Dog poop in neighbor's yard

[finini01]

Originally Posted by jillabean

I completely agree with you that your neighbors should be picking up their dogs' poop (sounds frustrating to live next to neighbors like that). But I have to admit, in all the years of being a dog owner myself, none of my dogs have ever stepped in their dog poop (then again, I clean up the yard).

Roll in it, yes... but step in it, no.

yeah, as a dog owner in the past - I agree. dogs that I've been around have never stepped in their own poop (you'd smell it when they came back inside). maybe that's a myth perpetuated by non-dog owners and a seinfeld episode where elaine gets really upset when a golden retriever jumps up on her with his front paws. but lol, they do roll in it.

[KathyR]

I am a dog owner as well (one lab), clean up my yard as well, and yes, my dog does seem to avoid stepping in poop. However with 3 dogs in a yard and no cleanup - ever - I believe it's unavoidable that poop debris will at some point get tracked into the house on dog paws and human shoes.

But my concern is not what goes on inside my neighbor's house, it's their yard that I can smell!

Originally Posted by jillabean

I completely agree with you that your neighbors should be picking up their dogs' poop (sounds frustrating to live next to neighbors like that). But I have to admit, in all the years of being a dog owner myself, none of my dogs have ever stepped in their dog poop (then again, I clean up the yard).

Roll in it, yes... but step in it, no.

[jillabean]

Originally Posted by finini01

yeah, as a dog owner in the past - I agree. dogs that I've been around have never stepped in their own poop (you'd smell it when they came back inside). maybe that's a myth perpetuated by non-dog owners and a seinfeld episode where elaine gets really upset when a golden retriever jumps up on her with his front paws. but lol, they do roll in it.

Sometimes there can be misunderstandings if people never owned a dog before. All my dogs, for whatever reason, have always been female and therefore "squat" to pee. I can't begin to tell you how many times I've had to correct people who scolded and yelled at me for not picking up non-existent poop after my dogs peed (in all cases they were people who didn't own dogs and didn't realize that female dogs don't pick up their legs).

Originally Posted by KathyR

I believe it's unavoidable that poop debris will at some point get tracked into the house on dog paws and human shoes.

Yeah, people aren't as nimble, so I am sure you are right. If your neighbors are that dirty, I would suspect that a lot of poop debris actually start off in the house (if you know what I mean).

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by jillabean

Sometimes there can be misunderstandings if people never owned a dog before. All my dogs, for whatever reason, have always been female and therefore "squat" to pee. I can't begin to tell you how many times I've had to correct people who scolded and yelled at me for not picking up non-existent poop after my dogs peed (in all cases they were people who didn't own dogs and didn't realize that female dogs don't pick up their legs).

That's when the faux poop scoop move comes in handy. grab a plastic bag and wave it past the ground. Also works in those "lost poop" situations when you lose track of it in deep grass.

[Catamounts]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

That's when the faux poop scoop move comes in handy. grab a plastic bag and wave it past the ground. Also works in those "lost poop" situations when you lose track of it in deep grass.

[yaniracm]

I have the same problem and have been looking for help since I bought my first house some months ago. I live in Prince William County, and I do not know which neighbor is the one that has his dog using my yard as a toilet. HOA cannot take any course of action until having evidence of which neighbor is walking the dog there (that is what I was told by them). Unfortunately, I am not at home at the hours this happens. I tried cayenne pepper and different granular repellents to see if the dog/dogs avoid my yard. I am in a condominium that is a townhouse style, so the yard is shared and due to HOA regulations, no one can build a fence as it is a common area for everyone. What is sad is that the dog/dogs are doing their business exactly in front of my sliding door on the back of the house...not sure what I can do...During winter months, I was not going outside, but now that spring and summer is soon...this will be horrible for the smell...please advise...

[KathyR]

I posted a few times on this thread and wanted to add an update. Since contacting our HOA and having them contact the neighbors, our situation has greatly improved. As far as I can see or smell, our neighbors have been keeping all the poop cleaned up. So don't discount getting your HOA involved.

[ACWhite]

Originally Posted by yaniracm

I have the same problem and have been looking for help since I bought my first house some months ago. I live in Prince William County, and I do not know which neighbor is the one that has his dog using my yard as a toilet. HOA cannot take any course of action until having evidence of which neighbor is walking the dog there (that is what I was told by them). Unfortunately, I am not at home at the hours this happens. I tried cayenne pepper and different granular repellents to see if the dog/dogs avoid my yard. I am in a condominium that is a townhouse style, so the yard is shared and due to HOA regulations, no one can build a fence as it is a common area for everyone. What is sad is that the dog/dogs are doing their business exactly in front of my sliding door on the back of the house...not sure what I can do...During winter months, I was not going outside, but now that spring and summer is soon...this will be horrible for the smell...please advise...

Some people have installed video cameras for security and this purpose.

[jillabean]

A quick, cheap (and wet) fix might be to turn on a sprinkler in your back yard area. Of course, after a while that might be water wasteful. But dogs (at least mine) are creatures of habit, they like to go pretty much in the same spots. If you can get them out of the habit of going in your back yard area, that might help in the short term.

Another (if you think it's happening at night) would be to put a motion triggered light back there. It might not scare off the dogs, but if a neighbor is purposely walking the dogs back there, they might think twice if they think someone turned on the light and is watching. It also is good for general security too.

[saganista]

Dog owners -- like smokers -- are a part of nearly every community. They of course have an obligation to behave responsibly. The rest of us have the same obligation, however. As careful studies have shown that all of dog-owners, smokers, and others are capable of living together amicably under proper circumstances, it is merely a case of coming to such circumstances. Most people actually do want to be good neighbors, so a friendly word may often be all that's needed. The term "friendly" of course means that it should not betray any months of anger, hostility, and frustration that may have built up before such words are passed on. When more than a friendly reminder is needed, any HOA that tells you it needs physical evidence before it can act is lying. General if pointed and, as necessary, escalating reminders of pet and/or smoking rules and of the penalties for those found in violation of them are a part of on-going HOA responsibilities. Police advertise the locations of their upcoming speed-traps and DUI-stops for exactly the same reasons that HOA people should be regularly broadcasting pet/smoker rules and info. Attend a meeting and tell them to get their act together.