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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be panicking about dog poo?

35 replies

Winniethewylde · 09/10/2015 14:32

Please can someone talk some sense into me?

I panic all the time about getting dog poo on my shoes, DDs shoes, the pushchair therefore it then coming in the house etc etc I'm constantly checking to see if we have it on our shoes, whether it's ahead of us, where it is. I won't let DDs run on the grass in case it gets on their shoes. Ahhhh, I'm worried I'm ruining their childhood because of my silly thoughts. Are they silly? AIBU?

OP posts:
ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 09/10/2015 14:33

I think it probably is OTT, but I have exactly the same problem - also won't let DD run on the grass in the park Blush. Will watch this thread with interest.

KoalaDownUnder · 09/10/2015 14:35

Why don't you just check before you come into the house?

Floggingmolly · 09/10/2015 14:36

Just lurking in case anyone has any words of wisdom... it's my phobia too

KoalaDownUnder · 09/10/2015 14:36

Ps it stinks, so you're unlikely to miss it!

ConstanceMarkYaBitch · 09/10/2015 14:36

Um, yes. That's seriously OTT. I have lots of children and live somewhere with many dogs. Getting poo on anything is a very rare occurance but so what if it does happen? It's no harm to anyone. What are you actually worried about?

I'd see your GP if I were you, irrational anxiety is affecting you and your childrens daily lives and needs to be dealt with. Best of luck.

Booboostwo · 09/10/2015 14:37

The thoughts do sound silly. What are you worried will happen in the unlikely event anyone gets poo on their shoes? You can just clean it off on a bit of grass, take the shoes off before you walk in the house and give them a better clean.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 09/10/2015 14:37

Because if it is on shoes etc I will be the one that has to clean it off and that is a vile vile job.

Original poster
Winniethewylde · 09/10/2015 14:40

Ok, so I am ott (as I thought) So how best to get it off then? If I had a fail safe method maybe I wouldn't be as worried.

OP posts:
Floggingmolly · 09/10/2015 14:40

It's not "no harm to anyone"; it's fucking toxic! Really seriously unpleasant, and can cause blindness if the dog hasn't been wormed.

ConstanceMarkYaBitch · 09/10/2015 14:42

And yet all of us who have every stepped in dog poo are still here! Do you know anyone who has been blinded by dog shit? Nope, thought not.

Eva50 · 09/10/2015 14:45

baby wipes are good for cleaning shoes.

Floggingmolly · 09/10/2015 14:45

No, I don't, Constance Blush. Does that help me see it more rationally? No...

I think I do need therapy, actually.

TheBunnyOfDoom · 09/10/2015 14:46

You're being OTT. Carry wipes so if they get it on their hands (if they fall, for example), you can wipe them (and make sure they know not to lick it or anything similarly disgusting!). Just make sure shoes come off before you get home and can be cleaned.

Otherwise, let them run around and have fun! They're only young once - don't ruin it with your anxieties.

givemushypeasachance · 09/10/2015 14:46

It can only cause blindness if the offending dog hasn't been wormed, a child touches the poo or soil it's been in contact with and then shoves it in their eyes. But the same parasite is also found in cat and fox poo, so basically it's just important to practice good hygiene and make sure children wash their hands after handling animals or playing outside.

StormyBlue · 09/10/2015 14:57

I get an old cloth/sponge/brush which I won't mind throwing in the outside bin after and give the shoe a scrub under the outside tap, then leave it to dry on the door step. Wouldn't use anything that could come apart and get the poo on your hands, so no baby wipes or kitchen roll for me. I guess you could slosh something disinfectant on there as well to put your mind at rest but the germs probably live out on the pavement anyway.

I do agree that this is something that you should try your best to get past, grit your teeth and just let your DD play. It's good for young children to be free to play and explore outdoors, running around in the park is a great way to do this.

Maybe it would make things easier for you to introduce a no shoes in the house rule, if you don't have one already? I don't enforce it that strictly but try and keep shoes off in the house as much as possible. I know it seems awkward with young DC but if you're consistent it sinks in eventually - in some countries it's just the norm everywhere.

coffeetasteslikeshit · 09/10/2015 15:41

Scrape off as much as you can in grass and then wash your shoe under a tap. Use an old tooth brush if needs be.

Bubbletree4 · 09/10/2015 15:48

It's my phobia too. I actually think something should be done about the poo rather than the unsuspecting victim being told to lighten up. So many of our parks are ruined by it. In our local park, there's a fenced in play area, no dogs. I saw a dog owner open the gate, sit on the bench whilst his dog ran around the enclosed kids play area. I have chucked away a pair of ds's shoes because of dog poo. It's dangerous, it can cause blindness.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 09/10/2015 15:55

What do you do if you are on way somewhere? Doctors/school/library etc? Just take their shitty shoes off when you go inside I suppose?

Gottagetmoving · 09/10/2015 16:12

Why worry about dog poo more than worry about the effect your obsession will have on your DD.?

Original poster
Winniethewylde · 09/10/2015 16:34

You'd all be proud of me. Just walked home from school and let DDs run on the grass Grin

OP posts:
sarah00001 · 09/10/2015 16:50

I'm the same as you. I am terrified of dog poo and it would be by worst nightmare if someone came into my house with dog muck on their shoes and walked it into my carpet. When I was younger and people didn't pick up dog muck, it was quite a common occurrence to have dog muck on your shoes and I don't think it bothered people that much. Even though I have a dog and pick up her poo regularly, I am just repulsed by it. In fact I need to do some poo picking from the garden now and I'm dreading it!

MissBattleaxe · 09/10/2015 17:01

I actually think something should be done about the poo rather than the unsuspecting victim being told to lighten up. So many of our parks are ruined by it

Agree. The more its normalized the more some* dog owners will shrug it off. And whether it's deemed harmless or not, its still shit, it still stinks and would probably make you ill if you accidentally got it in your mouth i.e touched it, bit nails, ate food etc.

So yes, obviously be hygienic etc, but its not risk free and its massively unpleasant. Cleaning dog shit out of the grips on DS's trainers made me gag and I would have happily rubbed the dog's owner's face in it at that point.

NB *SOME dog owners. With thanks to the responsible dog owners who always carry bags and use them.

queenmools · 09/10/2015 17:11

Is it more or is there more dog poo around these days than there was 5ish years ago? Or do I live in a very pooey place? I seem to get pooey buggy wheels at least once a week at the moment, some dog owners seem to just let their dogs go on the pavement and not pick it up. Has it become normal not to pick up? I am a dog owner myself btw.
Be warey op but don't let it ruin your life. My four year old is a very good poo spotter ( well trained) and has never got shitty shoes.

queenmools · 09/10/2015 17:12

That should say is it ME
I was distracted by mr bloom

queenmools · 09/10/2015 17:15

I have bags in every coat and bag that I own and always pick up. My dog ( and cat) are always wormed too. Anyway enough from me, I'll shut up now.