Berlin's biggest problem: dog fouling

Forget unemployment, rising rents, gentrification, air pollution, the "new" airport that will probably never open... the biggest problem in Berlin is the dirty pavements (or sidewalks if you prefer US English). Walking along the pavement without looking down every few seconds to check for dog mess is a hazard. Going for a walk in the park, especially if you dare to leave the main path, is like playing Russian Roulette with the soles of your shoes. Everywhere there is dog mess. Because Berlin may be full of children, but it is also full of dogs and rude dog owners. 

Some people are trying to tackle the problem with "no fouling" signs. The picture below was taken outside a Kita (children's nursery). It reads: "Children play here. This is not a toilet for dogs". I have seen similar signs near flowerbeds. Urban gardeners are clearly facing the same problem. Over the past month my son and I have stepped in dog mess three times.    

According to the website Bußgeldkatalog 2017, the fine for dog fouling in open spaces in Berlin is €35, while the fine for parking your car without a ticket for up to one hour is €15. Now I have a suggestion: Berlin is full of people working for the Ordnungsamt patrolling the streets day and night to check whether car drivers have paid the parking ticket. If half of these people started patrolling the parks and pavements and handing out fines for dog fouling, we might notice some improvement in the cleanliness of Berlin's pavements and paths and the council might even end up making more money. Berliners what do you think? 

How is this problem being tackled in other parts of the world?

It's a dog's world

Darling come back!
Not so fast!
Stop!
This way!
Be a good boy (or girl)!  
Well done! 
Aren't you a sweetie pie...
Wait for me! 
Slow down!
Don't put that into your mouth. Spit it out!
STOOOOOP! COME BAAACK!  I said NO!!! 


Have you ever heard someone talking to their dog and wondered whether they might instead be talking to a child?
If you have, then that's at least two of us.

I'm not sure what is more disturbing: the fact that people talk to their dogs the way parents talk to their children or the fact that parents communicate with their children the way humans talk to dogs???

In fact, until I became a parent myself, I never realised how much parents and dog owners have in common: 

• They can't just go on holiday whenever they like.
• They need babysitters (or dogsitters).
• They need to make special trips to the paediatrician (or vet).
• Dogs have leashes - children have walking reins.
• Children and dogs like making a mess, but their parents and owners are not so keen to clean up after them.
• Parents and dog owners get lots of free exercise and fresh air.
• Parents always talk about their children - dog owners always talk about their dogs.

As far as I can tell the main differences are

• Dogs don't shout "Ich bin nicht müde; Ich will wach bleiben!" (I am not tired; I want to stay awake!") at bedtime.
• Your dog is always happy to see you - that's not always the case with your child.
• Chocolate is toxic to dogs, but addictive to children.
• Dogs don't lie (but mummy said I could watch a cartoon!!!)
• You can train a dog (having said that, I know some German parents that have done a pretty good job of training their children)
•  And a parent would never say: "Don't worry: he's not dangerous!" when their child runs up to a stranger.