Right now my to-do list is to the weed the lawn. After I retired I was feeling isolated and had little social life. I was inspired to be more social, greet and meet my neighbors, learn the names. Stopping Dogs from Peeing on Your Lawn: Key Takeaways While the occasional sprinkle on your grass may not cause huge problems, repeated visits may lead to dead spots on your lawn. Strategies to help keep dogs from urinating in your yard includes simple signage, installing motion-operated sprinklers, and more.
What’s one of the biggest pet peeves that your neighbors have about you? Your pets and, more to the point, their poop.
In a LawnStarter survey of more than 700 homeowners in five U.S. metro areas, 9 percent named pets — mostly dogs — as the top complaint about their neighbors. “Pets” were the top pick in the “other” category for our question about pet peeves. Meanwhile, another 20 percent of the homeowners mentioned noise from pets, children, parties and other sources as the major gripe about their neighbors.
Our survey respondents have plenty of company. A survey taken in 2010 by Consumer Reports found that dog poop tied for sixth place on a list of Americans’ biggest everyday annoyances. Americans actually hate Congress more than they do dog poop, though. In a 2013 survey by Public Policy Polling, registered voters had a higher opinion of dog poop (47 percent) than of Congress (40 percent).
‘Major Source of Friction’
Photo: Digital Trends
Put it all together, and your neighbors might not be so fond of Fido. Andrew Kirby, professor of social and behavioral sciences at Arizona State University, says LawnStarter’s survey data suggests that dogs, and especially their poop, are “a major source of friction” in American neighborhoods.
“As we know, dog waste is unlike other forms of litter. It is unpleasant, it smells and it can foster disease,” Kirby says.
One homeowner in the LawnStarter survey grumbled that neighbors are “letting their dogs use my front yard for a bathroom.” This homeowner was among several respondents who singled out dog poop as a concern. Other homeowners complained about pets — namely dogs — running loose in the neighborhood or being walked without leashes.
On a more serious note, one survey respondent claimed a neighbor killed his or her dogs, while another respondent accused a neighbor of poisoning his or her pooches.
Millions of Mutts
Photo: BarkPost
No matter what the trigger, it’s clear that man’s best friend causes lots of consternation in American neighborhoods. Data from the American Veterinary Medical Association shows more than 43.3 million U.S. households own nearly 70 million dogs. It’s estimated that those households fail to pick up more than 4 million tons of dog poop each year, according to PoopBags.
Kirby, the Arizona State professor, says he understands why some homeowners in Chicago and elsewhere are frustrated by out-of-place dog poop.
“It would be a strange family that was not in some way upset by neighbors who allowed their canines to mess up sidewalks or lawns,” Kirby says. “Even placing poop bags in a neighbor’s trash barrel could be considered an invasion of privacy, although it is less offensive than the other options.”
Neighbors Dog Craps On My Lawn Mower
Achieving Neighborhood ‘Cohesiveness’
Photo: Housewives of Frederick County
Kirby says the presence of dog waste, or lack thereof, indicates the level of a neighborhood’s “cohesiveness.”
“Locations where no one picks up cans, bottles or dog waste have no investment in the collective quality of life,” he says. “Paradoxically, many residential neighborhoods don’t actually offer any way to maintain appearances. Except around any parks or pools, there are usually few trash receptacles on the street, and most HOAs don’t permit trash receptacles to be left out for more than a few hours a week.”
Kirby says dog-poop bags and dog-poop trash containers should be available not just in traditional areas like dog parks but also along neighborhood sidewalks and in other spots where people routinely walk their pups.
“It may be not add to the aesthetics of the neighborhood,” he says, “but the alternatives are way worse and even more expensive.”
Bagging the Poop Problem
Photo: Flickr/OakleyOriginals
So, how do you handle the messy issue of a neighbor’s poop-on-your-lawn dog?
Certified professional dog trainer Robin Bennett, chair of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, recommends that if you know the parent of the pooch, you should bring up the problem “gently” in conversation. If you don’t know the owner of the offending dog, urge your homeowners association or neighborhood association to issue a pick-up-the-poop reminder, Bennett suggests.
“I would also make sure you are setting a good example by cleaning up after your own pet,” she says. “If you see someone who has a dog and they don’t clean up, you might offer them a bag as a friendly reminder.”
To be a responsible dog-owning neighbor regarding fecal matters and other matters, Bennett suggests signing up for canine training.
“I also think pet parents should work hard to build relationships with their neighbors and deal with concerns at the early stages before they build up into something huge,” she says.
See related story: Why do dogs eat grass?
Neighbor Dog Pooping On My Lawn
Top photo: Flickr/Michael Simmons
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John Egan
John Egan is the former editor in chief of LawnStarter.com. Now, he is a freelance writer extraordinaire. He lives in Austin, Texas.By Sophie Kaemmerle ~
When you find dog poop on your property, and you don’t own a dog yourself, you may be wondering how it got there. Not only is dog poop gross and hard to clean off your shoes, it is also an environmental hazard according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Just one gram of dog poop may contain over 23 million bacteria, many of which can be dangerous to both animal and human health. Parvovirus, coronavirus, E. Coli, whipworms, Coccidia, hookworms, Guardia, tapeworms, salmonella, Campylobacteriosis are just a few of the many dangerous illnesses that can be spread through dog fecal matter. These dangerous diseases can spread all over your lawn and inside your house, or be carried down into the groundwater where they can live for more than a year. Insects and other animals are also attracted to the dung, and they carry their treasures with them wherever they go.
