Pet Expectations Guidelines |
|
Land Stewardship Team
Revised 09/25/21
This guideline contains expectations and recommended practices regarding the ways pets interact with pets and other animals; the ways pets interact with people; the ways people interact with pets; and the ways people interact with people about pets. This guideline also outlines specific strategies and consequences for when agreements and guidelines are not followed or achieved.
Control of Dog Behavior
New Dogs, Guest Dogs, and Returning Dogs
Dogs earn the freedom to roam within the cluster (which includes carports and parking lots) when they meet certain expectations for behavior and safety, as well as expectations for gracious and effective owner responsiveness to feedback. Freedom is a privilege, not a right. Behavior expectations include: no jumping up on people; responding to “go home” when asked to leave a person’s personal space and/or yard; responding to “stay” or “go home” when asked not to follow; responding to owner’s command to “come” in a timely manner. Safety expectations include: no charging or chasing people, other pets, or vehicles; no biting, nipping, or mouthing people; no formation of packs and swarming around a person(s) in a way that threatens their safety; no behavior that any reasonable person may find harassing or disturbing.
Free-roaming status is earned progressively, with frequent communication between the LST, the Dog Owner's Group, and other community members as needed. Strategies for achieving earned freedom include training, restraining, direct supervision by the owner, and excellent communication with other dog owners and other community members.
New dogs entering the community (puppies or adult) are introduced to current dogs under supervision of both dogs’ owners. New dogs are on leash until they have met and established congenial relationships with all current dogs. They must then demonstrate that they can meet the behavior and safety expectations for progression to free-roaming status as outlined in bold above. All dog owners are encouraged to join and be part of the Dog Owner's Group.
Progression from on-leash status to free-roaming status must go through the following steps:
Guest dogs are on leash at all times when in the cluster. Community members are responsible for informing their guests of our pet agreements and culture, and requesting that guest dogs be on-leash at all times when in the cluster.
Former resident free-roaming dogs are considered to be guest dogs and therefore are under the rules pertaining to guest dogs. Exceptions can be requested by owners of former resident dogs, and permitted if the Dog Owner's Group and the LST agree to this.
Additional Requirements
Owners of free-roaming dogs should not leave their dogs out when they are not at home for more than an hour or two, or, they should have a person designated to supervise or be available if problems with that dog should arise. If possible, the community will get a message as to who is responsible in their absence.
Dogs are restricted from community events involving food. Dogs are not allowed on the CH terrace during meals. It is suggested that those wanting their dogs to attend common meals or other meal events set themselves up for dinner at the picnic table on the Village Green.
Whenever possible, dog owners prevent their dogs from intruding in others’ private yards when food is being served.
Dog owners keep their dogs away from other community events as reasonably requested.
Dog owners prevent or discourage “pack behavior”, such as barking, chasing cats, rough play around people (especially children), harassing leashed dogs, rushing as a group to meet and greet people, etc. Strategies for alleviating pack behavior include training, direct supervision by owner, restraining, and/or restricting roaming privileges to times when other dogs are less likely to be out and service people such as delivery drivers are less likely to be on the property. The Dog Owner's Group will be required to develop other strategies if and when needs emerge.
Other Considerations
Guest dogs, including former resident free-roaming dogs, are at risk for being involved in a dog fight with current free-roaming dogs, given that current dogs have an established hierarchy and established behavioral norms. Guest dog owners take responsibility for minor injuries sustained related to a dog fight that is within the realm of normal dog behavior. Careful introduction and re-introduction of guest or new dogs, while on leash with active owner supervision, to resident dogs is highly encouraged. Should an incident occur of dog behavior that is questionable and injuries result, the parties involved will work out compensations if necessary. PBITS will provide guidance in this if needed. LST and the group attempting to qualify and quantify terms of dog ownership at Heartwood are well aware that there is no actual way to completely control the behavior of a dog, no matter how well trained, and every incident will need to be handled to the best and highest degree possible based upon the particular circumstances.
