Help with neighbors dog poop problem

[suzannews]

Next door neighbor moved in almost 2 yrs ago. Our driveways are right next to each other so you kinda see more that you want to sometimes. They have a pretty big dog. We were told by the previous neighbors that they would be putting up a backyard fence as soon as they moved in. No big deal to us. We don't have a fence in the backyard and its pretty far down on my priority list. They never put up a fence. Everything was fine until about a month ago. I walk around the side of the house and there are piles of dog stuff in their backyard as well as mine. I thought maybe they didn't have time to pick it up and let it go. Today I go to mow the entire yard and once again, there are piles in my side yard and backyard. Whats a nice way to approach this. I don't want to cause WWIII but I don't want the stink in my yard either. Anyone?

 

[sweet angel]

No idea. I have the same problem only in my front yard. I have piles in the back from my own dogs, but piles in the front from my neighbor's dog.

I actually saw her outside a few weeks ago and jokingly said, "I almost punted your dog the other day." She asked why and I told her I saw the dog pooping in my yard. She just laughed and said, "Oh, that's my husband not keeping an eye on her."

 

[NikiM20]

I would ask them nicely to please pick up their dogs poop out of your yard.
I even clean up my dogs poop out of our yard out of respect for our neighbors (8 dogs +Hot summer = GROSS)

Some people have no respect for others

 

[LadyZolt]

I'd put up a fence. I know you said it's not high on your priority list, but really, that's the only way to solve this. You know the line from the Robert Frost poem, "Good fences make good neighbors."

If that's impossible, there is one other thing you can do, which is to think like a dog. When my sister's dog was using her vegetable garden as his favorite rest room, I suggested that she have her husband "mark" the area (it'll work with a woman's urine, too, but it should be the "alpha" or primary owner of the property in the dog's point of view, which in my sister's case was her husband. Just collect urine inside in a bottle, take it outside and drip it around the area you want to "mark" -- you can create a permiter with it). My brother-in-law did that. The dog recognized the scent as being from an "alpha" / dominant individual, and never used that vegetable garden again. Of course, if your neighbor's dog has used your yard so much that he believes it's his own territory, you might have to be consistent, even firm with him when you see him in person so that he learns it is "your" area.

You could try mentioning it to your neighbor. The nasty thing to do is collect it all and leave it by their front door, but since you don't want WWII, I suggest handling it either by the fence way, or making it between you and the dog. On the bright side, dogs can learn and won't be offended whereas people aren't as predictable. Good luck!

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

 

[NotUrsula]

I can tell you what worked for us. I went down to a chinese market and bought 5 lbs. of ground black pepper, and spread it pretty thoroughly over the yard. Since dogs always sniff before they poop, they would get a bit of a snootful and start sneezing anytime they went sniffing, and it didn't take long before they were conditioned not to do it.

You can also buy small animal repellant that is made with black pepper oil, but since I paid about 40 cents per lb., the ground pepper was cheaper. It makes the dog uncomfortable for a little while, but it won't cause any lasting harm.

 

[Parla]

I can tell you what worked for us. I went down to a chinese market and bought 5 lbs. of ground black pepper, and spread it pretty thoroughly over the yard. Since dogs always sniff before they poop, they would get a bit of a snootful and start sneezing anytime they went sniffing, and it didn't take long before they were conditioned not to do it.

You can also buy small animal repellant that is made with black pepper oil, but since I paid about 40 cents per lb., the ground pepper was cheaper. It makes the dog uncomfortable for a little while, but it won't cause any lasting harm.

I believe the area around my mailbox is going to start smelling like pepper! Thanks for the idea.

 

[MosMom]

Put some of it in a paper bag on their front porch, set it on fire, ring doorbell, run like hell.

 

[karebear1]

Oh Boy!!! Another dog poop thread! Do you remember a while back when there was a DISer that had a neighbor that had a bag of collected dog poo sitting by their front door??? There were bets flying to see how long ti would be until the neighbor picked it up and actually threw it away!

I think you should bag the poo and set it next to their front door with a nice note attached. Let's see how long it takes them 'til they get the message!

This could be fun!!

 

[CarolG]

Oh Boy!!! Another dog poop thread! Do you remember a while back when there was a DISer taht had a neighbor that had a bag of collected dog poo sitting by their front door??? ...

I was just thinking the same thing - that was Mono~rail's "Poo Watch 2006" thread.

 

[FreshTressa]

I'd probably just pick it up, unless there was TONS of it. The occasional pile wouldn't really bother me.

 

[Tybug]

If you don't want to start WWIII... move the fence up higher on your priority list...

 

[Southern4sure]

I had this issue but I didnt know who was letting their dog poop in my yard. The final straw for me was a large pile a few feet from my front door. I made this sign and put it beside the the sidewalk so anyone walking their dog would see it: Haven't had a problem since.

"You forgot to pick up your doggy poop. Poison used on this lawn.....Not responsible for the death of your dog."

With the weather we have in central FL right you, I would go over to the neighbor and tell them you will be putting down fertilizer, a poison to prevent cinch bugs and etc. on your lawn. Just tell them you want to inform them inadvance to be careful letting their dog walk around on your lawn.

Downside is they will expect to see you putting down the fertilizer and such....

 

[Disney Doll]

Why not just say to your neighbor "If your dog poops in my yard, can you please pick it up"?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If you don't want to start WWIII... move the fence up higher on your priority list...

Agreed.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Why not just say to your neighbor "If your dog poops in my yard, can you please pick it up"?

This would be the first thing I would say. You can also let them know that you're getting ready to mow and ask that they come pick the existing piles up.

 

[nbodyhome]

I like that sign!

I'd want to get the fence, and maybe move the dog poop to their yard so they could clean it up.