When should a child start picking up dog poo

[TheOpenSnake]

I get that this probably varies massively child to child, but I am just curious as to what the general consensus is regarding when they are old enough to start. For context my daughter will sometimes walk the dog and pick up after it, but I am just curious to see other people's viewpoints on this.

@TheOpenSnake

the age you consider they are old
Enough to walk the dog on there own.

Makes sense, though I was more interested in how old most people think that should be.

If they're old enough to walk the dog on their own then they are more than old enough to pick up the poo

I agree, but I was more interested in how old most people would consider that to be, and if people would suggest an age they could start doing it in the garden/at home.

To be responsible for picking up dog poo at home? Probably never, that's the responsibility of the adults who made the decision to get a dog after taking into account that they will need to pick up its faeces.

On a dog walk-at the point they are taking the dog out independently. No one can say when that would be as there's too many variables-size, breed and temperament of dog, maturity of child, safety of local area etc. I guess I'd probably say 16+, but that's more about the responsibility of being in control of the dog and maturity to deal with any issues that arise than the ability to pick up poo.

In general though, I think all elements of pet care stay the responsibility of the adult who committed to get the dog knowing what that entailed and shouldn't be palmed off onto children. Of course it's different if a responsible older child offers and wants to walk the dog - they know that poo picking is part of the deal when they make that offer.

My question would be - why are you asking?

Do you not know how mature your own child is?

Totally agree with pp @mrsm43s

At home, I see it as the adults responsibility. Our kids did it occasionally at home from age 11.

They didn’t walk our dogs alone til they were older teens though. I wanted to know they could stand a good chance dealing with any situation they faced like off lead dogs with no recall bothering our dogs etc.

I know someone who made it the childs job to pick it up at home from aged 8. That’s just lazy parenting passing on jobs they didn’t want to do. They also let their kids walk the dog alone from that age which is irresponsible. There was no way the child could cope with another bouncy off lead dog, a fight, if the dog got off the lead etc.

I am asking partly because, whilst I am confident that she is mature enough, that I am not being giving her too much responsibility for her age even if she can handle it; and partly just out of curiosity to see how much responsibility other children have relative to their age.

How old is your child OP?

Secondary school age when out and walking the dog.

At about eight if just at home in the back yard - and you would have a Pooper Scooper at home and a long drop hole probably.

They need to be able to physically pick up all of the poo and dispose of it properly. Fine motor skills and thoughtful reasoning that most eight year olds would possess.

I'd say 11/12?

I wouldn’t let my 10 year old walk the dog on her own get, but would let her pick up the poo if she particularly wanted to when out with me (she doesn’t want to!). I would let my 13 year old walk the dog and pick up the poo but I’d have to get him off his PlayStation first 🙄

The adults in the house who got the dog are responsible for it. I'd say minimum 16 for the reasons given above as long as they are happy to do it (and never if they don't want to).

The adults in the house who got the dog are responsible for it. I'd say minimum 16 for the reasons given above as long as they are happy to do it (and never if they don't want to).

I wouldn’t let my 11 year old walk the dog (for the dog’s safety and my sanity because she’d no doubt do something stupid), but I’m sure she’s picked up dog poo at some point before on a walk or in the garden. It’s just not a regular job because frankly it’s not her dog, so wouldn’t expect that of her.

The adults of the house decided to get the dog, the adults of the house pick up after the dog. A child shouldn't walk a dog alone, whilst their dog may be friendly there is plenty of evidence of other people's aggressive dogs approaching on lead ones, a child should not have to deal with that situation.

It's not a maturity thing it's a safety one, the adults deal with it in and out the home.

It’s the sort of job I would have given to one of my children when they were about 14. Not a pleasant job clearing the garden but necessary as a pet owner. No different to them cleaning out the rabbit hutch or chickens. If they want pets they should be responsible for helping look after them.

My kids joined in with chores as they expressed curiosity about them. They weren’t compulsory, more part of playing at being grown up. So from about 7, with close supervision if I remember correctly. They weren’t old enough to walk the dog that’s for sure.

I'd say it's the other way round- a child isn't old enough to walk a dog alone until they're willing to pick up any poo!

I pestered and pestered for a dog which we got when I was 12. At that time I thought that I was 100% responsible for her, but I see now that my dad did at least 50%! But by 12 I was certainly able and willing to clear up dog poo completely independently (ie not even need reminding or supervising), whereas my sister who was 10 at the time wasn't really.

My youngest is 7 and she has randomly picked up dog poo on walks because she wanted to give it a try so around 5? Recently my back went and I left dog poop thinking I'd hire someone but my kids both went out and did it for me without me asking. They had overheard me discussing on the phone that I'll have to get someone in and where to find these people as we are abroad 😅

Personally, I don't want them to pick but I really appreciated their help. They're mature for their age and well rounded, they'd probably do it all the time without complaint, but the dog is my dog so I don't feel right about this. If they chose a puppy and it was their responsibility then I guess, maybe? Even at this age due to maturity and ability to remember to wash hands. I think you'd have to consider your kids capabilities.

Mine was 11 when I allowed him to take the dog out. The first poo retrieval was a messy disaster but he came home and got me and we did it together (then cleaned him up!). I had just assumed it was obvious what to do. So we practiced (not with actual poo) and then he tried again a few days later and it’s all fine now.

DD did it from about age 7. I have foster dogs. Old enough to start proving she was responsible enough for a dog of her own. She got one aged 9.

That would vary so much between children though. Not to mention dogs!
A very placid, easy going older small breed is going to get a very different sensible answer to a young Great Dane!

I think walking the dog and picking up the poo of the dog is the responsibility of the adult who got the dog

Therefore I would only really expect then to pick up poo when they wanted to walk the dog themselves. And whether this ia safe activity will vary massively child to child and dog to dog. Some dogs I don't think ever suitable for walking by a child under 18

How long is a piece of string?

It depends on the child, the breed of the dog and their temperament etc.

A 10 yo walking a chihuahua (yes I know they're yappy, vicious little things but still), is entirely different to an 11 yo walking a doberman/staffy/full grown chow.

But basically, if they're old enough to walk it by themselves, then they should absolutely clean up after the dog too.