Some dogs are not friendly with other dogs. These dogs are leashed most of the time. When approaching a leashed dog, please restrain your dog and communicate with the other owner so as to avoid an uncomfortable or dangerous encounter. Also, in concordance with common rules for dogs on city trails, when walking a dog out on the trails, it is expected that a dog owner “mirror” the behavior of oncoming dog walkers - if a approaching dog is leashed, it is an indication that the dog and its owner do not wish to have an encounter with you or your animal so you should restrain your dog accordingly.
Barking
Owners immediately respond to and mitigate their dog's barking behavior.
Although we understand that dogs will bark from time to time, owners prevent continued or frequent barking. Nuisance barking is defined as > 20 minutes duration. Strategies may include bark collars, training, direct supervision, etc.
Dogs with a tendency to bark are not outside without their owners between the hours of 10pm and 7am. Especially during these designated “quiet hours”, owners prevent or immediately curtail barking.
Dog Poop
All dog owners participate in Poop Patrol within the cluster.
All owners of a free-roaming dogs are responsible for a full share of Poop Patrol assignments (in proportion to the number of dogs owned).
Our experience is that even non-free-roaming dogs end up roaming on occasion so while an owner of a non-free-roaming dog is excluded from a full share of Poop Patrol responsibility, they are still responsible for patrolling their own yard.
Poop Patrol areas include the front, side, and back yards of all houses within the cluster, the cluster pathways, the Village Green, the parking lots, and the areas around the Common House, the workshop, and the greenhouse.
All Poop Patrol areas are to be patrolled at least twice weekly, and perhaps more often seasonally (e.g., poop tends to “emerge” from snow when it melts) or when indicated. The Village Green is patrolled every day. Additionally, patrollers are on call to clean up poop within their assigned areas when requested. Anyone in need of poop patrol will simply text: “Poop Patrol Please” to their assigned patroller. The expectation is that the assigned patroller will respond 1) that they have gotten the text, 2) when they will be coming by or who they got to do it, and 3) it's done. These on-call pick-ups are to happen within 24 hours of the request. Patrollers and home occupants are to work collaboratively to reach an arrangement that works for everyone. This means that home occupants do NOT keep picking up the poop and then complaining that poop patrol is insufficient- the patrollers are often not finding poop where they're told it is a problem. Those finding poop are encouraged to consider flagging poop that's hard to see.
Dog owners are responsible for picking up their own dogs' poop anywhere in the vicinity of the cluster when they are aware of it. It does not seem reasonable to expect that patrollers will pick up poop out on the trails. If one encounters poop on the trail, give it a kick, or consider carrying a bag with you while out on a hike.
Owners of free-roaming dogs are to arrange for someone to patrol their assigned areas when they are on vacation.
LST is responsible for organizing and updating Poop Patrol assignments, but not for policing its efficacy. However, LST, in the capacity of PBITS, is responsible for tracking complaints and instituting consequences for failure to comply with stated policy. Specifically, if 3 complaints about a patroller's poop patrol are received by PBITS, the dog of the patroller loses free-roaming privileges for 1 month with first offense, with potential for longer loss of privileges with repeated offenses.
Poop pick-up tools and/or bags are provided by free-roaming dog owners at various locations within the cluster for anyone to use. Spontaneous poop pick-ups are much appreciated.
New Poop Patrol assignments are made within one month of a change in the dog population.
See the Poop Patrol Assignments Guidelines for the current specific Poop Patrol assignments.
Pet Population
Community members considering a new pet inform the community in advance, and participate in dialog as necessary to alleviate concerns. Members are encouraged to choose a “community appropriate” dog or breed.
Community members considering breeding their pet inform the community in advance, and participate in dialog as necessary to alleviate concerns.
Community members with pets that are not spayed or neutered inform the community and participate in dialog as necessary to alleviate concerns.
All dogs and outdoor cats must be up to date on rabies vaccinations, as per county law.
Dog owners are encouraged to write up a “bio” about their dog so community members can better understand the peculiarities of that dog.
