If you’re in search of answers on ‘how to stop neighbor’s dog from pooping in my yard,’ you’ve come to the right place.
There’s nothing worse than coming home to notice large brown spots on your freshly manicured lawn. And you know for a fact that your neighbor’s dog is responsible for this because you’ve caught it in the act before.
Avoid indulging in petty acts like mailing the dog poop back to your neighbor or tossing it onto their driveway. This won’t help your case in any way, and you’ll end up making the situation a lot messier than it already is.
Your frustration is completely justified. But before you can give your neighbor a piece of your mind and take legal action against them, take a step back and think for a second. It’s necessary to adopt a non-confrontational approach to defuse the situation instead of letting it spiral out of control.
So, without any further delay, read on the following tips on how to stop neighbor’s dog from pooping in my yard.
10 Ways to Stop Neighbor’s Dog from Popping In Your Yard
So, you want to know how to stop neighbor’s dog from popping my yard. Here are 10 different ways to do just that. Be sure to check the cool infographic on 10 ways on how to stop neighbor’s dog from pooping in my yard.
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If you’re on good terms with your neighbor, they’ll apologize for the mess their dog has created and offer to clean it up for you. They’ll tell you they’ll keep an eye on their dog and make sure it doesn’t happen again.
But if they don’t seem too bothered by what their dog’s up to in other people’s yards, you’ll have to approach them in a slightly different way. Go up to them when they seem least occupied, preferably on the weekend, and carefully broach the subject.
If you sound too accusatory, then they may get defensive. It’s better to start the question with general questions about their lawn instead of jumping straight in and demanding an apology. You should tell them how scooping up their dog’s poop is not your responsibility, but you need to be gentle and keep a low tone of voice.
Your neighbor may be unaware of what their dog’s been doing behind their back, so there’s no need to blame them before hearing their side of the story.
You can even give them suggestions as to how they can keep their dog from messing up your yard or train them to defecate in certain areas only. This way, they won’t feel like they’re being attacked and will be more inclined to keep their dog in check.
Even if you’ve had a long discussion with your neighbor, there’s no real guarantee that it won’t happen again. Instead of being paranoid about it and obsessively scouring the yard every time you see your neighbor take their dog inside after a walk, you can make your lawn unapproachable for the dog by putting up fences.
Now, you may wonder why you need to invest in a fence when it isn’t your dog that’s causing trouble to begin with. But if you genuinely care about your lawn, you’ll know that setting up a barrier will protect it from other annoyances as well. Besides, who’s to say that only your neighbor’s dog is capable of making mischief in your garden?
If you think a fence will significantly bring down your lawn’s visual appeal, you can even use dog-proof plants or spiky shrubs to deter the dog from entering your yard. You can also set up a barrier in the form of a hedge. While this may not be 100% effective, it can significantly help lower their chances of making a bathroom out of your beautiful lawn.
Since dogs have sensitive noses and find specific types of smell to be extremely unpleasant, you can use those smells in your lawn to keep them at bay.
One thing dogs are known to hate is the smell of spices. What you need to do is mix up some strong dried up spices, such as dried peppers and mustard, and spread that mixture on your garden. The smell will be irritating enough for the dogs that they’ll start avoiding your garden altogether.
If you want to stay off condiments, then you can turn to coffee grounds and apply them to the soil. They’ll blend right in! You can also try adding citrus peels to your lawn because dogs don’t like the smell of citrus.
If you’re not particularly keen on using stuff that belongs in the kitchen, then you need to get your hands on plants that are known to have a smell that dogs absolutely can’t stand. These include a scaredy cat, rue, Cayenne, and citronella. You can also plant lavender as dogs don’t enjoy the smell and will try to avoid it.
Natural deterrents may not always be effective because what works for some dogs may not work for others. And the last thing you want to do is test it out because it’s your lawn that’s getting spoiled in the process.
Instead of experimenting with DIY repellents, you can just go to the store and buy dog repellant products. They’ll have a much stronger scent that will make them more effective in keeping the canines off your property.
