Picking up after pet - You are being watched!

toedtoes wrote:
I'm a firm believer in having their dogs do their business on "my property" as much as possible.

At home, I don't walk the dogs so they potty/poop on someone else's lawn - they potty/poop in my backyard and I clean it up.

When camping, I keep my dogs in my campsite area (or at least away from other people's campsite areas) as much as possible.

I have found that this eliminates (no pun intended) most of the issues with other campers and my dogs. Most people don't care if your dog poops/pees in your campsite - they just don't want it in theirs or where they walk/play.

My dogs have learned to go quickly and without a lot of walking/wandering, so that is never a problem.

You two ought to get together and compare notes.

Dog pooped on my space.

I heard the comment once that we (society) have lost our humility for the sake of our self-confidence.

On the one hand, we have learned that we are capable, competent, etc., and that we deserve the best.

On the other hand, we have forgotten that others are just as capable, competent and deserving.

I will confront someone who does not pick up after their dog, whether on my site or anywhere else in the CG. I carry bags with me at all times. In fact, I'm sitting in my office at work typing this with several bags in my back pocket!

I keep my dog on the edge of the road when walking and if he goes on the edge of your site, I pick up after him. As long as you do the same, I have no problem with your dog going on the edge of my site.

When in a private CG, we CHOOSE to be in an area with relatively close quarters to others and little free space nearby. Time to chill out and enjoy the camping experience rather than act like Gladys Kravitz with your face pressed against the window all day..........

DutchmenSport wrote:
It seems to me there are more and more posts being put on RV.net about angry, mad, upset, nosey, busy-body, annoying, rude, and obnoxious neighbor campers. Camping is suppose to be something fun and relaxing, enjoyable, and something for the entire family to enjoy, let down time, and forget your troubles for a short while!

What's going on! Has camping NOW also been invaded by the hot-heads who somehow can't separate their personal anger at the world and leave it at home, and have to deliberately make life miserable for everyone around them! You've heard of "driver rage!".... maybe we are encountering "camping rage!"

What's going on! Why are so many so darn angry when camping!

(I always pick up after my dog). I live in the country, we don't have fences either, or leashes at home!

I give a fair amount of thought to this issue too. I have come to the conclusion that there is a definite streak of the (pick one: Nazi, Cop, Apparatchik, Petty Banana Republic Dictator, School Hall Monitor, Condo Association President, etc etc etc...) in many Americans nowadays.

Our once generally high level of tolerance, live and let live attitude, simple manners and respect has been replaced by the ill mannered, nasty, argumentative busy body-ness of those that feel increasingly powerless in an increasingly complex world over which they feel they have no control. This drives them to try to control the actions and behaviour of others that come into their small "Sphere" or space.

The fabric of our social construct is fraying. Many no longer know or value their neighbors, they watch, listen and read only what they agree with thereby creating an ever shrinking echo chamber of their own ideas and beliefs. This creates and validates (at least in the persons mind) the actions the OP experienced.

What is the solution...I wish I knew.

Sure doesn't sound like any of the campgrounds that we go to. For some reason, when the dog complaints happen, I picture an RV park, where the lawns are mowed, and the whirlybirds are out. Not the pine needle dirt covered forested areas that we are used to.

We always try to keep our little one off other sites. Yes it is difficult is some parks, but try and keep her as close to road as we can.
The way she positions herself it is hard for someone who does not know her to know whether she is peeing or popping. So I can understand the frustration as well. The last thing anyone wants to do is step in dog poop and carry it around in their shoes.

We see all kinds of dog poop when walking our little one. We always carry bags and we always clean up.
Almost everywhere we have stayed it seams the majority of the RVer's have pets. But we do find signs on sites prohibiting animals from trespassing.

It seems to me there are more and more posts being put on RV.net about angry, mad, upset, nosey, busy-body, annoying, rude, and obnoxious neighbor campers.

While his manner may have been abrupt, I see no issue with politely asking another dog owner to pick up after their pet. I've seen many folks on here go over the deep end with the same ferocity when they don't. If we self-police - again, politely - then we stand a far better chance of keeping the ability to take our pets with us.

You did the right thing not letting the confrontation escalate. Life's too short. In the other guy's defense, it can look as though a female is pooing when in fact, she's urinating. Maybe he's had one too many dogs poo on his sites and left it there. Still...

If your dog has the runs, I guess you better carry a shovel and bucket because no bag will ever get it all and the guy with the phone won't be satisfied.

yellowdog00 wrote:
And I walked on. I wanted to say more but I go camping to relax not have confrontations.

You did the best thing. There was no point continuing the conversation. It only would have escalated.

Just be happy that this guy isn't your neighbor at your S&B. :)