Poop Scooping… Just do it!

There’s no greater disappointment than coming face to face with a “no dogs allowed” sign at a new found beach or park. Your hopes of running carefree through the sand with your pooch by your side or watching your dog joyfully chase a Frisbee on a sunny day are shattered before you can even get out of the car.  And so the age-old question lives on… why is my dog not allowed here? If you are a responsible dog owner with a well-trained pup, why are you banned from accessing public places like beaches and parks? The true answer is hidden beneath layers of bureaucratic jargon and long winded policies so we’ll keep it simple: poop.

Depending on your DNA and gag reflex, picking up poop is either a simple task or the worst part of walking your dog. If you’re someone who falls into the latter category, let us convince you why picking up after your dog is an essential part of being a good P.E.T. parent.

Poop Eaters

If you have a dog that likes to pick up after themselves or their canine siblings by eating poop, you know how gross it can be. While poop eating can stem from a poor diet or a lack of specific nutrients, studies have shown[1] that it may also be predisposed in your dog’s nature to eat feces. No matter why your dog does it, the best way to combat poop eating is simply to clean up after your dog. If there is no poop to eat, your dog can’t eat any poop!

Public Perception

Stepping in dog poop is the WORST. The need to carefully calculate every step you take in order to avoid a pile of someone else’s dog’s poop is a hassle and an annoyance. Public opinion of dog friendly outdoor spaces is often based in the thought that “there’s poop everywhere.” A great way to improve public perception and build a better reputation for dog friendly areas is to clean up after your dog. If you’re willing to take it a step further, bring an extra bag and consider picking up after others. Petition for dog waste removal bins and ask your representatives to consider providing eco-friendly dog poop bags.  If you leave the place better than you found it and encourage others to do so too, you can start a movement that could help shift the way your local government determines if a great place like a beach or park is dog friendly or not. Simply picking up after your dog is doing your part in improving the way your community views dog friendly places.

Environmental Conservation

Contrary to popular belief, decomposing dog poop is not a fertilizer for plants and grass.  Dog poop takes a long time to decompose and is full of proteins that break down into acidic components that are not good for plant life. Your dog’s poop can also contain harmful bacteria and parasites that can negatively effect the environment. Pooping without scooping is bad for nature. If you’re trying to avoid using plastic bags (go you!) consider using biodegradable, eco- friendly poop bags like these.

Stay motivated to pick up after your dog and encourage friends and family to do the same. Be a responsible part of the pet community and do your part to help the environment and shine a positive light on public opinions of dog friendly places!

[1] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/vms3.92