It is acknowledged that some dogs will turn out to have challenging behaviors/needs. A “care plan” will be created to help everyone deal with “special-needs” dogs.
At this time, we as a community are more concerned with issues of pet behavior and owner responsibility than with total numbers of pets.
Pet Interactions with Wildlife and Livestock
Pet owners minimize the impact of domestic pets (cats and dogs) on wildlife such as birds, rabbits, deer, rodents, lizards, etc. and on livestock such as horses, llamas, chickens, turkeys, etc. Strategies for achieving this might include walking dogs separately instead of as a pack when in areas frequented by wildlife; keeping dogs that tend to harass livestock on leash or leaving them at home when visiting livestock areas; putting bell collars or other distractions on cats who harass birds; etc.
People Interactions with Pets
Pets are treated with appropriate respect by all members, including children. We do not tolerate animal abuse in any form.
Communication
Community members take responsibility for notifying pet owners of pet incidents and problems.
The community is notified of incidents involving biting or otherwise aggressive pet behavior. Incidents should then be reported to PBITS (see below) via the leader of the LST.
PBITS (Pet Behavior Incident Tracking System)
PBITS is used for managing pet concerns. It is a forum that works in conjunction with our Interpersonal Agreements for reporting concerns and issues – as well as positive affirmations – about all cluster pets (dogs, cats, and others) that have an impact on the community. The goals of the system are: to steer concerns toward resolution; to keep a history/record of concerns that will be of use in determining the range/extent of a problem and what kind of community action, if any, should be taken; to provide a place for people to voice specific concerns; to illuminate patterns that may or may not warrant community intervention of some sort; to be a clearinghouse of information accessible to anyone in the community; to provide historical reference for how resolutions have been reached if similar issues arise in the future. Information is provided to the PBITS moderator on a voluntary basis, but information about safety related incidents is highly encouraged to be reported to the leader of the LST.
PBITS Performance Remediation Plan (Dogs)
1. Biting a person that is in the realm of aggression
Biting a person immediately causes free-roaming privileges to be revoked permanently or until such time as proof of rehabilitation is established.
• Extenuating circumstances will be considered.
• Using a muzzle must be considered if the biting dog is allowed free-roaming opportunity outside of the cluster.
• Additionally, any dog on leash that lunges at people or threatens to bite must be muzzled.
2. Biting another animal
Free-roaming privileges to be revoked until proof of training to overcome aggressive behavior.
3. Running up to a person in a threatening, aggressive, or excessively boisterous way (that threatens one's safety)
Free-roaming privileges to be revoked for 1 month after 3 complaints. Training is advised.
4. Nipping in play or as in herding behavior (this is differentiated from protective or territorial or aggressive behavior)
Free-roaming privileges to be revoked for 1 month after 3 complaints. Training is advised.
5. Chasing a cat with intent to harm or with harm happening
Free-roaming privileges to be revoked for 1 month after 3 complaints. Training is advised.
6. Joining a pack (defined as 3 or more) that is running up to a person in a threatening or aggressive way
Free-roaming privileges to be revoked for 1 month after 3 complaints.
7. Incessant barking (defined as >20 minutes, per La Plata County standard)
Free-roaming privileges to be revoked for 1 month after 3 complaints. After 3 X having free-roaming privileges revoked, a bark collar is advised.
8. Running up to a leashed dog and not responding to “go”, etc.
Free-roaming privileges to be revoked for 1 month after 3 complaints.
9. Not responding to “Go Home”
Free-roaming privileges to be revoked for 1 month after 3 complaints.
10. Non-Responsive Owner
After 3 complaints, we will follow the community living agreements enforcement policy.
Additional comments: We will attempt to raise consciousness of guests and any new arrivals to Heartwood as to the present dog culture. Also, when attempting to change or enforce dog behavior standards, we will try to work within the realm of what is considered normal dog behavior.
Revised 09/25/21
This guideline contains expectations and recommended practices regarding the ways pets interact with pets and other animals; the ways pets interact with people; the ways people interact with pets; and the ways people interact with people about pets. This guideline also outlines specific strategies and consequences for when agreements and guidelines are not followed or achieved.
