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Showing posts with label Long Sands Beach. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Long Sands Beach. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The "Dog" Beach
I had an incident happen to me the other day on the beach, which I would love to say is not the norm. However, this year, 6 out of 7 days, you are approach by uncontrolled dogs on York Maine Beaches, where you can barely make out the owners (because they are no where near their dogs, and far off in the distance). The owners meanwhile could care less what their dog might be doing as they chat, and drink their coffee. In the last few months I have seen two dogs run into the middle of the road or go up to the sidewalk to the road unattended, dogs have slammed into me and my dogs who are in command, dogs are peeing on beach chairs, stealing packed lunches, ET.
BUT I WANT TO BE CLEAR HERE, IT'S NOT THE DOGS. As I explained to a very rude owner the other day, "it's not your dog, but it is his owner". The fact that this guy felt it was completely appropriate for his dog to be on the beach, unleashed, without any recall for safety or other people's space was shocking. Normally what happens is someone is unaware of the ordinance, you explain it, they apologize or they just apologize because something inappropriate happened (without you needing to explain the ordinance).
That last scenario is fine with me, and doesn't instigate a trip to Animal Control. However, this person did prompt me to make a complaint to our Animal Control officer. He was great and asked how far I would like it to go. I indicated that a warning from an authority figure should suffice, and so it ended there.
We got to chatting though. I like to keep abreast of what is going on here regarding beach laws and dog owners rights. However, as a dog owner, I am also very aware of everyone else's rights around me. Most York ME owners who frequent the beach are the same way. We do not take our accommodations for granted, and we have pride in our dogs and their behavior on the beach.
The officer was talking about why it was so much worse this year. One thing I have noticed, is apparently there has been an adoption binge on puppies this year. The ones training with me, thankfully, can be found being appropriate on the beach. The other owners have the attitude that since their puppy is cute and fuzzy that everyone and everything wants an unprompted greeting from them. This is one problem, but it's sure to be rectified by Animal Control as the year goes on, IF these people are locals.
The problem that the officer was explaining to me of the increased dogs, whose owners apparently take zero responsibility for their safety or the safety and well being of others, is that places like Eliot and Kittery finally had enough and banned dogs from their beaches. Apparently, we are attracting (as well as the tourists from out of state that come here every year and could care less about the ordinances) the very owners that ruined the beaches in their communities. Yeah!!
With only two on staff to take care of these problems, and remember these aren't just on the beach but everywhere within our town, officers just can't sit on the beach for eight hours waiting to catch the perpetrators. I have noticed that quite a few of the local dog owners that have had dogs here for awhile, must have been approached by Animal Control, and are so taking their privileges and responsibility very seriously. That has been great. The thing with this new problem is that you never know WHO is on the other end of the dog. For instance, the family involved with this incident was no stranger to York Police in other altercations. Fantastic. So now you have your own safety to be worried about, because someone could not care at all about the rights of others to enjoy a public beach.
Swell.
Would you like your dog to act appropriate in public? Call Maine Dog Trainer, Robin Rubin, at 207-361-4395. Mannerly Mutts Dog Training provides Maine Dog Training needs. You can also e-mail mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com with any questions. Our website, http://www.mannerlymutts.com, will answer many of your fee, service, FAQs, and qualification questions.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Spring Time Training Opportunities
Spring has not weather wise "sprung" yet in York Maine. I live a bit inland in the woods, and my lawn is still covered with the winter wonderland that was this winter. My sea side neighbors have said goodbye to most of this convection of the cold season.
Still, it's not as warm as it usually is at this time of year. Most of my day is spent in the thirty and twenty somethings. Oh for fifty degrees, we are living for it at Mannerly Mutts. Not quite light shirt weather out, though I have managed to stop wearing long johns for most of the day.
People are so starved for this in Maine, that they are actually out on the beach now just about whenever the sun manages to peek beyond the clouds. The moment it goes behind though, you find yourself on an isolated beach again. This has allowed me to transition my goals and my clients goals back onto the beach. While I enjoy the distractions and opportunities given by the untrained dogs and irresponsible owners that do attend to our beaches, it also gives me pause for the dangers people put themselves and their dogs in.
