Dog owners- do you scoop poop in your own yard?

[CandleontheWater]

recently we built and moved into a house in a new development and the neighbors behind us and to the side also recently moved in and each have two large dogs. Both sets of neighbors fenced their yards, and both now let the dogs loose to do their business. The thing about our development is that we have very small lots (like 1/16 of an acre), and due to covenant restrictions we are only allowed to have decorative wrought iron fencing. None of this would be a problem if the neighbors scooped their dog poop, but they haven't and there are piles of poop collecting around the edges of their property which is basically my yard, and since the fences don't provide any privacy, they are in full sight and smell. I'm concerned that when it really starts to get hot that it is going to really start to smell, that is it going to attract bugs, and I don't really like looking out my breakfast room windows to see piles of poop.

So if you are a dog owner, is this something that dog owners do, let poop pile up in the backyard? I've seen the side neighbor come out every few weeks and pick it up, but the behind neighbor hasn't done it at all. I've checked the HOA covenants and there doesn't seem to be anything about cleaning up after pets in your own yard, only in public areas, so is this just a right of dog owners, so I just get used to the poop? I definitely want to talk to the neighbors myself, and try to do it as kindly as possible, because we hope to have a good relationship with them. If you are a dog owner, what to do think is the best way to approach this situation, and if anyone has been through this before, do you have any advice.

 

[powellrj]

We don't, but we have a yorkie whose poop is very small and compact. Its the size of my index finger and is usually in the same place so it just dries and we mow over it.

 

[OZMom]

We've all but trained our dog to poop only in one spot in the yard. On the off occasion he goes somewhere else, we scoop it and move it to where it "belongs". We are fortunate to have a large lot with only 1 neighbor who is on the opposite side of where the dog "potties". Have you mentioned to you neighbor that the smell bothers you? Perhaps a friendly conversation would be a better first step then an immediate complaint to the HOA. They may not realize it's offensive to anyone else since it is actually in their own yard.

 

[Hrhpd]

recently we built and moved into a house in a new development and the neighbors behind us and to the side also recently moved in and each have two large dogs. Both sets of neighbors fenced their yards, and both now let the dogs loose to do their business. The thing about our development is that we have very small lots (like 1/16 of an acre), and due to covenant restrictions we are only allowed to have decorative wrought iron fencing. None of this would be a problem if the neighbors scooped their dog poop, but they haven't and there are piles of poop collecting around the edges of their property which is basically my yard, and since the fences don't provide any privacy, they are in full sight and smell. I'm concerned that when it really starts to get hot that it is going to really start to smell, that is it going to attract bugs, and I don't really like looking out my breakfast room windows to see piles of poop.

So if you are a dog owner, is this something that dog owners do, let poop pile up in the backyard? I've seen the side neighbor come out every few weeks and pick it up, but the behind neighbor hasn't done it at all. I've checked the HOA covenants and there doesn't seem to be anything about cleaning up after pets in your own yard, only in public areas, so is this just a right of dog owners, so I just get used to the poop? I definitely want to talk to the neighbors myself, and try to do it as kindly as possible, because we hope to have a good relationship with them. If you are a dog owner, what to do think is the best way to approach this situation, and if anyone has been through this before, do you have any advice.

We have two large dogs and a privacy fenced large for a subdivision (third of an acre) yard. We poop scoop, or I should say the kids poop scoop, once a week in the summer before we mow. In the winter, it is longer between scooping.

Sounds like you need to start investigating some privets or other screening hedge to plant in front of the fence. Some nice smelling rose bushes may be warranted

I agree with talking to the neighbor first. Running to the HOA first will definitely set up a tense living situation for all.

 

[Ceila]

We do. Well, actually we make the kids do it, lol. I would take a friendly approach and talk to the neighbors.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

We scoop but not everyday.

My recommendation to you is to landscape the areas to block them out.

 

[JanaDee]

We aren't dog owners, but honestly, if I had a neighbor that had just moved in come to my house and tell me I needed to pick up dog poop in *my* yard, I'd tell them "thanks, I'll take it under consideration" and close the door.

 

[CandleontheWater]

I'm certainly planning on talking to the neighbors 1st, I just checked the HOA codes, and I guess I really don't have a leg to stand on, I'm just curious about other dog owners do, and if anyone else is in a situation like mine.

And we ALL just moved in, its a new home development, so the side neighbor moved in first, we moved in a few months later and the behind neighbor moved in a little over a month ago. We are all new.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

No, but we have a very small dog & a very big yard. She likes to do her business right on the edge of the yard, by the tree line. Works out perfectly.

