Doggy Doo Doo Be Gone

Doggy Doo Doo Be Gone

Cleaning up pet waste is not just a responsibility, but also helps to protect your yard and your family- including the family dog. Dog waste has a huge impact on safety and visual appeal and in many cases, it can be seen as a reflection of yourself. Imagine as a guest you visit a friend and step in the poo, and not your stuck scraping it off. This impression of visiting you may affect future relationships and the interactions with those guests.

Pet poo has a high level of nitrogen, reducing nutrients levels by 97% in phosphorus and 56% in nitrogen (Topics, 2023). Dog poop actually has such a high content is can be considered too high in certain nutrients, even beyond legal limits. On average, dogs contribute around 11 pounds of phosphorus per hectare (2.5 Acres) and 24 pounds of nitrogen per hectare, and even more around pathways in nature preserves, leading to potential ecosystem damage in sensitive nature preserves.

Pet poo also is a breeding ground for bacteria that can be harmful to other animals and children. Some of the bacteria common to dog poop includes Campylobacteria (symptoms include diarrhea, cramping, fever, and pain) which can last about a week, but for people with compromised immune systems, it can be fatal (Canadian Public Health Association, n.d.). E Coli is another common bacteria of dog poop, and again can be fatal to those with compromised immune systems. Salmonella and Yersinosis are another two common bacteria found in dog waste not cleaned up.

Bacteria is not the only concern, as roundworm and tapeworm are two parasites that linger in poo. Giardia is another parasite found in dog poo, though most commonly is thought about in water and a concern for many hikers when needing to refill hydration devices. Dog poop is also known to cause the growth of a fungi that can be harmful to the environment in some cases. Simply put, not cleaning up pet waste has lasting effects to both animals and people, and even the environment.

What about the law? Many places have ordinances and statutes pertaining to the clean up of pet waste. Even some organizations have established requirements for cleaning up pet poop on the property grounds, or have designated poop stations. Medford, Wisconsin, for example, has an ordinance under 9.2.01 that requires all fecal matter to be cleaned up immediately on both public and private land. According to Stevens Point, Wisconsin, in some areas it can actually be illegal to dump it in the trash, so make sure you follow proper disposal (WI, n.d.).

Lastly, it’s the neighborly thing to do. Leaving waste can cause many issues that affect the soil and water, which in return can affect property value and curb appeal. It also leaves a lasting impression of how others think of you as a person. This leaves us at some choices to make. Choices that affect us, our pets, the pets of others, adults and children, and the land around us. Some simple solutions include:

·        Hire a doggy waste clean up service. Let them handle the clean up and disposal, and save you the time and hassle. Its not a costly service, either.

·        Check with your local government about ordinance and recommendations for disposal. Some may require special procedures, while others may suggest placing it in the trash.

·        Carry poo bags with you. They even make awesome key chain style ones that can be left in the car, in your purse, on your keys, or even attached to some leashes.

·        Make sure you designate specific areas of your yard for your dog to poop around. This will also help keep it collected and organized, reducing the spread. Never mow it, as it just spreads the potential for harm.

·        Always clean it up immediately. Never let it sit for long periods as that is how bacteria grow. Plus, it will cause flies and maggots to breed.

Works Cited

Canadian Public Health Association. (n.d.). Human Disease Trasmitted Dog Poop. Retrieved from Canadian Public Health Association: https://www.cpha.ca/human-diseases-transmitted-dog-poop

Topics, T. (2023, February 6). Pet Waste and its cost to the environment. Retrieved from Piedmont Master Gardners: https://piedmontmastergardeners.org/pet-waste-and-its-cost-to-the-environment/

WI, S. P. (n.d.). Pet Waste. Retrieved from Stevens Point: https://stevenspoint.com/763/Pet-Waste

Dogs and Fireworks

With the 4th of July around the corner, let’s talk dogs and fireworks.

