Are You Tired of Standing in Dog Poo? Yeah, Me Too!
Friends of the Dog
Friends of the Dog
Let’s just be real: there are few things more frustrating than stepping in dog poop. Whether it's hidden in the grass or smeared across the sidewalk, it’s a nasty, preventable mess. And honestly? It shouldn’t still be a thing.
But here we are—dodging piles in parks, trails, even right outside our front doors.
So why do so many people still not pick up after their dogs?
1. “Oops, I forgot a bag”
The most common excuse you’ll hear (and maybe have used yourself) is: “I didn’t have a bag.” Fair enough—it happens. But it happens a lot. Studies in cities like Raleigh (Southern California) found over 60% of people skip cleanup because they don’t have a bag or can’t find a trash bin nearby.
That’s not malicious—it’s just bad planning. But still gross.
2. “I didn’t see it happen”
This one’s surprisingly common: the dog runs off-leash, does their business behind a bush, and the owner misses the whole thing. Out of sight, out of scoop.
A study from Nashville found that when dogs are off-leash, poop often goes unnoticed—and uncollected. The less people are paying attention, the more poop gets left behind.
3. The "It’s Natural!" excuse
Some folks actually believe dog poop is just part of nature, like fallen leaves. But that’s not true. At all.
Dog poop:
4. Embarrassment or Just Not Caring
It sounds weird, but some people feel awkward carrying around a visible bag of poop. Others just don’t care because “everyone else leaves it too” or they assume no one’s watching.
But here’s the thing: that kind of thinking is the problem. If even a small group of people think it’s okay to skip cleanup, it becomes normal—and we all end up tiptoeing through poop.
5. Guilt Trips Don’t Work—Simple Solutions Do
Tons of cities have tried education campaigns like “Scoop the Poop” or “Be a Good Neighbour.” They help—but only if they’re paired with basic stuff like:
Let’s Talk Dog-to-Dog Danger
If you’re a dog owner, here’s another reason to care: leftover poop spreads disease.
Dogs can catch things like:
Final Thoughts (aka, Rant Over)
So yeah, if you’re tired of standing in poo—you’re not alone. It’s not just gross; it’s a health risk and a sign of broken community habits. Picking up your dog’s mess isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being decent.
So let’s all:
But here we are—dodging piles in parks, trails, even right outside our front doors.
So why do so many people still not pick up after their dogs?
1. “Oops, I forgot a bag”
The most common excuse you’ll hear (and maybe have used yourself) is: “I didn’t have a bag.” Fair enough—it happens. But it happens a lot. Studies in cities like Raleigh (Southern California) found over 60% of people skip cleanup because they don’t have a bag or can’t find a trash bin nearby.
That’s not malicious—it’s just bad planning. But still gross.
2. “I didn’t see it happen”
This one’s surprisingly common: the dog runs off-leash, does their business behind a bush, and the owner misses the whole thing. Out of sight, out of scoop.
A study from Nashville found that when dogs are off-leash, poop often goes unnoticed—and uncollected. The less people are paying attention, the more poop gets left behind.
3. The "It’s Natural!" excuse
Some folks actually believe dog poop is just part of nature, like fallen leaves. But that’s not true. At all.
Dog poop:
- Contains harmful bacteria and parasites (like Giardia and roundworms)
- Pollutes local waterways
- Can even spread diseases to other dogs—including parvo, parainfluenza, and intestinal worms
4. Embarrassment or Just Not Caring
It sounds weird, but some people feel awkward carrying around a visible bag of poop. Others just don’t care because “everyone else leaves it too” or they assume no one’s watching.
But here’s the thing: that kind of thinking is the problem. If even a small group of people think it’s okay to skip cleanup, it becomes normal—and we all end up tiptoeing through poop.
5. Guilt Trips Don’t Work—Simple Solutions Do
Tons of cities have tried education campaigns like “Scoop the Poop” or “Be a Good Neighbour.” They help—but only if they’re paired with basic stuff like:
- More poop bag stations
- Visible trash cans (especially on trails and parks)
- Clear, friendly signs (not guilt-trippy)
Let’s Talk Dog-to-Dog Danger
If you’re a dog owner, here’s another reason to care: leftover poop spreads disease.
Dogs can catch things like:
- Parvo – a potentially deadly virus that lives in feces for months
- Worms and parasites – which are super easy to pick up from soil
- Giardia – a nasty bug that causes diarrhea and spreads fast in parks
Final Thoughts (aka, Rant Over)
So yeah, if you’re tired of standing in poo—you’re not alone. It’s not just gross; it’s a health risk and a sign of broken community habits. Picking up your dog’s mess isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being decent.
So let’s all:
- Carry extra bags (stash them everywhere—coat pockets, car, leash handle)
- Speak up (nicely) if you see someone leaving a mess
- Set the example—because good habits are contagious
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