How to Stop Dogs From Peeing and Pooping in My Yard – 12 Easy Tips

Dogs are America’s favorite pets, but most people don’t want a strange dog coming over to pee and poop on their property. If this is happening to you and you aren’t sure what to do, you’ve come to the right place. Here are several ways to keep neighborhood dogs off your property.

The 12 Easy Tips To Stop Dogs From Peeing and Pooping in Your Yard

1. Ask Nicely

Since most pet owners are accustomed to rules concerning their dogs, one of the best ways to prevent a dog from peeing or pooing in your yard is to ask the owner if they will keep an eye on them. In many cases, the dog’s owner might not realize that the dog is using private property and will take steps to stop them. Although you are in the right, asking nicely will often have better results than getting angry.

2. Install a Sign

If you are not home to witness a neighborhood dog using your yard and only find out when you see the results, posting a few signs around your property can help alert people walking their dogs that they shouldn’t be on your property. Signs can also help remind pet owners to clean up after their pets. There are many different signs available and they are relatively inexpensive.

3. Provide an Alternative

If several dogs walk past your house every day, it might not be possible to prevent all of them from relieving themselves. One possible option is to designate a specific spot that they can use. Many people like to put a sign on a telephone pole or fire hydrant to direct them there. If you are feeling especially nice, you can even put up a poop bag dispenser to ensure that neighbors have what they need to clean up after their pets.

4. Use a Urine Repellant

Urine repellant is a spray that contains a fragrance that many dogs don’t like, so they will usually choose another location to relieve themselves. Many pet owners use it while training to prevent the dog from going in the house. The downside to this option is that you will need to keep reapplying it, so it can get expensive.

5. Use Liquid Fence Dog and Cat Repellant

Liquid Fence is a commercial product that you spray around your property to keep dogs, cats, and other animals away. It’s quite expensive, but it works to mask the odors that attract these animals and can be incredibly effective. The downside is that it requires you to reapply it frequently, and dogs and cats might return after you stop using it.

6. Use DIY Repellant

DIY Repellants are easy to make and effective. For example, you can mix white and apple cider vinegars in a spray bottle and spray your perimeter. Citrus scents work well too, such as orange and lemon, which many people like better than vinegar. Many people also report that coffee grounds are effective. You will need to reapply the repellent frequently, but it’s relatively inexpensive.

7. Put Up a Fence

Installing a fence around your property is one of the most effective ways to keep dogs off your property. If a full-size fence is not something that you want, garden fences are usually only about 2 feet wide and are often enough to let dogs and pet owners know to stay out.

8. Install Path Lights

Small walkway lights around the perimeter of your home can work much like a garden fence to show pet owners that your lawn is off-limits. Most people get the idea and keep their dog outside the lights as they walk by.

9. Install a Camera

Installing a camera on your property can greatly reduce the amount of dog pee and poop that winds up in your yard. Ensure that the camera is visible, and put up a sign that states that it is in use. Many dog owners will pay more attention to their pets as they walk by so they aren’t caught on camera letting their dog do something wrong. The camera will also help you find out whose dog is to blame if you aren’t sure so you can then ask the owner nicely to watch them. Finally, a camera helps you have proof if things escalate and you need to speak to law enforcement.

10. Install Motion-Activated Sprinklers

A motion-activated sprinkler system can deter dogs because it will come on as soon as they enter the yard, which usually sends them running. After a few passes, the dog will learn the routine and will start to look for a new place to relieve themselves. You also get the added benefit of a healthier and greener lawn.

11. Install an Ultrasonic Deterrent

An ultrasonic deterrent device creates a sound much like a dog whistle that dogs can hear but humans can’t. These devices usually have a motion sensor and will turn on when a dog enters the yard, causing them to run away. The downside to this option is that there is no way to tell how well it’s working because you can’t hear it, so you won’t know if it’s too loud. The pet owner might also be confused as to why their dog is acting strangely if you don’t have a sign posted that it is in use, which can potentially create a hostile situation.

12. Don’t Let Your Dog Use It

Many pet owners might not realize that allowing their own dog to pee and poop in the yard will leave behind a fragrance that might attract other dogs to do the same. Preventing your dog from using the yard can help reduce the number of other dogs that use it.

Summary

There are many ways to prevent a dog from peeing and pooping in your yard, but we recommend starting with the simplest. Asking the dog owner to clean up after the dog or keep them off your property is usually the best and most effective way. However, if you live in an area where dozens of dogs pass by regularly, you might need a better solution. Signs work great, as do short garden fences, to let people know that you don’t want them on the grass, and a video camera will make them think that someone is always watching. If those steps don’t work, something more drastic might be required, and we recommend a DIY repellant followed by motion-activated sprinklers.

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