Tuesday, January 04, 2011

1st Dog Training Studio Opens in H Street Corridor

Press Release:

First Dog Training Studio on H Street NE

Washington, DC January 3, 2011- Spot On Training is pleased to announce the opening of our new dog training studio in the Capitol Hill neighborhood! Located conveniently in the lower level of Metro Mutts, our new location for group and private classes will open late January 2011.



Heather Morris (CPDT-KA) founded Spot on Training in April 2010, the same month Metro Mutts opened its doors. The owners forged a relationship and are working together to build an important resource for dog owners in the Capitol Hill and H Street NE communities. The Spot On Dog Training Studio will be a small intimate training space where dogs and their owners can learn in a calm, relaxed environment. Metro Mutts is also expanding its retail space to offer more dog food choices and even more unique products and resources for Capitol Hill dog and cat owners.

Heather is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer who uses positive motivation to help dogs and their owners thrive. A resident of the H Street community, Heather is excited to open a training space so close to home. Together, Spot On Training and Metro Mutts are planning a variety of community events for the summer. For more information about Spot On Training please visit http://www.spotondogtrainingdc.com or email Heather at heather@spotondogtrainingdc.com.

Metro Mutts, winner of the category is a community minded pet store located at 508 H St. NE offering a wide variety of quality dog and cat foods, treats, toys and more! Learn more at http://www.metromuttsdc.com.

A grand opening reception for the community is being planned for February 2011, and will include wine, light hors d'oeuvres, live music, and a special appearance of the wildly popular Red Hook Lobster Pound Truck. Stay tuned for more details!

39 comments:

Anonymous said...

How was the New Years Eve party at Toyland?

Dolemite said...

Any chance H Street can also get a Hobo Training Studio? Perhaps some savvy entrepreneur can wrest away city "job training" funds for this endeavor. H Street hobos need to be taught that an area should be clear of small children and women before dropping trou and pooping on the sidewalk!

http://frozentropics.blogspot.com/2009/12/caught-by-google-maps.html

Anonymous said...

How about an owner training studio? I'm tired of all the dog owners either leaving their dogshit in my yard, or better yet, in a plastic bag in my trashcan which the DPW guys won't toss out, and I end up having to deal with.

-Irritated Non-Pet Owner

blue horseshoe loves gales street said...

Doggie Cafe located at 13th and D is also good for obedience training.

Anonymous said...

Irritated Non-Pet Owner ---

You're telling me that the DPW guys sort through your garbage to see if there are any bags of poop in there? I've definitely never seen that happen before.

If that is true, however, what do you think dog owners should do with their animal's waste?

Fourth said...

@5:24- it is true, and it is disgusting. Clearly you've never seen how DPW empties trash. They don't pick up the cans and dump all the contents into the back of the truck, they pick up the big bags and toss them into the truck. This means the small bags- e.g. small bags of poo- fall to the bottom, where they stay, rotting and stinking. It is especially bad during the summer. I have had to dump bleach in my trashcans several times to rid them of the resulting maggots. (Sorry for the visual, but this is flat-out disgusting, and Irritated Non-Pet Owner is completely correct.)

What should dog owners do? Put them in the public trashcans around the neighborhood. Those get emptied out far more frequently, and not by DPW. Or add the bag of poo to a larger bag of trash that's already in the can. Not too difficult, really...

102 said...

I own a 90-pound dog that poops a lot. Both on walks and in the yard. He's a 3-poop-a-day dog. I pick up his crap in the backyard (and on walks) all the time. And then, as others have attested, it sits in bags of all sizes at the bottom of my trash can.

For the last 5 years, I've had to master the art of trash can planning. Each time I put out the trash, I have to figure out some way to get DPW to actually remove all of the trash. And they virtually never do. Do I put the yard waste on top? What about my broken terra cotta pot? It is friggin infuriating. Because when I get home, only that top bag is gone. And I'm left with a 1/2 full can filled with stinking shit and other waste. About twice a year, the can is so heavy they don't even bother to empty any of it. I'm fed up.

My new years resolution is to document every time these ex-con DPW workers don't empty the whole can, and call their Ward 6 DPW sanitation supervisor. Just call 311 and ask to be transfered.

Rather than blaming pet owners who are picking up after their pets, the real blame should be on crappy city workers who aren't doing their job.

p.s. To someday be followed by rants about DPW running over and destroying about 2 of my cans a year, followed by their running into my back fence, and then the time they hit the light pole in the alley so hard that the entire cobra head and arm flew an entire house length down the alley and landed on top of a garage.

Fourth said...