Changing the fertilizer may help as well. Dogs love going to places that smell familiar, which is why switching up your fertilizer now and then may throw them off. They’ll think twice before entering.
Organic fertilizers can smell pleasant to dogs. So you need to do your research about fertilizers before using them. Avoid using deer or rabbit repellents with the fertilizers as they may contain coyote urine that can attract dogs to your yard.
It can be a hassle to keep reapplying repellents if you lead a busy life and can’t make time for additional chores in your schedule. And it may seem like fencing will save all your problems, but large breed dogs can jump over the fence if they’re determined to enter your yard.
What you can do is install lawn sprinklers that get activated when they sense a movement. Any dogs that have decided to trespass will get soaked immediately. It may take a couple of attempts on their part for them to learn that your lawn is off-limits, and they need to find some other place to carry out their business.
Dogs can be drawn to your lawn simply because they love the texture so much. That’s why you need to add pine cones as mulch to your garden to keep the dogs from treading on it. Pruned branches taken from rose bushes can also be spread out to keep the dogs away.
They’ll realize how much of an inconvenience it is to walk on your lawn and will soon find another place to relieve themselves comfortably.
Dogs don’t purposefully defecate in your yard. They’re just looking for a comfortable spot, and when your garden looks so inviting, it’s almost impossible for them to avoid it. You can create a diversion for them to keep them from entering your lawn.
Clear up space at a distance from the garden. Make sure it’s in the shade because dogs don’t enjoy hanging out under the sun. Put dog toys, water, and food to make the spot seem tempting to them instead of the garden.
Use a mixture of sand and soil as dogs like to dig. You can also add leaves, wood chips, etc. to make the space more comfortable.
If you’ve tried everything in your capacity to prevent your neighbor’s dog from pooping in your yard, and you notice that your neighbor isn’t keeping tabs on what their dog is doing, then you need to confront them.
If your neighbor just acts dismissive because you don’t have proof that it was their dog that did it, then you must catch it in the act by setting up security cameras around your yard.
If the security cameras are noticeable, then that will also discourage people from letting their dogs loose near your garden. You can even put up a surveillance sign that says something like ‘this yard is under constant surveillance’ to warn everyone in the neighborhood.
Not only will you be protecting your lawn, but you’ll also be keeping your home safe from burglars and vandals.
If you show your neighbor photographic evidence of their dog entering and pooping in your lawn, and they still refuse to apologize and do something about it, then it’s time to report them to the local authorities. You need to let them know that owning a dog means they need to take responsibility for their actions.
Most states have the ‘pooper scooper law’ that states that dog owners must pick up their dog’s poop from other people’s yard or public property. That’s why you can call Animal Control and show them proof so they can take the required legal action.
Not only will you be protecting your lawn, but you’ll also be keeping your home safe from burglars and vandals.
What Not to Do When You Find Neighbor’s Dog Poop in Your Yard?
As a property owner, you reserve the right to have a clean and disease-free home, and if your neighbor’s dog keeps making a mess in your lawn, you should seek the help of an attorney to figure out what your plan of action should be.
Even though it may be extremely upsetting to see your neighbor live carelessly while their dog is making your life hell every day, you still shouldn’t let go of your sanity.
This goes without saying. Resorting to aggression never solved anybody’s problems. Your anger is justified, but causing physical harm to someone is never the answer. Always give people the benefit of the doubt; you never know what’s going through their minds.
It may be hard to believe, but it’s possible that your neighbor is not aware of what their dog’s up to when they’re not looking. They could have a lot on their minds, and the reason why they don’t take your word for it may be because they genuinely don’t think their dog is responsible.
Regardless of why your neighbor isn’t taking your complaints seriously, you should know never take the law into your own hands, or you’ll face serious legal consequences.
Don’t let anger take control of your emotions as you’ll end up damaging your reputation. Yelling at your neighbor and calling them names will not solve the problem at hand. You need to think with a clear head about what you should do instead of lashing out and causing a scene.
