DO PICK UP
Obvious this one! Your dog has pooped it is your job to pick it up, bag it and pop it in the nearest dog waste bin. Please don’t leave it. It doesn’t matter where you are: the pavement, a park, woodland or on the beach, pick it up. No one likes stepping in poo. No one likes the squeal of someone who has stepped in poo…it is blood-curdling. No one likes their shoes after they have trodden in dog poo.
No, I don’t mean the poo, that would be weird. I mean share your bags. If you see someone not picking up do offer them a bag. I have done this on a few occasions to a mixed response. Often the person not picking up has no intention of picking up their dogs’ poop and will feel defensive if you offer them a bag. Oh well, they should pick up.
DO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE BAGS WITH YOU
I know you do, they will be in every pocket of every coat and pair of trousers, in the pockets of handbags and I have even heard of someone who stuffed one in her bra of all places. You can now avoid having poop bags everywhere with a poop bag holder from The Cosy Canine Company that clips onto your dog’s lead, so it is always available to you.
Poppy from Dotty4Paws with the Cosy Canine Company Poop Bag Holder
DO THINK ABOUT WHICH DOG POOP BAGS YOU USE
According to the PDSA there are over 9 million dogs in the U.K. Now that is a lot of poop! It is also an awful lot of plastic poo bags that end up polluting our world. There are lots of different bags available these days. Plastic, degradable, biodegradable and compostable. Compostable bags made from corn-starch are the only bags that I know of that completely break down after 3 – 4 months. To find out more about compostable poop bags visit Adios Plastic. I now use these bags myself and my poop bag holders and dog walking bags all come with a roll of compostable bags.
Poop Bag Holders
DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK TO BORROW A BAG
You know the scenario, you about to go out to walk your dog, you're excited, the dog is super excited, you put his lead on and race out of the front door keen to get to the park and play as soon as you can. But, oops, there he goes, and you don’t have a poo bag on you. Not even the one that has been through the washing machine in your jeans pocket. What do you do? Well, you certainly don’t leave it. If you are in the park there are usually other dog walkers around so ask someone. You wouldn’t mind if someone asked you, would you? So please don’t be embarrassed to ask for one. Much better to ask than to be that person that doesn’t pick up.
DON’T LEAVE POO BLOSSOM
Little bags of poop hanging from bushes and trees along the side of the field. Let’s leave the trees to create their own beautiful and far nicer smelling blossom. If you leave the bag in a bush while you go for your walk, then please remember to collect it on your way home.
DON’T LEAVE IT
What do you do if you see other dogs’ poo? Now here is a dilemma. Eughhhh is my first thought and then I think who would just leave their dogs poo. Then I think what if someone walked in it? What if someone slipped in it? Then suddenly I find myself picking up someone else’s dog poop.
DON’T TAKE A PHOTO
Your dog is in a vulnerable position while having their poo, and they are looking to you for safety, not a selfie.
Sorry Pickle, I couldn't resist.
There is no doubt about it dog poo is an emotive subject and one close to most dog owners’ hearts. No one wants to land a £100 fine for not picking it up. My top tip would be making sure you always have poop bags with you. Whether in a poop bag holder, a dog walking bag or in every single pocket of your coat. You can save yourself a fine and a rather embarrassing situation. You can order one of my dog walking bags here: Dog Walking Bags
Do you have any dog walking confessions? Any situations that have arisen around poo picking? Have you ever picked up your dog’s poo to find that it was cold and therefore not your dogs…I have! Let me know in the comments any stories you have.
If you have enjoyed this blog, you might like to read my blog How to enjoy a walk when your dog loves muddy puddles and rolling in fox poo.