@102- hey, no doubt DPW could save us from the war of dog owners vs. non-dog owners by just doing their jobs, but I don't see that as likely to happen. (I'm still just trying to get them to stop hitting my house or fence as they seem to play bumper cars with all inanimate objects when they careen down the alley). In the meantime, maybe it wouldn't be too much to ask for dog owners to be a bit more considerate about where they put the poo bags? No blame... just asking people to be good neighbors. That's all I'm sayin'...

RPW said...

"a plastic bag in my trashcan which the DPW guys won't toss out, and I end up having to deal with."


That's just DPW doing a shitty job. (pun intended? eeehh maybe.)

Chris said...

The posts above from Irritated Non-Pet Owner, Fourth and 102 are 100% the truth. DPW's antics are another reason why I laugh and laugh and laugh every time someone with District government refers to this town as a "world class" city. Sorry, but you have to be able to do at least a credible job of trash pickup to make that claim.

We moved into this house four years ago. In the first year, DPW destroyed our trash/recycling cans four separate times. We noticed after a while that we were one of the only people still putting trash/recycling out into the alley in the District-provided cans. We started asking around, and found that pretty much everyone else on our block has just given up on the plastic cans because DPW keeps destroying them. Not to mention the trash/recycling they just strew around the alley -- the "trash artistes," some call them. The rats are happy; but everyone on my block, and the block we share an alley with, isn't.

As for the poop bags, it's true: DPW leaves them behind. We're dog owners, but I sympathize with Irritated Non-Pet Owner, and we avoid putting our poop bags in other people's trash cans for just this reason. At home, we have to keep them separate, then transferring them into the larger bags on the night before trash pickup. It's a little annoying; but it's necessary because DPW's trash collectors don't do their jobs.

Hillman said...

I'll never forget my first year in DC. Right around Christmas the trash guys hit up every house on my block, demanding tips for their work, insinuating pretty strongly that the quality of their service the next year would be determined by the size of the tip we gave.

This wasn't a 'wouldn't it be nice to give a working man a tip'. This was a shakedown.

Ah, the DC government.

Dave B said...

Since it is a given the DPW isnt doing their job, put your onw dog poop in your own garbage so it stays your problem or slip it in to the big bag on top or empty it out in your toilet.

I'm not really a dog hater, but I don't get why people go through such trouble to keep certain species of dogs from being darwinned off the earth

Annoyingmous said...

dave b: Did you actually read the posts here? That's what the dog owners who have posted say they do.

R.I.F.

STOP STEALING DPW CANS said...

I'd love to put my trash in the DPW provided cans if people STOPPED STEALING THE DAMN CANS....

I've never had the can for more than 2 weeks before it's stolen - often the first day I use it.

Come on people! WTF are you stealing cans for!?!?!

Dave B said...

woops. got caught skimming. it did take 12 posts and 12 hours for someone to be reasonable, though.

S.I.S.B.T.R

skimming is still better than reading

Chris said...

stop stealing dpw cans: I've always presumed that the reason people steal your cans is because DPW trucks destroyed *their* cans (or because someone stole theirs). So why don't they call DPW for a replacement can? Because depending on who you get at DPW when you call, they may try to charge you money for the replacement can. Far easier for those who have lost a can to just steal yours.

A workaround is to paint your address on the side of the can. This isn't foolproof, obviously, as anyone who wants to steal your can can paint over it. But, like a club on your car steering wheel, it makes it more likely they'll choose someone else's can over yours. Of course, if your block is like mine, where most people have given up on using cans because DPW keeps destroying them, it doesn't matter.

oboe said...

ave b: Did you actually read the posts here? That's what the dog owners who have posted say they do.

I think there's a bit of miscommunication going on here. The original poster was complaining that dog owners drop the little tiny poo bags directly into the trash can (i.e. *not* in a big trash bag), where they just sit in the bottom of the can, stewing in rainwater. I see this all the time.

The latter poster misunderstood, and was saying that they put their little poo bags into the big trash bag, but that DPW refuses to take the big trash bag, somehow using their super-DPW powers to determine if there's poo in with the rest of the trash in a big garbage bag.

I throw poo bags and cat litter in with the regular trash in a large trash bag, and have never had DPW refuse to take it.

If you've got little tiny poo bags sitting in your trash can, DPW won't go fishing around in the bottom of the can for them.

Nor should they.

Need a dog trainer said...

Blue Horseshoe:

Do you have any contact info for Doggie Cafe? Google is failing me on this. Thanks!

Chris said...

oboe wrote: The latter poster misunderstood, and was saying that they put their little poo bags into the big trash bag, but that DPW refuses to take the big trash bag, somehow using their super-DPW powers to determine if there's poo in with the rest of the trash in a big garbage bag.

