have a problem with, but instead inconsiderate, selfish dog owners. I grew up with a sweet, wonderful golden retriever I loved dearly (always kept on a leash when in public), but later in life, after being bitten twice by supposedly friendly dogs I previously did not know, I have since changed my opinion. Imagine coming over a hill in the Allandale Woods and having three large dogs coming at you, off-leash and owner over 100′ away . . . Or the time a woman yelled at me because I was supposedly antagonizing her off-leash dog in the Weld Woods, whereas I was afraid of getting bitten, worried for my own safety . . . Or Peter´s Hill in the Arnold Arboretum, where there is a posted leash-law requirement, yet remains an after-work mega dog park, just as is the Southwest Corridor Parkway just north of Forest Hills . . . Am I the bad guy for making a stink, or are these owners who are breaking posted rules, making their selfish relationship with their luxury pet. What about our larger mutual social contract? There are people out in this world who don´t see your Fido as friendly due to past experiences, who get anxious, leading to the dog attacking. It is unfair to not follow posted rules; I don´t. Off-leash dogs in green spaces chase away flora and fauna (specifically migratory birds), thus taking away from my enjoyment of these places. I don´t care how long the leash is, just use one.
What many non-dog owners do not understand is the need for these spaces is essential to create happy and well behaved dogs. I rescued my pooch when he was only 4 months old and I was living in the middle of the city of Austin, TX. Since moving to Boston, I have realized what I had taken for granted.
Since Cobalt was a little pooch I regularly walked him 3 times a day, and also took him off leash almost every day. (Due to him being 15lbs of pure energy) Austin did have large spaces in the inner-city set aside for off leash areas, it also was lenient about other areas uses. These areas were well marked by signs and large, so non-dog-loving people could avoid them. Unlike in Boston, NONE of these were fenced in. I do not recall a single instance of a confrontation or a run-away dog.
Dogs are very smart animals, but they do need to be taught. Being given a regular opportunities to run off leash they can learn their limits and return commands. All an off leash dog wants to do is run around like crazy for 40 minutes with other dogs so they can go home and pass out. I am a very athletic individual, but even after a 2 mile run Cobalt is still ready to go for more. Dogs need more exercise the most of us can give.
In addition the outdoor venues were far more dog friendly then Boston. On a Friday afternoon at least 10 dogs would be lounging under their owners tables while we enjoyed a few beers. The constant exposure to people and different atmospheres is the only way for a dog to learn to relax and behave. I have been reprimanded for having my dog at an outdoor cafe in Boston, while the woman who was next to me had a teacup in her purse was allowed to stay.
These outdoor spaces are essential and needed, I have been to the Commons many times, and never seen a dog just run off and into traffic or worse. That being said owners should take responsibility for any aggressive dogs or “in the process of being trained dogs” and confine them to less populated spaces until the owner confidently knows they are under voice control. It only takes one untrained dog or owner to ruin it for the rest of us who have worked so hard.
I am the owner of Rascodog, a dog new products company in downtown Boston, dedicated to providing products that promote responsible dog ownership. I have been an urban dog owner for the last 6 years, and I agree that having dedicated off-leash areas in the city is key to letting dogs burn off their stored-up energy and socialize with other dogs. Generally, the dogs that are aggressive and ill-behaved are the ones that have been locked up at home all the time with little exercise and interaction with other dogs and people. Dog parks encourage owners to socialize and exercise our dogs, making them healthier and friendlier. This is good for dog owners and non-dog owners alike!
There are over 25,000 dogs in the city of Boston. We have fenced-in tennis courts, fenced-in playgrounds, and even fenced-in public pools. Why is it so difficult to imagine fenced-in off-leash dog parks? Dog owners are a large segment of the Boston population, and we are largely concentrated in particular neighborhoods, such as Beacon Hill, South End & Charlestown. Having dedicated dog parks in these high concentration dog areas will encourage responsible dog ownership and will discourage free roam in non-dog areas. Again, this is good for dog owners and non-dog owners alike!
