Creating a positive experience
What are the things that can make exercising your dog unleashed in public space a pleasant experience?
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ash Comment 1 20 Jun 2010, 6:17 AM
(1) Checks should be made by Council rangers to ensure that no aggressive,unsocialised dogs are tolerated.
(2) Checks should also be made to ensure that owners clean up after their dogs.
(3) Council could assist by having supplies of plastic bags (for those who forgot)-and not just in Port Macquarie but also in areas set up outside Port Macquarie.
DRC Comment 1.1 21 Jun 2010, 11:32 AM
Definately plastic bags, as it is easy to forget them. Surely this wouldnt cost too much?
Mally Comment 1.1.1 21 Jun 2010, 3:56 PM
Everybody who shops should have an abundance of plastic bags which can be utilised, you only need to tie 4 to the top of your leash handle & your covered for a good walk, I am a dog owner & i'm always dismayed with how many people don't have bags to pick up their dog's turds.
I back onto a reserve with a walking track at Cathie & I am constantly picking up other dogs turds at my back gate, as this is a weekly event its obvious that the dog owners are letting this happen.
I think Item 2 is essential- Council Rangers need to be proactive & start getting dog owners to be responsible for their dog mess.
Everybody who shops should have an abundance of plastic bags which can be utilised, you only need to tie 4 to the top of your leash handle & your covered for a good walk, I am a dog owner & i'm always dismayed with how many people don't have bags to pick up their dog's turds. I back onto a reserve with
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walter schellenberg Comment 1.1.1.1 23 Jun 2010, 5:15 PM
We are supposed to shop with reusable bags! The plastic bags are bad for our environment if they are not degradable (like the shopping bags). The DogTidy Company sells rolls of degradable black pick up bags direct to dog owners at a very reasonable price. The Council (meaning us rate payers) should not have to foot the bill every time we walk the dog.
Dingo Comment 1.1.1.1.1 28 Jun 2010, 6:18 PM
In fact us rate payers have been footing the bill for the last ten years for dog bags, refuse bins and off-leash areas. We just haven't received them in the majority of the Hastings areas outside of Port Macquarie. I happily pay for my own bags but it'd be great if reasonable access to an exercise area could be agreed upon SOON!
Beached whale Comment 1.1.1.2 27 Jun 2010, 4:38 PM
Besides owner of dogs walking off & leaving the dogs "business"behind what I find most annoying is they pick it up & put it in the bag & as soon as no-one is watching the owner then drops the filled bag onto the beach. Walk along the sand anytime & you will find these little bags of "surprises" left for someone else to pick up
Sally Comment 1.1.1.2.1 1 Jul 2010, 8:13 AM
When walking my dogs I often 'drop the filled bag on to the beach' - and then I pick them up again on the way back to the car. I am sure a lot of other owners do the same thing. And most of the walkers I know will pick up ANY filled bags they see on their way back, regardless of whether they are from their dogs or not. Perhaps you a being a little hasty in your judgement here?
lisamahon32 Comment 1.1.2 28 Jun 2010, 6:49 PM
How many times do you throw out your bread bag when the bread is finished. These are the prefect size to use for picking up dog poo. And also coloured therfore easier to see on the sand.
wendi Comment 1.1.3 13 Jul 2010, 9:34 AM
How can you forget them if you buy a doggy doo container from the pet shop and attach it to the leash permanently ?????????
Strategy Comment 1.1.3.1 13 Jul 2010, 5:14 PM
A container of "doggy do" permanently attached to a leash?
Sounds a little unhygenic (and a little high)
wendi Comment 1.1.3.1.1 14 Jul 2010, 5:16 PM
Whoops, I meant to say a DOGGY DOO PLASTIC BAG holder! Sorry.
Strategy Comment 1.2 22 Jun 2010, 4:09 PM
(2) Compliments for some of those who do the right thing would encourage.
How wonderful to be publicly presented by Council with a supply of dog poo bags
wendi Comment 1.3 13 Jul 2010, 9:46 AM
WHY cannot personal dispensers (bought from pet stores and they last for years)be permanently attached to a lead, with Councils and Dog Groups pushing the idea ???????????????? If this was perhaps made mandatory in the near future, it would overcome the expense of Council having to provide bags and dispensers. After all, it is MY dog and MY whoopsi and therefore MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE THE BAG AND REMOVE IT!
hollymolly Comment 1.4 26 Jul 2010, 9:48 PM
I think dog owner should supply their own dog bags as responsible owners and pick up any mess left by their dog.
It would be great if rangers could ensure that aggressive dogs are removed from the venue.
capt al Comment 2 21 Jun 2010, 3:08 PM
A well trained dog should be able to walk at the owners
side without a restraining leash , seldom do we see this ,
but when we do , compliments are due to the owner.
eagle1960 Comment 3 22 Jun 2010, 9:59 PM
The main benefits of the unleashed areas include the social interaction by various age groups and genders who if the exercising of the dogs did not exist would not happen. It also relieves my dog of her boredom and enables her run free and enjoy life without restraint. This in turn gives considerable pleasure to me as her owner. Nobbies beach belongs to the ratepayers, it doesn't belong to Council or the accommodation facilities along Pacific Drive. How many times in Summer do you see ratepayers as families enjoying the beach with their dogs. Back off Council.
