Just Pick It Up

Our blogger looks at the best new tools and accessories for curbing your dog.

By Beth Bates

I used to live in a condo: It was just me, my husband and three dogs. As most apartment or condo dwellers know, when you walk the dogs you have to pick up after them. Most of my condo neighbors were also dog owners and were pretty good about it.

In my opinion, there are three reasons for picking up dog poop:

1) It's gross and when I step in it, I get so mad I could spit (which is also gross).
2) It's unsanitary. I mean, seriously.
3) Karma. I truly believe that if I pick up after my dog, others will not let their dogs "go" in my yard.

(Unfortunately, number three is more wishful thinking on my part, since it doesn't seem to deter my neighbors from letting their dogs go wherever they want. But, it makes me feel better.)

So, now that I live in a single family home with a yard (and neighbors with yards), I still pick it up. I'm finding that people who own their own house are pretty careless about cleaning up after their dogs. My mom, who has lived in a single family her whole life has never curbed her dog and doesn't see anything wrong with it. How can that possibly be?

I will admit that I've taken this seemingly unappealing task to a whole new level. I buy cute little poop bag holders for all of the leashes. I look for bags in cool colors. Some of them are even scented. I always get the bags with handles so I can tie the bag in a knot to avoid anything yucky getting out. It can be kind of gross, so why not try making it fun?

Fun "pick up" tools for your arsenal:

• Flushable Poop Bags - I've never used these and I find them kind of disgusting, but strangely convenient.

• Compostable Poop Bags - for your compost pile?

• Biodegradable Poop Bags - be green!

• Pooper Scooper - If you don't want to "pick it up".

• SEALbagz - These bags are shaped like a mitt.

• Colored Bags and Bag Dispensers - I get my dispensers from here!

So, if you see a crazy woman with four dogs in one hand and four bright fuschia  poop bags in the other, rejoice that she's a responsible pet owner. Remember, it's one less pile for you to step in!