The other day as I was training Jackie fetch, a curious two children and their two dogs (on flexi leads) ran one half mile to check it out. The parents chatted where they were half a mile back, without any regard for where canines or children went to. The boy's dog slipped his improperly attached collar, and started running up the ramp to the street. Now I am in charge not only of my dog, my video equipment which is in peril, but two strange children and dogs who are not prone to listening to the strange mean woman telling them directly to act and get their dog's collar on. The parents are too far away for me to call to them to help. And anyway, a tragedy may occur as I wait for them to notice anyone is in danger and get to them. A half mile away, an untrained dog, and unaware child are all great ingredients to an incident.
Next day, Minnie (my client's dog) and I are on the beach for a mid afternoon jog. Minnie is very much enjoying the opportunities to stalk seagulls. A sheltie comes onto the beach, and the owner happily enough disengages the sheltie from the lead. She does this so confidently and happily, that I am sure this dog must have an excellent recall. The owner obviously knows of the sheltie's love for chasing seagulls. Sadly, no recall and the sheltie runs up nearby stairs to the road after the seagull. I see the panicked owner dash off to pursue her dog that is easily a quarter of a mile away now. Luckily tragedy did not strike, but it takes just that small amount of time for it to strike if it's gonna.
This always happens when I walk the Great Danes and the families are about. Children run from anywhere on the beach to get to the dogs. Sometimes this creates a great opportunity to jog with the dogs and stay away from the children. Is this because the dogs aren't friendly? No, in fact Roxie and Harley live with children and frequently see them on the beach with their owners. This is because the dogs exercise needs should not be put on hold, while I explain to children the appropriate way to interact with dogs. Children have been taught to expect that all dogs are friendly everywhere, and in fact available to them like animals at a petting zoo. In fact, dogs are people's great companions who may have quirks, feelings, and phobias. Not every dog should be subjected to a mob of people (large or small) that have no understanding of interacting with them.
Then their are the poor parents who are aware and have taught their children properly. They see me stiffen as their child runs past, because I have been taught too many times that parents are not teaching their skills to their children. I want to run up to those parents and kiss them on the lips, when they say "oh Johny knows to respect a dogs space." And Johny just proved that when he ran past to play with his friends in the waves, rather than flinging himself at the dog I am currently training. I am normally in body block position by now if it looks at all that way, and depending on the dog that I am training at the time:) This is because I am concerned for that child who does not know they are doing anything at all wrong. There is going to be no time while the child is in full on run and lung mode to explain the proper etiquette of dog greetings!!
So I plead with parents, please educate your child that not everyone and every dog likes children flinging themselves at them. If adults displayed that sort of lack of control around small babies and toddlers, parents would be up in arms. (maybe some people do, but I am very respectful of babies and toddlers safety and that their immune systems are not fully developed as yet----as well as a parents fear that someone might try and kidnap their child). Be aware of what your child is doing on the beach. There are all sorts of dangers there. (strange humans, dogs, water, busy streets with cars) There may not be a human there able to help your child should they get into trouble.
Be careful and aware out there!!
Still, it's not as warm as it usually is at this time of year. Most of my day is spent in the thirty and twenty somethings. Oh for fifty degrees, we are living for it at Mannerly Mutts. Not quite light shirt weather out, though I have managed to stop wearing long johns for most of the day.
People are so starved for this in Maine, that they are actually out on the beach now just about whenever the sun manages to peek beyond the clouds. The moment it goes behind though, you find yourself on an isolated beach again. This has allowed me to transition my goals and my clients goals back onto the beach. While I enjoy the distractions and opportunities given by the untrained dogs and irresponsible owners that do attend to our beaches, it also gives me pause for the dangers people put themselves and their dogs in.
The other day as I was training Jackie fetch, a curious two children and their two dogs (on flexi leads) ran one half mile to check it out. The parents chatted where they were half a mile back, without any regard for where canines or children went to. The boy's dog slipped his improperly attached collar, and started running up the ramp to the street. Now I am in charge not only of my dog, my video equipment which is in peril, but two strange children and dogs who are not prone to listening to the strange mean woman telling them directly to act and get their dog's collar on. The parents are too far away for me to call to them to help. And anyway, a tragedy may occur as I wait for them to notice anyone is in danger and get to them. A half mile away, an untrained dog, and unaware child are all great ingredients to an incident.
