Cleaning up after your dog often feels like a chore. And, to be fair, it is.
However, there are bad ways of doing it and good ways of doing it.
The purpose of this post is to introduce you to the latter. We show you what you need to do to clean up after your dog effectively, without you feeling like you’re spending all day doing it.
So, what’s our advice?
Get Your Tools Sorted
First, you’ll want to get your tools sorted. It doesn’t matter who you are or how efficiently you work; having the proper equipment in place is essential.
Poop bags are obviously number one (for number twos). These let you carry poop around with you (clipped to your belt if you like) while you find a suitable bin for disposal.
Pooper scoopers are part of this kit. These are essentially trowels or large spoons you use to pick up the poop and place it in the bag. Ideally, you want a system that swivels around and won’t create a mess once you put it in your bag or pocket.
For diarrhea, you’ll need something a bit more powerful, like an electric pressure washer. These are ideal for removing mess from your driveways and pathways, helping them look as good as new.
Hosing down will also sometimes work for small messes in the garden. The poop will run off into the soil and feed the rest of your garden over time. You could put it in the compost or regular bin, but that isn’t always necessary if you break it up and then leave it to rot away.
Establish Your Routine
Next, you should think about your routine. You want to make the poop-related aspects of your dog’s life predictable.
First, think spatially – where will your dog poop on your property? You want to pick an out-of-the-way location to simplify cleanup where you can.
Second, consider the schedule. When will your dog poop? Most mutts like going out in the morning to empty their bowels, but some prefer other times of the day, so see what your dog wants to do.
If you can schedule pooping for every couple of days, that’s better for you, but it could also indicate that your dog is eating a fiber-deficient diet.
Maintain Your Yard
Your dog will likely spend a lot of time pooping in your yard. While it is not ideal, it is much better than them going to the bathroom on your living room carpet.
To clean up after your dog, make sure you carry various sprays and ensure you have a hose that can extend.
If you notice a large concentration of poop on your lawn, hose it down to break it up and spread it out more. If it is too concentrated, it might damage the grass.
For bad smells because of all the poop, use natural deodorizers that are safe for pets, like baking soda. You can also buy specially tested commercial kits that essentially do the same thing. These neutralize foul odors without interrupting the natural breakdown and decay process.
Multiple companies also provide kits that let you compost dog waste. You can use this for your beds once rotted.
Use On-The-Go Advice
Of course, you’re not always at home with your dog when they want to poop. Most of the time, you’re out and about, so you need to be prepared.
Start by carrying extra bags with you. While your dog might usually go to the bathroom once, they can go a few times, especially if they’ve been blocked up recently.
A small, sealed container for the poop is also handy. Once the poop is tied in a hygienic bag, you can place it in this tin or tub and carry it with you, out of the way if there aren’t any trash cans nearby.
Finally, you should always be ready for accidents when you’re on the go. Puppies that haven’t been trained will often poop at any time, leading to all sorts of messes.
Because of this, you want to bring a similar kit with you that you might bring with a baby, like baby wipes and cleaning sprays. Sponges, cloths, and rags are also useful, allowing you to remove poop from seating in vehicles or public benches.
If you can bring disinfectant with you as well as a deodorising spray, that’s even better. This one-two combination removes the germs and also prevents the smells, neutralizing them naturally through chemical reactions.
Focus On Your Dog’s Health And Diet
You should also focus on your dog’s health and diet, especially if you are concerned about stool frequency and volume. As any long-term owner will tell you, picking up hard stools is easier than softer ones.
Therefore, provide your dog with a high-quality diet to reduce stool volume. Unlike people (who thrive on a lot of fibre), it doesn’t make a great deal of difference to dogs.
Furthermore, pups who eat too much non-starchy vegetable matter tend to develop looser stools that run through them faster, with a risk of diarrhea.
Therefore, when it comes to diet, stick to your vet’s recommendations. Make sure you’re following all their advice and doing what they suggest you do in regard to diet (usually a combination of kibble and wet pouches).
If you notice irregular stools that could cause you a problem in the future, take a note of what happened before your dog produced them. Usually, stools leave clues, such as excessive lettuce consumption or overindulgence in peas.
Train Your Pooch For Cooperation
Finally, ensure you train your dog for cooperation. Ensure they know how to “go potty” on demand and control where they go.
If they do what you say, give them a treat. Eventually, you can get your dog to want to naturally go early in the morning (which is usually the most convenient time for the majority of owners).
So there you have it: some pro tips for cleaning up after your dog and making it a breeze.
