Are You Willing To Clean Up The Mess Your Dog Made…

…in places belonging to others?

In the previous two posts, I gave some tips on how we can help make our surrounding environment cleaner and pleasant if we clean up our dogs’ wastes in public places.

These days, our dogs are in a different league. Many owners regularly take their canine companions into homes and businesses owned by others. Places such as veterinary clinics, grooming salons, doggy cafés, dog shows, pet stores, offices, home gatherings, and so on. Sometimes these outings last a whole afternoon, and it is inevitable our dogs will need to relieve at some point.

Dogs being dogs, they are like small children (metaphorically speaking) who will sometimes slip up—a little or a lot.

Now, are we so willingly to clean up our dog’s mess if it happens in other people’s premises? Most, I suspect would say it is a common decency we should initiate the cleaning. What I’m about to tell you will shock you. Too often, most owners don’t. Some do not equip themselves with the necessary supplies (i.e. recycled plastic bag) as they would when they walk their dogs. They kind of expect the owner of that place to facilitate the matter. Of course, store clerks and waiters will do the dirty work for you without you asking them. Given a choice, should they?

I believe it’s our responsibility to prepare for any trouble, be it in public places or private properties, especially of the variety that emerges from our dogs’ rear end or occasionally the mouth. Even in places where people expect mess from pets, usually have the means to deal with it themselves (such as at the vet’s or groomer’s). It’s still highly impolite to let your dog make a mess while you are on the scene, and not move a muscle to clean up. No matter where you are, be ready and willing to clear the waste yourself. Unless you are required to leave your dog temporarily in the hands of your vet’s or groomer’s, only then the pee and poop become their business for that time!

Have These Things With You When You Bring Your Dog Out

Before taking your dog out to the local cafe or veterinary clinic, allow your dog to relieves himself thoroughly so that there’s less likelihood of him fouling someone else’ place. Whether it is an hour outing or a whole day event, you should always have these items in your handbag or doggy bag:

• Recycled plastic bags
• Newspapers or potty pad
• Rag cloths (to soak up urine)
• Wet wipes
• Water-filled spritzer
• Odor-neutralizing spray

You don’t have to go to the extent of soaking up urine on the street, but you would want to wash away the piddle if it happened in a friend’s driveway.