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Why Do Dogs Poop on My Lawn?
Dogs poop on lawns for a few reasons:
Marking Territory
Dogs have scent glands in their paws that leave traces of odor when they walk. By pooping in your yard, a dog is essentially leaving his “business card” to alert other dogs that he was there. This is a natural territorial behavior, especially for male dogs.
Attractive Smells
Dogs like to return to areas that smell attractive to them. Once a dog poops on your lawn and leaves his scent behind, he is likely to return again and again to the scene of the “crime.”
Easy Access
Dogs like to go where it is easy. Your lawn is likely convenient and easy to access, and dogs feel comfortable pooping there. As pack animals, they like to use common areas to leave their waste.
How to Stop Dogs Pooping on Your Lawn
Here are some tips to prevent neighborhood dogs from seeing your lawn as an attractive toilet:
Remove Scent Triggers
Any existing poop needs to go. Pick up all dog waste promptly and dispose of it properly. You may also want to spray the area down with an enzymatic cleaner made specifically to neutralize pet odors. This will help remove scent triggers that draw dogs back to the same spots.
Use Repellents
There are a variety of dog repellent products available. These contain ingredients like citronella, chili powder, ammonia, or mustard oil that dogs dislike. Sprinkling these around the perimeter of your lawn creates an unpleasant barrier that dogs will want to avoid. Just be sure to choose pet-safe products and reapply after rain.
Try Motion-Activated Sprinklers
Motion-activated sprinklers work by detecting movement and then spraying water to startle off any intruding dogs. They are adjustable, harmless to dogs, and provide reliable poop prevention. Just be sure to check that they abide by local water restrictions.
Block Access
Restrict access to your lawn with fencing, gates, or plant barriers like prickly shrubs. This makes it harder for neighborhood dogs to enter and poop. But leave a small patch of sacrificial grass near the sidewalk, as dogs may still try to sneak by for a quick potty break.
Speak to Neighbors
Politely ask neighbors who let their dogs roam to please prevent pooping on your property. Most people will be embarrassed and glad to comply. Consider sharing these tips to stop the problem neighbor-wide.
How to Clean Dog Poop from Grass
To restore soiled areas of your lawn:
Remove Solids
Use a small shovel or plastic bag over your hand to scoop up the poop immediately before rains soak it in deeper. Dispose of dog waste bags properly in outdoor bins.
Spray Away Stains
Mix warm water, an enzymatic cleaner, and a small amount of dish soap in a spray bottle. Liberally apply over any leftover stain marks and let sit 15 minutes before rinsing. The dish soap helps cut through oils in feces.
Try a Homemade Solution
For mild stains, mix one part hydrogen peroxide with five parts water and apply to the area. Let bubble for 5 minutes before rinsing off. The peroxide helps lift residue without chemicals.
Resod Patches
For urine burns or heavy staining in grass, cut out and replace the affected sections with fresh sod. Water daily for 2 weeks while the new sod takes root. This removes all traces of dog waste.
Reseed Bare Spots
If grass is worn down to dirt, reseed with a seed mix matched to your lawn type. Rake gently, water daily, and in several weeks the spots should fill in. Consider adding straw covering to help seeds sprout.
Keeping Your Lawn Dog Poop Free
Follow these daily, weekly, and monthly tips to proactively keep your grass dog waste-free:
Daily
– Walk your lawn and clean up any new droppings
– Spray repellents along the perimeter and around trees/posts
– Check motion-activated sprinklers are functioning
Weekly
– Mow and edge your grass at 2-3 inch height
– Refresh barriers like flags, foil pans, wire mesh
– Reapply natural repellents after heavy rain
Monthly
– Treat lawn with all-natural dog repellent
– Patch and reseed bare spots
– Deep clean paved areas near lawn edge
Training Your Dog Not to Poop in Off-Limit Areas
If you have your own dog leaving unwanted lawn deposits, try these training tips:
Supervise Closely
Keep your dog leashed anytime he is in the yard to avoid sneak pooping. Watch for circling, squatting, or sniffing behaviors so you can interrupt with a firm “No!” if needed.
Reward Going in Designated Areas
Give treats immediately when your dog poops in approved spots. This reinforces where he should go potty. Gradually reward every step toward consistently going in proper areas.
Clean up Accidents Fast
Rapidly clean up any accidents on off-limit grass and neutralize odors so the area does not become an attractive toilet zone. Do not scold after the fact, just be vigilant about future prevention.
Limit Access
If your dog repeatedly eliminates in unwanted areas, limit his access to those zones until he forms a consistent potty routine in designated locations. This removes the temptation during training.
Consider a Dog Run
Install a small gravel dog run or designated potty patch if you do not have a safely fenced yard. Teach your dog this is the area for all elimination needs. This protects your remaining lawn.
Consistent positive reinforcement training helps instill good potty habits in dogs. Be patient – it may take many months for behavior changes to fully stick. Some dogs may require professional training if problems persist.
Choosing the Right Lawn for Your Climate and Lifestyle
The type of grass you choose can also help minimize dog poop damage:
Warm Season Grasses
| Type | Features |
|---|---|
| Bermuda | Withstands high traffic. Quickly fills in urine spots. |
| Zoysia | Tolerates heat and drought. Thick mat resists digging damage. |
| Centipedegrass | Low maintenance. Dense and weed-resistant. |
| St. Augustine | Salt tolerant. Rapidly recovers from poop burns. |
These grasses grow well across the southern U.S. and have traits like quick growth, durability, and high wear tolerance that make them ideal choices for dog owners.
Cool Season Grasses
| Type | Features |
|---|---|
| Fescue | Fine appearance. Does well in shade and cool climates. |
| Bluegrass | Handles frequent mowing. Can survive cold winters. |
| Ryegrass | Fast germination. Holds up to high foot traffic. |
These grasses thrive in northern U.S. climates and have excellent cold tolerance. They fill back in quickly and resist compaction from heavy dog activity.
Look for turf types marketed specifically for pets that contain blends formulated for durability. And be sure to purchase top quality grass seed or sod for best lawn resiliency.
Conclusion
While no lawn is 100% immune from all dogs, the right deterrents, training, grass types, and prompt waste cleanup can significantly protect your lawn from excessive dog pooping damage. Test different remedies to find the ideal poop prevention combination for your unique situation. Maintain vigilance, and you and your lawn can happily coexist with neighborhood dogs.