Dog owners: Some of the most inconsiderate people around?

[thistlechaser]

Not all dog owners are bad people. If you are a good dog owner or if you know one? YAY! Thank you! This is about all the bad ones.

My apartment is on the ground floor. Our windows are nearly floor to ceiling. The bottom of the window is about knee-high. My cat's favorite place is sitting in the window.

Unfortunately, being knee-high to the ground, every damned dog sees her. In the two weeks I've been here:

1) A dog tried to climb through my window to attack her. The owner watched. Laughing. He didn't call the dog off until I went to the window and asked him to.

2) Countless owners use Ellie to test the sit/stay of their dogs. Bringing them closer and closer, making them sit and stay (or trying to). This usually ends up with them lunging at her.

3) So many dogs off-leash (all dogs are supposed to be leashed), who run right up to the window, barking at her.

Bonus #4: Parents who bring their toddlers right to the window to see the "kitty". Hello, I'm sitting RIGHT HERE. I don't exactly like you and your kids looking right in at me.

I've never seen Ellie puffed up and hissing until we moved here. Poor girl is going to have a heart attack. I feel like putting a big sign in my window: "My cat is not entertainment for your dog." I suppose that might be unfriendly of me though...

Comments

[aberdeen.livejournal.com]

My window isn't at ground level, and I don't generally have a problem with dogs coming to the door. But I /do/ have plenty of small children who think my window (especially the new one that is one gigantic opening) is just for them to come and watch me, my cat, my dog... I've tried explaining that my house is not a Zoo.

Maybe not "My cat is not entertainment for your dog", but... maybe, "Please keep your dog at a respectful distance to avoid upsetting my cat" or something to that effect?

Something that gets the point across, so they realize they're being obnoxious.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

You wouldn't think they'd need to be told they're obnoxious (adults, not the kids), but you're right. Thanks for the idea!

[changeling72.livejournal.com]

Is your window right next to the street. It must feel like a goldfish bowl!

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

In the center of our apartment complex is a small park-like area. Trees, grass, open space. My windows face that. I had thought that was going to be a good thing!

[teaandfailure.livejournal.com]

I keep meaning to make a post about inconsiderate dog owners on the greenway. There are so many different kinds.

1.) The ones who walk their dog on a stretch leash, and let it walk all the way over to the other side of the greenway so that the leash stretches between them and the dog like a choke line and no one can get by them.

2.) The ones who let their dog poo right in the middle of the greenway, when there is grass to both sides.

3.) The ones who bag the poo but leave the BAG OF POO RIGHT THERE ON THE SIDE OF THE GREENWAY, because they can't be bothered to carry it with them, they bagged it, right?

4.) The ones who don't understand what a leash is for and let their dogs on the stretch kind chase/jump up on runners anyway.

I think a lot of people get a dog and then don't want to actually deal with what a dog entails, and feel entitled to the good parts of a dog without the bad parts. Dude (or Lady) I'm sorry, YOU CHOSE TO GET A DOG, now you have to interact with dog poop, and also keep your dog away from people. You were the one that was all, "Oh, I want a dog that loves me and is sad when I'm gone and happy when I get home!" Fine, but that means the dog is going to be lonely and restless and upset when you aren't home, and possibly tear up the garbage.

I cannot STAND people who act like the dog should be a dog when they're around and be a piece of furniture when they aren't.

I chose to get a cat, this means I'm going to have to deal with hairballs on the floor and crazy midnight running, and also having horribly crooked and busted blinds. That is what we call "having a cat."

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I ugh for you. UGH! I just do not understand how people are so inconsiderate.

And so very much agreed on "I cannot STAND people who act like the dog should be a dog when they're around and be a piece of furniture when they aren't." EXACTLY! It's a living animal with feelings and needs and wants! It's not just alive when you want it to be.

*snickers* Ellie lost her fear of the blinds on Day Two in the apartment. Now I have to be sure to open them for her, otherwise she'll wedge herself in and make a mess of them.

[resonant.livejournal.com]

Put a switch on the window where the cat can press it.

Attach the switch to a sprinkler outside the window.

Show the cat what happens when you press the switch.