On a slightly different topic, another big part of responsible dog ownership is cleaning-up after our dogs. Nobody likes picking up dog poop, but it is one of the most important things for dog owners to do when walking our dogs in public spaces. Rascodog offers a new type of (non-retractable) leash with an integrated dog bag roll dispenser and biodegradable bags. It is perfect for urban dog owners to stay prepared for quick clean-ups. Regardless of the tools / bags that you use, please clean-up after your dog, and encourage your fellow dog owner friends to do the same. This is critical for our dogs to continue being welcome in public areas.
My wife’s and my dog Gatsby is a sweetheart (if not pathetic-looking http://ow.ly/jgWV ) and we’re excited to hear that our local park in Cambridge will experiment with 6-9am off-leash hours. Our challenge with Gatsby is that, as a rescue, she wasn’t properly socialized. So when she’s on a leash, on busy streets, with other dogs walking straight towards her, she freaks out, barks, and gnashes her teeth. But the few times we’re able to take her to open areas off-leash, she’s very sweet, sniffs butts, and behaves perfectly.
So I know my wife and I would be more than happy to pay some sort of license fee if it meant the city guaranteed time and space for dogs like ours to learn how to socialize so that it transfers to more stressful areas like a busy sidewalk.
OLRA’s are not just dog parks, they are parks for people with dogs. The city has all sorts of open spaces dedicated to various demographics. Dog owners are only seeking a part of these open spaces to play and run with our pets, and yet we’re often greeted as if we have no right to use the spaces our tax dollars pay for. I feel very fortunate to live in Somerville where the SomDog group and Mayor Joe have worked together to create more spaces for dog owners.
As an owner of three large breed dogs it would be fantastic to have more accessible open areas within the city for dogs to run around. I am lucky that I have a car and can take them out of the city for long hikes and treks. I use to live in Seattle, and there were a number of dog friendly, off-leash areas within existing parks and it seemed to really work well. There were no added fees implemented or put on dog owners, but was just part of city expenditures. I am a tax payer, and I pay more taxes because I don’t have children (I don’t get those exemptions and write offs), but I am often excluded from park areas because I have dogs. I, like every other person with or without dogs, should have equal access under the law to use public spaces.
To use irresponsible ownners as an excuse to not have off-leash areas is a mistake. Having those designated areas will not stop the people who let their dogs run loose on trails and sidewalks.
In fact those who want these parks want a legal place to exercise and socialize their dogs. These responsible owners are working to make their dogs better citizens and live within the rules. Don’t punish them for the selfish behavior of a few dog owners. Believe me, you will not fix those people by denying off-leash areas to the rest of us.
I find the comments of people who are opposed to the creation of off-leash areas because they don’t like being bothered by off-leash dogs running towards them when they are in a public park, jumping up on them, or having dog owners from a distance yelling “don’t worry, he’s friendly” confusing. The best way to prevent these unpleasant interactions from happening is to provide legal and well defined places for dog owners to take their dogs off-leash. Clearly the current “no dogs allowed off-leash anywhere” rule isn’t working to protect these people, we need a better solution.
The problem is that without legal places for people to take their dogs off-leash people who enjoy time with their dogs off-leash, exercising, socializing with other dogs and socializing with other dog owners, don’t have any legal place to go. The way to get dogs out of the places people don’t want them to be is to create legal off-leash areas where they are allowed to be, not fight against their creation.
Our public parks provide places for people to participate in many activities, walking, running, basketball, golf, tennis, soccer, baseball, swimming, picnicking, etc. Playing with a dog off-leash is just one more activity that many people enjoy doing. Providing them with a sufficient number of legal and clearly marked areas where they can engage in this activity is the best way to keep them out of places where they shouldn’t be and away from people that don’t want to be around them.
Off-leash areas should be financially supported the same way that other park activities are supported, sometimes through tax dollars, sometimes through user fees, and sometimes through donations, grants, gifts, etc.
Large and small cities in most of the US are realizing that that providing places for people to go with their dogs off-leash is just one more service to provide their residents that improves the quality of life for both dog owners and non-dog owners alike.
Michael Benac says:
August 5th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
“I love dogs but I do not feel the need to subsidize their owners’ guilt. …..It is a luxury and not a necessary choice to have a dog here for most.”
