Curbing and dog pee

Dear Labby,

I live in a major city. I love dogs although I don't currently have a dog because my son is allergic to them. However, I get the creeps when I see a dog pee in the middle of the sidewalk and then the urine runs down the path forming little artsy designs. Worse is when I see dogs pee on front door steps or near them and then children come out to play. Do I need to stop grossing out or should people be curbing their dogs?

Signed,

Considerably Repulsed from Exposure to Effusive Pee by Errant Dogs

Dear Considerably Repulsed from Exposure to Effusive Pee by Errant Dogs,

Yes.

You need to stop grossing out. And, people should be curbing their dogs.

First the etiquette issue: In an ideal world, dogs would be trained to urinate in the places having the least potential for contact with human skin and scent glands. But given how many folks can't get their dogs to stop chewing the sofa or barking at the baby, I'm guessing most would count mastering basic housetraining as a victory.

I know that these days people sue--and even kill--each other over doggy deposits made on their property. While I find that extreme, I do recognize an individual's right to a waste-free yard. So to the general public, I say this: Please do your best to keep your dog's solid and liquid deposits away from lawns and sidewalks. (And please pick up the former, no matter where it's left!)

But here's why I'm not worried, C.R.E.E.P.E.D., about a piddly puddle now and then--and you need not be either. Usually a dog's dander and saliva generates a more intense reaction than urine does among people like your son, who are allergic. And since the urinating is taking place in the great outdoors rather than in an enclosed area, chances of serious health consequences are fairly low.

I can think of 10 things you'd be horrified to find lurking around your front door steps. Dog pee isn't one of them.

Got a petiquette question for Dear Labby? Email dearlabby@dogtime.com

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	I'll never forget the day my sister and I were walking our family dog in our suburban neighborhood when our dog squatted to pee in the grass. The neighbor whose yard it was yelled out of a second story window for us to make the dog stop peeing. We were 13 at the time and the incident really scared us and even the dog was surprised. After that we avoided that house entirely. We found out later that that mean man was a family member babysitting the kids (and protecting them from the evils of dog pee apparently). That same family went on to get their own dog who hopefully was allowed to pee in his own yard. over 1 year ago by Anonymous
	I'll never forget the day my sister and I were walking the family dog when a neighbor was watching out his second story window. Our dog squatted to pee IN THE GRASS (God forbid!!!) and he yelled at us to get her to stop! We were only 13 at the time and very scared by the outburst. After that, we always crossed the street instead of walking past that house. Turns out that man was a family member babysitting and years later that family got a dog of their own. I will never forget that incident though, and how shocked I was that the man thought we should make our dog stop peeing on command or something. over 1 year ago by Anonymous
	I love dogs but am highly allergic to children. Human urine is far more prevelant that dog urine so dont worry.Urine is least of a worry over 1 year ago by Anonymous
	Dog pee is their way of communicating. Those "artsy" designs on the footpath are real messages, which carry a wealth of information for dogs. How boring would life be if they weren't allowed to sniff out the latest doggie news?! over 1 year ago by Anonymous

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