Which post said that?

blue horseshoe loves gales street said...

need a dog trainer:

Doggie Cafe, trainer is Joe Poindexter, ph: 202-717-2651

oboe said...

@Chris:

Which post said that?

I assumed that's what 102 was going on about when he wrote:

For the last 5 years, I've had to master the art of trash can planning. Each time I put out the trash, I have to figure out some way to get DPW to actually remove all of the trash. And they virtually never do. Do I put the yard waste on top? What about my broken terra cotta pot? It is friggin infuriating. Because when I get home, only that top bag is gone. And I'm left with a 1/2 full can filled with stinking shit and other waste. About twice a year, the can is so heavy they don't even bother to empty any of it. I'm fed up.

I assumed 102 was actually putting these little packets of dog-shit into a larger bag, and that wasn't getting picked up.

If, in fact, you guys are just dumping broken pottery, leaves, dog shit, and everything else directly into the can I think we can solve your mystery for you: DPW ain't going to take it. You need to put everything into bags.

Pretty straight-forward...

For me to poop on! said...

Yeah, yeah, we know we need to put the trash in bags in order for it to be picked up by DPW. Unless, of course, the bag is (1) too big, (2) too small, (3) does not have a drawstring, or (4) has too much poop, in which case DPW probably won't collect it, or if (5) DPW guys are having a bad day, (6) DPW guys are too busy urinating on your fence or in your alleyway, (7) DPW guys don't like your trash, (8) DPW guys don't like you (because you didn't give them a good tip during the shakedown), (9) DPW guys are too busy running into your house/fence/car, or (10) some asshat dog owner threw their dogs shit in your trashcan and it's swimming in maggots at the bottom of your can.

It's amazing this city functions at all.

Anonymous said...

I am a dogwalker and walk up to 20 dogs a day. It's safe to say this city does not have enough corner "public" trash cans that everyone can use. I will not carry 20 bags of poop around with me all day and so I will use your trash can IF IT IS ON THE SIDEWALK. My options are rather limited: I can let the dog poop sit there, I can pick it up, I can pick it up and leave it in a bag on the street or I can pick it up and put it in any of the green bins that read "PROPERTY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" - we are merely borrowing these cans from the city and they are for Trash. I find it fascinating the passion people have for their trash cans - the weekly bleaching and hosing. Are they storing them inside? If the issue is with DPW not being fit enough (or is it a union thing?) to lift these bins to properly dump them, perhaps a lovely email campaign is in order.

Oh, welcome new Dog Training Studio, I am sure we are all a little embarassed how hijacked this post has become.

For me to poop on! said...

Actually, dog walker - homeowners pay for the trash bins either through our taxes or when our trash bins are stolen or run over and we have to pay to have them replaced. And when inconsiderate people throw small bags of poo into them they stay there until WE THE OWNERS fetch them and properly dispose of them. So yeah, welcome Dog Training Studio - and I hope they can train people to walk their dogs and the dog walkers about proper neighborly etiquette. You'll notice on many trash cans the ID which connects the can to the house - which, if filthy or in need of replacing, is the responsibility of the homeowner. So, as a dog walker - yeah, I think part of your job is to deal with the poo, and you get paid to clean it up. That does not mean throwing it in property owners/neighbors trash receptacles. Unless, of course, you'd like to come clean the maggots from the trash cans - this is an urban area and yeah, some of us have to keep the receptacles in the confines of our very small yards near our windows until we put them out for collection.

Anonymous said...

And then there's the classic solution:
1) collect a fair amount of dog poo,
2) place it in a paper bag,
3) place the bag on the porch of an especially irritating neighbor,
4) light the bag,
5) knock on the door,
6) and run.

Chris said...

Oboe: hm, I didn't read it that way at all. I read 102's post as reading that that stuff was bagged -- but the bags won't go unless 1) the poop bags are in bigger bags (make sure your poop bags are tucked inside larger bags), 2) the bags aren't too heavy (so spread your heavy items among multiple bags if you have them), 3) the bags aren't full of yard waste (so spread that around too). No doubt I could be wrong, but that's how I read it.

I, too, have had DPW simply leave behind bags that are just like my other garbage bags, but are full of weeds, ivy, etc. Then again, I've also had them leave behind half my trash for no clear reason at all.

Chris said...

Anon 6:42pm wrote: I will not carry 20 bags of poop around with me all day

If you're saying that you walk 20 dogs at the same time, I don't believe you. If you walk a number that's only slightly insane -- say, four or five at a time -- and you're saying that you won't carry those four bags through to the end of your walk, well, you're being lazy, selfish and inconsiderate.


