Dogs have "substrate preferences" they prefer to poop on certain kinds of stuff. My two girls like nice fresh grass (especially that in our back yard) or clean, dry sand (but only at the beach). One way to keep dogs from pooping on your landscaping is to change what is there to something that doesn't appeal to them. Maybe a hedge of salvias along the curb, or replacing part of the lawn with thyme, which has a very different paw-feel.

My method is slightly simpler: I'm planting a pooping area along the "hell strip" between curb and sidewalk. I know when I take my girls for a walk I'm grateful for an obviously clear place for dog functions (and of course I always clean up after my dogs, although some of my neighbors seem to find it too difficult).

Stu, you are severely tempting my anti-dog sentiments. I will refrain from writing my solution for this problem.

Val - could I "take a stab in the dark?"

This is a problem that I think has affected nearly every homeowner. Ultimately, it is the responsiblity of the dog owner to clean up after their dog(s), but we all know how seldom this actually happens. I solved the problem by installing a fence. Expensive, but it worked.

"Stab in the dark"? Oh no, nothing as tame as that! In fact, it involves a mini explosion set off by the interaction of a special chemical yet to be invented, when coming into contact with the offending material.

Well, you did encourage me!

Inspirational Val. Pure genius.

I live in a neighborhood where the homes are very close together. I take my small dog for long walks to wooded areas where no on resides so he doesn't poop or pee in my yard or in the common areas. I just had a neighbor move next door and she deliberately let her large dog poop in my yard and didn't get it up. Any recommendations on handling this issue?

Sharon - this question seems beyond the realms of a mere gardening blog. However, my advice would be to share this frustration with your neighbour and explain why it annoys you.

Barring that option I don't see too many other options for it appears the neighbour needs retraining, not the dog!

I have the same problem as Sharon. I do not have a pet. I live on a corner lot, my neighbors let their dogs out to poop in the afternoon and at night, and My yard is the bathroom. Is there anything we can buy to keep them out of our yard. We have leash laws in our city. The problem still exsist.Essie

try a sign no dog poop

Corner lot here, too, with a "no signs" ordinance in my neighbourhood. Do I have to invent a sanitation station with graphics only in order to get the point across?

I love dogs, but this is shameful.

I live in a condo complex and my front yard is the community dog toilet. It is disgusting and has reached the point to where it smells when I walk out my front door. I bought some stuff you sprinkle on the grass to keep the dogs away. We will see how that works.

It is amazing how many pet owners don't pick up after their dog. This is a huge national problem that many people are not aware of. We sell more no dog pooping signs than actual dog signs. Pet owners should always remember, "If your dog poops, please scoop".

We own a dog that is 15 years old and still get out of the ornemental fense we put up to keep her in and poops on the neighbors lawns. We dont know what else to do. We come home from work and she's out. We don't know exactly were she get out from but she somehow squeezes her chubby 15 year old body under the fence everyday. Mind you, she's a big yellow lab. We feel horrible that we have the pet from hell. We've barricated areas within the yard where we think she gets out and are fingers are crossed that it will work. For all the pet owners who owns a dog like us...we are sorry for our dog's behavior. I would recommend letting the pet owners know what their pet is doing and ask them if they can either pick up after their dog and check for poop without you having to tell them.

If your dog is still getting out after barricading with fences and other barriers then I would certainly advise that you contemplate a dog containment system. These are usually constructed of harmless radio signals that deter your dog from going near the boundaries of your property and in most cases are quite successful.

Try gnat scat...it keeps mosquitoes away using lemon oil and garlic oil. I just picked up dog crap off my lawn...so I sprinkled this on my lawn. I am sure this will keep them off.

I own a shop that has a dog groomer business right behind me. So every day people go past my shop to get to the groomers. For some reason all the dogs pee on the same spot right in front of my shop. It really ticks me off. Just yesterday I saw a lady stop and made her dog pee on that spot and then she praised the dog like he was doing a good job? My shop is on the front of a shopping center, and I have customers that walk in front on the sidewalk. Right there is where the dogs pee. The pee is actually tearing appart the cement that holds the stone store front.
Oh- and the groomers themselves have put a sign right where the dogs pee- Unfortunately, the dogs just peed on the sign and it fell off.
WHAT DO I DO?
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