Doggie "gifts": How do I stop the gift-giving?

[onedrop]

I know there are a lot of pet owners and lovers here on PS, so I thought I'd ask you all (or anyone else who has experience with this) for tips to handle a problem we are having. Here is the very simple question: How do I keep dogs from pooping on our lawn? Both I and the man that does our landscaping have noticed that within the last week or so, one of our neighbors' dogs has been leaving "presents" on our grass. In the 12 years I have been living here, I have never had this issue! So this could either be a rogue dog, or a new neighbor that is just plain rude and disrespectful. Once I noticed the problem, I've tried to be vigilant so that I can catch the culprit in the act, but I am guessing that the owner lets the dog out late at night or very early in the morning to remain unseen. Since I can't confront the dog's owner (because I don't know whose dog is doing this), does anyone have any other suggestions for dealing with this situation? Help!!

 

[Tanzigrrl]

What a rude owner!!! That is just unacceptable. Responsible dog owners know to carry a bag when they walk their dogs. That's a given. How anyone ignores that common courtesy, I do not know.

As for how to get the owner to pick up after his pet, I don't know. I'd say confront him, but you don't know who it is. Maybe a small sign on your lawn, not sure you want to do that though.

 

[Fly Girl]

We don't have dogs, but one of our dog-owning neighbors volunteered to pick up any deposits on our lawn. We put a small flag (like those used to mark utility lines) next to the prize, and a few hours later the gift is gone and the flag is back on our doorstep.

We have really, really nice neighbors!

 

[onedrop]

Tanzigrrl: Tell me about it! And the thing that really pisses me off is that we have a large wooded area behind our house where a dog can do his/her business without going on other people's lawns!! I thought about planting a sign, however, I have a sneaking suspicion that the dog owner just kind of lets the dog out to do his/her business and doesn't even walk them, so a sign wouldn't deter the dog. But...it is a good suggestion that I still may use. Thanks!!

Flygirl: You have more than nice neighbors. You have wonderful neighbors. Sadly, I don't think the set-up that you and your neighbors have would work where I live.

 

[iheartscience]

My brother and SIL had this issue and put a sign in her yard that said "Please curb your dog!" That didn't work out too well so they ended up installing a fence. So unbelievably rude when people do this! Could you install a motion sensor security light? The owner might be less likely to do this if he/she is spotlighted!

The other day I was walking home and this woman's dog pooped in the treewell right in front of my house. Since she was cold busted she actually asked me for a bag to pick it up. She pulled an "OMG I totally forgot my bags!" Mmmhmm.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I believe that the accepted protocol is to take a week off work, hide in your bushes night and day with a hose, and wait until you see the whites of their eyes before you soak them down. At least, that is what Chevy Chase seems to do in the movies

 

[onedrop]

Thing: I also thought about a fence, which might actually be doable. Our lawn is very small, but I think I could put up a small mesh fence perhaps that might do the trick. Great suggestion! Great timing that you pulled up right when the lady was allowing her dog to let one rip w/o picking it up.

Dreamer: I think you are on to something! I think one time of catching the dog in the act and then blasting him/her with a water hose would do the trick. Though I wish I could use the hose on the owner rather than the innocent dog. The dog is just doing what's natural!

 

[lyra]

There are spray devices called Havahart or something like that. Look on amazon. They just spray water, no harm done.

 

[packrat]

Hmmm..hard when you don't know whose dog it is. The guy who used to live across the street from us let his dog run all over and it was always in our yard. I think they find the nicest yard on purpose. Like the cat that heads straight for the allergic person. We knew who the dog belonged too so JD knocked on the door and told him if it continued, he'd be bringing it over to his door step. And he did. Same dog used to tear into our garbage, and then the garbage people wouldn't/couldn't pick it up so, that also got deposited in his lawn to deal with. In the end we planted super thorny bushes around the yard. Well..and JD got the dog w/his paintball gun a couple times too.