 

[mamamary]

I pick up. At least once a week if not more in the summer (def. before I mow the lawn) and about every week or maybe a little longer in the winter. Same with my neighbor who has two dogs.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

I pick up after my dog immediately after she goes. It prevents us from accidentally stepping in it, her eating it, and the smell from getting bad. Just talk to your neighbors- maybe they don't realize how offensive it is since they are used to it.

 

[Happy Snowman]

We don't, but we have a yorkie whose poop is very small and compact. Its the size of my index finger and is usually in the same place so it just dries and we mow over it.

We do the same.

OP--your town may have an ordinance about cleaning up after pets in your own yard. If asking them to clean it up doesn't work, that might be your next step.

 

[Tinkermommy]

I had to laugh at this as I did have a neighbor ask me that and I said "nope."

Our dogs go in the back corner of our lot (backs up to the neighbors). They have a little yappy poodle that they let out without a leash and it has cone into our yard several times to do its business and bark at my dogs.

Unlike you we lived I this house for 7 years and this is the first time she has ever spoken to me (and the last). We are friendly with our other neighbors so if it had been one of them I might have take it under consideration.

Honestly, I have 2 dogs, 2 kids and a full time job. This is low on my priority list.

 

[jt'smom]

We obviously are in the minority, because when we had 2 cocker spaniels, an invisible fence and a 1 acre lot, we went out and picked up poop every couple of days. Since our dogs roamed our entire lot, they would poop all over and it drove me crazy to see it and the filth flies on it. Of the 3 different subdivisions that we've lived in, all of our neighbors scooped their poop. Maybe it's a regional thing because if you have close cut bermuda or zoysia grass, it's pretty evident to see the little poop piles!

 

[aprilgail]

Wow I would not be happy if my neighbor didn't pick up the crap in their yard- that is truly disgusting! we usually go out every day and clean it up, if not every day then every other if we skip one day. I would never leave that laying around my yard, even though my dog went in the back corner by the fence in the summer I can't imagine the stink if we didn't clean it up!

 

[LJSquishy]

Eww! That is really gross, no matter what type of fence there is. We used to have a neighbor whose girlfriend would bring over her pugs and they'd never pick up the poop. Thankfully we sold our house!

We have two dogs and right now we immediately pick up their poop every single time since we share a yard with my in-laws (we're living in their basement apartment to save for our next house). We use biodegradable poop bags because I can't personally stand to use plain plastic bags for each piece of poop...that's a lot of plastic going into landfills! Biodegrable bags going into landfills is far from perfect but it does make a smaller negative impact.

Once we buy our next house, we will do one of two things: Pick up poop once daily, or make a Porch Potty system (it's a real thing! We can make it for much less, though) which would just make it easier to pick up from one spot. Right now we don't have any kids, but once we are able to adopt, I would pick up poop immediately anyway...I wouldn't want my kids running around outside and stepping in poop! We always go out with our dogs when they go potty...rain, snow, sunshine...every time. I don't like letting the dogs out alone even with a fence so if they need to go potty, we all go out. LOL

 

[Laura66]

We usually pick it up right after he goes. The exception is in the winter or late at night when we can't see it. (And then we look for it and pick it up the next morning)

 

[LJSquishy]

Also, even though your HOA doesn't specify that owners keep pet waste cleaned from their property, I would ask anyway...it's extremely unsanitary and invites parasites and other bugs. And, yes, when it gets hot out you will definitely smell it. I can't even imagine leaving let waste out for a week...maybe 2-3 days, but not a week or longer. If the HOA won't do anything, check into local city ordinances.

I would first try to approach them nicely about being mindful to pick it up along the fence line...let them know it smells (even if it doesn't yet). One would think they'd be extremely embarrassed and would be more mindful of that, but who knows...some people are slobs.

 

[okeydokey]

Personally, no. But my son does.

I think if it starts to get stinky in your yard due to your neighbors not cleaning up, you do have a right to ask them to pick up. It would be rude of them not to once you brought it to their attention.

 

[slo]

I do it every time before we mow the lawn and if I know it's going to rain.
There's nothing I hate more is than stepping in dog poop, so I'm pretty neurotic about picking it up.

When it comes to approaching your neighbor, I think I would wait a little bit and see what happens.
I don't know where you live, but by me, Spring has just begun and people are just starting to clean up their yards. Maybe your neighbor will be outside more and attend to his yard more when the nicer weather comes.
I wouldn't assume they are going to be like this all summer just yet. Give it a little time