My options are rather limited: I can let the dog poop sit there . . .I can pick it up and leave it in a bag on the street

Actually, no, neither of those are options, since they're both illegal.


I find it fascinating the passion people have for their trash cans - the weekly bleaching and hosing. Are they storing them inside?

Intellectually dishonest. No one has posted about "weekly bleaching and hosing"; one person has posted about having to bleach their cans several times in the past, and that's it. As for us, we don't keep our cans inside; but they are within five feet of our back door, and if they stink like hell from dog shit that's accumulated over a period of weeks, that sucks. So we do what we have to do to make sure the DPW workers take it. If you *don't* do that when you deposit your dogs' crap in other people's cans, then again, you're being lazy, inconsiderate and selfish. Hope this helps.

overpaid marshmallow said...

bureaucrats never tire of telling workers how to do their jobs

Annoyingmous said...

overpaid marshmallow -- you're absolutely right. bureaucrats never tire of doing stuff like mentioning that maybe the garbage workers shouldn't drive over the garbage cans or hit their fence or shake them down for money. how ridiculous of the bureaucrats.

Anonymous said...

stop reading blogs and looking at facebook and get back to pushing papers, marshmallows. i swear, more of my tax dollars get wasted on these layabouts browsing the internet in their ill-fitting khakis...

Anonymous said...

Re' need a dog trainer
Doggie cafe's phone is 202-717-2651. They do grooming and doggie daycare too. It's between the apartment building and houses.

Anonymous said...

I have never had a bad experience with trash pick up. Unlike most people complaining here I make sure all of my trash is placed in 13 gallon trash bags and not directly in the can. The trash bags are tied at the top.

I do this in case the can tips over due to heavy wind. I am tired of lazy people putting trash directly in their cans. Whenever the trash is emptied little pieces of garbage and plastic bags don't make it into the truck and end up in the alley. The alley ends up looking like a third world country.

Others place so much trash in their cans they are overflowing in heavy winds with the lids off. Use your brains people!

Stop complaining about your trash cans. Place garbage in bags, tie them at the top. Four years in DC and not one time have i ever had trash remaining in my can after it was emptied. Stop complaining and do something about it.

Anonymous said...

Re: Doggie Cafe

Is your business associated with the new dog training studio at Metro Mutts or are you just hijacking their announcement?

poo in your can said...

@ anon at 12:03 - did you even bother to read the comments. Some of us complaining pursue the same practices as you - bagging our garbage and placing it in the receptacles - and we would like neighbors as respectful as yours who don't throw their little dog shit bags into our trashcans. Simple.

down with douchebags said...

Anon 12:03 -- not one single person that's posted here has described themselves as doing what you imply. Do you have evidence that that's in fact what the posters here are doing? No? Then stop being a douchebag. Thanks in advance.

Anonymous said...

@douchebag from 10:25

The evidence is everywhere. I walk through Trinidad everyday and have to step over discarded bags of chips, empty soda, water, and beer bottles. Nobody is going to post the fact that they don't comply with DC regs.

However, it is obvious since I have not had a problem for years that those who have problems with garbage cans not being emptied are doing something wrong. Later douche.

You're not improving your image here said...

Anon 12:03/9:15 -- so, your only response is 'I know you are but what am I'? Brilliant. And you've moved on to outright dishonesty now. You said that "most posters here" weren't putting their trash in bags, but rather placing it loose in the can. When asked for evidence, you point to the litter in your area. That's indeed evidence -- evidence that *someone* is probably being an idiot with their trash (although I've also seen trash get that way when DPW recycling trucks drive over not-yet-collected trash bags; but I digress). But you made a specific allegation against the people in this thread. What evidence do you have that what you said is true? Apparently, none. Well done.

Anonymous said...

To 8:25,

You need to learn to read. I never said "most posters here". I said "most people complaining here". The difference is subtle but important. I was discussing the posters who are COMPLAINING about DPW trash services. Most of the posters here were discussing other topics, and my post had nothing to do with them. Your interpretation of my post is wrong!

I agree with the posters who complain about other people throwing dog poop in their trash cans. That is wrong. Use your own cans. For those who don't want to deal with this issue, pull your can inside your fence (if you have one) or pull it close to your house. Most people will not walk near someone's house to throw trash away. They will drop it in the next can they see.

8:25 - Your analysis of my post details your level of intellect and your use of name calling details your level of maturity. I did not start the douche reference, but it is obvious who the real douche is...

Learn to read.

You're still dodging and dodging said...

I'll try a third time: please indicate the evidence you have that shows "most people complaining here" throw unbagged trash directly in their cans.

Can't do it?

Thought not.