Control of Dog Behavior
New Dogs, Guest Dogs, and Returning Dogs
Dogs earn the freedom to roam within the cluster (which includes carports and parking lots) when they meet certain expectations for behavior and safety, as well as expectations for gracious and effective owner responsiveness to feedback. Freedom is a privilege, not a right. Behavior expectations include: no jumping up on people; responding to “go home” when asked to leave a person’s personal space and/or yard; responding to “stay” or “go home” when asked not to follow; responding to owner’s command to “come” in a timely manner. Safety expectations include: no charging or chasing people, other pets, or vehicles; no biting, nipping, or mouthing people; no formation of packs and swarming around a person(s) in a way that threatens their safety; no behavior that any reasonable person may find harassing or disturbing.
Free-roaming status is earned progressively, with frequent communication between the LST, the Dog Owner's Group, and other community members as needed. Strategies for achieving earned freedom include training, restraining, direct supervision by the owner, and excellent communication with other dog owners and other community members.
New dogs entering the community (puppies or adult) are introduced to current dogs under supervision of both dogs’ owners. New dogs are on leash until they have met and established congenial relationships with all current dogs. They must then demonstrate that they can meet the behavior and safety expectations for progression to free-roaming status as outlined in bold above. All dog owners are encouraged to join and be part of the Dog Owner's Group.
Progression from on-leash status to free-roaming status must go through the following steps:
- On-leash. Meet all other dogs and establish baseline relationships.
- Request permission of the LST and the Dog Owner's Group to progress
- Off-leash with owner fully present and actively watching dog
- Demonstrate meeting all behavioral and safety expectations as outlined in bold above while off-leash and owner present
- Request permission of the LST and the Dog Owner's Group to progress on a trial basis to free-roaming status.
- Trial of 1 month
- Check-in with LST and the Dog Owner's Group . If everything is going well and all issues have been addressed, dog may then be granted free-roaming status.
Guest dogs are on leash at all times when in the cluster. Community members are responsible for informing their guests of our pet agreements and culture, and requesting that guest dogs be on-leash at all times when in the cluster.
Former resident free-roaming dogs are considered to be guest dogs and therefore are under the rules pertaining to guest dogs. Exceptions can be requested by owners of former resident dogs, and permitted if the Dog Owner's Group and the LST agree to this.
Additional Requirements
Owners of free-roaming dogs should not leave their dogs out when they are not at home for more than an hour or two, or, they should have a person designated to supervise or be available if problems with that dog should arise. If possible, the community will get a message as to who is responsible in their absence.
Dogs are restricted from community events involving food. Dogs are not allowed on the CH terrace during meals. It is suggested that those wanting their dogs to attend common meals or other meal events set themselves up for dinner at the picnic table on the Village Green.
Whenever possible, dog owners prevent their dogs from intruding in others’ private yards when food is being served.
Dog owners keep their dogs away from other community events as reasonably requested.
Dog owners prevent or discourage “pack behavior”, such as barking, chasing cats, rough play around people (especially children), harassing leashed dogs, rushing as a group to meet and greet people, etc. Strategies for alleviating pack behavior include training, direct supervision by owner, restraining, and/or restricting roaming privileges to times when other dogs are less likely to be out and service people such as delivery drivers are less likely to be on the property. The Dog Owner's Group will be required to develop other strategies if and when needs emerge.
Other Considerations
Guest dogs, including former resident free-roaming dogs, are at risk for being involved in a dog fight with current free-roaming dogs, given that current dogs have an established hierarchy and established behavioral norms. Guest dog owners take responsibility for minor injuries sustained related to a dog fight that is within the realm of normal dog behavior. Careful introduction and re-introduction of guest or new dogs, while on leash with active owner supervision, to resident dogs is highly encouraged. Should an incident occur of dog behavior that is questionable and injuries result, the parties involved will work out compensations if necessary. PBITS will provide guidance in this if needed. LST and the group attempting to qualify and quantify terms of dog ownership at Heartwood are well aware that there is no actual way to completely control the behavior of a dog, no matter how well trained, and every incident will need to be handled to the best and highest degree possible based upon the particular circumstances.
