Dog poop is an annoying and unsanitary nuisance that no homeowner wants to deal with. If dogs keep pooping in your yard, it can damage your lawn, attract pests, and spread bacteria or parasites to you, your family, and your pets. Unfortunately, some dogs just can’t resist going to the bathroom in your yard, especially if they pass by it regularly on their walk. As a homeowner, it is understandable that you would want to find solutions to keep dogs from pooping in your yard and protect your lawn. In this article, we will explore why dogs are drawn to poop in your yard, what homemade and commercial repellents are effective, tips for training dogs not to go in your yard, and how to remove dog poop safely. Keep reading to learn how to make your yard the least desirable bathroom spot for neighborhood dogs!
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Why Do Dogs Poop in Your Yard?
There are several reasons dogs are naturally inclined to poop in your yard:
– It smells familiar – Dogs poop in places they have gone before. Their excellent sense of smell allows them to identify areas they have previously eliminated in. Once they go there once, the smell draws them back repeatedly.
– Good location – Dogs prefer to go in open, grassy areas that are slightly away from high traffic human areas. Most front and backyards fit their criteria perfectly.
– Border marking – Some dogs instinctually like to mark territory boundaries with their poop. Yard perimeters tend to attract this behavior.
– Healthy grass – Dogs prefer pooping on live, growing grass rather than dead grass, gravel, or concrete. Yards with green, healthy grass are ideal targets.
– Privacy – Dogs like to poop in private, out-of-view locations. Shrubs, fences, and other yard features offer them a sense of privacy.
Knowing the instincts that draw dogs to poop in yards can help you modify the environment to make it less appealing to them. Simple changes to your landscaping, fences, smell, and grass health can discourage neighborhood dogs from going on your property.
Homemade Dog Repellents
Rather than resorting to harsh chemicals, many homeowners prefer to use homemade dog repellent sprays and granules first. These cost-effective, non-toxic solutions often do a good job deterring neighborhood dogs. Here are some effective options to try:
Vinegar Spray
White vinegar emits a strong odor that dogs dislike. Mix 1 part white vinegar and 1 part water and spray around the perimeter of your yard and other areas dogs frequent. Reapply after rain. The vinegar smell dissipates outdoors over 1-2 days. Vinegar is non-toxic to grass in the diluted form.
Chili Powder
Sprinkle chili powder around your yard to irritate dogs’ noses when they come near. Focus on applying it along fencelines and boundaries. Reapply after rain or watering. Chili powder is non-toxic but can potentially stain light fabrics. Rinse off immediately if comes into contact with skin.
Citrus Peels
Dogs dislike the strong citrus smell of oranges, lemons, and grapefruits. Save peels from these fruits and place them in areas that need to be protected. Alternatively, chop the peels finely and mix with water to create a citrus spray. Reapply the peels or spray each week. Over time, the peels will biodegrade naturally.
Coffee Grounds
Used coffee grounds make yards unappealing due to their strong smell. Scatter wet grounds around your yard’s perimeter or mix them into soil in garden beds. Reapply the grounds regularly, especially after rain. Sprinkle baking soda on the grounds to extend the odor. Coffee grounds also act as an eco-friendly fertilizer as they decompose.
Ammonia
The strong odor of ammonia is unpleasant to dogs. Dilute household ammonia with water at a 1:1 ratio in a spray bottle. Spray it around the edge of your yard and any other problem areas for dogs. Never spray ammonia directly on grass or plants due to its high nitrogen content. Reapply the ammonia spray weekly or after heavy rain.
Wolves’ Urine
This may sound odd, but collecting and using wolf or coyote urine granules can scare away neighborhood dogs. The smell triggers a dog’s instinct to avoid the urine markers of wild predators. Look for these products at specialty gardening or online stores. Follow package directions to apply the granules around your yard’s perimeter. Reapply every 1-2 weeks.
Commercial Dog Repellents
For homeowners who don’t have time to make their own dog deterrent solutions, there are many commercial products available:
Sonic Pet Repellers
These devices emit high frequency sound waves that bother dogs when they come into hearing range. Place them around your yard to create an invisible, uncomfortable barrier. Look for models weatherproof for outdoor use. Effectiveness depends on yard size and shape.
Motion-Activated Sprinklers
These sprinkler systems detect movement and shoot out a quick burst of water to startle dogs. They train dogs to avoid the areas they cover after being sprayed once or twice. The sprinklers are harmless but discourage dogs from entering.
Granular Repellents
Look for commercial granular products made with natural smells dogs dislike, like garlic, black pepper, capsaicin from chili peppers, mustard oil, or natural herbs. Sprinkle them around your yard’s perimeter according to package instructions. Rainproof options available.
Repellent Mats
Plastic mats with protrusions, available online or at home and garden stores, can be placed in problem areas. When dogs step on them, the protrusions irritate their paws, conditioning them to avoid that area. Look for non-toxic materials safe for lawns.
| Product | What It Does | How to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Sonic Pet Repeller | Emits ultrasonic frequency sound waves dogs dislike | Place around perimeter of yard. Needs power source. |
| Motion-activated sprinkler | Sprays water to startle dogs away | Attach to hose. Place in problem areas and adjust sensors. |
| Granular repellents | Contains smells dogs dislike | Sprinkle around yard perimeter. Reapply after rain. |
| Plastic mats | Plastic protrusions irritate dog’s paws | Place in problem areas. Use multiple mats for full coverage. |
Tips for Training Dogs Not to Poop in Your Yard
Along with using repellents, you can also train neighborhood dogs not to see your yard as a bathroom through consistency:
- Pick up dog poop immediately, even if it’s not from your dog. This removes the smell appeal.
- Rinse the area with water or an enzymatic cleaner to remove traces of odor.
- If you catch a dog in the act, interrupt it with a loud noise and command. The surprise helps deter repeat visits.
- Walk your own dog elsewhere so it doesn’t learn to go in your yard.
- Talk to your neighbors, explain the issue politely, and request they redirect their dogs.
- As a last resort, install an obscured motion-activated sprinkler and let the dog learn on its own.
With consistent training, neighborhood dogs will learn your yard is not an ideal bathroom spot. Natural repellents enhance this training by making your yard unappealing.
How to Remove Dog Poop from Your Yard
Even with good repellents and training, you’ll inevitably end up with some dog poop to handle. Removing it quickly reduces the dog’s smell attraction to go again in that spot:
Supplies Needed
- Biodegradable poop bags – essential for picking up poop
- Leash or pole – to avoid bending over each time
- Long-handled scooper – picks up poop without hands
- Disposable gloves – optional for messy cleanups
Removal Process
- Put on disposable gloves if desired.
- Use a leash, pole, or scooper to pick up the poop so you don’t have to bend over each time.
- Turn the bag inside out, pick up the poop, then pull the bag right side out to seal in the mess.
- Tie off the top of the bag.
- Throw away sealed bags in outdoor garbage bins.
- Wash your hands and any tools used when finished.
Regular poop removal prevents lingering odors that attract more pooping. By staying on top of waste cleanup, you reduce your yard’s appeal as a dog bathroom.
Conclusion
Dog poop can be one of the most frustrating yard nuisances, especially when neighborhood dogs see your lawn as their bathroom. By using natural repellents, commercial deterrent products, consistent training methods, and prompt waste removal, you can successfully teach dogs to do their business elsewhere. With some persistence, your yard can go back to being an inviting, odor-free space for you and your family to enjoy again without the mess.
