I came into this situation and before I do something out of rage, I needed to know your opinions.

I have a big yard, and it extends to a sidewalk and then grass and an oak tree. All the property belongs to us (the design is same for all houses here). My neighbor brings his dog out, and today while we were chatting with him and his wife outside, their dog (without a leash) came and peed on the oak tree in our yard.

Now i am not a fan of dogs, and I just absolutely hate dogs peeing and pooping some place where I may be laying my picnic basket in summer. We didn't tell them anything and of course the neighbor also showed no reaction.

Now I had a good talk with my husband alone. We both are not aware of the pet rules here in US, and the neighbor is also Indian so I'm not sure whether he will be knowing them. Is it acceptable for dogs to be ting in other people's yards during their walks? My husband had also seen this dog doing the same thing in other people's yards in the cul de sac. Would it be appropriate to tell the neighbor to watch his dog and not let him in other people's property?

Or am I just overreacting?

Please advise.

Altenweg

NoHelp, I had to spread the rep. Great advice.

sasha_1

Thanks for your replies. I cannot call the state dept or have him get a letter on this as he is our neighbor, and although not our friends but still I would like to keep a neighborly relationship. Of course, if it gets out of hand then I would definitely do this.

What really irritated me was his dog peed right on our oak tree when we were talking with him. We were standing in my garden. And instead of being apologetic or saying sorry he simply ignored it as if it is the most natural thing. His saying sorry will not change anything but at least it would have given me an assurance that he knows it is bad pet ownership. My greater concern is our not saying anything should not send him a message that we are ok with what his dog does to our yard.

N0help4u

Most people I know laugh and say he is watering the tree, grass or whatever.
Many American's think nothing of a dog peeing in natural environment stuff like these.

Altenweg

It's possible that he thinks you're okay with it because you didn't say anything. Now would be the time to let him know that it's not okay. Allot of people think it's fine for their dog to pee anywhere they want, if it's not okay with you, which it obviously isn't, then you have to make yourself heard and understood.

Another thing to consider and advise him of, is that dog urine can destroy your grass and or kill a tree over time. He should only be letting his dog do it's business on his property, it's his choice to own a dog and only his property should suffer because of it, not yours.

I understand that you don't want to cause bad feelings, but if you say in nicely and calmly it shouldn't be a problem. He's probably not aware about your feelings, and once he is hopefully he won't let it continue.

Good Luck.

sasha_1

Thanks Altenweg. Great advise. We did not say anything as we both were not sure about pet rules and whether it would be appropriate to say it. That's the reason for this thread. Ya, will have a talk with him in a friendly manner in a few days.

Now husband left for work on a Sunday morning so have to wait for him till evening to discuss this.

Altenweg

Good Luck Sasha, I hope it goes well.

Take care.

Allheart

Had to spread the love Alt, but great and wonderful advice and great way of considering
all things involved.

twinkiedooter

You could do what I saw several neighbors do in a ritzy neighborhood do. They got one of those wooden cut outs of a dog who was in a pooping posture and had a big balloon like in cartoons above the cut out's head saying the word "NO" in huge letters. This is not only amusing but clearly effective (not for the dog) but for the dog owners and dog walkers to notice and comment on. They had this sign in their lawn near the sidewalk. I guess they kinda got fed up with dog poop on their lawn and decided to deal with the topic with some humor. And no, I have no idea where they got the sign. They probably made it themselves.

JudyKayTee

Well, if you said nothing unless your neighbor is a mind reader he probably thinks it didn't bother you. He obviously thought nothing of it.

I would NOT mention what the dog does on other lawns, what other neighbors think - let them speak for themselves.

I think the "my lawn is treated so keep your dog off so it doesn't get sick" suggestion is wonderful. Thumbs up!

Now if I can figure out how to keep the neighbors' kids from bouncing their basketball into my driveway -

Altenweg

Judy, one word, electrified fence. Kidding.