Why You Should Do It
Written By: Rachel Holly
It’s probably the least favorite part of your daily walk with your dog- picking up the poop after your dog takes care of their business. Nothing like hauling a smelly bag of poop around the block. Sure, every dog owner has occasionally forgotten the bag before heading outside. But if you’re leaving your dog’s mess behind because your don’t think it matters or the rain will wash it away, think again. There are many reasons to clean up after your dog and not just because it’s the “right thing to do.”
Why Scoop the Poop?
1.To start with, you’re an adult and it’s just plain dog-owning responsibility. You feed them, you walk them, you bathe them. You pick up the crap.
2.In many towns, it’s the law and you could end up with a heavy fine if you are caught not cleaning up.
3.A dog’s feces can spread parasites and diseases to the next dog that comes along and is exposed to the pile your dog left. If you care about your dog, you should have at least a minimal level of concern for other people’s pets.
4.Contrary to popular belief, dog poop does not act as a fertilizer for grass the way cow dung does. While we could go into how cows are ruminants and dogs are monogastrics and how their diets differ, just suffice it to say dog poop ain’t cow manure.
5.Not only is dog poop not a fertilizer, it’s bad for the environment. Waste is washed after a storm into our drains and finds its way to lakes, streams, rivers, and waterways polluting them with bacteria.
6.People who leave the poop behind make dogs (and their owners) look bad. It’s always the people who don’t follow the rules that cause us to have rules in the first place. When you see “No Dogs” signs in parks or at the beach, it’s largely because they know if they are allowed, there will be dog poop all over.
7.You’re not endearing yourself to your neighbors by letting you dog eliminate in their yard and leaving it for them to clean up, or worse, step in. And if you don’t think they’ll ever know, keep in mind most homes have doorbell and security cameras these days.
8.Poop scooping your backyard is as important as cleaning up on walks. You don’t want to track feces indoors and you can sure bet your neighbor does not want to smell it from their property.
By regularly cleaning up after your dog you’ll know if they’re having diarrhea or bloody stools before it becomes a serious problem.
Make Poop Scooping Easier
You can buy clip-on baggie containers that can attach to the leash so you’ll never forget the bag again. Seek out biodegradable ones if possible. And if you need some help with keeping the yard clean, many professional poop scooping services are available in Nashville and surrounding areas.