1. Keep your dog away from fireworks.

-Create a safe and comfortable place within the home. This should be a place your dog is use to and comfortable with. Not confined and trapped.
-Do not use a new space as a comfort zone, rather a place they are used to. This should be a space that they have normal access to, while still providing comfort, such as their dog bed, clothes that smell like the owner, and have access to regular toys.
-Set off fireworks in an area away from the dogs if going inside is not an option. If your dog is normally in the yard, then consider moving your displays to the front yard, or partner with a neighbor and do them there.
-Consider background noise to counter the fireworks. This could include a movie, white noise, or music. You can start this process early to help learn what background noise they like most.

2. Make sure they have proper ID.

-Make sure your pet is microchipped, has tags, or a GPS tracker. For cats, consider breakaway collars incase they hang on a fence.
-Have a recent photo of your pet in case they get out. This can help you quickly post online, or share with neighbors and humane societies.

3. Tire them out before the fireworks start.

-Take walks earlier in the day and set play time before fireworks begin. I know this can be a busy time, so an extra visit from your dog walker is always an option. A trip to the dog park, hike along a trail, or just extra backyard time is great as well.
-Consider feeding and letting them out earlier as well. This will help from them needing to go out right in the middle of the noise and show. That potty break could cause further problems, not just with behavior, but even accidents in the home due to fear of going out.

4. Desensitize them to fireworks.

-This is a process that should begin earlier in the year or pets’ life. Do not attempt to do it during the firework season.
-Expose them to small doses early and build up over time.
-Reward them for positive reactions. Find your dogs sweet treat- be it a toy, food, or praise.
-Do not punish for negative reactions, but redirect. Punishment can cause their own issues. Redirecting bad behavior is more likely to cause a long-term positive outcome than negative corrections.
***Before attempting to help your dog get use to fireworks, it is best to speak to a canine behaviorist, training, or veterinarian on how to do this so to avoid negative outcomes.

5. Consider stress treatments.

-Use canine anxiety vests or calming supplements.
-Speak with your vet, trainer, or behaviorist.
-Consider using a pet sitter to stay with your pet while you attend the show, or a trusted friend. This could also be an opportunity for a responsible teenager to make a few extra bucks.

6. If your dog is in panic mode.

-Focus on safety. Do not worry currently about the panic.
-Trying to deal with the panic now could make the situation worse.
-Your dog may attack and hurt you, or themselves, if already in fight or flight mode. Just monitor and keep them safe. Talk calmly, and reassure them its okay and you are there. This could be as simple as sitting on the floor and talk to them while they hide in their bedding.

7. Reasons dog panic at fireworks.

-It creates a threat. Fireworks tend to explode and cause surprise, and can be loud. Their also a noise that is not common throughout the rest of the year.
-Not properly exposed. If they are not use to the noise, or have been desensitized prior, they may react with fight or flight.
-Learned behavior. They see other dogs and animals react and copy that behavior. Monkey see monkey do.
-Breed characteristic. Some breeds are genetically inclined to be skittish and this may just be a part of their character,
-Traumatic Experience. It is possible your dog has been abused, or had an experience with loud noises in the past. This can be especially true of military and police dogs that retire and become adopted as house pets.

At the end of the day, if your not sure of how to handle a situation, seek advice. A veterinarian, canine behaviorist, or dog training can be great source for information and guidance.

Pet ownership builds a healthy life

Pet ownership, or the desire for a pet, is on the rise in the United States. An estimated 66% of households in the US own a pet, with 65.1M households owning a dog, followed by an estimated 46.5M households owning a cat (Megna). With so many Americans owning pets, the question is if having a pet just makes us feel fuzzy, or if there are actual benefits to ownership. Are we just being selfish with ownership, or are there justifiable reasons to rooming up with a fur baby? Should you adopt or purchase? What are the benefits of having a dog around the home?