 

[fleur-de-lis]

I believe that the accepted protocol is to take a week off work, hide in your bushes night and day with a hose, and wait until you see the whites of their eyes before you soak them down. At least, that is what Chevy Chase seems to do in the movies

THIS.

Of course, that's how I'd like to see you, i.e. not me, do this Onedrop. This is a common enough problem that most hardware stores sell signs in the sign section about picking up after one's dog, and if it were me I'd give that a shot first. It won't do any good if the pooper's owner is a sociopath, but this simple reminder (and notice that it IS harming someone who IS noticing and IS annoyed by the breach) will get many "merely lazy and inconsiderate" folks back to doing the right thing. So yeah, a sign.

If that doesn't work, DreamerD's hose patrol would be awesome. Supplement it with a friend, with a videocamera, capturing the whole thing. Post on youtube, add clickcount advertising links = profit!!

 

[iLander]

We had a neighbor that had a VERY threatening German Shepard that would wander into our yard. It actually came in our yard and knocked over my DD when she was a toddler. The neighbors were very condescending and said he wouldn't hurt a fly, he's so gentle, they don't believe in leashes, etc. I started calling the cops whenever it was in our yard, and they'd go over and warn them. Didn't help much.

So we got this motion-activated sprinkler;

http://www.amazon.com/Contech-CRO101-Scarecrow-Activated-Sprinkler/dp/B000071NUS

It worked like a charm. The dog got squirted a couple of times and never came back our way, but continued to terrorize the neighborhood. Many neighbors were really afraid of it, it growled and considered the whole neighborhood it's territory.

Eventually, the neighbor's "gentle" shepard attacked another neighbor's Maltese and almost killed it. The poor little Maltese was in his own yard, on his owner's leash!

But it ended in a karmic way, the shepard ran off one last time and chased a raccoon into a gulley with a gator in it. The raccoon made it out the other side of the creek. The shepard didn't.

 

[melave]

Is it in the same area every time?

I would maybe try something like this

http://www.amazon.com/Contech-CRO101-Scarecrow-Activated-Sprinkler/dp/B000071NUS

There is no excuse for people leaving the "gifts" on other people's lawns. Dog owners should carry poop bags with them. Just my 2 cents

 

[VapidLapid]

So there ya go, shoot the dog, or get an alligator.

 

[tammy77]

Am I the only one that found the user submitted photos on Amazon pretty darn entertaining? I'd definitely try that!!!

 

[Haven]

Ugh, that is so rude.

I would put little signs on stakes around the perimeter of my yard. They'd say things like:
"They poop, you scoop."
"Are you going to scoop that? Remember--leaving it behind is a $250 fine."
"I'm watching you. Non-scoopers will be prosecuted."
"Scoop it up, or else!"
"All abandoned dog poop will be returned to owner in a flaming paper bag on the front porch."

Shortly after we moved into our home I thought one of my neighbors was guilty of the same thing for a while. Turns out that we have a lot of wild animals in the area, and the deer, foxes, etc. were the ones leaving us little presents. I don't expect them to poop scoop, seeing that they lack opposable thumbs and all.

 

[amc80]

Am I the only one that found the user submitted photos on Amazon pretty darn entertaining? I'd definitely try that!!!

I'm laughing out loud now due to the unicorn pic...hahahaha!!!

 

[Autumnovember]

Hmmm..hard when you don't know whose dog it is. The guy who used to live across the street from us let his dog run all over and it was always in our yard. I think they find the nicest yard on purpose. Like the cat that heads straight for the allergic person. We knew who the dog belonged too so JD knocked on the door and told him if it continued, he'd be bringing it over to his door step. And he did. Same dog used to tear into our garbage, and then the garbage people wouldn't/couldn't pick it up so, that also got deposited in his lawn to deal with. In the end we planted super thorny bushes around the yard. Well..and JD got the dog w/his paintball gun a couple times too.

LOL!

