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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Dog poop clean up

51 replies

Nayborhelp · 29/04/2024 10:14

Hi. My neighbour had a fall recently, spent some time in hospital and has been back home for a while now. I’ve been getting shopping in for her etc. while she recovers.
she has 2 small dogs who I walk for her sometimes. The problem is, she lets them out into her garden to do their business but has just had to leave the mess in the garden.
I’ve offered to clean it for her, ready for the nice weather. She was very grateful.
my issue is, how do I do this in the least vomit-inducing way?! I have a weak stomach and I’d rather not have to clean up my sick too!
theres no grass in the garden(it’s a small yard). Any tips on how I can tackle this?
thanks

OP posts:
vodkaredbullgirl · 29/04/2024 10:17

So you walk her dogs sometimes, how do you pick their 💩 when they are out for a walk?

ToxicChristmas · 29/04/2024 10:18

Honestly, just bag on hand and pick up. There isn't really a method that's more effective or less gross. If you sweep them you still have to dustpan them up. You could always hose the yard afterwards if needs be. You can get long handled poo pickers but it depends if you want to spend the money. You sound like a lovely neighbour!

vodkaredbullgirl · 29/04/2024 10:18

Shovel and a bag.

Janiie · 29/04/2024 10:20

Just don't breathe through your nose whilst scooping so you won't smell it. Quick scoop (as you surely do when walking the dogs..) then grab a watering can and rinse area if necessary.

Nayborhelp · 29/04/2024 10:22

vodkaredbullgirl · 29/04/2024 10:17

So you walk her dogs sometimes, how do you pick their 💩 when they are out for a walk?

Obviously when I walk them, I take bags with me and pick up after them. This is happening in the garden when I’m not there

OP posts:
BMW6 · 29/04/2024 10:22

2 bags on hand and pick up as much as you can and still twist and tie closed.

Repeat as necessary and put all the full bags in the bi

Janiie · 29/04/2024 10:24

Nayborhelp · 29/04/2024 10:22

Obviously when I walk them, I take bags with me and pick up after them. This is happening in the garden when I’m not there

Yes but the technique is exactly the same.

Hoppinggreen · 29/04/2024 10:25

You can buy some long handled thing to do it without you having to get too close

vodkaredbullgirl · 29/04/2024 10:26

Nayborhelp · 29/04/2024 10:22

Obviously when I walk them, I take bags with me and pick up after them. This is happening in the garden when I’m not there

At least when it's in the yard they are colder and harder 😆

Gemstonebeach · 29/04/2024 10:28

We have a specified small shovel for poop and use that to scoop it into a bag instead of having to physically pick up with our hands in bags at home.

BabySnarkDoDoo · 29/04/2024 10:28

I'd probably wear a mask and suck on an extra strong mint if it's been there for a few days. You can get long handled poop scoopers which may be an option for the future if your neighbour is well enough to leave the house, but is just struggling to bend down.

Nayborhelp · 29/04/2024 10:30

because they’re small dogs, the poops are quite pebble-like. If I did it by hand, bending down and picking it up with bags, I’d be there ages! Some of it has softened up in the rain too. God I’m retching at the thought of it!
I want to sort of sweep it all into one pile and scoop, but I don’t know how successful that will be with the less formed stuff 🤢

OP posts:
Nayborhelp · 29/04/2024 10:34

I’ve just bought one of these. Hoping the rake is ok for the littler bits
what have I got myself into?!

OP posts:
Nayborhelp · 29/04/2024 10:34

Forgot the pic

Dog poop clean up
OP posts:
Janiie · 29/04/2024 10:36

Hasn't she got family? I get on with neighbours but there is not a chance I'd pick up their dogs poo.

Just pick up what you can and hose down/rinse anything sloppy.

Janiie · 29/04/2024 10:37

Nayborhelp · 29/04/2024 10:34

Forgot the pic

Oh god you'll end up with lumps stuck on the rake and smears on the shovel 🤢

jazzandh · 29/04/2024 10:38

If it's been there for any length of time it won't smell anymore.

Nayborhelp · 29/04/2024 10:39

Janiie · 29/04/2024 10:36

Hasn't she got family? I get on with neighbours but there is not a chance I'd pick up their dogs poo.

Just pick up what you can and hose down/rinse anything sloppy.

They all live in another country. She’s mid 60s. Was very independent before this. She’s going to make a full recovery as far as I know
its not entirely a selfless act as we share a wall. I don’t want the warm weather to land and we end up with flies and a stink!

OP posts:
Nayborhelp · 29/04/2024 10:40

Janiie · 29/04/2024 10:37

Oh god you'll end up with lumps stuck on the rake and smears on the shovel 🤢

Stop it!! This is what’s really putting me off! I think I’ll be binning the tools once I’m done. The scoop bit takes bags(supplied!) so I’m hoping it doesn’t actually smear. I hate that word 🤢

OP posts:
BigBadBarri · 29/04/2024 10:41

Long left dog poo is probably the easiest to clean up because it dries out and will just be solid lumps. I’d put on some gloves and a mask and take a bag out.

Dont use that take / shovel thing, you’ll end up with bits caught in the prongs!

Nayborhelp · 29/04/2024 10:41

jazzandh · 29/04/2024 10:38

If it's been there for any length of time it won't smell anymore.

The majority is dried now. But the stuff that’s gone mushy has sort of molded into the concrete.
I might just move house instead actually!

OP posts:
Nayborhelp · 29/04/2024 10:42

I have a jet wash too but no outside tap. Is there a way to use a jet washer without a tap/water supply?

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 29/04/2024 10:43

Nayborhelp · 29/04/2024 10:34

Forgot the pic

You will be picking poo out of the tines of that

Nayborhelp · 29/04/2024 10:46

Hoppinggreen · 29/04/2024 10:43

You will be picking poo out of the tines of that

I won’t be picking anything out of anything, I can assure you!

OP posts:
averylongtimeago · 29/04/2024 10:48

My mil had one of those long handled scoop things. Slightly different design, but similar.

After use, she used to put the rake bit in a bucket of disinfectant- jays fluid I think- this way any "residue " just get washed off.

Make sure the bucket is out of the way of the dogs- you don't want them drinking it!

Also- old dog poo doesn't smell anywhere near as bad as fresh- and I speak with 40 years experience of poop scooping!

It's very kind of you to do this- if it were me I would be very grateful!

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