Dog Waste is Not a Fertilizer
All the hard work of keeping your lawn green and healthy can be erased when Fido comes over to play unannounced. Dog poop can destroy your lawn by causing brown spots and discoloration. A once luscious lawn can become unsightly when dog poop takes over and leaves patches in the grass. Dog poop and urine produce excess nitrogen which can kill your lawn.
All the hard work of keeping your lawn green and healthy can be erased when Fido comes over to play unannounced. Dog poop can destroy your lawn by causing brown spots and discoloration. A once luscious lawn can become unsightly when dog poop takes over and leaves patches in the grass. Dog poop and urine produce excess nitrogen which can kill your lawn.
What Should I do to Stop Dogs from Using my Lawn as a Potty Station?
First of all, it’s important to refrain from making assumptions. Just because you find dog doo-doo on your lawn doesn’t mean that your neighbor was leaving it there on purpose. Stop yourself from acting rashly or out of anger: consider what might have happened, and that this one-time transgression may have been an accident. Did a stray dog pass through your neighborhood, leaving little gifts behind? Did your sweet but preoccupied neighbor forget to bring a plastic bag and promise to come back any minute with the bag? Did your neighbor’s large dog escape his enclosure once again and head to his favorite spot – your lawn?
First of all, it’s important to refrain from making assumptions. Just because you find dog doo-doo on your lawn doesn’t mean that your neighbor was leaving it there on purpose. Stop yourself from acting rashly or out of anger: consider what might have happened, and that this one-time transgression may have been an accident. Did a stray dog pass through your neighborhood, leaving little gifts behind? Did your sweet but preoccupied neighbor forget to bring a plastic bag and promise to come back any minute with the bag? Did your neighbor’s large dog escape his enclosure once again and head to his favorite spot – your lawn?
- First, try playing detective to find out who or what might be behind this “dirty” deed. Using adequate precautions and distance, consider inspecting the specimen to see whether it came from a large or small animal. Ask nearby neighbors if they have been experiencing the same problem. Keep an eye out for any dogs passing by, and see if they stop on your lawn to do their business. Remember to never accuse someone of allowing their dog to poop on your lawn. Always get the facts straight first.
- Once you have conclusively determined which dog has been causing offense to your lawn, find a polite way to address the owner of the dog. Consider using “I” statements and avoid sentences that start with “you.” For example, you might say, “I noticed that your dog has been using my lawn to relieve himself. I am not sure if you are aware, but dog poop can have very dangerous germs. Is there any way you could either pick up the poop next time or find a different spot for him to do his business?”
- If the owner continues to allow his or her dog to continue to defecate on your property, you can always set up a camera, or take pictures as evidence. Remember, the law is on your side. Whatever you do, stay calm, do not harass, threaten, intimidate, or otherwise elevate the tension.
What Not to do When You Find Dog Waste in Your Yard
It’s okay to feel upset, irritated and annoyed when you find your lawn contaminated with dog waste. However, don’t turn your feelings into behavior that could invite retaliation. Here’s a list of what you should avoid doing when you are upset with your neighbor’s dog:
It’s okay to feel upset, irritated and annoyed when you find your lawn contaminated with dog waste. However, don’t turn your feelings into behavior that could invite retaliation. Here’s a list of what you should avoid doing when you are upset with your neighbor’s dog:
- Don’t cause physical harm to your neighbor or his or her dog.
- Do not light the dog poop on fire in front of your neighbor.
- Don’t yell at your neighbor or cause a scene.
- Don’t take the dog poop and toss it onto your neighbor’s property.
- Don’t deliver the dog poop to your neighbor’s mailbox or front door.
Neighbors Dog Craps On My Lawn
What are my Rights as a Property Owner?
You have a right to a clean, disease-free home and lawn. If a dog continues to trespass on your property without your permission and cause damage to your lawn, it might be time to seek the help of an experienced attorney.
You have a right to a clean, disease-free home and lawn. If a dog continues to trespass on your property without your permission and cause damage to your lawn, it might be time to seek the help of an experienced attorney.
About Sophie Kaemmerle
Sophie Kaemmerle is Communications Manager at NeighborWho.com. NeighborWho’s mission is simply to help you better understand your neighborhood. Learn about your neighbors, the houses on your street, current and past owners, access property reports and lookup public records. Public records are aggregated to compile in-depth reports on properties & people—NeighborWho provides a wealth of information at your fingertips.
Sophie Kaemmerle is Communications Manager at NeighborWho.com. NeighborWho’s mission is simply to help you better understand your neighborhood. Learn about your neighbors, the houses on your street, current and past owners, access property reports and lookup public records. Public records are aggregated to compile in-depth reports on properties & people—NeighborWho provides a wealth of information at your fingertips.