The problem with that sentiment, Michael, is that we all, including dog owners, subsidize recreational spaces for others. Dog owners’ taxes are used to support parks that host baseball fields, soccer fields, playgrounds for small children. For some (probably not most) of these activities groups do pay additional permit fees to help defray certain expenses, but they do not cover the bulk of the costs for grounds maintenance, etc. Depending on the circumstances (including what kind of facility is being offered), a reasonable user fee to help defray some cost of an off leash recreational area is acceptable to many dog owners. But, the notion that having a dog is a “luxury” and therefore tax paying dog owners are not entitled to have any public land or monies devoted to a recreational activity they enjoy is just not acceptable. Any recreational activity, for all its benefits, can be considered a “luxury”. As a community, we should be doing our best to share our public space among various types of users with mutual respect. And, anyway, this has nothing whatsoever to do with “owner’s guilt”. As others have said, meeting to let their dogs play together is a communal activity that the dog owners enjoy.
It’s so nice to see so many thoughtful responses on this list! I was expecting the usual anti-dog vitriol. I think most of us responsible dog owners would happily pay a user-fee to use an off-leash space even for limited hours. It makes a huge difference to MY happiness to see my dog running, exploring, playing with other dogs, not to mention what it does for the dogs!
I pay a user fee for my kids to play soccer on town fields. Same for baseball. Same for use of public swimming spaces. So some kind of permitting process and user fee seems in line with other ways we do shared use. As with playgrounds, any dog play area is going to need some upkeep. Though, hmm, I never pay a fee for my kids going to town playgrounds or using town tennis courts or basketball courts, and the necessary upkeep and renovation involved there comes out of our taxes.
I think the real key to success is for us dog owners to, when we actually have a privilege of off-leash space, to obey ALL the rules — on-leash until you get in, park in designated areas, pick up after your dog and any others that haven’t been picked up.
I hope our town will eventually allow for some off-leash areas. Until then, I rely on the generosity and good will of neighboring towns that allow it.
I too am thrilled to see so many polite and articulate responses, and I can only add a hearty endorsement to what has already been said. As a twelve-year Boston resident who has owned a black Lab for five, I can testify to the absolute necessity of having off-leash recreational space. I would be happy to pay a user fee and to work with other responsible dog owners to make sure that space was safe and clean. Enabling our dogs to socialize–and providing us tax-paying dog owners with the routine chance to socialize with other dog owners–will go a long way toward curbing complaints about ill-behaved dogs in the city. Dogs need to play! People need to play! People like me pay taxes for services I don’t use: sports fields, children’s parks. My dog provides me with love and exercise, fresh air and loyalty, and it’s about time my extremely high Boston property taxes go toward providing me, and other dog-owners, with services we can actually use and maintain and help grow. Thanks, everyone, for supporting this cause.
dog parks that are in the South End — Corridor Park near Garrison Square and Peter’s Park. I don’t have a dog, but I see how these dog areas are great for the dogs and how the dog owners also have a sense of community and who their neighbors are. It’s all part of city living, close quarters, all kinds of people.
I think I may have submitted my comment in another section; apologies for cross posting.
As a mother of a toddler with another child on the way, I am very familiar with the actions and inactions of dog owners in our parks and recreation spaces. I am tired of having to worry about where my son runs within a fenced field, and I am tired of cleaning shoes fouled by dog messes. I am angered and frustrated by dog owners who let their dogs run off-leash in such areas, especially when they are marked as “leash only,” and I am annoyed by the majority of interactions I have had with dog owners who feel that I am trying to infringe on their rights by asking them to obey the existing laws(cleaning up after their dogs and/or leashing their dogs). It is a real problem. That said, I really like dogs and would have a dog if our living situation allowed for one(we live in a small apartment with no yard). I feel that it is the responsibility of dog owners to assess their own situations as to whether or not they can adequately care for a dog: they need a yard; they need the time/space to exercise their pet. Depending on the public spaces that were designed for PEOPLE to use is not a good option. I do support the idea of dog parks, and feel that the care and maintenance of such spaces should fall squarely on the shoulders of the dog owners who use them.
This is a hot topic for me. I live in a community with a lot of small children and a lot of dogs. Contrary to many dog owner’s assertions, dogs are NOT children and they may not lay claim to the same rights of park use as people/children.
