If you have a dog (or two like I do) then you probably have to deal with a lot of poop! It’s one of the prices we have to pay in exchange for all the joy our dogs bring to our lives. Since we all have to deal with dog waste, let’s talk about it!

Dog poop cleanup is not only essential for a clean environment, but it’s also critical for the health of all the dogs in your community. One of the most common ways your dog could contract worms and parasites is by rolling in, sniffing or eating contaminated dirt or dog poop.

Let me fill you in on why picking up after your dog at home, around town and out in nature is so important. Maybe when you learn these facts you can pass them on to your dog friends and together we can make the world a little healthier!

This post may contain affiliate links to products I recommend as an experienced pet parent. When you shop with my links I may earn a small commission that supports my work. Thank you in advance for your support! 

The Importance of Dog Poop Cleanup

Believe it or not, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) categorizes dog waste in the same realm as toxic waste and chemicals. In an interview, pet waste removal expert Courtney Ceacal, owner of Palmetto Scoopers in Columbia, SC, explained the reasons behind this.

“The EPA recommends that you pick up dog waste out of your yard at least once a week,” he shares.

Courtney cautions that dog waste is more than an unsightly nuisance. “Dog waste contains bacteria like salmonella, E. coli, giardia, and several others that can be passed on to us,” he warns.

“If our dogs are eating waste from outside then coming inside and kissing us, or if they get it on their paws and spread it through the house, we’re at risk.”

You don’t need piles of poop to cause a problem. It’s important to pick up after your dog every time they go potty. “A single gram of dog waste can contain up to 23 million parasites. That’s not the entire pile of poop, just a gram of it,” Courtney explains.

Forgotten Dog Waste Attracts Pests

Poop contains bacteria. We’re all clear on that now, right? But there are other concerns about not picking up dog feces. Neglecting dog waste removal can have other unpleasant consequences.

Courtney says, “Leaving dog waste in your yard will attract flies and other unwanted pests if left unattended for long periods of time.”

But the risks go beyond just flies. Courtney shared a story with me that’s still giving me nightmares!

“Once, a homeowner was piling up dog poop under a dog pool for months,” he recounts. “When we came to clean, there was a dead rat inside it because it was feeding off the insects that were living off the dog poop. We removed 13 bags of waste from underneath that dog pool that day.”

Talk about disgusting!! Wild rats can carry diseases, they can bite your dogs and they are just scary. I only want to see rats if I’m doing Bart Hunt with Burt!

How to Deal With Dog Poop in Your Yard: Best Practices

Now that we’re all clear on the importance of dog poop removal, let’s look into the best way to clean up dog poop in your yard.

Regular Pickup

According to our expert Courtney, you should be picking up after your dog at least once a week. For someone with multiple large dogs, I would say daily dog poop cleanup is a good rule to live by.

Regular pickups help to prevent bacterial build-up, lawn damage, and attracting pets and creatures to your yard. Plus, a clean yard is simply more enjoyable for you and your pup to spend time in!

Safe Dog Waste Removal

Once you’ve scooped the poop, what do you do with the poop bags? Courtney advises, “The best way to dispose of dog waste would be to double bag it and place it in your trashcan the day before they come to pick it up or hire a pooper scooper service to dispose of it for you.”

When the weather is nice, I pick up after Burt and Lucy in my yard every day. In the Winter I might do it once or twice a week because we’re not spending as much time outdoors. Plus, the poop freezes!

I keep our daily pick-up bags in a small metal trash bin like this one in the corner of my yard. On garbage night, I take all those bags and place them in the big garbage bag I emptied from my kitchen trash and put that all out at the curb.

The garbage men work hard, so I always try to keep the dog poop as neat and tidy as possible in my garbage cans!

Consider Hiring a Professional

If your schedule is packed and you’re struggling to find the time for regular cleanup, hiring a professional poop scooping service could be a great option.

These waste removal services are typically affordable and can save you a significant amount of time and hassle. Even if it just gives you a few extra minutes each day, you can spend that time playing with your dog instead of picking up poop!

