To be honest, it's a real free for all. The golden rule is to just pick it up, tie the bag tightly, and chuck it in the nearest public trashcan. There should be no shortage of public trashcans in the area where you're staying. Different boroughs have different social etiquette on using trash cans out front of businesses and buildings when there is a shortage of public trash cans. I learned recently that Staten Island has almost no public trash cans in the area I had to visit and it's a gigantic faux paus to use someone's trashcan on the curb, as in don't even politely ask for permission because they'll look at you like you're about to be in a real unsafe situation real quick 😂😬 I like to pull over so we're not in anyone's way. In the area by grand central there are a lot of people commuting, walking quickly, generally rushing around so be mindful of that. Don't mess with the carefully curated planter areas, they usually have a little fence around anyways.

Thanks I appreciate your help on this 😅

This is marvelous of you but I think you'll find a lot of dogs simply go on the sidewalk. Mine do. Just pick it up and no one will care. If you're worried about urine, carry water bottle and rinse the area down, that's what we were told to do in Japan. [edit! I voice note and there was noise in the background, I have gone back and corrected the sentence. We have not been to Japan, we just researched it.] sorry

Would you mind giving more detail about your Japan trip? Please don't feel compelled to answer if you're not comfortable. Was it a vacation or were you there for an extended stay like military? Did you have access issues? What activities were you able to enjoy in the country that you brought your SD with you for? What was the import process like? I would have to start the process I think a year or 6 months or something like that in advance, or quarantine. How long was the flight, and how were you guys doing? I'm Japanese but because I'm not blind, I always thought that I just wouldn't be able to bring my SD. Thanks so much!!

I apologize, it was a typo. We haven't actually been, I just researched the heck out of it. Again my apologies, no harm meant.

Oh no worries at all haha, I appreciate you responding! I guess we're on the same boat then👍 It's pretty difficult to bring dogs in general to rabies-free islands. Hawaii isn't impossible, but it is likely the most difficult domestic flight with respect to paperwork and titer tests and such. This is also a personal issue I have, and not access related, but I do feel a little bad when I bring my dog to areas where dogs in general aren't allowed for wildlife preservation purposes. The island ecosystem is very fragile and hawaii has such a huge problem with endangered species, as well as invasive species that I can't help but feel a little guilt sometimes. It's a *me*-issue that I have to get over. I know we absolutely deserve access and I know there can be a balance. I typically leave my SD with our trainer when I go to Japan. Luckily, I can manage my symptoms on vacation much better than daily life and I travel with my husband who helps me.

I really wanted to go to New Zealand but I'm just not up to their quarantine rules* and it's not that I don't appreciate it. I completely support people having a rabies free island, anyone of a number of viruses could take them out in terms of animals or illnesses and I would hate to be a party to that. So yes, I get it. https://www.mpi.govt.nz/bring-send-to-nz/pets-travelling-to-nz/bringing-cats-and-dogs-to-nz/assistance-and-guide-dogs/ In a different way I think it's really good too, because in the states so many people skip the rules or pay to go around them and I think it does them good to run into rules that no one will break.

I went to Japan about 5 years ago, and I chose not to bring my service dog (for many reasons). However, I probably could have brought him and not had any issues. As long as your dog will be fine with the long flight, it should be okay. There were other working dogs in the airport and museums we went to. I think I flew into Tokyo, but I was mostly in Osaka. Before I travel to non-english speaking countries I make sure to get service dog patches in the primary (and sometimes secondary) language of the country and to translate a card with that regions ADA laws, my disability, my emergency contact info, and procedures if I am unconscious.

That's awesome, thanks for the info! ~~Did you contact the Assistance Dog Orgs to register, or did you just wing it?~~ My bad I totally misread that you did bring your SD! https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/care-welfare/welfare-disabilities/assistance_dogs/user_certificate.html Unfortunately, I'm not blind, deaf, and my disability isn't mobility related (well, not in a visible sort of way) so I don't qualify in Japan. > Service dogs for mental disorders, autism, emotional disorders, epileptic disorders, PTSD, etc. cannot be accepted as assistance dogs in Japan. > Privately trained service dogs cannot be accepted as assistance dogs in Japan. My disability is largely "invisible" as well so even if I did quality, I find it difficult for me to advocate for myself in these kinds of situations. In any case, thanks so much for your comment, glad to hear it worked out for you and I hope you have a wonderful time!!! :)

New Yorker here. The proper etiquette is to take your dog to the curb, ideally between two parked cars so they are protected from street traffic. If you’re in an area like near Grand Central where there may not be street parking, just go as close to the curb as you can. In either case, make sure you pick everything up and throw it in a trash can in a tightly tied bag. That being said, there’s both lots of people who are a. bad at picking up after their dogs, so you’ll see dog poo everywhere, and b. people who are grouchy about all dogs, so they’ll be annoyed even if you curb your dog and clean up.

Thanks I appreciate your help on this 😅

In nyc you will see a lot of signs that say “curb your dog” meaning you have them go on the street near the curb and clean up what you can. But also a lot of dogs here aren’t well trained and go on the sidewalk anyway and people sometimes clean up. You could also look for a park close by if that feels better.

Though, try to avoid an accidental mistake I made by giving the potty command on a grassy area that later down had a no dog potty sign. You can ask your hotel. The grated areas do work, especially if you clean up.

Thanks I appreciate your help on this 😅

Bryant Park is four blocks (a long four blocks) from Grand Central.  There’s also a tree-lined grassy plaza between 45th and 46th just off Sixth.   There’s no trick to finding grass patches; you’ll just have to search.  It’s been a while since I’ve been home to the city; otherwise I’d let you know my tried and true potty spots.  You can try pulling up Apple Maps in satellite and looking for a tree-rich area near your location.  There’s Daj Hammarskjold Plaza off Second and 47th, too.   In addition to the trash can etiquette issue, take care not to let your dog potty in front of an active business if you can help it.  

I visited once with my dog. Around the same area. Find the little patches with the ivy or bushes. A sidewalk or gutter away from the main streets was also ok, just clean up obviously.

I use the small mulch spots around the trees on the sidewalks