Thanks for exploring this topic! All best, MB Wilkes
I have to agree with Sue. giving dog owners a legal off leash area would stop dogs from being where you are walking for the most part. I chose to buy my condo in Jamaica Plain partly because of the dog-friendly neighborhood.
I have a 3 year old Golden Retriever that shows no sign of mellowing from his puppy days. My husband and I along with all of our neighbors are happier with a well exercised Max. We love the community we’ve built through meeting other local dog owners. Living in a city it’s hard to meet your neighbors at times, but waiting for max to finish wrestling or bring back his ball gives ample time for conversation.
Responsible dog owners are just as frustrated as non-dog people when we see undisposed of waste on the street. we dislike the person with the dog running down the street a danbger to itself and others. Please give those of us who are active, contributing members of the community a chance to enjoy our pups in peace.
Responsible dog owners would only get a dog if they had a yard in which it could exercise. We have too few public spaces in the city as it is and they are too underfunded for people without resorting to funds and space for dogs.
sorry marie, but that’s an utterly ridiculous statement. especially in light of how expensive a single family home. you’re basically saying that only people who can afford a 500k+ mortgage are allowed to have a dog. classist much?
I am all for dog parks as long as I, as a tax payer, am allowed to also drive my snow mobile on the common. It’s crazy to suggest that I go outside of the city to drive my snow mobile when there is a large public space in the middle of the city and this is a legitimate recreational use.
What great programming. I hope you have a similar segment soon on how Boston’s parents can move towards curbing their children. I encounter kids almost plowing into me on scooters, bikes, or on foot (not to mention in those double-wide strollers) in JP and the South End far more frequently than I step into dig excrement or get pounced on by an off-leash canine.
Mary Beth made a key statement: “I really like dogs and would have a dog if our living situation allowed for one.” Too many people in the city do not appropriately consider this most fundamental first decision of responsible dog-ownership: do I have room for the dog I desire? And by “do I have room” that includes the outdoor spaces required to accommodate them. In the clip at the beginning of the program, the dog Lucy is a border collie, which is a roaming breed that certainly should not be contained in a city/apartment kind of environment. If you want a large dog or a roaming breed, but you live in the city, you should consider moving to an appropriate area to accommodate the dog; OR you should consider a smaller breed which doesn’t need the acreage. It’s just common sense that is too often not heeded.
To Michael Benac’s point about a fee for dog owners: Michael, we do pay a fee. It’s called taxes. Children running and playing in a park are no less destructive to the grass or apt to bump into someone than a dog. And it’s not guilt that makes us want a nice place for our dogs to run around, it’s that we like making them healthy and happy, just like people with children do. It’s also always fascinated me that people who don’t have or like dogs feel that they can dictate where dogs should be, yet I’ve never heard a dog person complain about someone else’s children wanting to romp with or pet their dog. As to those who complain that a dog cuts in front of them while on a trail…people do that to you, too! And Marie, would you also put that yard limitation on people? Only people who can afford a house with a big yard should be allowed to have kids! One can see from all these remarks that people with dogs or those who like them but for some reason can’t have them, are so much more open than those without. I guess those of us who are lucky enough to have beloved canine companions should feel sorry for the “others.”
p.s. Dogs, big or little, spend a good bit of time just lying around or sleeping. An active dog just needs an active person to go running or hiking with, but even if they have a whole farm someplace, most of them don’t run around all day. They run when you run and play *with* them. Oooph…or should I say woof…all this anti-dog sentiment really gets my dander up. I hope no one sitting beside my is allergic.
Dog parks are a great idea for both dog and human. 1) by having a designated fenced in area, you no longer have dogs interacting with people that do not want to interact with dogs 2) the happiest I’ve seen my dog was in a dog park where he could run and play with others.
Folks, I’m sorry, it must be stipulated that children and dogs are not comparable (I have both, and if you did too, you would understand). Dogs are not humans, no matter how much we love them. There is no comparison between dogs and children. Period.
