Overview
Picking up after your dog when they poop is an important responsibility all dog owners share. While it may seem unpleasant, there are good reasons you need to promptly clean up your dog’s waste.
Dog feces contains parasites like roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms that can spread disease and infections to other pets and people, especially children. It also contains harmful bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella that can contaminate water and soil (1). Promptly removing your dog’s waste helps prevent the spread of disease and contamination.
Soft or runny poop can be especially messy and challenging to clean up. Using the right supplies and technique allows you to effectively pick up and dispose of your dog’s poop, even when it’s soft.
Supplies Needed
Picking up hardened dog poop requires only a few basic supplies:
Plastic bag or scooper – You’ll need a poop scooper or a plastic bag that allows you to pick up the poop without touching it directly. Some options include bags designed for picking up dog waste or a small plastic sandwich bag.
Bucket of water – Have a bucket of water on hand to moisten and soften areas of poop to make scooping easier. The water helps loosen any stuck-on pieces.
Spray bottle of water – A spray bottle filled with water is useful for precisely targeting dry poops and moistening specific areas. The stream from the spray bottle can help break up large clumps before scooping.
Having these basic supplies ready will make the cleanup process much smoother.
Pre-Moistening the Area
Lightly spraying the area around the poop with water can help to moisten and harden the surface of the poop for easier pick up. Using a spray bottle filled with water, gently mist the ground around the poop. You only need to lightly moisten the area – too much water can lead to messier clean up. The water helps to bind the poop particles together on the surface, creating a firmer exterior that is easier to scoop up in one piece [1].
Avoid over-saturating the area, as excess water can seep underneath the poop and make it spread out. Light, targeted spraying right around the poop is ideal. Allow a few minutes for the water to soak in and start hardening the upper surface of the poop before attempting to pick it up.
Letting the Poop Harden
After pre-moistening the area, it’s important to wait 5-10 minutes before attempting to pick up the poop. This allows time for the poop to harden, making it much easier to pick up cleanly.
Dog poop that is too soft or runny can be messy and difficult to pick up. By giving it a few minutes to harden after moistening, you’ll find the poop firms up nicely. The water activates the organic compounds in the poop, causing it to become more solid.
Be patient during this step. Rushing in too soon can lead to the poop smearing or spreading, creating more work. Wait the full 5-10 minutes for the poop to fully harden. The more time you allow, the firmer it will become.
You’ll know the poop is ready when it has turned into a solid mass that no longer appears shiny or moist. It should now be easy to pick up in one piece without deformation using your pooper scooper.
Breaking Up Large Poops
Very large or overly firm dog poop can sometimes be difficult to pick up in one piece. In these cases, it can help to break the poop up into smaller pieces first. This makes the poop much easier to scoop up.
To break up a large dog poop, you can use a stick, the edge of a scooper, or another stiff, narrow object. Gently press down on the poop to break it into several smaller pieces. Take care not to smoosh the poop and spread it around. Just break it up enough to make scooping easier.
You may need to let very firm poop soak up some moisture before it will break apart. Spraying a bit of water on it can help soften it up if it’s very dry. Let it sit for a few minutes before trying to break it up.
Once the large poop is broken into smaller pieces, you can scoop it up much more easily. The smaller pieces will stick together better inside the scooper.
Breaking up big poops prevents you from accidentally smearing poop while trying to lift the whole thing. It also ensures none of it gets left behind. Taking this extra step makes the cleanup process faster and more sanitary.
Picking Up the Poop
When picking up dog poop, it’s important to avoid contact with the waste as much as possible. The most common methods are using a scooper or an inverted plastic bag.
With a scooper, gently slide the scooper head under the poop to lift it up. Scoopers allow you to pick up waste without needing to bend down. Make sure to get any remaining traces left on the ground by scraping the surface lightly. Avoid squeezing the poop as this can cause it to smear or push through holes in the scooper.
For the inverted plastic bag method, place your hand inside a new plastic bag and grab the open end. Turn the bag inside out over your hand so your hand is covered. Gently pick up the poop, being careful not to squeeze it. Lift straight up to keep the poop intact. Twist the bag to seal in the waste. This technique keeps hands protected while containing the mess.
Regardless of method, lift gently in a straight upward motion. Avoid excess pressure which can cause poop to be squeezed through holes or openings. The goal is to keep the process sanitary and mess contained.
Sealing the Bag
After picking up the poop, it’s important to properly seal the bag so no odors can escape. Twist the top of the bag tightly several times, then tie a firm double knot. Make sure no air can escape through the knot. If the bag is thin, consider double bagging the poop to prevent any leaks or tears. Place the knotted bag inside an empty second bag and seal that one as well.
For extra odor protection, use bags designed to lock in smells, like the BOS Amazing Odor Sealing Dog Poop Bags. Their multilayer construction and adhesive strip create an airtight seal so no smells can permeate the bag. Tightly twist the top and press the adhesive strip firmly to seal in the odor. This ensures a leak-proof, odorless disposal.
Disposing of the Bag
After picking up and sealing your dog’s waste in the bag, the next step is disposing of it properly to avoid odors and messes inside the home.
The proper way to dispose of dog waste bags is to place them directly into an outdoor trash receptacle. Outdoor trash cans are preferred because any odors or leaks will be localized outside rather than inside the home. Securely sealed bags can be placed in a tightly closed outdoor garbage bin.
Never place used dog waste bags in indoor trash cans or receptacles. Even sealed bags can leak or expel odors into indoor trash containers, leading to messes and unpleasant smells in the home. Indoor garbage cans also aren’t designed to contain pet waste.
If using a bag that is not extremely durable, consider double bagging the waste before disposal in the outdoor trash. This provides extra protection in case the bag leaks. However, quality bags designed for pet waste should not leak or burst under normal conditions.
Cleaning the Tools
It is important to clean your dog poop scooper and spray bottle after each use to prevent the spread of bacteria and buildup of residual fecal matter. Here are some tips for cleaning your dog waste removal tools:
Rinse the scooper thoroughly with water to remove any clinging debris. You can use a hose or faucet to wash away droppings. Rinsing prevents feces from drying onto the scooper.
Spray bottles used for moistening hardened dog poop should also be rinsed out after use. Run water through the spray nozzle and bottle opening to flush out any remaining organic matter.
For a deeper clean, use a mild soap and warm water solution. Mix a small amount of dish soap into warm water and use it to scrub the scooper and bottle. The soap helps break down oils and loosen stuck-on bits.
Rinse away all soap residue until the water runs clear. Allow tools to air dry completely before storing to prevent bacterial growth in anystanding water.Amazon top pooper scoopers
With proper cleaning, your scoopers and spray bottles will stay fresh and ready for your next walk.
When to Call a Professional
There are some situations where it’s best to call in a professional pooper scooper service rather than trying to pick up the waste yourself:
Severe diarrhea that can’t be picked up – Dogs sometimes get digestive upsets that lead to very loose, liquidy stool that can be impossible to pick up. Professional services use special tools and solvents to fully clean up even the worst messes. They can also give tips on transitioning your dog back to solid poop.
Elderly/disabled dog owners – Scooping poop requires bending, carrying bags, and maneuvering tools, which can be challenging for seniors or those with disabilities. Let the pros handle this dirty work so you can simply relax and enjoy time with your pet.
Heavy poop workload – Owners of multi-dog households or large breeds can quickly become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of waste needing pickup. Professionals with commercial equipment can whisk it all away quickly, so you have more time for fun.