Next day, Minnie (my client's dog) and I are on the beach for a mid afternoon jog. Minnie is very much enjoying the opportunities to stalk seagulls. A sheltie comes onto the beach, and the owner happily enough disengages the sheltie from the lead. She does this so confidently and happily, that I am sure this dog must have an excellent recall. The owner obviously knows of the sheltie's love for chasing seagulls. Sadly, no recall and the sheltie runs up nearby stairs to the road after the seagull. I see the panicked owner dash off to pursue her dog that is easily a quarter of a mile away now. Luckily tragedy did not strike, but it takes just that small amount of time for it to strike if it's gonna.
This always happens when I walk the Great Danes and the families are about. Children run from anywhere on the beach to get to the dogs. Sometimes this creates a great opportunity to jog with the dogs and stay away from the children. Is this because the dogs aren't friendly? No, in fact Roxie and Harley live with children and frequently see them on the beach with their owners. This is because the dogs exercise needs should not be put on hold, while I explain to children the appropriate way to interact with dogs. Children have been taught to expect that all dogs are friendly everywhere, and in fact available to them like animals at a petting zoo. In fact, dogs are people's great companions who may have quirks, feelings, and phobias. Not every dog should be subjected to a mob of people (large or small) that have no understanding of interacting with them.
Then their are the poor parents who are aware and have taught their children properly. They see me stiffen as their child runs past, because I have been taught too many times that parents are not teaching their skills to their children. I want to run up to those parents and kiss them on the lips, when they say "oh Johny knows to respect a dogs space." And Johny just proved that when he ran past to play with his friends in the waves, rather than flinging himself at the dog I am currently training. I am normally in body block position by now if it looks at all that way, and depending on the dog that I am training at the time:) This is because I am concerned for that child who does not know they are doing anything at all wrong. There is going to be no time while the child is in full on run and lung mode to explain the proper etiquette of dog greetings!!
So I plead with parents, please educate your child that not everyone and every dog likes children flinging themselves at them. If adults displayed that sort of lack of control around small babies and toddlers, parents would be up in arms. (maybe some people do, but I am very respectful of babies and toddlers safety and that their immune systems are not fully developed as yet----as well as a parents fear that someone might try and kidnap their child). Be aware of what your child is doing on the beach. There are all sorts of dangers there. (strange humans, dogs, water, busy streets with cars) There may not be a human there able to help your child should they get into trouble.
Be careful and aware out there!!
Friday, July 21, 2006
Complaint to York Maine Police
Hello,
I am a dog trainer and owner in York Beach Maine. I was out with my dogs this morning before 8am off leash. A Sergeant walked up to me & my husband and stated that the dogs were supposed to be leashed.
When we first said, the ordinance clearly states between 6am and 8am dogs can be off leash, he belligerently stated otherwise. By the way, my dogs were seated and are viewed by many on many mornings during training sessions where they are in voice control. And so that was not in issue.
Finally, after suggesting he take a walk with me and read the ordinance, he relented and made a "somewhat" apology. Then claimed he got the times of day mixed up. This is after belligerently saying otherwise to us a few times.
Being that I obey the leash laws to the letter (if after 6pm I am on the beach with my dogs, they are leashed) and I see many a tourist out there with their unleashed dog, this is very distressing to me. There seem to be no officers out there enforcing the law, and because I am obeying the leash law (as I was this morning) my dogs and I are enjoying the beach less than non-tax paying tourists.
Additionally, the beach is disgusting with cigarette butts, juice containers and condoms, which I am forced to look out for so my dogs can be told to "leave it" so they don't digest such trash on the beach.
As a law abiding citizen, please allow me to enjoy the few minutes of lawful off leash time with my dogs in the morning without harassment. Please see that police officers are dispatched and know the laws in the area so that those not obeying the leash laws can be fined.
Thank you,
Robin
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