Poop is Poop

Every one loves their pet. For some people that pet is a dog. Dogs have won the reputation as being man's best friend. I agree with the claim. Its something about a dog that warms a person's heart. They are loyal. They love unconditionally. And they will be there for you when you are at your worst. They just want to be with their owner. There are also a few things about dogs that we just have a difficult time with. They poop! And that is natural. Without it our dogs would cease to be.

Poop is not a problem. The problem is the dog owner who does a poor job at cleaning up after the dog. Many people love to walk their dog around the neighborhood, in the park and down the street. Most people are responsible. They clean up after their dog when it poops while they are out on a walk around town. Its the few people who have the belief, as long as it is not in the path of others, why clean it up? There are many reasons, a person should clean up after their dog.

Its difficult to believe poop is dangerous but it is extremely dangerous. It poses a potential health risk to humans and other pets. Beyond being smelly, what's the problem with poop? Some dogs are not healthy. Even dogs that appear healthy may carry undetected bacteria and parasites. When they eliminate feces from their bodies, the parasites living in their bodies are deposited onto the ground.

The feces left on the ground or in the grass may contain eggs and larvae from parasites such as round worms, hook worms, tape worms, and whip worms. The parasites are capable of remaining in the grass or on the ground in a dormat state for years. When another pet or person walks on the infected area, the parasites will attach themselves to the exposed foot or paw. From there, the parasite bores its way into the body of its victim.

Some dog owners wash the poop down the driveway or onto the ground in their yards. The poop mixes with the water which runs down drains and into streams and lakes. The results is contamination of vital water sources. The poop adds nitrogen to our water source and gradually eliminates the oxygen from the water.The water may become contaminated with Salmonella and Ecoli.

More people would like dogs if they did not have to view poop in public walking areas. There would be fewer restrictions on dog owners when locating dog friendly lodging on vacations. Neighbors may become more accepting of dogs if the owner did not permit the dog to poop and urinate on their lawns. The urine burns the grass and the poop leaves a nesting place for the parasite eggs. And the neighbor becomes very upset with the persons that do not clean up poop after their dog.

Pitching in and cleaning up after our dog benefits everyone. There are responsible things dog owners may incorporate in their dog hygiene.

In the home ...

• Clean up the area as soon as the accident occurs.
• Do not allow the pet to see you clean up the area. The dog may become afraid to poop when you are around if you get upset while cleaning up the area. If the dog sees you clean up the area, it may come to believe it is your job to clean up the poop after wards.
• Use a paper towel to wipe up the urine and pick up the stool with a towel.
• Use soapy warm water to wash the soiled area. Do not use a sponge. It tends to spread the smell of urine. The dog will use that scented area as its indoor toilet.
• After cleaning up the soiled area with soap and water, spray the area with an odor neutralizing spray.
• Keep the area clear of the dog until it is completely dry.
• Carpeted areas - Immediately clean up the urine and feces with a paper towel.
• Use a portable black light to see urine stains.
• Use the repellent on the carpet. Without your pet seeing you, see if it is truly appalled by the repellent.

In public places

When taking your pet out to enjoy the neighborhood...

• Take a few plastic dogie bags for cleaning up feces
• Train your dog to go in a designated area and do not allow it to randomly eliminate where ever it chooses
• Reward your pet when it goes potty in the designated training area
  
• Even if your dog goes in a none walking area, clean it up. You're protecting the environment.

When pet owners clean up after their dogs, they help keep the environment a safe place for pets and people. Businesses may become more willing to allow pet dogs in their lodging facilities. Everyone will be better off for it in the long run.