As a dog owner of an alpha male I am appealed that people would let their dogs off leash. My dog is an alpha, which means he will defend his turf, and wants to dominate his turf. If your dog is off leash and comes running towards my dog and I, I’ll have to pull my dog back and sometimes I have to deal with another alpha male and this can lead to a fight. I can control my dog; he’s on a leash. Your unleashed dog is not in control and dogs are impulsive reactionary animals.
LEASH YOUR DOGS ALWAYS! Anything less is criminal. Children running are a problem that can end with your dog being put down. Dogs can look at small children as dogs or something else. Children do things that dogs are not expecting.
For instance, I was in a dog park with my dog and this other dog owner came into the park with two young children. One was obviously scared and remained in her stroller (she was about 4) clearly agitated by the 8 to 10 dogs of variously sizes running around and barking playing and growling, which some dogs do when they play. The other child was about 9 or 10 years old and he started to run around and barking as if he was a dog. What seemed like an innocent child’s game became dangerous situation as the dogs started too play with him as if he was a dog. The child became scared, the mother did nothing to stop the child and the only reason this kid was not bit was that all the dog owners grabbed their dogs.
Needless to say a huge argument ensued between the mother who started too blame us for our dogs going out of control.
One of the dog owners told her that she should have stopped her kid from doing what he’s was doing. This was stated several times before we all had to grab our dogs. I just left as my dog was clearly agitated and I always remove him from this kind of situation.
The dogs were playing and this child was viewed as another dog. This woman just did not get it. I don’t bring my dog too her child’s playground for obvious reasons. People with small children should be aware of this. Dogs play rough, no pun intended. They should not bring their children too dog parks if they can’t behave or are not use to large dogs.
Too me it’s the dog owners that are the problem as this woman was and she did not respect that different breeds will react to situations differently. My dog is a hound, which is not a herding dog. Hounds are wired to hunt, knowing this and being able to control this is my job. However dog park etiquette is also an issue as this story illustrates.
see, i know alot of people (not myself) who find children just as annoying as some people commenting find dogs. i consider my dog to be my family, and i want to keep him happy. i chose my neighborhood based on it’s dog friendliness.
just as a side note, dog owners contribute a great deal financially to the local economy. i spend money on the dog walker, vet bills, groomers, food, toys, treats, etc. i pay taxes on all that too. how many non dog folk can claim to employ as many people in a whole new area?
My taxes pay for playgrounds, basketball courts, baseball fields, swimming pools and a host of other recreational options I don’t and won’t make use of. But somehow dog owners need to pay an extra premium for public spaces? I’ve already paid for public space. I want to use it.
Just as we designate some space for basketball player recreation or toddler recreation, we can find ways to designate some space for dog owner recreation. “Dog parks” are really parks for people, where our neighbors gather every day, where friendships are formed and civic life takes place. I don’t want to stay in my yard. I want to be a member of my community, enjoying my city.
Somerville is working hard on this and taking dog owners seriously. Thanks,Joe!
The MSCPA is a great resource for figuring out what kind of dog will work in your living situation. We were shocked to find that often larger dogs are better apartment dogs because they don’t require as much activity to stay happy. Lucy is part border collie, yes, but she is also part Pyrenees and even when we stay home with her all day, she spend a good portion of the day laying in the sun chewing on a bone. We wear her out daily with trips to the dog park and very long walks. The point of this comment is to say that city owners of big dogs aren’t criminals.
I will also say that I, as a dog owner, have encountered my share of persnickety owners who don’t take care of their animals in public. I think more often than not you will find hyper-aware owners who are trying to compensate for the unfortunate in our ranks who give us all a bad name.
Dog parks are also great places to form community. I know that I have met more of my neighbors and felt more engaged in my community since we became dog owners. Overall, I think there is a happy medium to be found between dog owners and non-dog owners when it comes to public space.
