Wow, that dog park sounds just like how my neighborhood used to be, but minus the owners present <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> We don't have dog parks where I am so I haven't seen one other than video's on the internet. If we did I wouldn't bring my dogs there for the sheer fact that I'd be afraid they would catch a disease. I've heard of dogs getting parvo that were immunized.

ok, so what about the idea of starting some kind of community program or grassroots action to educate the public about what responsible dog ownership means? really, should we just let this kind of behavior rampage on in our communities? what would work to educate people?

does anyone think giving away free training videos would help?

If you want something to happen, the only way to get it done is to initiate it. Hoping isn't going to get the job done. If you have the money to drop on thousands of training tapes then that's one way. Asking for more city ordinances (or sterner one's) is another way, but honestly I'd like my cops fighting crime not people failing to pick up turds. Write your newspapers Editor and tell your story with as many specifics as possible, maybe some of those people will be able to pick out their behaviors and make changes. There are numerous things you can do but don't expect results quick or at all. Peoples' behavior isn't as malleable as a dog's...

good post, joel. thanks for your thoughts.

i *have* written to the local paper. i got lots of positive feedback from people who saw what i wrote. my letter and those of others has resulted in the city council putting this issue more to the forefront of their agenda. unfortunately we just elected a mayor who has very ignorant attitudes about animal control. he's afraid of offending the PETA types.

we've already got plenty of laws, the problem is enforcement.

i'm thinking the best thing i could do is start a public education program in the elementary schools, so that kids grow up with a different set of values about what pet ownership means than their parents did. it's worked for environmental concerns....

i'm sure there must be a lot of people already working on this in my community. i think i will seek them out and join forces and find out what role i could usefully play.

unfortunately i don't have the bucks to drop on free videos for people! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

Alice, I think starting an Elementary program is a great idea! With dog parks though, I think it's enter at your own risk. It's apparent there is no dog park etiquette and it's a free for all. Avoid the dog parks.

I don't think free videos will help. People won't watch them unless they're interested, and if they were interested chances are they wouldn't be a problem to begin with.

This is a recent problem we've had. The house at the end of my street had three dogs that would jump their fence as soon as they saw me and whichever dog I had with me. One day the guy who owned them actually came out to get his dogs. I told him, listen, my male won't tolerate three dogs in his face and I would hate to see your dogs get hurt. My female likes your dogs a lot so she's not the problem, but my male is not as friendly to other males. Please try to keep them in, you have cool dogs and I don't want them to get bit. That speech worked and his dogs never jumped the fence again, even with my female passing. He's out there whenever his dogs are. Then there are people who the only thing they understand are rude & crude words to drive the point home. Evaluate education on a case by case basis <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I think the school idea you have is a great one. I'd love to see that as a required part of elementary education. It's important.