Some dogs are not friendly with other dogs. These dogs are leashed most of the time. When approaching a leashed dog, please restrain your dog and communicate with the other owner so as to avoid an uncomfortable or dangerous encounter. Also, in concordance with common rules for dogs on city trails, when walking a dog out on the trails, it is expected that a dog owner “mirror” the behavior of oncoming dog walkers - if a approaching dog is leashed, it is an indication that the dog and its owner do not wish to have an encounter with you or your animal so you should restrain your dog accordingly.
Barking
Owners immediately respond to and mitigate their dog's barking behavior.
Although we understand that dogs will bark from time to time, owners prevent continued or frequent barking. Nuisance barking is defined as > 20 minutes duration. Strategies may include bark collars, training, direct supervision, etc.
Dogs with a tendency to bark are not outside without their owners between the hours of 10pm and 7am. Especially during these designated “quiet hours”, owners prevent or immediately curtail barking.
Dog Poop
All dog owners participate in Poop Patrol within the cluster.
All owners of a free-roaming dogs are responsible for a full share of Poop Patrol assignments (in proportion to the number of dogs owned).
Our experience is that even non-free-roaming dogs end up roaming on occasion so while an owner of a non-free-roaming dog is excluded from a full share of Poop Patrol responsibility, they are still responsible for patrolling their own yard.
Poop Patrol areas include the front, side, and back yards of all houses within the cluster, the cluster pathways, the Village Green, the parking lots, and the areas around the Common House, the workshop, and the greenhouse.
All Poop Patrol areas are to be patrolled at least twice weekly, and perhaps more often seasonally (e.g., poop tends to “emerge” from snow when it melts) or when indicated. The Village Green is patrolled every day. Additionally, patrollers are on call to clean up poop within their assigned areas when requested. Anyone in need of poop patrol will simply text: “Poop Patrol Please” to their assigned patroller. The expectation is that the assigned patroller will respond 1) that they have gotten the text, 2) when they will be coming by or who they got to do it, and 3) it's done. These on-call pick-ups are to happen within 24 hours of the request. Patrollers and home occupants are to work collaboratively to reach an arrangement that works for everyone. This means that home occupants do NOT keep picking up the poop and then complaining that poop patrol is insufficient- the patrollers are often not finding poop where they're told it is a problem. Those finding poop are encouraged to consider flagging poop that's hard to see.
Dog owners are responsible for picking up their own dogs' poop anywhere in the vicinity of the cluster when they are aware of it. It does not seem reasonable to expect that patrollers will pick up poop out on the trails. If one encounters poop on the trail, give it a kick, or consider carrying a bag with you while out on a hike.
Owners of free-roaming dogs are to arrange for someone to patrol their assigned areas when they are on vacation.
LST is responsible for organizing and updating Poop Patrol assignments, but not for policing its efficacy. However, LST, in the capacity of PBITS, is responsible for tracking complaints and instituting consequences for failure to comply with stated policy. Specifically, if 3 complaints about a patroller's poop patrol are received by PBITS, the dog of the patroller loses free-roaming privileges for 1 month with first offense, with potential for longer loss of privileges with repeated offenses.
Poop pick-up tools and/or bags are provided by free-roaming dog owners at various locations within the cluster for anyone to use. Spontaneous poop pick-ups are much appreciated.
New Poop Patrol assignments are made within one month of a change in the dog population.
See the Poop Patrol Assignments Guidelines for the current specific Poop Patrol assignments.
Pet Population
Community members considering a new pet inform the community in advance, and participate in dialog as necessary to alleviate concerns. Members are encouraged to choose a “community appropriate” dog or breed.
Community members considering breeding their pet inform the community in advance, and participate in dialog as necessary to alleviate concerns.
Community members with pets that are not spayed or neutered inform the community and participate in dialog as necessary to alleviate concerns.