Once she catches on, install a webcam and show us what happens.

[voidmagus.livejournal.com]

100% agreed. People will ignore the sign, or not even notice it until their dog is clawing at the window. Just have the spray parallel to the window so it wont spray people that walk by - just things right by the window. You'll get complaints from people about you interacting with their dog at all, but fuck 'em.

As for kids? You're screwed there.

As a cat person who married a dog person, I had to learn the responsible dog ownership thing. As a natural but relaxed dominant, it was easy. Dog looks to me for guidance on how to behave. When we walk (which is generally 2 of the 3 walks per day), I use one of the long stretchy leashes. The dog knows she is only allowed to leave my side at one point - running into the tall grass in abandoned lots where she poops. The rest of the time, the leash is slack. She walks next to me, mostly without pulling (squirrels are still a problem, but I lock the leash the moment she gets a foot in front of me). She is curious about cats, but knows not to approach unless I say OK (remember - she has a cat at home).

Most dog owners in our neighborhood are good...there's 1 that isn't. 70 lbs boxer, gorgeous all white dog. The owners told us he's a rescue, so he's aggressive. So of course they walk him without a leash. My wife and I complained, and for a couple months they started carrying a leash with them, but not hooked to the dog. The boxer has attacked multiple people in the neighborhood, with minimal injuries. Still, if I have to walk my dog around the same time they walk theirs, I take my handgun with me. Mostly as a loud noise to scare it, more if I absolutely have to. I'd prefer nonlethal but I've seen that dog rush people and I'm not willing to risk my or my pets' lives because of some irresponsible asshole.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

The owners told us he's a rescue, so he's aggressive. So of course they walk him without a leash.

Wow. So they know, but they don't care. That's just so unacceptable.

You're probably right that the sign won't work, and that people will get pissed if I spray their dogs. Blah!

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Hahaha that would be great. Even if *I* had to push the button instead!

[kirbyk.livejournal.com]

I agree that this is egregious behavior and it's totally reasonable to push back on it. Stressing out an animal is never okay.

Maybe, on the sign, mention that the cat is a rescue and is working to recover from past trauma? It's true enough.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

That's a good idea. Maybe on neon paper, so it's easy to see.

[spike7451.livejournal.com]

I'd put up that sign!!!

Pets poor Ellie. :(

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think I will. Thanks!

[al-zorra.livejournal.com]

You should not have to do this, but for the sake of avoiding Ellie suffering a nervous breakdown: could you cover the bottom of the window with something like folding louvers, blinds, something that Ellie can't squeeze behind?

And then set up a climbing-scratching post with a platform at the top that is the height of the top of the window? Then the dogs might not see her ....

Nobody reads signs. I swear nobody even sees them, particularly people on bicycles, with dogs, etc.

Love, C.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid you might be right about the signs.

Maybe blocking the lower part of the window would work... or worse comes to worst, winter is coming and I can keep the windows closed.

[loup_noir]

I'm a dog owner. Hell, I'm a dog servant. However, as much as I adore my silly beasts, I will not tolerate inconsiderate dogs or their doofus owners/companions/whatevertheheckyouwanttocallthem.

Your apartment is your home. Having people peer into the windows or, worse yet, having their dogs jump up onto your windows to get at your kitty is unacceptable. You do have some options. For one, probably the easiest, is you can install one of those films that make your window into a mirror of the outside. I think its main purpose it to reflect sunlight and keep the interior cooler, but it also turns windows into mirrors. For another, get the names of the jerks whose dogs are running off-leash or jumping onto your windows and, if they continue to be idjits, talk to your complex managers. They may do nothing, but if you say nothing, then nothing will be done.

Up north, we have people who refuse to believe their dogs aren't welcome everywhere. There will be farmers' markets with big signs saying "no dogs," and these folks will march through the market with their dogs, some of which are perfect visitors, but others need to take a leak or chase things. My mangy crew stays in the truck or car, because, while I adore them, I know other people may not.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately bad dog owners like some parents -- they think everyone's world revolves around their dog/kid. Why in the world would I be upset if their dog wants to come in through the window?

Good idea on the film! I hadn't thought of that.