I adopted a dog two years ago. I found him in a shelter in Vermont and then learned he had been brought in from Puerto Rico. I had looked for nine months and then had a very poor experience with a local rescue group upon selecting a dog that would have been perfect for me. I did not even get to meet him. It must have been some sort of divine intervention because my perfect boy was waiting for me in another state a week later. He has saved my life! Due to health complications, I lived in social isolation, and did not exercise at all. I now walk 3-6 miles daily and am fairly well known in the dog community at 3 parks. I have even started a “Dog Walkers of West Roxbury” facebook page. I have been employed as a dog walker. Every morning and afternoon I am out no matter what the weather. I have some issues, anger, and frustration around the blanket leash laws. I understand the need for limitations and structure, but feel my chosen community should be recognized, have rights, and be included within the same standard as all populations. The main reason I hear we are discriminated against is that some of us don’t clean up after our dogs, that we are not responsible, and that it might be dangerous. There is one park I go to in that the families and kids leave a mess: clothes strewn all over, trash, bottles, beer cans, and food on the ground. I was almost hit by a moped yesterday while walking in a city park that allows no motor vehicles. We actually try to clean up after them! Hoodlums have actually cut the trees down for recreation. I don’t have children, but have to pay plenty of taxes for their quality education. I also pay taxes and dues for the public parks. I am a member of the DCR. My dog is well behaved. He is licensed and totally vetted. He had a great foundation and then I had him in formal training for a year. He wears an electronic collar just in case I have to curb him for any reason. I clean up after him and others. So…. why shouldn’t my taxes go to something I support? Why do I have to be exposed to the trash and noise I don’t contribute to? “The more I get to know people, the more I love dogs”. Have I made my point clear enough?
I wish more people would challenge how activists try to minimize or play down the bad actors in their population. Far from being a tiny minority obnoxious dog owners are more the rule than the exception; at least a the Blue Hill Reservation. Most don’t leash their dogs even though the Reservation has a strict “Dogs be leashed at all times” rule. Dog owners certainly never clean up after their animals in the Blue Hill Res.
And although the Reservation has a strict leash rule about half the dog owners ignore the rule.
One Sunday I was walking up the Observatory Road when a group of women dog owners all with their dogs unleashed were crossing the road. One woman’s big black dog ran up to me jumped up pawed me in the face and knocked off my glasses. She was apologetic and protested that she’s a well behaved dog. My grandmother used to call this type of person an educated fool.
I owned a dog many years ago which I trained and know what a well behaved dog is. I pointed out the Dogs Must Be Leashed Sign and the group made a show of leashing their dogs. Of course the next time I saw the same group of women they were running their dogs unleashed in the reservation.
I feel like I have lost the battle on dogs and their owners. I am completely surrounded by dogs that bark for hours at a time. Tell my how is that cute ??
Or, how about the owners, I really like when it is trash day, you leave out your trash barrel, the trash guy emptys out the barrel, but then the dog owner who is walking the dog, puts the dog crap in my barrel, where is now sits for the week. This really has happened, twice.
Also, why do dog owners let their dog pee and crap in other peoples lawns, it blow my mind.
Pee and crap in your own friggin lawn.
The notion that off leash spaces are for people who happen to own dogs rather than simply for dogs is really interesting. The emphasis on the “people” allows us to make parallels between people playing with basketballs and people playing with dogs, which is helpful in thinking about tax or fee policies for park use. But it may cloud our thinking about the way the dogs themselves use the space–they need someone to clean up their poop and to watch their behavior.
I find that some owners (you know who you are!), who clearly see their visit to the park as time for themselves with other people, can be so engrossed in one another at informal dog gatherings that they are oblivious to their pets rather than playing with them. They have no clue when their dog has pooped or when their dog is out of control.
I want off-leash spaces where I can go with our dog, too. But I see these spaces as spaces for dogs, for their health and happiness. And when I use these wonderful new spaces, I promise that I will actually play with my dog and with other engaged owners’ dogs rather than losing track of when/where my pet has pooped or if he’s behaving badly.
Until we have those spaces, keep the dogs on-leash. Much of the neglected mess in open public spaces, I think, is left behind not because owners are squeamish but because they are not watching/can’t see their free-range dogs doing their business.
Let me repeat that I’m a devoted dog owner. But I’m tired of cleaning my shoes too! And I would never put our society’s dogs on par with our society’s children.
Excellent show with well spoken guests.
For more info on the NYC experience, please check out http://www.NYCoffleash.com.
For informatio on the incredible experiences within landmarked Prospect Park, Brooklyn, please check out
http://www.FidoBrooklyn.org
Thank you
NYCdog
We would love to have a designated off leash cat area, a place to eat grass and hunt bugs.