All dogs and outdoor cats must be up to date on rabies vaccinations, as per county law.
Dog owners are encouraged to write up a “bio” about their dog so community members can better understand the peculiarities of that dog.
It is acknowledged that some dogs will turn out to have challenging behaviors/needs. A “care plan” will be created to help everyone deal with “special-needs” dogs.
At this time, we as a community are more concerned with issues of pet behavior and owner responsibility than with total numbers of pets.
Pet Interactions with Wildlife and Livestock
Pet owners minimize the impact of domestic pets (cats and dogs) on wildlife such as birds, rabbits, deer, rodents, lizards, etc. and on livestock such as horses, llamas, chickens, turkeys, etc. Strategies for achieving this might include walking dogs separately instead of as a pack when in areas frequented by wildlife; keeping dogs that tend to harass livestock on leash or leaving them at home when visiting livestock areas; putting bell collars or other distractions on cats who harass birds; etc.
People Interactions with Pets
Pets are treated with appropriate respect by all members, including children. We do not tolerate animal abuse in any form.
Communication
Community members take responsibility for notifying pet owners of pet incidents and problems.
The community is notified of incidents involving biting or otherwise aggressive pet behavior. Incidents should then be reported to PBITS (see below) via the leader of the LST.
PBITS (Pet Behavior Incident Tracking System)
PBITS is used for managing pet concerns. It is a forum that works in conjunction with our Interpersonal Agreements for reporting concerns and issues – as well as positive affirmations – about all cluster pets (dogs, cats, and others) that have an impact on the community. The goals of the system are: to steer concerns toward resolution; to keep a history/record of concerns that will be of use in determining the range/extent of a problem and what kind of community action, if any, should be taken; to provide a place for people to voice specific concerns; to illuminate patterns that may or may not warrant community intervention of some sort; to be a clearinghouse of information accessible to anyone in the community; to provide historical reference for how resolutions have been reached if similar issues arise in the future. Information is provided to the PBITS moderator on a voluntary basis, but information about safety related incidents is highly encouraged to be reported to the leader of the LST.
PBITS Performance Remediation Plan (Dogs)
1. Biting a person that is in the realm of aggression
Biting a person immediately causes free-roaming privileges to be revoked permanently or until such time as proof of rehabilitation is established.
• Extenuating circumstances will be considered.
• Using a muzzle must be considered if the biting dog is allowed free-roaming opportunity outside of the cluster.
• Additionally, any dog on leash that lunges at people or threatens to bite must be muzzled.
2. Biting another animal
Free-roaming privileges to be revoked until proof of training to overcome aggressive behavior.
3. Running up to a person in a threatening, aggressive, or excessively boisterous way (that threatens one's safety)
Free-roaming privileges to be revoked for 1 month after 3 complaints. Training is advised.
4. Nipping in play or as in herding behavior (this is differentiated from protective or territorial or aggressive behavior)
Free-roaming privileges to be revoked for 1 month after 3 complaints. Training is advised.
5. Chasing a cat with intent to harm or with harm happening
Free-roaming privileges to be revoked for 1 month after 3 complaints. Training is advised.
6. Joining a pack (defined as 3 or more) that is running up to a person in a threatening or aggressive way
Free-roaming privileges to be revoked for 1 month after 3 complaints.
7. Incessant barking (defined as >20 minutes, per La Plata County standard)
Free-roaming privileges to be revoked for 1 month after 3 complaints. After 3 X having free-roaming privileges revoked, a bark collar is advised.
8. Running up to a leashed dog and not responding to “go”, etc.
Free-roaming privileges to be revoked for 1 month after 3 complaints.
9. Not responding to “Go Home”
Free-roaming privileges to be revoked for 1 month after 3 complaints.
10. Non-Responsive Owner
After 3 complaints, we will follow the community living agreements enforcement policy.
Additional comments: We will attempt to raise consciousness of guests and any new arrivals to Heartwood as to the present dog culture. Also, when attempting to change or enforce dog behavior standards, we will try to work within the realm of what is considered normal dog behavior.