B2 THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE SUNDAY • FEBRUARY 10, 2019 MEDIATE THIS ! THE UNLEASHED DOBERMAN AND THE HEEDLESS OWNER BY STEVEN P. DINKIN outdated,” says the Association of in thinking he deserves a pass Dog Training Professionals. because he is exceptional. If he Dear Mediator, “Modern scientifically-based dog feels challenged or goaded, he will I walk our dogs every morning training should emphasize team- instinctively respond with a coun- in our neighborhood. They are work and a harmonious relation- terattack. leashed, as are most other dogs ship” between dogs and people. Your neighborhood pack can we see. I don’t mind unleashed Like many neighborhood dis- bring him around by acting to- dogs if they stay close to their putes, this situation involves a gether to shepherd him. The other owners. But a neighbor down the clear transgression. Except for dog owners and parents of small street is training his young Dober- officially designated leash-free children would be your natural man to obey “off leash.” When that zones, dog owners are required by allies in this effort. dog sees us, he runs at us and law to tether their pets while on You all need to deliver the frightens my dogs. I’ve asked the sidewalks or in other public same message. Compose an ami- owner to leash his dog, but he spaces. cable group letter explaining that ignores me. Other dog owners are You and your neighbors always everyone is genuinely concerned worried. And the Doberman is have the option of filing a formal about the ongoing risk to neigh- getting bigger. How do we solve complaint about this unleashed borhood kids and pets, especially this? dog. Aside from the attack risk he his. Coming Unhinged poses to humans and other dogs, Mail the letter to his home with in Clairemont this animal is himself at risk of a copy of the pertinent leash law darting off the sidewalk and into (San Diego County Code 62.669). Dear Coming Unhinged, the path of a moving car. And keep up the positive re- Wouldn’t it be great if we could For now, let’s set aside law inforcement. The packet should train unruly dog owners to obey enforcement and look at more GETTY IMAGES include two peace offerings: a gift cues, curb impulses and behave congenial strategies borrowed This week’s question asks how to deal with a neighbor who is chew toy for the dog and an invita- well with others? from human conflict resolution training his young dog to run off leash. tion to a dog play date at the Some humans are as clueless and canine behavioral training. leash-free park. (or choose to be as clueless) as the Socialization is the first step. This brief encounter will serve tow), hand him the material and animals they love. When their At some point, approach this as an icebreaker. The owner will mention that all the neighbor- Steven P. Dinkin is a professional mediator antisocial behavior causes prob- owner (without your dog in tow) expect you to confront him about hood dogs really enjoy visiting who has served as president of the lems, the best response employs in a friendly manner and intro- his dog running loose. Instead, that park. San-Diego based National Conflict tactics used in dog training. duce yourself. you will signal to him that, like any Don’t feel stymied if this new Resolution Center since 2003. Do you have The key to that training, ac- Learn his name and the name cooperative pack animal, you overture doesn’t work. Consistent a conflict that needs a resolution? Share cording to canine experts, is a of his Doberman. Express admira- would prefer to be on good terms. reinforcement over time is the key your story with The Mediator via email at spirit of cooperation and positive tion for the dog, and ask if you can Prepare for your second meet- to behavior modification. [email protected] or as an reinforcement. pet him. Then glance at your ing by getting information on the The Doberman’s owner is fully online submission by visiting “Techniques that create a watch and say, “Oh, look at the nearest leash-free area. The next aware his dog should be leashed. www.ncrconline.com/MediateThis. All confrontational relationship ... are time, gotta go, nice talking to you.” time you see him (with your dog in Like most outliers, he may persist submissions will be kept anonymous. NOTEBOOKS From Union-Tribune reporting staff ERNIE COWAN: OUTDOORS THE READERS’ REPRESENTATIVE: ADRIAN VORE Sourgrass brings back days of youth How local B section comes together Youngsters who have never experienced Readers consistently rank local news as The metro and north section editors choose the joy of lying in a field of wild spring grass, one of their top subjects of interest. thestoriesthatwillappear onthefront andin- surrounded by the happy faces of tiny wood Local news appears throughout the print side. The managing editor, Lora Cicalo, who sorrel flowers have missed one of the best ex- edition, but the A section, Business, Sports and chooses the A-section stories, and the team periences of youth. Arts also contain news from around the state, editors will often be consulted. Included in that experience would be nation and world. Except for some news service The B-section front follows a general for- munching on the sour but refreshing stems of obituaries and the “Today in History” feature mat. Most days, columnists Diane Bell and these tiny flowers. from The Associated Press, the news content in Michael Smolens will run down the left side. The experience ranks right up there with the B section is almost all generated by U-T The page usually has a story placed across the watching puffy clouds change shape in a staffers. A few stories are written by freelancers top of the page. The story stripped across the bright blue spring sky. or City News Service. top is almost always the newsiest local story As a kid who spent more time outdoors How does this print section that ranks high that is not appearing on A1. than inside, it was an event of spring that I ERNIE COWAN on readers’ interests get assembled daily? It be- The page also needs a large dominant photo only came to truly appreciate in my adult Sourgrass is most often found in gins at 9 a.m. when editors gather to discuss the andasmallerphoto,oragraphic,atthebottom. years. And I would never have called these meadows, lawns or open fields. stories their reporters plan to cover and ends at Choosing where the stories run is largely flowers wood sorrel. 5:30 p.m., when the section needs to be sent to based on how “newsy” the day is. Some days To our ragtag army of rascals, those dime- water and honey and boiled to make a lem- the press in Los Angeles. have lots of news, but others are slow. A B1- sized bright yellow flowers were just sourgrass. onade-type drink. A juicer can also be used to This is the working time frame for the B sec- type story could wind up inside on a heavy With tall, bare stalks that stood above the blend a cup of sourgrass flowers and stems tion. News is being reported and placed online news day, and an inside-type story might run freshgrass,theyweretoppedwithbrightflow- with sweet apples and sparkling water to from early morning to late at night. Many of on the front on a slow day. Also, location of the ers that dappled the shaded green fields. The make a spritzer that is high in vitamin C and those online stories will find their way to print. news plays a big role. The North County B leaves at the base are clover-like in shape. loved by kids. Sunday’s B section is completed Friday front will naturally lean toward news from Sourgrass was the first thing to show up af- Native Americans reportedly used the raw night, as is most of Monday’s. The Monday B that region’s cities. ter those miserable, cold and wet days that kept bulbs of the plant to control tapeworms, and section is updated Sunday, usually with story The B-section production comes together us cooped up for what seemed like forever. As there are accounts of it being cooked with sug- and photo from that day and coverage of public through the team effort of photo editor Alma we enjoyed the return of San Diego sunshine, ar as a dessert. It was considered by some Na- safety news that occurred late Saturday or dur- Cesena; a page designer, who lays out the sec- thebrightyellowflowersofsourgrassgreetedus tiveAmericanstobeanaphrodisiac,helpwith ing the day Sunday. Let’s focus on the Tuesday tion and assigns headline sizes; and copy edi- like splashed drops of spilled sunlight. sore throat or mouth sores and alleviate through Saturday B sections. tors, who write headlines and captions and, if I rediscovered sourgrass while hiking cramps, fever and nausea. The petals were necessary, trim stories so they fit within the along a damp path next to a flowing winter also used to make yellow dye. Budgets physical confines of a page. creek last week and it brought back such won- For years, hikers who know the plant have Six team editors, including the Business derful memories of my carefree youth. chewed the leaves as a thirst quencher. Call it and Arts editors, are among about a dozen edi- Page B2 I included a mention of wood sorrel in my one of nature’s electrolytes.