But our owner thinks it’s essential to have an off leash park for their dog.
It is essential for proper dog health for them to get out and socialize with other dogs and people. It makes more responsible owners and better dogs.
In Phoenix, AZ, there are many off leash fenced in dog parks. Some even include dog swimming ponds! They are absolutely incredible. The dogs loved, not only being able to run around off leash, but being able to SWIM off leash.
There are many, many inconsiderate people in the world. In fact there is not one subject that involves an entire community where there is agreement. This has always been and will always be the case. Unfortunately it seems to no longer be the fashion to compromise, from our political leaders down to everyday people.
It is not easy to train a dog. I have two dogs and I worked with a very well regarded dog trainer (the ASPCA gives them dogs for 2 weeks so they can be evaluated to determine the best environment to place them in). Their opinion is that in 99.5% of the cases it is the owner that is to blame. Dogs are hardwired to respond positively to consistent training and most people do not, for one reason or another do that (think about how many times you have tried to diet, i.e. and how many times you broke your promise to yourself). Inconsistency is one of the best ways to create a problem dog.
When my first dog turned 3 I got a second dog who was significantly more challenging than my first. She was a rescue dog who was removed from a house by the police and needed a lot of work. My trainer showed me what to do and then I went into boot camp mode. It was exhausting but I followed her instructions and it worked.
I see many dog owners who clearly do not have a clue. I routinely see owners whose dogs are out of control while on the leash. You’ve seen them, they’re the ones who are getting pulled down the street with barely any control over their dogs. There is absolutely no reason what your dog has to be 4, 5 or 6 feet in front of you just because that is the length of the leash. Your dog will still be able to go to the bathroom if he walks closer to you. This type of behavior allows a dog to think he can have his way any time and in any place.
There is one comparison between dogs and children that I believe does hold true. Parents that do not provide discipline and boundaries often have children that are badly behaved and parents that do often have the opposite. On this subject I can write volumes as I live in Park Slope, Brooklyn where there are many examples of parents who let their children do anything, anywhere. I know many people who work in restaurants who are completely exasperated with parents who let their children run around. Not only is it obnoxious and annoying to everyone else it actually is a very dangerous situation. Children + waiters walking around with hot food in a small space is not good. But believe you me most of those parents get really pissed off when they are asked to mind their children.
If your dog is off leash and does not come when you call it you are not in in control of your dog. It doesn’t count if you have to call your dog 10 times while it is running away before it comes back. Your dog should come back when YOU tell it to. Period. End of story.
If we own one, or two, or three dogs, the deal is that they provide some benefit and we protect, care, and love them. That said, the boundary betweeen dog and the rest of the humanaity must be clear and bright. Territorial and protective of its adoptive family, a dog can cross this boundary when faced with someone/something not in his family or entering his territory. Few, including the owner, can predict with 100% accuracy what this boundary is in the mind of the dog.
The dog’s behavior can run the gamut from uninterested to aggressive and dangerous. The owner’s perception of the dog’s behavior does not determine what class this behavior falls into. Rather,(and within some reason) the person who is the object of the dog’s behaviors has the right to say what class the dog’s behavior fall into, in the context they experience it. If the dog is off leash, the pet owner relinquishes most claims in the dispute if one arises. The pet owner must maintain this boundary and claim in the dispute by obeying leash laws and running the dog(s) in protected areas.
Owning a pet is a clear choice, and when a person makes that choice, a set of obligations to other people comes with it. A publicly subsidized, off-leash doggie park might be O.K., but it belongs toward the end of the list of education, public safety, health and welfare. I beg dog owners not to conflate owning a dog with having a child. A doggie park is not in the same class of societal obligations as schools, etc.
Sounds like a market waiting to be served.
Hi, I m glad this topic is being discussed – maybe I am not alone.
Not to generalize, most dog owners are respectful of humans and acknowledge that humans have the priority to use public streets, parks, public areas, and transportation system. I also second the idea that dog parks need to be paid fully by dog owners — this is a luxury for those who want to own dog — they need to pay for it. I even want to ask for “human parks” — just for humans no dogs — a.k.a tax payers!!
