How do you get rid of dog poop in yard without picking it up?

Dealing with dog poop in the yard is an unpleasant but necessary task for any dog owner. While manually picking up and disposing of dog poop is often seen as the only option, there are actually several methods to get rid of dog poop without having to pick it up.

Why Get Rid of Dog Poop?

Before discussing the various methods, it’s important to understand why actively removing dog poop from the yard is recommended. Here are some of the top reasons:

• Avoids an unsightly mess – Dog poop is not pleasant to look at and can make a yard appear unclean and unkempt.
• Minimizes foul odors – Dog poop smells bad when allowed to sit and rot in a yard.
• Prevents pests and insects – Dog feces will attract unwanted pests like flies, mosquitoes, and rodents when left out.
• Reduces health hazards – Dog waste contains bacteria and parasites that can spread infection and disease to pets and people.
• Keeps yard clean for activities – Getting rid of dog poop allows free use of the yard for play, relaxation, gardening, etc.

For these reasons, it’s best not to just let dog poop pile up but to employ some method to remove it.

Picking Up Dog Poop

The most obvious and straightforward method for removing dog poop from a yard is to manually pick it up. This involves using a plastic bag or pooper scooper tool to collect each poop, sealing it in the bag, and tossing it in the trash.

While effective, this method requires regularly walking around the yard and bending down to pick up poops – which many find unappealing. It also means having to touch and handle dog feces, which can be messy at best and extremely unsanitary at worst.

For those willing to take on the task, it helps to have the right supplies:

• Pooper scooper – Makes pickup easier than bags alone.
• Bags – Seal waste so it doesn’t spill out of garbage.
• Disposable gloves – Reduce contact with feces.
• Dedicated waste bin – Provides place to store bags until garbage day.

Picking up dog poop immediately rather than allowing it to sit for long periods also makes the job quicker and less unpleasant. Still, many seek alternative approaches to avoid this dirty work.

Burying Dog Poop

One way to remove dog poop without having to touch or handle it is to bury it. This involves using a shovel to dig a hole in the yard, pushing the feces into the hole with the shovel, and covering it back up with dirt.

For this method, it’s best to have a dedicated poop shovel that is used only for this purpose and not for gardening or other yardwork. The steps include:

1. Spotting the poop.
2. Digging a hole about 5 inches deep and a few inches from the poop.
3. Using the shovel to gently push the poop into the hole.
4. Fully covering the hole with dirt to conceal the poop.

Burying is effective because it quickly gets dog poop under the surface and out of sight. The dirt helps decompose the poop and deodorize it while also deterring attracting pests. However, it does require having the space and dirt to dig holes around the yard.

Pros

• Avoids having to pick up poop with bags or scooper
• Quickly gets poop out of sight
• Encourages decomposition
• No need to handle dog waste

Cons

• Requires digging holes around yard whenever poop is spotted
• May not work well in hard, compacted ground
• Waste stays in the yard instead of being permanently removed

Letting Poop Naturally Decay

Another hands-off approach is to simply leave dog poop where it is and let nature take its course. When left exposed to the elements, dog waste will eventually decay, decompose, and break down in the yard over time.

The process depends on a variety of environmental factors but usually takes 2-6 months for unbagged dog poop to completely disintegrate. Here is the general timeline:

Time Elapsed	Decomposition Process
1-2 weeks	Poop dries out and becomes pale in color
1 month	Waste flattens and slowly begins breaking down
2 months	Poop turns gray or white in color as organic matter decomposes
3+ months	Decomposed poop blends into soil and lawn leaving little trace

Letting dog poop naturally decay requires little effort but has some drawbacks. The waste remains visible for a couple of months and can spread parasites in the meantime. It also doesn’t work as well in cold climates.

Pros

• Requires no work once poop is dropped
• Takes advantage of natural decay process
• No need to handle or bury waste

Cons

• Poop remains visible for weeks to months
• Can attract pests and spread parasites while decaying
• May not fully decompose in very cold climates
• Can leave dried poop remnants in yard

Using a Pooper Scooper Service

For those willing to spend a little money to avoid the hassle, a pooper scooper service is an ideal solution. These professional services will come to your property on a regular schedule and handle picking up and disposing of all dog poop in the yard.

Most pooper scooper companies offer flexible frequency options such as once per week, every other week, or once per month. Each visit usually costs around $10-30 depending on the size of the yard and frequency. Many services use Odor Neutralizing Sprays and other deodorizing processes after scooping to keep the yard smelling clean.

Beyond sparing you from an unpleasant chore, pooper scooper services have several advantages:

• Eliminates all dog poop in yard very effectively.
• Professionals can clean hard-to-reach spots.
• Sets a consistent cleaning schedule.
• No purchasing supplies or disposing waste yourself.
• Great value for cost compared to time savings.