My Top 4 Tips for Smart Dog Poop Pickup

Now you know the essential why and how of dog poop clean-up. Before we wrap up, I want to leave you with 3 practical tips to make this task as easy as possible. After all, a smoother poop clean-up process means more time for fun with our dogs.

Tip 1: Always Be Prepared with Poop Bags

The golden rule for dog owners? Always have poop bags on hand! Whether you’re heading out for a walk or simply letting your dog out in the backyard, having a poop bag at the ready is a must.

I’ve tried and tested many options, and our favorite poop bags are these compostable dog waste bags. They’re sturdy, easy to open, and compostable. I think that’s a better option than plastic bags. Why is there so much to think about when buying poop bags?

For added convenience, consider these handy leash accessories that make it easy to carry your full poop bags on a walk! Once you have a DooLoop, you can’t go back to the before times.

I recently interviewed the inventor on my podcast if you want to learn more about these made in the USA recycled plastic accessories that help with dog poop cleanup!

Tip 2: Keep an Eye on your Dog’s Poop

Picking up poop isn’t the most glamorous task, but paying attention to your dog’s poop can tell you a lot about how they’re feeling. Digestive upset can be a sign of allergies, that your dog ate something weird or that they just aren’t feeling well.

If your dog has abnormal poops for more than a day or two, you may want to mention it to their veterinarian. They might recommend a fecal test where you bring in a sample to test for bacteria like giardia, etc.

Tip 3: Establish a Regular Routine

Dogs love routine, and a consistent schedule can actually make dog poop cleanup more manageable. Regular meal times translate into predictable bowel movements. This can help you plan your day and know when you’ll likely need those handy poop bags!

But this isn’t just about convenience for you. A regular schedule for meals and potty breaks also benefits your dog. Dogs are creatures of habit. A predictable routine can help them feel safe and secure.

When your dog knows when to expect meals and potty breaks, it can also help prevent issues like constipation or diarrhea. Consistent meals equal consistent poops! 

Tip 4: Train Your Dog to Poop in a Designated Area of Your Yard

This is something I’ve been wanting to do for years, and this Summer I’m finally working on it with Burt and Lucy! I would like for them to poop in the far back corner of my yard so that when I go outside to eat lunch there isn’t a big pile of poo right next to my outdoor dining table.

Seems like a reasonable request, right?

So far, Lucy has been really good about picking up on this routine. But needs some additional training. But even at 11 years old, they can learn how to do new things!

To train them to poop in one area of the yard, I follow them outside when I know they’re going to poop and guide them to the “right” spot. I use the cure “potty over here” to remind them about the new routine. It also helps a lot if I give them treats after pottying in the correct area.

It’s only taken a couple of weeks with consistent training to get them to pick up on this.

Picking Up Dog Poop Protects Our Waterways

Finally, one last thing I have to mention is the environmental impact of dog poop.

“Pet waste can contaminate our waterways by getting washed into storm drains, wells, and rivers when it rains then washes into these waterways,” Courtney warns.

I’ll be the first to admit that years ago, walking with my dogs in the woods, I thought, “They’re going to poop in the woods, the deer poop in the woods, whatever!” Wild animals are out here pooping in the woods, what’s the difference? But now I know better.

Beth Harriman from DooLoop admits that she shared the same belief before she learned the truth.

She says, “I thought the same thing. Because they say, doesn’t a bear poop in the woods? Well, yeah, but the bear also eats what is available in the woods. And deer poop in the woods, but they eat what’s available in the woods.”

Beth goes on to say, “Your dog eats what you give them. If they ate only foods they foraged in the woods, it would be different. But dog poop is like human poop. It’s just filled with parasites and bacteria.”

By keeping up with regular dog poop cleanup, you’re doing more than just maintaining a clean yard and a healthy home. You’re also playing a part in preserving our environment.

Remember to pick up after your dog promptly, dispose of the waste correctly, and consider hiring a professional if need be. Let’s continue to make our homes, yards, and environment a cleaner, safer place for everyone, including our beloved four-legged companions!

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This post may contain affiliate links to products I recommend as an experienced pet parent. When you shop with my links I may earn a small commission that supports my work. Thank you in advance for your support!