To allow my dog pooping on the green space in front of our house

[Sunnydunnybunny]

We recently got a 7 months old dog and try to get into the new routine now. And we have an issue with the garden which I am trying to sort out, but it's going to take another month, or even two in a worst-case scenario.

We walk 2 h a day in local parks, but as a newish nervous dog, he sometimes brings his "business" closer to home.

I was wondering if that's ok to use the green space in front of our house ( we have like 15 houses in a circle and green space in a centre) to let him poop at night and if he needs to go between our walks. Of course, I clean up everything.
But still. For some reason, it's not comfortable for me, and I don't know if I am right in my feelings. I find someone else's dog poo there, and clean it up 😠, maybe that's why. Sometimes older kids use the space to kick the ball when the weather is better, and one of them has a dog.
I still hope to sort out the garden sooner..
What do you think/feel?

It'll be fine if you pick it up, and treat you dog for worms (which can, incredibly rarely, cause blindness if you get poo in your eyes)

As others have said, you're walking it too much, it's far more dangerous to walk too much than too little at this stage

I think you know deep down that it wouldn’t be the right thing to do. But, if 15 houses share the green space why not canvass opinions from them? A polite request of “would you mind my dog pooing where your children play, if I pick up what I can?” If you don’t feel comfortable doing that I think that would give you your answer.

Dogs don't shit on demand. When they have to go, they go.

Then how can they train guide dogs to shit on demand? They go in a specific area in the garden as when you are out with them the owner cannot see the shit to pick it up. Or is this a breed thing? I am not a dog owner just curious as my friend trains guide dog puppies.

Keep your dog worked if it is likely to be crapping near playgrounds etc.

Also, can anyone quoting the '5 minutes exercise per month of age' rule point me to some actual peer-reviewed science? I've been looking for years and all I've found is stuff about beagles which days that trundling along at a steady trot does zero damage, and other research which advises keeping young dogs away from stairs.

Its fine as long as its cleaned up and isnt all the time.

It's fine, as long as you clean it up.

Just use it, the space isn’t just for children. I find that idea hilarious. The space can be used by anyone, as long as you clean up after your dog it’s fine

I don't walk my dog where children play, is there no other place?

What could be so wrong with a garden that a dog can’t shit in it?

I'd say it's okay although I'd prefer it if my dog didn't do it there. I always try and "dissuade" my dog from pooing in front of someone's house. But you can't control where dogs decide to poo and I wouldn't be appalled if I saw someone letting their dog poo there, as long as it's picked up. Cats shit everywhere and nobody picks it up !

I'd be prepared for you neighbours to hate you. I certainly would if you were my neighbour.

I have a dog and wouldn't walk on a green space like this, even at night. Stick to the pavements/fields etc. I pick up after my dog obviously, but it's not always possible to get everything. If he did a poo at home you would mop/clean the floor wouldn't you? If kids play on there, they probably sit there too so sitting where a dog poos is a bit rank not mention you can't pick wee up.

@GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman I too can't find any peer reviewed information.
However as some breeds are prone to joint problems and as we mostly will not know if a pup has any congenital joint problems until they're older then I would take my vet's advice and generally stick to the 5 minutes a month rule.

If you’re picking it up, I don’t see the problem.

I wouldn't, but then I didn't let my dog go in our garden.

I see no problem with this. It's not a child designated play area. Where I live, kids play in the dog-designated zone and it's annoying!

Trust me, it's better they're in the habit of doing it so close to home rather than making you walk all the way to a big park each time, it'll be a life saver. Especially if, like a lot of dogs, they don't want to do their business in your garden. No matter how long you wait.

But also wanted to agree with PP, at 7 months, pup should be getting 2x35 minute walks so you don't ruin joints. I've seen it happen with someone over walking their dog because "he had too much energy and wants to play" luckily managed to show him and he stopped. It's like a child, just because they don't want to go to bed, doesn't mean they shouldn't.

Take him on a path to poo - def not where kids play

@GADDay

I do keep a small bag of sand in my walking bag though which I sprinkle on any remnants after pooper scooping.

That’s amazing. I really wish the dog walkers at the back of my house did this.

I think people will notice if you are always out there, and that's the only context they will see you in, so in the interests of good neighbourly relations I would try to avoid.

Please don't let your dog foul where children play!
My God, dog owners are SO entitled!!
It is disgusting and unhygienic, and like a PP said there will be traces left. I'd hate one of my kids to fall in a smear of dog crap, because you don't want to use your garden.

Yes, most dogs don’t shit on demand, they go where they have to go but as the owner you can choose where that is! Don’t do it on an area that is known for children playing. There’s plenty of other places, like your garden for example? Unsure why this isnt an option unless it’s radioactive.

I'd be pretty pissed off if I was your neighbour!
Can't possibly think of why your garden has an issue that means your dog can't shit there.

Plus why did you get a dog BEFORE the garden was sorted out!

Thank you for your comments. I am somewhere in between. I don't think it's that disgusting, and I am cleaning completely, but I understand it may be quite unpleasant for people without dogs. I have 5 y.o.

I guess I will be going further to the bigger park area, although at night it's quite hard. If anything will use closer pieces as the last thing.

Of course you can let your dog poop there if you are clearing it up. And for those complaining about it being a childrens play area.....children play everywhere! Parks, footpaths, streets, green areas. Its shared area and so long as its cleaned up its fine. Train your children to wash their hands if you are that precious - with covid they should be sanitising all the time anyway.

Why can't they just poo on the pavement and you pick it up? I'm confused why this isn't an option