When walking a dog with a plastic bag, is it okay to stop and chat?

Question

I see people who actually do pick up after their dog. Then I also see them stopping to talk to people, with one hand holding a plastic bag, and they will use that hand to make gestures with....

All the while, they are holding this bag full of dog do while talking casually to people they meet, and I wonder if there is anything out of the ordinary about this or is it okay?

I don't hate dogs or anything like that. I just feel if you must have one, then it's a tremendous responsibility to keep it clean....so think it over before getting a dog.

You may enjoy that dog for all your own reasons. That's fine. Pushing the burden on others, or trying to impress people as to the unique qualities of the dog is not what people should do.

We are running out of open spaces for dogs, so anyone with some bright ideas as to how to clean up after them and keep their discharges out of public eye, is welcome here.

Moisturizing feet? I'll leave that for the whimps.

This question wasn't asked for antagonistic answers. It is a two part question. Is it perfectly okay given the carelss alternative is not acceptable? Or, are there ways in which we can clean up after them? (Hey, it's just as pigish to see discarded pampers on road sides!)

(Not about loving or unloving dogs!)

Yes, it's still considered "Good luck"!

I had a dog that lived 18 years, and it became a big chore toward the end.

Then it becomes a difficult decision to put the dog to sleep.

And the argument continues about what we do for humans when they reach their end.

Didn't mean to upset everyone here. (Amazing how we find a pattern and stick to routines...and never open our minds as to other or better ways.)

Answer 1

this is a pretty funny question.....i can picture it actually...
i guess just be thankful that some people actually clean up after their dogs....i think a dog should have a nice fenced yard to exercise in...if one has to be walked, it probably isn't getting exercise, it is probably just an owners statement..

Answer 2

Jstrmbill, not everyone has the option to have a fence. Some neighborhoods don’t allow them, and if you live in an apartment or don’t happen to have the money (they can be very expensive), you’re kind of out of luck. I have a fence, but my dog and I still love walks. It’s not a statement, but just a fun activity for us to do together. Besides that, dogs get bored if they are always in the same place, and walks help to put a little extra variety in a dog’s life.

As for the question, of course it’s okay. As others have said, just be thankful they bothered to pick it up. If there’s no garbage can around, then what are they supposed to do with the bag? And if someone wants to talk, should you just say, “Can’t talk now! Can’t you see I have dog waste here!?” That's silly. The only fix would be to have more trash cans in public places so dog owners don't have to walk blocks looking for one. I think you're letting a tiny little problem upset you needlessly. Dogs poop. That's how it is. Any dog owner will tell you that having to do a little clean up is a miniscule price to pay for all a dog adds to your life.

Answer 3

Well you do have a very good point, stopping to talk to people while carrying a bag of poo is ok but I certainly wouldn't go swinging it around.
There are special bins for this type of waste but they seem to be few and far between so responsible owners can end up carrying it for quite some distance at times. The ideal answer would be to get the council to install more bins.
When all is said and done I think it is preferable to see people carrying bags of poo around to finding that you've trodden in it yet again.

Answer 4

For the love of God how politically correct do you want the World to be??
When I was a kid if you stepped in dog shite is was a sign of good luck.
I tell you what-we'll enforce all dog owners carrying bags with dog's poo to also carry a stop watch which will ring a little 'time up' bell to signify that the conversation is now terminated in case it offends the non dog owning person with whom we are having a dialog
I'll start clearing up after my dog when others stop smashing broken beer bottles on the pavement,littering the streets with their pizza cartons,and taking home their used and discarded contraceptives.
My dog's shite is bio-degradeable unlike the above list

Answer 5

Well think about it this way. Have you talk to someone next to a pile of do do. That if you not careful you may step in. It is nice when someone cleans up after their dog. In a bag or on the ground. What do you do when you see it on the ground??? Just be grateful they are cleaning up after their dog.

Answer 6

They have a leash in one hand, a bag of poo in the other. The leash hand is otherwise employed & unless they sprout another arm & hand the only option for hand gestures is, unfortunately, the poo hand. Be grateful that the poo hand owner is a responsible pet owner and that the poo is safely ensconced in a bag, not all over your yard or shoes.

I live in an apartment & have to walk the dog for exercise - both his & mine. I'm sure dogs & people who have a yard like to walk, too.

Answer 7

The dog owner could carry a little pouch and sling the pouch across the shoulder. (Put the poop bag in the pouch.) Then the hands would be free.

Or you could use a belly-bag, but those are ugly.

Thankfully, they are cleaning up after their dogs and that is the MAIN thing.

Answer 8

In our town there is a $100 dollar fine if you do not pick up after your dog. So what else do you think the dog owners should do???
Yes we pick up after our dogs and if the plastic bag insults you why don't you just look the other way!!!

Answer 9

Considering 50% of the people around us hate dogs, showing them that you actually pick up tells them there isn't any from YOU on their front lawn is really important unless you want to be hounded by the police and your neighbors. If you teach them that they are only allowed to potty on command, you can keep it in your yard in one space to be a bazillion times easier to clean up (then you get to use a pooper scooper and not a nasty bag, too...)

Answer 10

Someone should invent an inexpensive and "disposable" diaper for the dogs that would collect its feces and urine which can then be disposed of properly when their "exercise walk" is over.

This way no one would have to "clean up" after their dog when they take it for an "exercise walk".

If a dog can be "house trained" it would seem to me that it would not be that difficult to train the dog to "go" when it is wearing its diaper outside on its walk.