If you follow TurfNet and golf course management in any way, you will surely hear dog stories. Dogs are frequently companions for superintendents, adorn shop wall calendars, and even get “hired” to chase geese. One of our editors even wrote a dog tribute recently that has over 11K views!  

Let me say right away, I love dogs. Not all of them, mind you, but most. I had dogs growing up and my family has enjoyed our dog Drover for 13 years now. Dogs and their owners are frequent visitors to any landscape or course around. But not all dog interactions are positive. Here on campus, and in several past jobs, I sometimes have a cold disposition to canine visitors. If you are currently thinking how could you not like dogs on campus, let me explain.

I Love My Dog, I MAY NOT Love Yours 
People love to walk their dogs in parks. Of course they do, and of course they should. Our grounds and courses are a wonderful place to walk dogs due to open spaces, well maintained landscapes, walkable areas abounding, and frequent small wildlife to interest a dog. I love to see people utilizing the landscape to get some exercise and relaxation with their furry friends.

What I don’t care for is the too common assumption by dogwalkers that I (or others) want to interact with their dog. If I want to interact with your dog, I’ll ask politely. Dogs off leash, or poorly restrained on a 20-foot retractable leash, can be bothersome or intimidating. Before you let your dog approach grounds staff consider that my team and I are at work. We are focused on our tasks at hand. If you feel compelled to share your dog with us, do it appropriately and politely.

What I don’t care for is the too common assumption by dogwalkers that I (or others) want to interact with their dog.

My most nerve-wracking encounter with a dog was a free ranging Irish Setter. This dog appeared right next to me out of nowhere. The owner was not to be seen. I didn’t know if it was running loose or not. While not aggressive, it was eager and quickly approached me, stopping several feet from me. This was unnerving to me because it was clearly sizing me up. Unknown dogs are unpredictable. Most are not aggressive, but some can become so quickly. At this moment the owner appeared. When I said dogs were supposed to be leashed, he responded with the obligatory and utterly useless “it’s friendly”. When I repeated the leashing instruction, he mocked me, to my crew nonetheless, and left. He never did leash his dog.

Not a Doggy Island
On the military base I grew up on, there were specific sites for dog usage called “Doggy Islands”. Dogs could use these areas and every week or so they would be cleaned by someone. (Actually, it was a sought-after job by base teens. I have no earthly idea why.) The Doggy Islands were marked by signage and most dogwalkers respected that. Today, everywhere in green spaces is considered Doggy Island. Yes, many dogwalkers pick up their messes, but a significant minority don’t. In a park or on campus this can lead to intermittent interaction with a pile (NEVER a pleasant experience). But if your landscape happens to be near an apartment building, forget about it. Repetition is a concern as a dog may mess multiple times a day. Since the mess location is regular the mess adds up quickly. If left unaddressed, the situation does not resolve on its own. 

Consequences
The consequences of dog mess can be varied. First is the general disgust and displeasure that it can cause. If the concentration is high enough, it smells. Especially in summer when heat and dust can increase mower operator discomfort, adding the malodorous scent of feces is nearly intolerable. Another consequence is stepping into an unforeseen pile or driving over it with mowers. Dog mess has a shocking physical property allowing it to cover tires and embed itself deeply into turf tread. It is not uncommon to get into the truck and be assaulted with foul smell of fecal matter or need to hose out a tire that is crevice filled with feces. Both are truly miserable experiences. 

Dog mess has a shocking physical property allowing it to cover tires and embed itself deeply into turf tread.

Even providing a system to dispense bags and a disposal receptacle doesn’t necessarily solve the problem. Dumping a 20# bag of dog mess can be challenging, and once again the smell is nauseating. Only changing the bag daily moderates offers any moderation and that is only if you change the bags daily. No matter how dog doo is addressed it will be a filthy task.

What Is The Answer?
The best answer to dog mess is a simple one: owners must police their own dogs. It is beyond any reasonable expectation for grounds staff in a landscape operation to have to deal with free ranging and free messing dogs. Creating a landscape that patrons can enjoy is our responsibility but using it appropriately and respectfully is the patron’s responsibility. Keeping your dog under control is an essential role for patrons. Leashing regulations and “curb your dog” ordinances must be in place and enforced. Rules and reasonable guidance for dog walking compliance should be posted at various locations and on a widely available website. Without patrons knowing the rules, we have no mode of enforcement. Despite our caretaker role on campus, we lack actual authority and may lack perceived authority. Grounds crews do our utmost to create a welcoming place for people and pets alike. Please help us by managing your pets as well.

Joe Fearn is the Landscape Manager at the University of Kansas.