Scooping up and properly disposing of your dog’s poop in the backyard is an important part of being a responsible pet owner. Allowing feces to accumulate can pose health risks to pets, kids and adults from bacteria and parasites. It can also attract unwanted pests and create an unpleasant stench in your yard. However, you have several options for storing the waste temporarily before proper disposal that can help make the task more convenient and sanitary.
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Why Pick Up Dog Poop?
Picking up and storing dog poop properly is critical for a few key reasons:
- Reduces spread of bacteria and parasites – Dog feces contains harmful bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella as well as intestinal parasites. When left in the yard, the waste can spread these organisms to your dog, other pets or family members through paws, shoes or playing in the grass.
- Prevents odor and pests – The smell of dog poop left sitting in the yard will quickly become unpleasant. It can also attract unwanted flies, rodents and other pests to your property.
- Keeps yard clean – Dog poop is unsightly and can create an unkempt look in your outdoor space. Proper storage and disposal helps keep your lawn looking green and healthy.
- It’s the law – Many municipalities require pet owners to clean up after their dogs when out in public or at home. Fines can be imposed for non-compliance.
- It’s courteous – No one wants to step in dog poop, so picking it up keeps neighbors happy and maintains friendly relationships.
So being diligent about scooping your dog’s waste and storing it properly has important health, aesthetic and community benefits. The small daily effort helps create a pleasant environment for pets and people.
How Often Should I Pick Up Dog Poop?
Ideally, you should make an effort to pick up your dog’s poop from the yard at least once daily. However, some follow these more specific guidelines:
- Puppies – Puppies under 6 months may need to poop 3 or more times a day. Pick up after a puppy every time they go.
- Adult dogs – Pick up all poop from adult dogs at least once per day. Twice is better if your dog goes more than once.
- After rain or snow – Try to remove all poop promptly after precipitation so it does not get spread around or washed into soil or groundwater.
- Before mowing – Always scan and clean up the yard before mowing to prevent slinging feces across lawn with your mower.
- When odor detected – Collect poop as soon as you detect any foul odor from an uncovered pile.
Regularly scooping all poop at least once per day and promptly after your dog goes will help keep your yard cleanest. Consider picking up solid waste from your lawn a normal part of your regular pet care routine.
Where to Store Dog Poop Temporarily
When you’re out in the yard with your dog, you’ll need a handy place to store the waste temporarily until permanent disposal. Consider these short-term storage options:
Poop bag dispenser
Attach a poop bag dispenser filled with plastic bags to your dog’s leash. Then you can simply slip your hand in a bag, pick up the poop, tie off the bag and keep carrying it with you while you walk. Discard in an outdoor trash bin when finished in the yard.
Dedicated poop bucket
Keep a small plastic bucket or bin with a lid in a shed, garage or discreet area of the yard to collect bags of poop in temporarily. The lid contains odors. Just toss the closed bags in the bucket then empty into your main trash when full.
Waste caddy
Outdoor waste caddies are complete portable stations for collecting dog poop in the yard. The caddy holds a roll of waste bags and has a removable tray to collect tied off bags until you take them to the trash. Position the caddy in a convenient spot while out with your dog.
Trash can near yard
Simplest option is to take the tied poop bag directly to an outdoor garbage can after your dog goes. Just designate a can near the yard that’s just for pet waste.
Long-Term Dog Poop Storage
For longer term storage before taking poop to the curb for trash pickup, consider a dedicated indoor dog waste container. This keeps waste consolidated and contained until disposal day. Here are some options:
Diaper pail
A diaper pail with an air-tight lid locks in odors from dog poop. The foot pedal operation keeps hands free. Just empty contents into your main garbage when trash day arrives.
Sealable bucket
5-gallon buckets with sealing lids are inexpensive and effective for storing bags of dog waste a week or more. Keep the main lid closed and just toss tied bags through a small opening in the top when you return from the yard.
Garbage can
You can use a small garbage can with a tight fitting lid expressly for consolidated dog poop. Just remove bagged poop from your outdoor storage caddy or pail to this indoor can until garbage pickup.
Proper Dog Poop Disposal
It’s critical to properly dispose of stored dog waste as soon as practical to prevent odor, pests and health hazards:
- Place in securely tied plastic bags – Double bagging helps contain leaks and odors.
- Dispose in regular household trash – Do NOT compost dog poop or flush down toilet.
- Take to curb once a week – Include on your normal garbage day.
- Abide by local guidelines – Some cities have pet waste disposal restrictions, so check ordinances.
- Wear gloves – Protect yourself from bacteria when handling bags.
- Wash hands – Thoroughly wash hands immediately after disposing waste.
Following these proper disposal steps helps ensure dog poop gets permanently removed from your property in a safe, effective way.
Other Tips for Dog Poop Cleanup
Consider these other tips for making safe, timely dog poop cleanup easier:
- Teach dog a bathroom spot – Dogs tend to repeat poop in the same area. Choose an easy access spot to scoop.
- Keep supplies stocked – Always have a ready supply of waste bags and accessible storage containers.
- Designate poop tools – Use a separate shovel, gloves and bucket just for dog cleanup.
- Hire a pooper scooper service – Some companies offer professional dog poop cleanup if you don’t want to DIY.
- Train kids how to scoop – Show responsible kids how to safely clean up after your pet.
- Try a natural yard – Gravel, mulch or rock surfaces minimize poop cleanup.
- SCOOP THE POOP! – Stay on top of the task each day.
With the right supplies and system, it only takes a few minutes per day to keep your yard clear of unsanitary, messy dog poop.
Conclusion
Allowing dog poop to accumulate in your yard poses unnecessary health risks and creates an unpleasant environment. But conveniently storing and responsibly disposing pet waste prevents problems and takes little daily effort. Use poop bags when out and about, then transfer tied bags to secure storage containers. Empty those inside containers into your household trash at least weekly. Combined with prompt poop scooping after your dog goes, these simple poop storage and disposal practices will keep your yard clean and safe for pets and people to enjoy. Being a conscientious and caring dog owner means taking responsibility for properly managing your best friend’s waste.