To not pick up dog poo...

[Moonfishstar]

... when in a quiet forest, but to flick it with a stick into dense undergrowth instead?

I don't see any issue with this, but I've got a feeling lots will disagree with me, so I wanted to get some other opinions.

PICK .IT. UP!!!

It's preferable to bagging it in a plastic bag that won't decompose & flinging it into a tree. Bizarre thing to do, but very common where I live. That may be behind the forestry commission advice to 'stick & flick'. The forest I take my dog to has bins in the car park at the beginning and end of the main trail. I imagine that's why a lot of people don't lift it. It's mingin to leave it on the path, so stick & flick is much better imo. One good rainfall & it's washed away, rather than fermenting in a plastic bag in a bin. It seems none of these scenarios is ideal, unfortunately, but OP I'd do what you do. Though I've trained my dog to poo by the bin before we set off on the trail!

One good rainfall and it is washed away into a stream, that goes into a lake and causes algae bloom which is really toxic.

https://www.bva.co.uk/news-and-blog/news-article/keep-dogs-on-a-lead-around-rivers-and-ponds-vets-issue-seasonal-warning-about-deadly-blue-green-algae-risks/

https://www.solitudelakemanagement.com/pick-up-your-pets-waste-its-polluting-our-lakes-ponds/#:~:text=Dog%20feces%20that%20enters%20the,growing%20concern%20in%20our%20waterbodies.

Imagine any 'stick and flick' message from Forestry England predates the explosion of dogs in their forests. The sheer volume of dog shit, particularly in busy locations means this is not viable. Bag the poo, then bin it, as the signs in my local forest quite rightly state. If there's no bin, then take it home and put it in your own bin, as you would any other litter.

Nah. I’ve lived in rural farming areas and I think it’s disgusting too. Not to mention the risk to livestock health too.

That’s just lazy ‘townie’ stereotyping to excuse shitty behaviour.

This!!!

Same, I live rurally and it infuriates me.

The arrogance of some people on here who seem to think it’s acceptable to leave shit everywhere is unbelievable. But then, the attitude of some towards others on here is very telling about what sort of people they are and I imagine they will continue to be selfish and lazy no matter what.

Dogs have been a staple of UK culture for decades if not centuries, as has walking/hiking in forests. This isn't the reason.

Not many, lots of dog owners find flicking muck around the place disgusting though.

Actually worming treatments in dog poo are really harmful to lichens! They can kill the whole organism which can spread over many metres, and many lichens are unique to Britain so we really don't want to lose them!

Not many 🤣🤣

Go on then how many do you think?

Ive got a dog, no cats and think it's disgusting to lick muck around forests.

That’s nice, dear.

What makes you think plastic is the only option for poo bags?

I realise it suits your narrative but there are so many biodegradable options, and have been for years.

Could some of the pick up EVERY time posters please explain exactly how they would achieve this if walking more than one dog in proper forest or open moorland? In my experience when you're watching Dog A running in front of you, you can't see Dog B who's stopped to sniff something behind you.

Ah shame, I really thought you would have some impressive stat to back up your comment.

Err you’re the one who said “not many”. I assume you’re going to produce some impressive stats now?

Then put your dogs on a lead. It’s very simple: have dog, take responsibility for its poo. Not: have dog, don’t watch for it pooing, stick fingers in ears and go “la la la but I was watching the other dog”. Have fewer dogs if you’re unable to manage them properly.

Yep, and if you want to dispute that comment the most successful way is to give some impressive stats. But stick with calling people 'dear' that works too.

You first, dear.

It definitely is! There's been big increase in dog ownership in the last decade - approx 2.5 million, largely in urban areas and to 'new' dog owners. So yes, one poo on its own in the middle of a remote moor doesn't present a big issue to you, but when you are looking at busy areas that attract thousands of daily dog walkers, that increase is significant. 2.5 million + extra poos a day. As above posters have stated, the poo becomes a pollution hazard and is already killing wildlife. Just pick up your pets shit and put it in a bin! If you are so repulsed by the thought of doing that, or taking it home and putting it in your own bin, think how disgusting it is for anyone else who has to encounter it.

We used the walk the dogs in a very large forest where this was the advice. I never smelt any near the car parks and rarely saw any - there were bins in this part of the forest and we would pick up as the kids run around everywhere there. Deeper into the forest we would pick it up if it was somewhere people could easily get to, but would also flick it if it was somewhere not child or adult would get to (like the brambles). Used common sense!

If you can’t observe and control two dogs at the same time you keep them on the lead or walk them individually.

‘I can’t watch both at once’ isn’t an excuse.