I had the exact same problem and I ended up putting not-so-nice signs in front of my house for dog #1. Finally, the person who walked the dog got the hint and started picking the poop up. Dog #2 isn't walked on the leash but his poop is much smaller so it not as bad but it still pisses me off. I do know who the owner is but I'm going to ignore it because we're moving. People are disgusting! I would do the spray device. Do you have an association? Maybe someone there can help?

 

[Autumnovember]

Am I the only one that found the user submitted photos on Amazon pretty darn entertaining? I'd definitely try that!!!

I'm laughing out loud now due to the unicorn pic...hahahaha!!!

I am, hahahaahahhaha. And the really wet dog thats like "WTF."

 

[onedrop]

Thanks for all of the replies, suggestions, and the comic relief!! The sprinkler thing sounds like it might be the best solution. I will be looking into that immediately!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Oh, I was suggesting you soak the owner not the poor dog!

 

[smitcompton]

Hi,

I suggest you make up a flyer. List many of the comments made in this thread. Distribute the flyer to all the neighbors saying you do not know whose dog is doing this. Ask them nicely to stop the dog. Suggest they train the dog to go in the woods behind the house .

I have done this on another matter on my block and it worked with all targeted people, but one. The people were great. I signed my name and phone number. Its possible the person doesn't realize where the dog is going. Tell them. Just be nice in the letter.


Annette

I put it in their mailbox after the mailman left, and on their front door.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Thanks for all of the replies, suggestions, and the comic relief!! The sprinkler thing sounds like it might be the best solution. I will be looking into that immediately!

The sprayer sounds like the best solution! It solves the problem w/out any sort of direct confrontation w/neighbors. You don't want to start a war. Two of my neighbors started one over the placement of the garbage cans and one of the two came home after vacation and found the other neighbor had taken her garbage, recycling, and yard waste cans and lined them up across her driveway and blocked the neighbor from entering. It just seemed like unnecessary drama...not worth it!

 

[Imdanny]

A small fence?

 

[iLander]

So there ya go, shoot the dog, or get an alligator.

I've solved most of my problems with the ubiquitous, yet handy, gator.

 

[onedrop]

Wanted to thank everyone for all the additional replies. You all have been so helpful!!! I was so frustrated the other day that I went out to Lowe's and found a black pepper/lemongrass mix spray that seems to be doing the trick. I carefully checked the ingredients and it's not toxic from what I can tell. It's just gives off a very strong peppery aroma. We were out of town this weekend and there were no new gifts waiting when we returned, so maybe the spray did the trick. If not, I'll step it up to the sprinkler.

iLander: I should have asked you...do you have any feelings about where the dog is living relative to our house???

Thanks again everybody!!!!

 

[iLander]

Wanted to thank everyone for all the additional replies. You all have been so helpful!!! I was so frustrated the other day that I went out to Lowe's and found a black pepper/lemongrass mix spray that seems to be doing the trick. I carefully checked the ingredients and it's not toxic from what I can tell. It's just gives off a very strong peppery aroma. We were out of town this weekend and there were no new gifts waiting when we returned, so maybe the spray did the trick. If not, I'll step it up to the sprinkler.

iLander: I should have asked you...do you have any feelings about where the dog is living relative to our house???

Thanks again everybody!!!!

He's coming from across the street, maybe he's just passing through the yard across from you (not sure), but it's definitely right there.

 

[onedrop]

Wanted to thank everyone for all the additional replies. You all have been so helpful!!! I was so frustrated the other day that I went out to Lowe's and found a black pepper/lemongrass mix spray that seems to be doing the trick. I carefully checked the ingredients and it's not toxic from what I can tell. It's just gives off a very strong peppery aroma. We were out of town this weekend and there were no new gifts waiting when we returned, so maybe the spray did the trick. If not, I'll step it up to the sprinkler.

iLander: I should have asked you...do you have any feelings about where the dog is living relative to our house???

Thanks again everybody!!!!

He's coming from across the street, maybe he's just passing through the yard across from you (not sure), but it's definitely right there.

ILAnder: Thanks!! I will keep a look out. I had a feeling that he/she is just passing through.