Now this email is directed to the few BAD apples that believe humans have NO right to exist if they can’t accommodate dogs and other animals in public areas like parks, streets, on the T (buses and subway). Unfortunately, some of the people who believe Boston citizens who pay taxes have lower rights than dogs include:
1. City Animal control departments (greater Boston, incl. Cambridge …etc)
2. Some police officers
3. Dog owners.
Let me relate some facts from actual experience.
1. After being attacked by a dog. I told the dog owner to leach the dog. Her delay was supported by saying that she is trying but because i was running that provoked the dog made it difficult for her to control her unleashed dog. Her logic was to blame me as the cause that agitated the unleashed dog to attack because I was running in a public park!! (logic: After all, I am just a human and pay taxes and don’t have the elevated status of dog to run freely to attack and terrorize people and not pay taxes.) The more interesting part is on calling the city animal control department their response was: “Sir you have a problem, stay out of the parks where dogs are unleashed if you can’t take it”. After repeated reports for over a year, I learned that I am not allowed in a public parks because — it is a DOG WORLD in Greater Boston area. The animal control “refuses to do anything!! and advised me to call 911 to protect myself in the event of the next attack. Or better sit at home become obese and increase our health care bill so dogs can run freely in public areas.
2. I resorted to calling 911 when attacked by a dog. It took police 20 minutes to respond to my first 911 call. This first time the police officer advised me to obtain a license for a pepper spray to protect myself from unleashed dogs attacking me. On inquiring if that is safe. The police officer replied assuring me that it won’t hurt the dog at all — just to keep them away until police arrives.. When i requested the police officer to give a warning or a ticket to the two dog owners who had their dogs unleashed — His answer was: “I didn’t see them unleashed” The next time I called 911 upon seeing two unleashed dogs who I requested the owner to please leach them. The dog owner replied with profanity that I should get out of his way and out of the park – he will not leach his dogs!! (logic: I don’t have the high status of a dog to freely use the public parks – just a tax payer citizen who should pay for dogs to freely roam and attack). While standing still to take a picture of the two unleashed dogs this time. I was attacked by one. Following police orders to protect myself I used my pepper spray for the first time and called 911. The dog owner ran after me and kicked me while I was on the 911 call. The police officers came in less that 2 minutes and charged me with a criminal charge for defending myself against an unleashed dog!! The police officer was very angry at me and told me that I provoked the dogs by walking again in the park. The police officer accused me saying: “why do you walk in the same park when you know unleashed dogs can attack you!!!!” (logic: I asked for it and again I am just a tax payer and not a licensed dog).
3. Until today dog owners unleash their dogs and think its is their right!! well police is on their side!!
My question is – if the animal control is controlling humans and not animals, the police is accusing humans for walking/running in public parks provoking unleashed dogs .. how can I obtain a dog license to be elevated to a dog status and enjoy all those freedoms??
Human living in a “dog world” … opps I mean great Boston -:)
If others interested in joining me to promote “Human” rights please email me — thanks
[...] Friday, Radio Boston dedicated their show to the topic of dogs and the city. Experts and listeners debated about whether [...]
I am happy to say that I live in Brookline where we have a Green Dog program that stipulates off-leash hours for many of our parks (generally dawn – 9 a.m.; some until 1 p.m). It works wonderfully well. Some days there are two dogs and some days 20. Aggressive dogs who don’t mix well don’t come back. If Fido just doesn’t get along with Bow Wow, the owners seem to be able to work out a way to come at different times. For the most part, everyone (people and dogs) has a great time.
As has been stated many times above, exercise and socialization are critical to having well-behaved dogs. Leash walking alone won’t do it. We can make rules and boundaries that let all users co-exist peacefully. Legal alternatives make it easier not to be illegal with our dogs.
For those who’ve commented and seem to have a thing about dogs vs. kids and the right to use parks, please stop and think all of the taxes those of us who don’t have children paid that support your schools (and playgrounds, pools, etc.).
We don’t have kids but understand that our taxes support schools, senior centers, and many other services that we don’t use directly but that help ensure a strong, vibrant, and varied community in which it is a pleasure to live. A return courtesy would be appreciated.