Stefaniemum Comment 4 25 Jun 2010, 8:59 PM
They take dogs to people in hospital and it help them and so they recover quicker, so, not only does the dog get excerise by runnning free but the owner as well is benefiting from the the excerise and what a wonderful way to stay healthy and not put more burden on our hospitals.
cagreen Comment 5 28 Jun 2010, 7:54 PM
I only have to say 'beach' to my dog and she comes alive. She loves going down to Nobbies and excercising leash-free. The reason that it is a pleasant experience is that it is outside - she loves the water (but only for wading) and loves having sand baths. I also enjoy saying hi to other dog owners and my dog loves the companionship of other dogs and checking out what they do on the beach - she learns from others...
juliat Comment 6 29 Jun 2010, 8:35 AM
A more regular supply of dog waste bags and waste bins would encourage owners to be more responsible, and also having council enforcing picking up after your dog from time to time.
I think more off leash exercise areas would be so beneficial in making exercising your dog a more pleasant experience. Current areas are overcrowded, especially Nobby's Beach. Most dogs and owners are exceptionally well behaved but the overcrowding does result in the occasional nasty incident.
The health and wellbeing benefits of off leash exercise areas for dogs and owners are immeasurable
jaschloe Comment 6.1 29 Jun 2010, 8:25 PM
I agree with all that was said. I continually carry dog waste bags with me now as they are more often than not empty at both Lighthouse and Nobby's and for weeks on end. so is there a quota and there is no refill until the next date?
Less overcrowded designated dog areas would be very pleasant and there would need to be additional grassed areas for this to occur.
wendi Comment 6.1.1 15 Jul 2010, 11:31 AM
I alway have waste bags with me in a container (which you get from any pet shop) and is attached to the leash permanently. Why do you expect someone else (COUNCIL) to provide for your dog's whoopsies.
YOUR dog, YOUR whoopsi, YOUR responsibility (NOT COUNCIL'S)
BAG SUPPLY PROBLEM SOLVED!!!!!!!!!!!
COUNCIL's responsibility is to provide bins in which to put the little parcels.
Strategy Comment 6.2 30 Jun 2010, 4:53 PM
An increase in the leash-free Lighthouse Beach area to encompass Watonga Rock is needed for a more pleasant experience
The present area is too congested with speeding 4WD, camels,horses and dogs
wendi Comment 6.3 15 Jul 2010, 11:31 AM
juliat please read the reply to jaschloe
bev Comment 7 30 Jun 2010, 9:40 PM
Apart from cleanliness issues, good fencing, space and places of interest for the dogs to explore, after all it is their time out. How about some designed bush walks away from endangered wildlife that owners can enjoy too or a bbq area so the dog can join in a family day out or is that too much ? I'm pretty sad when it comes to my dogs !! they are my family as I'm sure a lot of people understand. A parking area near the facility is also a good thing.
juliat Comment 7.1 2 Jul 2010, 3:13 PM
what a great idea! bush walks would be so good for both owners and dogs
Widepanoramas Comment 8 5 Jul 2010, 5:38 PM
Nobbys Beach is one of the few places I know where your dog can swim with you. The grandchildren delight in swimming/boardriding in the water with the dog paddling alongside. Such things shape visiting grandchildren's view of Port Macquarie!
AXG Comment 9 6 Jul 2010, 5:25 PM
the most positive result from having leash free parks and training your dog is ending up with a well socialised dog that is a delight to take anywhere as it can interact well with any dog big and small.
MJS Comment 10 6 Jul 2010, 8:22 PM
I' like to see dog owners actually having control with their dogs and not think its ok to let them harrass others when enjoying their daily beach experience. We all go their for the same reason, but it only takes one person and their dogs to make it unpleasant.
Bonnie Comment 11 7 Jul 2010, 1:06 PM
I like it when bags and bins are provided to collect and dispose of my dog's poo. We usually take our own bags but sometimes we do forget. I do like being able to throw the poo bag in a bin when I leave the beach rather than have to carry it all the way back home to my bin. Thanks for providing bins where you have done so.
KenMa1 Comment 11.1 10 Jul 2010, 4:53 PM
there is one place in POrt where there is a sign asking to pick up dog droppings - the local race course. Why is there no bin there? As there are alot of dogs walked there it is rare to see dog droppings left. Unfortunatley the kangaroos haven't learnt to pick up after themselves....
Dawson Dog Comment 12 9 Jul 2010, 10:38 PM
As a pooch myself, I love being able to run with my friends, exercise with my owner and enjoy the freedom. I also know when I need to behave. I have been trained to be a good dog, responsible owners are an absolute necessity.
Linnie Comment 13 10 Jul 2010, 5:44 PM
Not having to defend oneself against those who dislike dogs and take it upon themselves to monitor and report breaches. Also an opportunity for the community to socialise, chat, share with their dogs, and allows dogs to develop good social skills and avoid being aggessive.
beachbag Comment 13.1 18 Jul 2010, 9:09 PM
I couldn't agree more. The minority by far make an issue of our dogs very existance at any opportunity, busily reporting breaches (real or imagined) and generally making life unpleasant. Suitable off leash areas would reduce the 'power' of the dog haters and commonsense, combined with compassion for the elderly and not so nimble dog owners could prevail.
wendi Comment 14 12 Jul 2010, 5:05 PM
Council should be PRO-ACTIVE in policing blatant abuse of rules on beaches by non-conformist dog owners.
Having said that, Council MUST provide adequate ACCESSIBLE off-leash areas.
WHY IS IT SO HARD TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM?????????????????????
TamaraC Comment 15 28 Jul 2010, 1:33 PM
Large areas for dogs to run and socialise are important. Some areas with trees and other 'things to sniff'. Some of the large parks in sydney are amazingly pleasant and it is the combination of people enjoying the landscape and the dogs enjoying it too. Dogs enjoy landscapes that are a bit complex - I know my dog gets bored on Lighthouse beach as there are not enough things to sniff/play with etc
