Unless you live somewhere that has a designated area for your dog to go to the bathroom, you’re probably like the majority of dog owners that let their dogs outside to take care of business. Even though this keeps the smell of poo outside of your house, it can also lead to the buildup of unpleasant odors in your yard.
You don’t have to accept that your yard smells like dog feces. There are many ways to clean up the yard and eliminate the odor. Let’s look at some of the easiest ways to get rid of dog poop smells outside.
Before You Begin
It isn’t always the most exciting chore, but the only real way to eliminate the smell of poop is to get rid of it. Many people use a regular trash bin to dispose of their dog’s waste. Instead of throwing it in there directly, though, pick it up with a plastic bag and tie it before you toss it out. This prevents your garbage bins from smelling bad and keeps your lawn clean.
Those who would prefer not to use single-use plastics might consider flushing their dog’s waste down the toilet. This is a good option because it eliminates the waste and odors the same way humans do. Of course, it also means you have to carry the poop through your house every time they go to the bathroom. Believe it or not, there are flushable dog poop bags you can use if this worries you.
Image Credit: Pezibear, Pixabay
How to Get Rid of Dog Poop Smell Outside (6 Ways)
1. Plain Water
Most people don’t realize how effective plain old water can be. If your porch or yard is getting a little smelly, get rid of the smell by hosing it down right after your dog uses the bathroom—the water helps dilute the smell of urine and feces. Plus, your lawn might be grateful for the extra moisture! That said, you do have to use a lot of water for rinsing, so this might not be ideal if you’re trying to keep your water bill low.
2. Odor Eliminators
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There are times when water just doesn’t do the trick. If your yard is still smelling like poo, then you might consider purchasing or making a DIY odor eliminator. There are many natural products for sale, but it’s also easy to make one at home.
DIY Odor Eliminator
4 heaping tablespoons baking soda
2 cups lukewarm water
2 cups vinegar
Pour all of the ingredients together in a spray bottle and shake them together, so everything is combined. After your dog goes to the bathroom, pick up and discard the waste and then spray the area with your homemade solution.
If you’d prefer to buy a cleaner we recommend looking for an enzyme cleaner to make sure you get rid of the odor right from the source.
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Foul smells can linger long after the actual source of the odor is gone. Non-caustic agricultural lime is a stronger method if the smell of dog poop won’t go away. This type of lime is safe for plants and animals, though you will have to be careful to follow all manufacturer directions when applying it to your lawn. Be sure not to use anything with hydrated lime or calcium oxide because they are dangerous for both pets and people.
4. Soap and Water
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Dogs tend to go to the bathroom on hard surfaces like a back patio instead of using the grass. If this is the case, spraying the area down with water and then scrubbing it with a soapy water solution is one of the simplest ways to remove odors from wood and cement.
5. Bleach
Another effective solution for removing dog poop smells from hard surfaces is bleach. Make sure that you dilute the bleach with water before putting it on your patio. You should also rinse the bleach water after it sits for a while. Be careful if you decide to use bleach because it could kill nearby plants or grass.
6. Train Your Dog
Image Credit: Luca Nichetti, Shutterstock
The thought of having to pick up every last piece of dog poop is a bit overwhelming. If you’ve trained your dog to go to the bathroom outside, then you can also train them to use a specific area of the yard to keep the smell contained. It could take a little time for them to learn, but with enough repetition, praise, and treats, your dog will eventually learn that you want them to keep their poo contained to a certain area.
Conclusion
Your dog’s poop starts to pile up quickly if you don’t remove it from your yard. Those with larger properties don’t always have to worry about the smell that comes with it, but it is a serious problem for those with small yards. Don’t assume that your property has to stink for the rest of your life, though! Hopefully, this list has helped give you some ideas for how to clean your yard and get it back to smelling like the outdoors should!
Hallie has been a proud nature and animal enthusiast for as long as she can remember. She attributes her passion for the environment and all its creatures to her childhood when she was showing horses on weekends and spending her weeknights devoting her attention to her pets. She enjoys spending most of her time in Michigan playing with her two rescue cats, Chewbacca and Lena, and her dog, Clayton. When Hallie isn’t using her degree in English with a writing specialization to spread informative knowledge on pet care, you can find her snuggled up on the couch reading books or watching nature documentaries....Read more
