A Sly Solution to Homeowner’s Phantom Pet Pooper Problem

By Sam Mazotta DEAR PAW’S corner: I read your recent column about the homeowner who was struggling to find out which owner was allowing their dog to poop on their lawn. Your ideas were pretty good, but I have another one that
they might consider. I run a small bed and breakfast, and dog poop on the front lawn is a huge concern to me. No guest wants to see that, much less accidentally step in it! I installed cameras and caught a couple of neighbors’ dogs in the act, but the problem continued. Then I noticed something. My landscaper applies a fertilizer and pest control to the lawn in the spring and fall, and he puts up a little sign that warns people not to allow pets or children onto the grass until the application dries. When that sign is up, no neighbors come near my property. I
asked the landscaper to leave the sign up year-round. I haven’t had a single “deposit” since! I hope this sneaky idea helps. — Vince in Saratoga, New York Dear VINCE: That is a genius idea. And while it’s a little sneaky, it controls the pet waste problem in a non-confrontational way. Another option is to periodically treat your front lawn with a dog-repelling scent. These products, both sprays and granules, are available at pet and home-improvement stores and online. Spritz the borders of the lawn and plants or spread the granules around on a dry day that isn’t windy. You can even make homemade repellent by mixing one part cayenne pepper with 10 parts water and spraying around the yard. (Do not spritz these repellants directly at a neighbor’s dog!)