How can you get your neighbors to clean up after their dog's poop?

Question

We live in a townhome, and our "backyard" is connected to our neighbors' backyards without a fence. Our neighbors NEVER clean up after their dog's poop. I've stepped in it, gotten it on my pants, my dog played with their dog and rolled in it accidentally . . . and it smells! There are piles and piles of it everywhere, yet they're nice neighbors. So how can I get them to clean it up without pissing them off?

Answer 1

Provide a solution that involves the both of you, since you both have dogs that poop in your shared backyard.

You could either silently lead by example, by doing it yourself once or twice while they're outside, or just simply approach them with your view of the problem. If you let them know, without sounding accusatory, that stepping in the poop, getting it on your clothes and your dog is becoming problematic, they may very well say, 'Oh, sorry...yeah, let's take turns cleaning up the poop a couple of times a week.' Another option is to offer to split the cost to hire a pooper scooper service to come and clean all the poop on a weekly basis. It may cost money, but if you're only paying half, it might not be so bad.

I think that assuming the conversation will go poorly will make that very thing happen...if they are nice neighbors, chances are they will appreciate your up-front and problem-solving approach and offer to help.

Of course, if the conversation doesn't go well, and you feel you've made a good faith effort to be a responsible neighbor, then yeah, approach the Townhome regulatory or oversight board and consult the community rules. The bottom line is that owning a dog means cleaning up after them, it's part of the responsibility of being a dog owner, and some people just don't get it. Nice neighbors or not, they need to pick up the poop.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I could answer with my version of a funny one but there are way too many of them so far! GOOD ONES TOO!

I would buy two of the pooper scoopers. They are about $10 each (the kind with the "jaws" that basically scoops up one pile is the easiest in my opionion). Go to the nicest of the neighbors (male or female) and say, "I was wondering if you noticed how bad it smells in the back. My friend ______ came over and I was so embarrased when they mentioned it, so I bought these pooper scoopers. Can you help me with OUR dogs waste problem?"....if this is too vague even add on, "I never realized just how disgusting it is in the back and I vow to clean up Snoopy's poop at least every other day."

Answer 3

It's a tough call because you have a dog too. Maybe offer to share "doggy duty" Rotate days cleaning both yards. This way you can make it look like you find it to be annoying too and if anything maybe they get the point that's something they need to do.

Otherwise you can write an annoynomous letter to your townhouse associate and address the issue as a whole- they will send out a letter to all residents as a friendly reminder to pick up after your dog.

Good luck!

Answer 4

I'm in a townhome also but have luckily been able to put up a privacy fence to keep my dogs in and other animals out. Living in this type of community, there are rules and I bet one of them refers to this situation. You can always call the Board and have them send out a letter reminding people to clean up after thier pets or they can come over and inspect and write the person a direct letter. There are advantages to living in a townhouse and you shouldn't allow it to be ruined by others! (or not let your dog play...throw the poop back in their yard...)

Answer 5

Ask them too? If they are nice neighbors, then explain to them in a very nice manner that its becoming a problem for you. If they are truly nice neighbors like you say they are, they should have no problem doing it. Say "im not trying to come off bitchy but i keep stepping in your dog poop do you think you could maybe pick it up sometime ...." then if they don't....You take the time to clean it up and throw it all in ONE big pile close to their door....They willl get the hint. If they get mad, who cares? They obviously don't care about you...Right?

Answer 6

The only logical way I see of dealing with this is to just ask them! If they are nice people, just ask them to help take care of the backyard that you share. I don't think that that is too much to ask, and they should have been doing that from the start. Don't bring up the past incidents, because then they may get defensive, just ask them to clean up what is their dog's mess. It isn't healthy for the dogs either, and they should be aware of that.

Answer 7

Just be direct and ask them nicely to pick it up or if you see them out there with the dog hand them a bag and say, "here's a bag so you don't have to run back in and get one". Maybe report them to the association for the townhomes.

Answer 8

Don't worry about upsetting them, you have more of a right to be upset with them, and if they are that sloppy, the situation isn't likely to change even if you do ask them to clean up after their dog. If you own the property, put up a fence between your yard and theirs. If not, explain the problem to the landlord and request that the problem be dealt with or a fence put up.

Answer 9

What their financial status is, is totally irrelevant. Why are you concerned about pissing them off? They are obviously pissing you off and they don't seem to care.

My assumption is that you live in a city. If you have a townhome association, I would contact them and complain. If you don't, then call the complaint department at the city headquarters in the city you live in.

Answer 10

You need to talk to them about the problem 1st
2nd talk to the association
3rd call the humane society
(if they cant help)
leave the poop on their porch, car hood
last resort- put up a fence