The main downside is the recurring bill each month. However, considering the effort saved, most find the cost well worth it.

Pros

• No hands-on scooping required
• Convenient scheduling and service
• Gets all poop even in tough spots
• Professionals handle waste disposal

Cons

• Recurring monthly costs involved
• Need to arrange home access for service visits

Using an Automatic Pooper Scooper

There are also automatic, motorized pooper scoopers available that essentially vacuum up dog poop from a yard without any effort needed. After charging the battery, you simply place the automated scooper in an area with poop and it will roll along while sucking up all waste using its rake and bin system.

Popular automated scooper models include:

Model	Key Features
Poo Puck Automatic Pooper Scooper	– Battery operated – 15 ft. tether range – Waste bin included
Dootie Patrol Automatic Pooper Scooper	– Rechargeable Li-ion battery – Smart navigation – 30-minute run time
Titan Automatic Dog Pooper Scooper	– Motorized wheels – LED headlights – 20-foot range

These gadgets can clean up to 20 piles of poop per charge while you relax. They are ideal for large yards or when dealing with lots of waste. Just be sure to empty the bin after.

Pros

• No manual effort, fully automated
• Convenient for quick, frequent cleaning
• Fun, high-tech option
• Good for large yards

Cons

• Higher upfront cost of $200-300
• Need to regularly recharge battery
• Less sturdy than manual scoopers

Using a Poop-Dissolving Spray

There are also enzymatic cleaner sprays designed specifically to dissolve and immediately clean up dog poop upon application. Popular brands like Get Off My Lawn work by breaking down the organic matter in dog feces using natural enzymes and bacteria.

To use this method, you simply spray the formula liberally over each poop as soon as your dog drops it. The enzymes go to work dissolving the waste within about 5 minutes. Over time, the poop will completely liquify and fade away without having to pick it up or bury it.

These sprays are very convenient for quickly eliminating poops. However, they work best on fresh waste and may require re-application for optimal results.

Pros

• Quickly dissolves poop upon application
• No need to handle waste
• Prevents decay odors
• Dog can immediately use treated area

Cons

• Works best on fresh poop
• May require re-applying over time
• More expensive than just picking up

Training Your Dog to Poop in One Area

While the previous solutions focus on cleaning up poop wherever your dog drops it, training them to go in just one designated waste area makes the process much easier. The steps include:

1. Choose an out-of-the-way spot in your yard, and fill it with mulch or gravel.
2. Teach your dog to associate treats and praise with pooping in the designated spot.
3. Clean up the area daily by scooping out the waste.
4. Use dog repellents around the rest of the yard to discourage pooping in other areas.

With consistency and positive reinforcement, most dogs can learn to exclusively poop in their designated relief zone. This keeps waste confined to one easy-to-clean area instead of scattered all around.

Pros

• Poop contained to a single spot
• Very easy to clean up
• Avoids scattered poops around the yard
• Dogs can learn quickly with training

Cons

• Takes time to fully house train dog
• Dogs may mistake other soft areas as fair game
• Still need to scoop designated area daily

Avoiding Getting New Dogs

Of course, the simplest way to avoid dealing with dog poop in your yard is to not have any dogs pooping there in the first place. While not realistic for current dog owners, avoiding getting new dogs means avoiding adding to your future poop troubles.

The ease of having a dog-poop-free yard may just outweigh the benefits of getting a four-legged friend. But for those committed to having dogs, utilizing one of the other methods outlined will help minimize the hassles of managing waste.

Pros

• No poop to clean up ever!
• Saves money and time spent on removing waste
• Yard stays clean and pristine

Cons

• Unable to enjoy companionship and fun of a dog
• Miss out on exercise involved in dog walking
• Lose security and comfort dogs provide

Key Factors in Choosing Approach

When deciding how to handle dog poop in your yard, consider factors like:

• Your tolerance – Are you willing to pick up poop manually?
• Yard size – Smaller yards make picking up easier than large properties.
• Number of dogs – More dogs means more poop to manage.
• Soil conditions – Hard, compacted soil makes burying difficult.
• Climate – Freezing winters prohibit poop from decomposing quickly.
• Budget – Hiring services or gadgets costs more than DIY options.

The best method balances effectiveness with your personal preferences and living situation. Over time, you’ll get a feel for the optimal approach to keep your yard clean.

Conclusion

Dealing with dog poop is an inevitable part of owning canines. While picking it up by hand or scooper is often assumed necessary, there are convenient hands-off options like burying, dissolving, decaying, or collecting it automatically. Consider which approach best suits your needs and yard conditions for a poop-free outdoor space.