3. Look for nearby grass. Hopefully this occurred on grass, but if not not, walk your dog to the nearest grass. Nature’s doormat will at least help pull off the majority of the poop that ended up on their feet. If your dog is somehow covered-in poop. This step will only prolong the inevitable confrontation with your poop-covered dog, proceed to the next step.
You stand there in shame, glad that the stranger was far enough away to not witness the Poop-ocalypse that just occurred. And then like any good pet parent, you move into action.
The sun shines, birds chirp and your dog (whom you’ve been home with all day) goes into an attention-starved panic, as you take 30 seconds to point your neighbor in the right direction. You feel the wild tug of a mad dog at the end of the leash and before you can yell a slow motion “Nooooooo,” your dog takes a leap into the pile of poop he seems to forgotten he left there only moments ago. Poop-tastrophe.
You’re out on a lovely walk, noting the beauty of the day. Your dog poops. A responsible owner, you reach for your dog poop bags, but before you begin your descent towards your dog’s latest poop art piece, a kindly stranger asks you for directions to a nearby store.
Yes, it is. The average dog poops about ¾ of a pound of poop every day. That’s more than 250 pounds of poop on your lawn each year. Add in a couple of extra pups, and your yard becomes a poop party. Dog poop does break down over time, but do you want so much poop covering the lawn that you can’t use it for other activities? Cleaning up after your pet is just one way to keep your yard safe and secure for your pooch and guests.
Consider it your duty to deal with your dog’s doody. Dog poop is a common area of contention in neighborhoods all across the country. Researchers estimate there are more than 80 million dogs in the country, producing about 10.6 million tons of poop a year. Yet only 60 percent of pet owners bother to pick it up. Many assume it’s a natural fertilizer or it will disintegrate on its own. It’s time to get the scoop on your dog’s poop and its effect on the environment, so let’s start with six common myths.
Most Americans throw their dog poop in the trash, but it’s better to flush it down the toilet. Poop is poop is poop. You wouldn’t throw your poop in the garbage so why toss your dog’s poop in the trash? Most dog owners use old plastic grocery bags to pick up the waste. These bags then go to the landfill and don’t breakdown making for rotting dog poop encased in plastic for years on end.
About the Author: Annaliese Olson is a gardening and animal care writer. When she moved to the city from her family’s farm, she decided she needed more nature in her life. She is dedicated to urban farming, she loves to creatively discover spaces for her animals and gardens to blossom in her city home.
Many dog owners don’t worry about dog poop in their yard because they assume poop is fertilizer. However, studies have shown dog poop is not the kind of fertilizer that you want to have around your plants. Poop left on the soil not only kills the grass, but it also makes the lawn unsuitable for use.
Is dog poop bad for grass?
dog poop is NOT good for grass because it is not a fertilizer, like cow manure. Contrary to popular opinion not all poop is created equal. Dog’s have a high protein based diet that creates a very acidic excrement or waste product.
Why Do Dogs Eat Their Own Poop: and how to STOP it!
You may have noticed that your dog keeps his eyes on you while he is defecating. It is not because he is embarrassed. He is not wishing you would look away or give him privacy while he “does his business”. It goes much deeper than that. Dogs are animals and they are very tuned in to their environment and their own place in it. For survival, they must be aware of risk.
Defecation is one of the times in an animal’s life when he is at his most vulnerable. He must posture to perform the task and because of this, he is not in a position to readily fight or flee. In fact, it would be rather difficult for him to defend himself or to escape danger while he is eliminating. Your dog is instinctively aware of his defenselessness.
But your dog also knows that she is a part of your “pack”. You are a member of the family group. If your dog watches you during this time, it is because she is depending on you to give her a body language signal or “heads up” if she should be afraid. She may also be looking to you to possibly defend her should the need arise. If you suddenly leap away, you can bet your dog will respond also.
Likewise, some dogs will not defecate with anyone watching (or on a leash). Perhaps he feels safer if he is away from your home turf where he will not draw attention. Instincts dictate your dog’s reaction to his own helplessness during this awkward time.
Whether your dog looks to you or slips away for “poop time,” it helps to know that she is just doing what comes naturally to her. You should honor her wishes as long as it is safe to do so. Try not to do anything that will startle her if she is looking at you while she defecates. Respect her natural inclination to be away and modify your environment to accommodate her as much as possible.
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