Dog Advice
 

I need dog advice. There is a dog in my dad's neighborhood who seems to have decided (at least four days in a row) that dad's side yard is his favorite place to defecate. It is not a place we can physically block off. Is there anything we can do to make this place less attractive to the dog?

Thanks,
Shelley

Is this dog on a leash? Is the owner walking the dog here? Either way I think it is perfectly within your dad's rights to approach the owner. I've also seen people on my block post up signs saying to keep dogs off of their yard. Irresponsible dog owners totally irk me so I feel your pain. This reminds of the guy walking down my block recently talking on his cell phone with his dog off leash. The dog ran into the street and I almost hit it. When I yelled at the guy (sorry, I have a temper ;) ) he started cursing ME out. If that fails I say call your town every day until they do something.

winneythepooh7 has the right idea!! While you're waiting for the owner to get it straight, there are various sprays and other devices to keep dogs out of outdoor areas.

We havn't ever seen the dog do it. What can you tell me about the sprays?

Hey Shelley! Sorry about the poopie puppy problem! :mad:

Try an online search for homemade sprays made with a mixture of tobasco and other peppers. I don't know the exact quantities you would use, but you would simply mix the tobasco and pepper with water in a pressure pump sprayer and spray the whole area. Then, when poopie comes back, he'll smell the pepper and hopefully go away. If he comes into the space, the pepper oils will get on his paws, he'll lick it off, and learn to associate the smell with a little burning tongue. He'll eventually figure it out! The downside is that you'll have to be out in the heat spraying your pepper juice every few days. The good side is that this treatment is totally natural and doesn't involve harmful chemicals.

Of course, if the culprit is the Taco Bell chihuahua, this advice is null and void. ;)

Good Luck!

Susan