You’ll make matters far more complicated if you involve other people. Talk to an attorney if your neighbor’s unreasonable instead of getting into an argument with them in public.
If your neighbor refused to pick up their dog’s poop either because you don’t have proof it was their dog in the first place, then don’t just leave it there. If you can’t get rid of it yourself, then ask someone who can.
If dog feces is left for too long, it can leave nasty brown spots in your lawn that can be a pain to clean afterward. Dog waste contains pollutants and parasites that can cause diseases to other pets and children too.
You should clean your garden immediately after you find dog poop as it leaves an odor behind. Other dogs in the area may catch a whiff and think your lawn is safe for them to use. After you’ve picked up the dog feces, dispose of it properly. Put in a plastic bag and seal it tightly to keep the smell from attracting more dogs.
Why Dog Your Neighbors Don’t Pick up Their Dog’s Poop?
Dog owners such as your next door neighbors not cleaning up after their dogs is a common problem. You’d think these people are too lazy to bend down and pick up their dog’s poop, but you’ll be surprised to learn about other factors that often influence their decision to leave it behind.
Sometimes dog owners can only take their furry friends out for a walk during the night time. And even if they brought a bag along to pick up after their dog, it can be challenging to look for the feces in the dark. Its times like this when the only option left is to return home with a clean bag.
This is precisely why dog owners need to keep a flashlight with them if they take their dog out for a walk at night. It’s highly unlikely for most people to leave their phone at home, so they can always turn the flashlight on in their phone and look for the dung.
It’s a common misconception that dog poop can simply decompose into nature and doesn’t need to be picked up. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Dog poop can take months, even years to decompose, and it can ruin the soil.
Dog poop has loads of parasites like roundworm, salmonella, ringworm, etc. that can pose a threat to animals and humans alike.
People often forget to bring doggy bags, and they’re too grossed out to think of other ways that they end up leaving without scooping up the dog poop. When you own a dog, you can’t just forget to bring a bag with you when you’re out on walks.
One way to remember the bags would be to place them next to the dog’s leash at home. You won’t miss them the next time you decide to take your dog out for a walk.
Since dog poop carries a strong stench and is full of bacteria, most people feel embarrassed to walk back home with a poop bag in their hands. This is a common concern, which is why so many dog owners have clips that can be used to attach the poop bag to the leash.
Learning How to Stop Neighbor’s Dog From Pooping in My Yard
Now you know the answer to how to stop neighbor’s dog from pooping in my yard.
It’s a pain to clean up after someone else’s pet, but if you follow the steps mentioned in this article, you won’t have to worry about something like this again. It’s also important to bring up the issue with your neighbor and educate them on how they can keep their dogs from trespassing on your property.
References
- Ulbrich, Beverly. “How to Discourage Dogs from Pooping in Your Garden.” WikiHow, WikiHow, 27 Apr. 2020, www.wikihow.com/Discourage-Dogs-from-Pooping-in-Your-Garden.
- Duran, Annemaria. “How Can I Humanely Keep Neighbor Dogs Out Of My Yard?” Country Pests, 25 Feb. 2019, countrypests.com/how-can-i-humanely-keep-neighbor-dogs-out-of-my-yard/.
- Lorenz. “How to Keep Neighbor’s Dog Out of My Yard: 9 Methods, Tested – Reolink Blog.” Reolink, Reolink, 28 Apr. 2019, reolink.com/neighbors-dog-in-my-yard-what-to-do/.
- Turner, Debra L. “How to Keep a Neighbor’s Dog Away From Your Yard.” Home Guides | SF Gate, 14 Dec. 2018, homeguides.sfgate.com/keep-neighbors-dog-away-yard-52287.html.
- Weeks, Peter. “6 Tips to Keep Dogs from Pooping on Your Lawn.” The Daily Gardener, 20 Aug. 2019, www.thedailygardener.com/keep-dogs-from-pooping-on-lawn.
