If you have a dog, you have dog poop to deal with. There aren’t any good reasons for not picking up the poop–- ignoring it invites germs and pollutants, never mind the occasional messy misstep. It’s also bad for the environment, annoys your neighbors, and gives our lovable canines a bad name.
We all have to make a habit of scooping dog poop. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to get the job done, and clever inventors come up with new solutions all the time. Here are 13 ways to scoop dog poop:
1. Plastic bag
Perhaps the most common method; you simply slip a inverted plastic bag over your hand, pick up the pile, and then tie the bag shut and toss into the trash.
Pro: Plastic bags are free and easy to wad up to fit in a pocket. Or you can buy a style of leash that incorporates a stashed bag, such as Kinn’s Kangaroo Plus leash.
Con: Your dog’s plastic-sealed package may sit in a landfill for several years, as it’s slow to decompose.
2. Pooper scooper
If you don’t like to get up close and personal with the poo, or you have difficulty bending over, a pooper scooper is for you. They’re sold at most pet stores; you simply squeeze the handles to scoop up the dog poop, then deposit it into a more appropriate place.
Pro: A touch-free, no-contact method.
Con: You’ll need to carry your pooper scooper along on walk, as well as a bag to collect the waste.
3. Flushing dog poop
Many cities ban flushing of pet waste down the toilet, so check your local regulations first. Also, do your research for your home’s specific septic setup. Once you get the okay, flushing can be one of the more efficient and environmentally friendly ways to clean up dog poop.