Urban Living: Artificial Dog Walk Etiquette

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Urban Living: Artificial Dog Walk Etiquette

Staff Writer · Dec 22, 2010

There’s a proper way to dog walk your pet on an artificial grass area that won’t impede on your neighbors in the apartment. Remember that since grass is limited in urban spaces, the artificial lawn or otherwise small lawn area that your apartment complex may provide can prove a boon for the dog owner in the urban apartment—but it’s there for others to enjoy as well.

Pick up Your Dog’s Waste

An inevitable part of a dog walk through the artificial lawn is the dog relieving herself. Although it can be tempting to let your dog out on your apartment to do her business on the artificial lawn, it’s essential that you pick up after her. While urine will soak into the lawn, feces is even less likely to properly decompose on artificial grass than it is on real grass, meaning that your neighbors are more likely to step in the waste or be bothered by the smell. Use a poop scoop system or otherwise just a plastic bag and pick up as much of the waste as possible. If you’re especially considerate of your neighbors, you may also want to squirt a little water on what’s left of the waste and use a rag to wipe it up. This isn’t necessary on real grass, but it may be necessary to completely remove the stain from artificial grass.

Keep Your Dog on a Leash

Using a leash will make it easier to control your dog and save her from potential harm or from bothering other people and pets. Even the most well-behaved dogs should be kept on a leash when you’re taking them on a dog walk through the artificial lawn. Be considerate of your neighbors and other animals who want to use the artificial lawn by having your dog on a leash. Never just let your dog out of the apartment to relieve herself or run around the shared apartment complex courtyard or lawn unsupervised; put her on a leash and walk with her if others are around.

If Playing, Don’t Take Up a Large Portion of the Lawn

Rather than going on a dog walk, you may decide to use the apartment complex lawn or courtyard to play with your dog. If allowed, you may be able to take her off a leash if the dog is well-behaved and you’re playing fetch, so long as the area isn’t close to a road. However, keep the leash with you and put it on the dog should anyone else show up to use the lawn. Don’t take up the entire length of the lawn unless you’re certain that no one else wants to use the lawn at the time.

Don’t Let Your Dog Play Too Roughly

Another thing to worry about when on artificial lawn is the lawn’s potential for fraying or tearing if a dog is especially rough on it during a dog walk or play. Make sure to keep your dog happy but not overly excited. Don’t encourage her to tear or dig at the lawn.

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