One of the highlights of a pet is to occupy our children’s time or make them happy. Kids and pets go together like peanut butter and jelly, and the benefits are numerous. To start, there is a known reduction of allergies in children who grow up around pets, as well as signs of better learning habits, behavior, and obedience of the child, as well as improvement in those with disabilities (M). Dogs help children feel safe, and less stressed, when dealing with disabilities in uncertain situations, and help to assist in cognitive abilities.

Service dogs are a prime example of a dog working with disabilities in people. Service dogs have a variety of legal protections. While these laws define how service dogs are treated, they often can be confused with emotional support animals, which are governed with different protections. It is important to know the difference between a pet, service dog, working dog, and emotional support animal. There are a variety of terms that can be confusing, and all have different legal protections.

Service dogs are best defined as a dog that has a prescription and has been specifically trained to perform a task. Under the ADA, service animals are treated not as an animal, but as a medical device. This includes legal protections that allow the dog to be used off lease if needed to complete its tasks, as well as being allowed to go places other dogs cannot go, such as restaurants and no pet housing (US Government, ADA). These protections allow and prohibit certain actions from businesses and organizations from discrimination and companies should familiarize themselves and train employees to handle service dog encounters according to the law.

Emotional support animals, however, differ in that, when under prescription or other authorization, are limited to protections only within the fair housing guidelines (NSAR). They do not carry the additional protections of service dogs and may be restricted access from certain places or situations. Pets and working dogs, however, are not protected under the law. Working dogs are those used by a company for business, such police dogs and volunteer groups using dogs for missing persons.

If you’re looking to get a dog, deciding where to get your new fur friend is important. You need to first decide its purpose. A working dog, service dog, ESA, or similar activity dog may be best sourced from a reputable breeder, while a pet could be adopted from a shelter or rescue. With a shelter, you may not know what you’re getting, although it may cost less; you also get to save a life, and many rescues are already house trained (Fritz); although you typically have a better idea of what you are getting if you use a reputable breeder, and you can train them as a pup to build and guarantee the outcome desired in your new dog.

How do dogs help us as adults, outside of our disabilities? Canines offer a variety of benefits as we grow up, including socially, psychologically, and physically. According to Mayo Clinic, dogs can help get you moving and lose weight, both which will help improve cardio health (Mayo Clinic Health Systems). This also leads to an improvement in overall health, including bones and joints. Psychologically, dogs also help people to cope in times of crisis, reduce stress and anxiety, reduce tension, and assist with dealing with PTSD; such as with veterans (M).

So, why get a dog? Well, they are an asset from birth until death. They offer children growth opportunities in obedience, allergy mitigation, cognitive development, and maturity (US Government, ADA). Dogs can even help overcome and assist with disabilities, anxiety, stress, PTSD, and other psychological and physical hindering (NSAR). Matter of fact, dogs help us look more attractive, and give us better social standings, while also detecting blood sugar changes, decreasing the risk of stroke, and helping us to increase activity (The animal health foundation). The only question left is if you are better off using a reputable breeder or adopting from a shelter. If you’re not ready to fully own a dog, consider fostering part time and you can still gain all the benefits while knowing you are helping save the life of a pet until they are adopted. Either way, fitting a dog into your lifestyle only looks to improve your quality of living and add to your joy.

Works Cited

Arford, Kaitlyn. 10. science based benefits of having a dog. 21 August 2023. 21 November 2023.

Fritz, Julie. Rescue vs Breeder: Deciding whats right for you. 23 February 2023. 20 November 2023.

M, Eric. Why kids and pets make the perfect pairing. n.d. 19 November 2023.

Mayo Clinic Health Systems. No bones about it: dogs are good for your health. 4 May 2023. 21 November 2023.

Megna, Michelle. Pet Ownership Statistics 2023. 21 June 2023. 30 November 2023.

NSAR. ESA vs Service Dog: Whats the difference. 25 April 2022. 2023 19 November.

The animal health foundation. 8 health benefits of having a pet. 6 October 2021. 23 November 2023.

US Government, ADA. Service Animals. n.d. 30 November 2023.