Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Enclosed yards for dogs

[Mac Thomson (macthomson]

We are a rural (361 acres) and unusual community, I would guess, in that we 
have both free ranging and non-free ranging dogs — owners decide based on their 
dog's temperament, etc.). We have organized a poop patrol, whereby all free 
range dog owners are responsible for twice weekly (plus on-call) patrols to 
pick up dog poop in specified areas around the cluster. All areas around the 
cluster are assigned to some dog owner and this info is widely communicated.

Overall the system works great. It’s not without its upsets on occasion, but 
overall great. I can’t imagine such a system working in a neighborhood without 
the level of cooperation, tolerance, respect, and communication that one gets 
in a cohousing neighborhood. Free range dogs here have a fabulous life getting 
to interact with lots of humans and other dogs. And non-dog owners get to have 
relationships with dogs if they want. Dogs that don’t have a good temperament 
for free range privileges (barking, fighting, etc.) are kept on leash by their 
owners near the cluster. Most non-free range dog owners let their dogs off 
leashes out on our trails, etc, except for the especially aggressive rescue 
dogs (not many of those thankfully.)

-- 
Mac Thomson

Heartwood Cohousing
Southwest Colorado
http://www.heartwoodcohousing.com


"Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards."
        - Benjamin Franklin
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> On Jan 30, 2021, at 1:47 PM, Karolyn/Richard Mangeot <richard.mangeot [at] 
> usa.net> wrote:
> 
> Elderberry is a rural senior cohousing community in North Carolina and each of
> our attached homes has a small space in front and back which cannot be fenced.
> We have all gotten used to taking our dogs out ON LEASH (not just opening the
> back door), in our yards, but usually along the driveway or in the woods or in
> a dog park, which is an area that was in the original plans and which we
> dogowners then fenced and continue to maintain.  We clean up everything and
> keep dogs away from landscaping, which were rules we petowners developed early
> on, so everyone would know what was expected.  Walking our dogs is also a
> great way to get outdoors and to see our neighbors. 
> 
> Karolyn Mangeot
> Elderberry Cohousing
> 
> 
> 
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